History

Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Roselynn Carter talk with Debbie Miller during a 1990 camping trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Miller, an Alaska teacher and author, helped found the Alaska Wilderness League. The organization this week gave a special lifetime award to the former president for his advocacy on behalf of Alaska public lands, including the Arctic refuge. (Photo provided by the Alaska Wilderness League)

Former President Jimmy Carter, honored for ANILCA and other Alaska environmental work, dies at 100

39th U.S. president died Sunday at his home in Plains, Ga.

 

The Wrangell shoreline with about two dozen buildings visible, including a Russian Orthodox church, before the U.S. Army bombardment in 1869. (Alaska State Library, U.S. Army Infantry Brigade photo collection)

Army will issue January apology for 1869 bombardment of Wrangell

Ceremony will be the third by military to Southeast Alaska communities in recent months.

 

Looking through the dining room and reception area to the front door. The table will be covered with holiday treats during the afternoon open house. The Stickley slide table, when several extensions are added, provides comfortable seating for 22 dinner guests. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

The Governor’s House: Welcoming Alaskans for more than 100 years

Mansion has seen many updates to please occupants, but piano bought with first funds still playable.

 

Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

The Triangle Club, Juneau’s historic three-generation bar, is for sale

Owner of 25 years says she’d love bar to stay local with “fresh ideas.”

Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)

Family of Michael Orelove reunites to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Juneau Time Capsule

“It’s not just a gift to the future, but to everybody now.”

Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire A section of Angoon along the coast is seen on June 14. Angoon was destroyed by the U.S. Navy in 1882; here is where they first pulled up to shore.

Long-awaited U.S. Navy apology for 1882 bombardment will bring healing to Angoon

“How many times has our government apologized to any American Native group?”

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire A section of Angoon along the coast is seen on June 14. Angoon was destroyed by the U.S. Navy in 1882; here is where they first pulled up to shore.
Juneau author W.R. Kozey holds his book “Tall Tales of Alaska, The Red Dog Saloon: Stories from the Gold Rush & More” in front of the Red Dog Saloon on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

First book published in series on Juneau’s history explores ‘Tall Tales’ of the Red Dog Saloon

Author W.R. Kozey’s stories come from folklore, his experience as a bartender at the saloon.

Juneau author W.R. Kozey holds his book “Tall Tales of Alaska, The Red Dog Saloon: Stories from the Gold Rush & More” in front of the Red Dog Saloon on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Spruce tips emerging on May 25 beside a Juneau trail. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Brewing survival: How spruce tip beer helped 1790s ‘Voyage of Discovery’ navigate scurvy and survey

Health value of tips now forming on Juneau’s trees known to Natives, European explorers for centuries

Spruce tips emerging on May 25 beside a Juneau trail. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Jirdes Winther Baxter chats with Wayne Bertholl during her 100th birthday celebration Saturday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Jirdes Winther Baxter, last survivor of 1925 Nome serum run, celebrates 100th birthday in Juneau

Five generations of family, dozens of friends and a coalition of political leaders offer tributes.

Jirdes Winther Baxter chats with Wayne Bertholl during her 100th birthday celebration Saturday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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A newspaper clipping showing convicted serial killer Ed Slomke, who went as Ed Krause in Alaska.

Neighbors: Death with Dessert examines Alaska’s first serial killer

Edward Slomke killed at least seven men in Southeast Alaska. He may have murdered twice that many. Along with their lives, he took their money,… Continue reading

A newspaper clipping showing convicted serial killer Ed Slomke, who went as Ed Krause in Alaska.
Skip Gray holds a simulated conversation on an early 20th-century box phone and his cell phone during the opening of the exhibit “Switch and Exchange: A Brief History of Telephones in 20th Century Juneau” at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Friday. Gray is a former resident of the Telephone Hill neighborhood, which got its name when Juneau became the first city in Alaska with an established telephone system and a telephone company called the downtown area home during the early 1900s. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Dialing, cranking and ringing into Juneau’s history as a telephone pioneer in Alaska

Museum exhibit highlights how capital got state’s first phone system and Telephone Hill got its name.

Skip Gray holds a simulated conversation on an early 20th-century box phone and his cell phone during the opening of the exhibit “Switch and Exchange: A Brief History of Telephones in 20th Century Juneau” at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum on Friday. Gray is a former resident of the Telephone Hill neighborhood, which got its name when Juneau became the first city in Alaska with an established telephone system and a telephone company called the downtown area home during the early 1900s. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 6, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Jan. 7

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 6, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Five famous men stand together on a floatplane hangar deck on Aug. 8, 1935. From left to right: Juneau Mayor Izzy Goldstein, Pilot Wiley Post, Novelist Rex Beach, Pilot Joe Crosson, and “Cowboy Philosopher” Will Rogers. (Alaska State Library Ordway photo PCA-87-2631)

Rooted in Community: Merchants Wharf, Part II — An historic moment captured in one photo in 1935

Endearing local memory with visit by Will Rogers and Wiley Post, followed by a shocking tragedy.

  • Dec 15, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig, For the Downtown Business Association
  • NewsHistory
Five famous men stand together on a floatplane hangar deck on Aug. 8, 1935. From left to right: Juneau Mayor Izzy Goldstein, Pilot Wiley Post, Novelist Rex Beach, Pilot Joe Crosson, and “Cowboy Philosopher” Will Rogers. (Alaska State Library Ordway photo PCA-87-2631)
A summer 2023 sunny day shows off sparkling water and floating docks below Merchants Wharf. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Rooted in Community: Merchants Wharf, Part I — Winging it

From $4.50 flightseeing tours in 1937 to a gathering place filled with aviation history today.

  • Dec 14, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig, For the Downtown Business Association
  • NewsHistory
A summer 2023 sunny day shows off sparkling water and floating docks below Merchants Wharf. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 14, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Dec. 17

Three decades of capital city coverage.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 14, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The 125-year-old building at the corner of Front and Seward as seen in summer of 2023. Juneau moved utilities underground and upgraded street lights in the mid-1980s and again recently. Each summer different sayings are displayed on colorful banners (“We are lucky to live here” on this banner) and flower baskets, bringing lively attention to downtown. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Rooted in Community: Lewis/First National Bank

From cash to coffee, one building’s long history.

The 125-year-old building at the corner of Front and Seward as seen in summer of 2023. Juneau moved utilities underground and upgraded street lights in the mid-1980s and again recently. Each summer different sayings are displayed on colorful banners (“We are lucky to live here” on this banner) and flower baskets, bringing lively attention to downtown. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Only a portion of the first floor of the historic Elks Lodge at 109 S. Franklin St. remains standing amidst debris and heavy equipment on Thursday afternoon due to ongoing demolition work this week. The building’s owner has told city officials he hopes to build housing at the site, which is adjacent to where he runs a food stall business. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Historic Elks Lodge torn down, contrary to owner’s claim action was likely months away

Most of 1908 building demolished as of Thursday; owner tells city he wants to build housing.

Only a portion of the first floor of the historic Elks Lodge at 109 S. Franklin St. remains standing amidst debris and heavy equipment on Thursday afternoon due to ongoing demolition work this week. The building’s owner has told city officials he hopes to build housing at the site, which is adjacent to where he runs a food stall business. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Photographer Ed Andrews captures the celebration dedicating the completed Douglas Bridge on Oct. 13, 1935. (Alaska State Library PC01-4128)

Bridge to everywhere: Original Juneau-Douglas crossing from 1935 spanned nearly half a century

Existing bridge is already the “second crossing”; parts of original now in local home, footbridges.

Photographer Ed Andrews captures the celebration dedicating the completed Douglas Bridge on Oct. 13, 1935. (Alaska State Library PC01-4128)
Snow covers Mount Stroller White, a 5,112-foot peak beside Mendenhall Glacier, with Mount McGinnis seen to the left. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Rooted in Community: Stroller White — a man and a mountain

One of the most frequently spoken names in Juneau is Stroller White. We usually refer to the tall mountain that flanks the western side of… Continue reading

Snow covers Mount Stroller White, a 5,112-foot peak beside Mendenhall Glacier, with Mount McGinnis seen to the left. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
A group of people gather in front of the stone fireplace at Taku Lodge including Leigh Hackley “Hack” Smith, who inherited one-quarter of the estate from his grandparents at age nine, his mother Erie Smith next to fireplace on the right and Mary Joyce who took over the lodge when “Hack” died in 1934. (Courtesy of Ken and Mic Ward)

A centennial tribute to the people who built the Taku Glacier Lodge

The former hunting and fishing camp has gone through generations of owners and changes.

A group of people gather in front of the stone fireplace at Taku Lodge including Leigh Hackley “Hack” Smith, who inherited one-quarter of the estate from his grandparents at age nine, his mother Erie Smith next to fireplace on the right and Mary Joyce who took over the lodge when “Hack” died in 1934. (Courtesy of Ken and Mic Ward)