Local history

Hiker Linda Kruger reaches Father Brown’s Cross on Mount Roberts in this July 2020 photo. Kruger has organized the annual trail race to the cross for the past ten years. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, although the cross is no longer there. (Photo courtesy Jeff Gnass)

Crossed off: Famous Mount Roberts cross lies flat

Father Brown’s Cross destroyed during winter for reasons not fully known; restoration plans underway.

Hiker Linda Kruger reaches Father Brown’s Cross on Mount Roberts in this July 2020 photo. Kruger has organized the annual trail race to the cross for the past ten years. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, although the cross is no longer there. (Photo courtesy Jeff Gnass)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 9, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 9, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 21, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 21, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A waterfront view of Marine Parking Garage with the windows of the Juneau Public Library visible on the top floor. “Welcome” signs in several languages greet ships on the dock pilings below. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

The story of the Marine Parking Garage: Saved by the library

After surviving lawsuit by Gold Rush-era persona, building is a modern landmark of art and function.

A waterfront view of Marine Parking Garage with the windows of the Juneau Public Library visible on the top floor. “Welcome” signs in several languages greet ships on the dock pilings below. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 16, 1984.
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 16, 1984.
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 11, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 11, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Looking south from downtown Juneau in December 2023 with buildings and docks in the foreground, the rock dump can be seen jutting into Gastineau Channel and providing a weather-protected harbor for Juneau. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Juneau rock dump’s history: From waste site to ‘Million Dollar Golf Course’ to industrial hub

Area now targeted for possible homeless campsite surrounded by bustle of past and present activity.

Looking south from downtown Juneau in December 2023 with buildings and docks in the foreground, the rock dump can be seen jutting into Gastineau Channel and providing a weather-protected harbor for Juneau. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 25, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 25, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 19, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 19, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 10, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 10, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Walter Soboleff Building occupies a central location in downtown Juneau on the former site of a historic building that burned in 2004. (Photo by Brian Wallace)

The C.W. Young Building: A phoenix rises from the ashes

Icebergs, shipwreck victims, historic fire and Native heritage part of downtown landmark’s history.

The Walter Soboleff Building occupies a central location in downtown Juneau on the former site of a historic building that burned in 2004. (Photo by Brian Wallace)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 3, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 3, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 26, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 26, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / 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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The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall Tower Apartments, the tallest building in Juneau, seen during a rainy morning Feb. 22. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

The building that saved Juneau

Mendenhall Tower Apartments and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Mendenhall Tower Apartments, the tallest building in Juneau, seen during a rainy morning Feb. 22. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 16, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 16, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 7, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Empire Archives: Juneau’s history for the week of Feb. 11

Three decades of capital city coverage (about past school district budget woes, in this instance).

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Feb. 7, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Felix Toner, a Juneau resident who was active in fighting efforts to move the capital, was named Citizen of the Year award at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on Jan. 30, 1984. (Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire file photo)
Felix Toner, a Juneau resident who was active in fighting efforts to move the capital, was named Citizen of the Year award at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on Jan. 30, 1984. (Brian Wallace / Juneau Empire file photo)