Anchorage Visitor’s log cabin, year unknown.

When you had out-of-town visitors, where did you take them? It’s likely that you took Uncle Bob and Aunt Darlene to 546 West 4th. Avenue in downtown Anchorage so they could see the visitor’s log cabin.

There it was (and still is), an old, sod-covered Alaska cabin, right smack dab in the middle of our city. How Alaskan.

And displayed there on the ground, right beside the front door, your guests spotted that very impressive 5,445-pound Alaska copper nugget.

Did You Know?

The Visitor’s Log Cabin was built in Homer, Alaska, in 1954.

If you’re into log cabins, you’ll be delighted to learn that this one is made of round logs with saddle-notched corners. It also features a gable roof covered with sod.

Photo by Jet Lowe. Notice the downtown Woolworth’s store just across the street.

The cabin was designed by an architect named Edwin B. Crittenden.

Building took place in Homer at a sawmill owned by “Cap” King.

Others who created the cabin include a logger from Washington state, Otis R. Russell, who had become a homesteader in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay, and Bob Cole. Both were the craftsmen who cut the logs and assembled them.

After the two put the cabin together and checked everything, the cabin was then taken apart, loaded on a truck, and sent to Anchorage.

Meanwhile, back in Anchorage

A foundation had been laid in Anchorage, next to city hall at 4th. and F Streets.

When the truck hauling the cabin arrived from Homer, the cabin was assembled on top of its new foundation, and presto, an instant visitor’s center… Alaska style.

Watercolor by Alaskan Artist Cindy Pendleton

The Anchorage Visitor’s Log Cabin is a part of Anchorage that many of us remember from our childhood. Others may recall the first time they saw this little gem as a grown-up coming to live in this special place called Anchorage, Alaska.

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And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will have a parade in your name, featuring you as grand marshal… well, it could happen.

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BONUS

The original Anchorage City Hall was built in 1936.

Now, since the Visitor’s Log Cabin sits on the lawn right next to Anchorage’s original City Hall building, we thought it would be fun to include these facts.

Located at 524 West 4th. Avenue, the original City Hall was designed by Ellsworth Sedille and constructed in 1936.

Did You Know it even housed a Jail?

When it first opened, the building was home to the city mayor’s office, a telephone switchboard, city council chambers, the chief of police, the city engineer, the public utilities superintendent, and the city library.

The building’s basement also housed three jail cells and a “tank room” for drunks, a caretaker’s apartment, as well as quarters for on-duty firefighters.

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From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Anchorage Denali Elementary School Memories.

Joe remembers:

“I went to Denali for first grade in 1955. My teacher was Miss Rook in Room 47. Yup, I remember Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, and Puff: “Run, Spot, run! Run, run, run!” Reading opened a whole world for me.”

Claudia recalls:

“I attended North Star until 3rd grade, then we moved and I attended Inlet View before going to Central Jr. High.”

John tells us:

“I attended kindergarten at Government Hill Elementary in 1960. For the 1st grade through the 3rd grade, I was at Elmendorf attending Aurora Elementary School.”

Gary says, “She became a star”:

“I went to Denali for first and second grade. In my first grade class (Mrs. Johnson was the teacher) was Rosie Hamlin.

She became best known for “Rosie and the Originals - and the song Angel Baby.”

Jerry and his family went there:

“Tom, Jim, Jerry, Patsy, Joe & Jack Ward all went to Denali. Great memories.”

Allen informs us:

“I went to Willowcrest and, in 5th grade, to Northwood Elementary.”

Joe attended these:

“Primarily Nunaka Valley and then Chester Valley. Then, on to Clark in 1973.”

Paula remembers:

“Nunaka - K through 6th grade.”

Melinda recalls:

“From 1959 to 1963, I attended Government Hill Elementary School as we lived in Panoramic View apartments. And we all walked to school. My parents bought a new house on Abbott Loop Road, and we rode a school bus to Abbott Loop Elementary School from 1963 to 1964.”

Patricia informs us:

“Regarding Mt. View Elementary. I attended grade school in that same building, but it was then called Talkeetna Elementary. My second grade teacher was Mrs. Gilman of Gilman’s Bakery fame. In 4th grade, we had 44 kids with only one teacher who was with us the entire day. If my memory is correct, there was a fire in the school during the 54/55 year, and we double-shifted at Airport Heights Elementary. When our school reopened, it was renamed Mt. View Elementary.”

Ronnie recalls:

“My family lived in Anchorage from 1957 to 1960. I think my brother and I went to Airport Heights. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.”

Eric remembers:

“I attended Mountain View for first grade. Airport Heights, second through 4th. While Nunaka Valley was finished being constructed, I attended Denali for a month and then the old high school downtown until November. Then finished fifth and sixth grade at Nunaka Valley.”

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What a great stroll down memory lane.

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Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

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