Through
the next couple of years new construction in historic downtown Fairbanks and adjacent
neighborhoods is going to significantly affect the face of Fairbanks.Your Fairbanks Historical Society Since 1959
November 1998 Newsletter
Vol. 3, No. 11
|
Index
Alaska & Polar Regions Department Lectures 7:00 pm, Noel Wien Library Auditorium Wednesday, December 2 |
TYHS BOARD Date: November 17, 1998
TYHS Lectures Tuesday, November 17 The Public Is Invited To Attend |
Statement by TYHS
to Corps of Engineers, Alaska
Public Meeting, Wednesday, November 4, 1998.
Through
the next couple of years new construction in historic downtown Fairbanks and adjacent
neighborhoods is going to significantly affect the face of Fairbanks.
The new courthouse is one such structure that is going to visually impact the downtown area. Fear is that the original pleasing, if unoriginal, design plans have been scaled down to such an extent that Downtown may be burdened with yet another "tin box" lacking esthetic value. There are already too many outright ugly buildings to be able to afford one more mistake. And a new parking garage should be as thoughtfully designed as other components of the Block 13 development, incorporating architectural distinction and refinement.
We need public buildings that enhance the overall character of our northern frontier
community, continuing in relationship with our historical setting, blending the best
of the old with the new. Those interested in seeing downtown revitalized, in making
it once again a point of interest, need to insist that the "value added"
plans be followed and architectural material be of the highest standard. It may cost
more to have a stone facade rather than steel, but quality and esthetic value must
be present in Fairbanks of the future.
Temporary below-standard facilities have filled many needs in a goldrush camp or
during the WWII era. Today Fairbanks has matured and is now a community that has
survived its first century. As Alaska's second largest city Fairbanks deserves an
appearance that reflects its citizens' appreciation for the arts and its heritage
as a seat of higher education. We can not afford bad planning and "make-do"
development; we want a downtown Fairbanks that we can all feel proud of. Preserving
the best of the past is not possible if we are not willing to invest in our future.
Photos courtesy of Candy Waugaman.
I recently returned from Savannah, site of the 52nd National Preservation Conference. The theme of this year's conference "The Arts and Economics of Preservation" was well-chosen. In recent years the city's economy has thrived. Good planning, grants, tax incentives, the efforts of the arts community, and civic pride have been powerful forces in making Savannah one of our country's most historic and beautiful cities. It is beautiful because its citizens work tirelessly to restore, rehabilitate and preserve buildings and parks. Damp, humidity, and storms take their toll on old and new structures alike and maintenance is a serious problem. Nevertheless, with charm and an eye for history, the community takes pride in preserving the old. Social and service organizations and the Arts community work together with local government to retain their heritage and as a result, Savannah has emerged as a giant in the historic preservation field. The economic benefits of historic preservation are readily visible in the revitalization of its districts and art centers, galleries and historic theaters and the impact of arts festivals. The newly-revitalized Savannah Riverfront with its "riverwalk" demonstrates the importance of riverfront assets to a community.
Author John Berendt in his book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, describes the community far better than I ever could. He captures the essence of the Savannah preservation movement and gives a vivid description of the people that shaped it. During the conference the influence of the early preservationists and the enormous impact of the Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD) could be felt everywhere (and yes, the characters in John Berendt's book are real people, including the "Lady Chablis").
The Tanana-Yukon Historical Society is seeking applicants for the position of Manager for Wickersham House Museum at Alaskaland for the 1999 season. Wickersham House is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Interested parties are encouraged to call our voice mail at 455-8947 or write to the TYHS for more information.
The TYHS is currently seeking nominations from its membership for the year 1999. If you wish to contribute to the community through active participation in the Society we invite you to call our voice mail 455-8947. Adele Virgin, recently selected as nominating committee chair, will return your call. Nominations must be received or postmarked by November 25, 1998.
Dermot Cole in a recent column wrote about plans by the Masons to look for a new
facility. While the Fairbanks landmark has some structional discrepancies that do
need to be addressed in the not-so-far future, it is a facility well worth preserving.
To this writer it would appear that the best-case scenario would be for the Masons
to invest in their building and rehabilitate the National Register structure. A tax
credit could go a long way in assisting with rehabilitation. The possibility of modest
grants may also lower the expense of stabilization and making the building handicapped-accessible.
However at this point the Masons wish to build anew. We wish them good luck in their
search for the right site along the river's front. But, we cannot resist pointing
out that even the best new facility will not retain the link to the history of their
organization and to our community that the present structure has. Throughout the
nation organizations such as the Masons are losing membership as the American lifestyle
changes. Without that link to the historic days when the Fairbanks Masons demonstrated
their faith in the future of Fairbanks by building the most elaborate, elegant structure
in Fairbanks (and by doing so brought comfort to its residents) the Masons may find
that the kindly spirits of Fairbanks' past may not move with their membership to
the new facility.
The U.S. Army states that it will demolish 12 buildings in the National Landmark
and Historic District. Because of the significance of Ladd Field as a National Historic
Landmark loss of the historic fabric will lead to the loss of the Landmark. Some
Fairbanksans may not be aware of the important role Alaska and the Fairbanks theater
played in the Second World War, nevertheless it would be an irreplaceable loss to
the community and the nation should Ladd Field on Fort Wainwright loose its Landmark
status. Not only should we protest the cavalier destruction of the built environment
that makes up the Landmark, but we should reject the scheduled destruction of the
Birch Hill Tank Farm and pump station. The history of th
e Birch Hill facility dates back
to the CANOL oil pipeline of the 1940's and the Haines pipeline of the post war years.
It is a link to today's oil pipeline and should be interpreted for public use as
such. Similar to the pipeline viewing area near Fox, this facility makes a first
class site for interpretation of how Alaska was shaped by the advent of World War
II and the following Cold War years.
Coupon booklets such as this one were purchased with vouchers by airmen stationed at Ladd. The 5, 10, and 25 cent coupons provided purchasing power until the next paycheck was issued.
The
future of three historic structures between First and Second and Dunkel is in question.
The two residential structures and garage were recently purchased by Doyon Properties,
Inc. and promptly offered to two shareholders with the proviso that the structures
be moved. As of this date, two of them are slated for moving this month, reportedly
to nearby locations. The fate of the building at 299 First Avenue is still being
determined. In the early decades of Fairbanks the log garage was owned by the Valdez
Stagecoach Company and served as a barn and later, automotive garage.
This is a neighborhood that will be impacted greatly by the proximity of the new
courthouse and a prospective new structure for the Doyon Corporation. Care needs
to be taken that historic buildings and their owners do not become displaced by new
construction. We hope that homeowners will be find incentive to remain in familiar
neighborhoods.
Top: 299 First Avenue (at Dunkel) house might be moved or rennovated.
Above: Log garage structure, used into the 1930ís by the Valdez Stagecoach Lines.
Right: Adjoining property at Second Avenue, to be moved to new location.
This
real photo postcard is inscribed on the reverse "Love to all the Brethren"
and was printed in 1925 by the Masonic Lodge in Fairbanks. The upper right corner
says "Farthest North Lodge in the World Joins Me in Fraternal Greetings 9-2-25
Morton Gregory Grand Master."
The empty chair in the middle of the photo is the President Harding chair, used by
President Harding during his speech and reception in Fairbanks. The men in this photograph
are members of the Tanana Lodge No. 162, Fairbanks. And, superimposed on this photo
of the interior of the Masonic Lodge is the front of the building we are all familiar
with, one of the last original buildings remaining on First Avenue.
The Fairbanks Masons began as a club in 1904. The building, constructed by the Tanana
Commercial Company in 1905, was purchased by the Masons after they received their
charter in 1908. They extended the building to the rear, giving it its present dimensions
of 32 feet by 60 feet. The basement and facade were added in 1916. Harding's chair
still sits today in the lodge, as well as the one used by President Ford, a Masonic
Lodge member, during his speech at Eielson Air Force Base.
-Candy Waugaman