Index
As life around us moved from the relatively stable 1970's into a rush to meet the new century, our pace accelerated to adapt to the dawn of the "information age". New ways of collecting, storing and disseminating information, a rapidly changing built-environment, changing expectations of the membership, the need for new funding sources, all are new challenges facing non-profit organizations such as ours today.
To position us for the new century we will develop a plan to preserve and interpret our cultural heritage whether in the form of advocacy to preserve historical places, or through support of museums and interpretive centers, and the publication and dissemination of local history. The Society will develop and adopt a plan enabling TYHS to meet the new demands for services in an ever more complex environment.
Some of these goals will not be easily achieved. Others can be implemented within months. Input and help from members will be crucial in the development of "A Plan to Preserve the Heritage of the Fairbanks North Star Borough" and in the implementation of new programs.
Our agenda for the coming months is extensive and we are asking for the membership-at-large to assist and sustain us in this endeavour. Board meetings are open to the public and I urge all of you to participate and perhaps to volunteer your services.
Focus on Illinois Street
The Rose Building, on the corner of Illinois
Street, opposite Denali State Bank, is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The building is owned by the
State Department of Transportation and its present status
is uncertain. TYHS is following developments regarding
this building and will keep its readership up to date on any
new developments.
The Coal Bunker, also located on Illinois Street has been purchased by John Reeves. Reeves also owns the Fairbanks Exploration Company Machine Shop, recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Reeves deserves congratulations for his efforts in developing the Machine Shop into a historical attraction as well as for his purchase of the Coal Bunker.
Meanwhile the Fairbanks Exploration Company Administration Building owned by Golden Valley Electric is still deteriorating. The Tanana Yukon Historical Society would be pleased to assist the Golden Valley Electric Assocation with their planning process. We hope that the Assocation will avail itself of this great opportunity.
Many of us know the "White House" nestled in park-like surroundings on Illinois Street. The building, originally built by the F.E. Company and more recently owned by the Fairbank's Catholic Diocese has passed into loving private hands and is presently restored into a family home.
Other housing along Illinois Street and part of the
F. E. Company Complex is not faring
nearly so well. The four houses form a pleasing unit.
While not identical they feature similarities in
architectural detail that immediately identifies each
building as part of the Fairbanks Exploration Company
Complex. The buildings are in an ideal location to house
professional offices or other like purposes.
Rehabilitation of the buildings would be a great boon to
the neighborhood and the city and certainly would
attract more visitors to Fairbanks to tour the district.
What's New
In its attempt to balance the federal budget, Congress
has vigorously whittled away or eliminated many programs
and funding sources to which we have long ago become
accustomed.
Of particular interest is the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit group devoted to preserving America's historic sites. Traditionally, most of the Trust's funding has been composed of private monies. In the past Congress has generously contributed to the Trust's operation with a federal appropriation of about $7 million. This year's appropriation is expected to be $3 million with that support being phased out over the next three years, making the Trust wholly dependent on private funds. New sources will have to be found to augment the Trust's budget if the NTHP's most popular programs (such as Heritage educational and tourism, the many Main Street and grant programs) are not to be hurt. Funding for the NTHP Western Regional Office, in San Francisco, is especially important since the regional office can respond much better to Alaska's unique uilt environment that can the National Office in Washington, D.C.
Masonic Temple
in Fairbanks. The owners should be strongly urged to submit
an application to AAHP and other granting agencies.
Tony Johansen, District Engineer
(Your Senator or Representative)
Creamer's Dairy Restoration Project
ISET funding for the Creamer's Dairy Restoration Project is
surrounded by a cloud of confusion. What does seem clear is
that members of the Fairbanks community who are concerned
that this historically significant site be preserved and
maintained need to make that concern known to ADF&G and
ADOT&PF as soon as possible. There appears to be no
reason to assume that the project cannot be funded under
ISTEA guidelines. We urge members to let their State
Senators and Representatives know of their concern for this
project and to contact both agencies as well. The addresses
are:
Herb Melchior, Creamers Refuge Coordinator
For more information, contact
1300 College Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Department of Transportation & P.F.
2301 Peger Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
Renee Blahuta
Back to the Tanana-Yukon
Historical Society Home Page
President of the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society
P.O. Box 80353
Fairbanks, Alaska 99708-0353