The Tanana Yukon Historical Society

May 1996 Newsletter
Number 5, 1996

Index

The President's Corner

National Historical Preservation Week is celebrated throughout the Nation, and in Fairbanks, from May 12 to 19, 1996. This year's theme "Preserve Community" calls attention to the need for revitalization of city centers and neighborhoods.

Fairbanks has the good fortune of having a united community willing to preserve the historic character of the community. It makes not only good sense to preserve and recycle buildings, but as we enter the Gold Rush Centennial it is especially appropriate that we refurbish the old and venerable, revitalize streets and neighborhoods to reflect our past as a goldrush camp. The theme of gold has been consistent throughout Fairbanks' history. Early stampeders were drawn to Fairbanks by the news of gold discoveries. Later the Fairbanks Exploration Company dominated life in the Golden Heart City. Current gold mining operations again remind us of our deeply rooted heritage as a mining camp.

To focus attention on some of our endangered historic properties, the Tanana Yukon Historical Society has issued its first annual list of "Most Endangered Properties". The loss or further degradation of these properties would seerely impact Fairbanks' inventory of historic sites and buildings. For a town such as Fairbanks to lose more of its historic fabric is paramount to losing its past--its identity.

The Society has completed a rough draft outlining its goals and objectives, and solicits your input in finalizing the document. Copies of the draft will be available for discussion purposes at the membership meeting on May 21st.

Please check our Web page at http://www2.polarnet.com/~tyhs for more information and updates.

Correction

We reported in the April newsletter that the following ISTEA projects were funded. They are not. It is only a list of projects that might be eligible for funding if placed on the State's STEP list.

Five Most Endangered Properties

This year for the first time the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society identified the Fairbanks region's five most endangered properties. A TYHS committee selected the five most endangered from the nominations submitted by the public, as well as Society members.

  1. FIRST AVENUE HISTORIC STREET SCAPE, (Wickersham to Cleary Street). The small frame and log structures along the Chena River, with the larger NC Company complex formed a pleasing picture of the gold rush heritage of the community. Many have been removed, but many remain, especially between Wickersham to Cleary Streets. The Masonic Temple, the Odd Fellows hall and the Geo. C. Thomas Library are on the National Register.

  2. CREAMER'S DAIRY COMPLEX. The barns are particularly in need of major stabilization.

  3. ROSE BUILDING, 320 Church Street. A good example of early commercial log building, it has been allowed to deteriorate badly since being taken over by DOT/PF.

  4. PALACE HOTEL/TRADING POST at Alaskaland. This 1906 hotel was moved to its present location from Fourth Avenue in 1967. It continues to need stabilization and restoration.

  5. RAINEY'S CABIN SITE, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Built in 1936, the cabin was originally surrounded by a garden and woods. More recently, extensive large-scale construction by the university has seriously degraded the site.

    Creamer's Dairy complex, Rose Building, and Rainey's Cabin are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Local News

    Fairbanks Historic Preservation Week will be starting off with a bang with City and Borough mayors proclaiming May 12-18 Historic Preservation Week, dates which coincide with the nation-wide celebration of National Preservation Week. The Fairbanks Daily News Miner will focus on Fairbanks' Endangered Properties in its Heartland edition, May 12.

    Festival Fairbanks, the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society, the Air Museum at Alaskaland and Fort Wainwright Publlc Affairs, with the assistance of Princess Tours are sponsoring field trips for local schoolchildren to Ladd Field Historic Landmark on Ft Wainwright.

    Tours are scheduled on the morning of May 14 for children of Immaculate Conception and Nordale Elementary, and May 16 for Denali and Arctic Lights Elementary schools. TYHS initiated and sponsored this event and wrote a brochure for student handouts. At the time of this writing, other tours and events are still in the planning stage. Call Festival Fairbanks at 436-1984 for more information.

    Main Street Fairbanks, a project of the Downtown Association has made the preservation and restoration of the Clay Street Cemetery one of its goals. Because cemeteries are usually ineligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, it is an honor to have the Clay Street Cemetery listed, because of its significance to the Fairbanks area. For more information look us up on http://www2.polarnet.com/~tyhs

    We are starting a WEB page scrapbook Please send us your photos of field trips and events for inclusion. Send entries directly to

    R.Blahuta
    Attn:WEB page editor
    PO Box 80353
    Fairbanks, AK 99708

    Memorial Day is opening day for the Sternwheeler Nenana, a project of the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation. There is a three dollar fee to view a diorama of Yukon River villages, or a five dollar fee if you wish to tour the restored boat.

    Wickersham House Museum, a little gem of a museum, is a TYHS project. It opens its door for the 1996 season on Memorial Day, too. Operating hours are 11 am to 9pm daily. Please come and visit with us, and of course bring your friend, neighbors, and out-of-town visitors for a truly memorable experience. You do not need a ticket to see the house museum. However, whether you visit us or not, we appreciate your support. Donations are tax deductible and should be sent to TYHS, Po Box 7136, Fairbanks AK 99707.

    Manager Hired for Wickersham House

    The Society hired Janice Dosch as manager of Wickersham House museum for the 19% season. We are still looking for volunteers to staff Wickersham House. Please Call Renee Blahuta at 457-6165 if you have a few hours to spare.

    Agenda for the May 21, 1996 Board Meeting

    Date: Tuesday, May 21, 1996
    Time: 6 pm
    Place: Noel Wien Library Auditorium
    1. Members sign in, new memberships available at the door.
    2. Introduction of Officers and Board Members.
    3. Reports
      Secretary
      Treasurer
    4. President's Report - state of TYHS, goals and objectives
    5. Break for refreshments and first drawing for door prizes
    6. Discussions and comments
    7. Adjourn membership meeting
    8. Second drawing for door prizes
    9. Program

    The TYHS Annual Meeting for 1996 will be held in conjunction with the showing of rare early Alaskan film footage (Dirk Tordoff, UAF Rasmusson Library).. Those attending the meeting must be paid-up members of the TYHS. Membership signup will be available at the door. An individual membership of $10.00/year allows the member to participate in the meeting and enjoy the film footage and refreshments. There will be door prizes as well.

    Back to the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society Home Page