Nellie brown and her husband Jack first arrived in what would become Anchorage, Alaska in 1912, even before the railroad and tent city. A fascinating story.
Mike: I came to Anchorage in 1959 as a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, fresh out of graduate journalism school at UCLA. In 1961, Governor Egan hired me to work as a staff assistant in Juneau. In 1964, post-earthquake, I returned to the Anchorage Daily News as editor. In 1968, I took a leave of absence from the newspaper to manage Mike Gravel's campaign for the U.S. Senate. After we won I went to Washington with him as his chief of staff. As you see, I was very much involved in early state government formation, the earthquake, the Fairbanks flood, the formation of the AFN, the discovery of North Slope oil, the creation of the southeast ferry system, passage of the first native land claims act, and other events of that turbulent decade. I'm writing to let you know that I'm here if you would like any perspectives from that time for your podcast. I'm 89 now and live in DC.
I’m catching up with my reading and listening from far south of home on my way to Washington, and Oregon, but I couldn’t help but marvel at this delightful history! I never realized that the earliest pioneers in Anchorage would have gotten their mail in Eagle River, on the Iditarod Trail, but of course, that makes perfect sense. A few of us working on the Anchorage Mushing District have been trying to determine where that early trail between Eagle River and what would become Anchorage might have been, but so far have not had much luck.
Helen - We are happy you enjoyed our Nellie Brown Edition of the Anchorage Memories VIP Club and Podcast. Yes, getting their mail in Eagle River is an interesting fact. Imagine how long that would take, back in the day. And if you find out where that early trail was, we would like to know as well.
Mike: I came to Anchorage in 1959 as a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, fresh out of graduate journalism school at UCLA. In 1961, Governor Egan hired me to work as a staff assistant in Juneau. In 1964, post-earthquake, I returned to the Anchorage Daily News as editor. In 1968, I took a leave of absence from the newspaper to manage Mike Gravel's campaign for the U.S. Senate. After we won I went to Washington with him as his chief of staff. As you see, I was very much involved in early state government formation, the earthquake, the Fairbanks flood, the formation of the AFN, the discovery of North Slope oil, the creation of the southeast ferry system, passage of the first native land claims act, and other events of that turbulent decade. I'm writing to let you know that I'm here if you would like any perspectives from that time for your podcast. I'm 89 now and live in DC.
Joe - Thank you for your information-filled reply. We hope you are enjoying your well-deserved retirement.
I’m catching up with my reading and listening from far south of home on my way to Washington, and Oregon, but I couldn’t help but marvel at this delightful history! I never realized that the earliest pioneers in Anchorage would have gotten their mail in Eagle River, on the Iditarod Trail, but of course, that makes perfect sense. A few of us working on the Anchorage Mushing District have been trying to determine where that early trail between Eagle River and what would become Anchorage might have been, but so far have not had much luck.
Helen - We are happy you enjoyed our Nellie Brown Edition of the Anchorage Memories VIP Club and Podcast. Yes, getting their mail in Eagle River is an interesting fact. Imagine how long that would take, back in the day. And if you find out where that early trail was, we would like to know as well.
I love your stories
Anchorage is my favorite place and i appreciate your historical background information
Mendelsohn - You are welcome. We are delighted that you are enjoying the Anchorage Memories VIP Club and Podcast.