Alaska Stories

著者： Michael R Dougherty
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  • Alaska History, Facts, and Pioneers

    www.anchoragememoriesclub.com
    Michael R Dougherty
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Alaska History, Facts, and Pioneers

www.anchoragememoriesclub.com
Michael R Dougherty
世界 社会科学
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  • Remarkable Pioneering Alaska Aviator, Russel Merrill

    Remarkable Pioneering Alaska Aviator, Russel Merrill
    2025/01/14
    In the photo above is Russel Hyde MerrillClick on the following link to listen to Mike and Mary read this Alaska Story.Our story begins in Anchorage in 1923.Because of a thick forest on the south side of Anchorage, Alaska, there was a concern that if a fire started in the woods, the new town would be destroyed.With that in mind, Arthur W. Shonbeck organized the entire town of Anchorage to create a fire break by clearing a large strip of land between what is now 9th and 10th avenue. But as the new town grew, that cleared land became a home for other things.From Fire Break to Golf CourseThe photo above shows golfers on the firebreak in Anchorage, AlaskaOnce tree stumps and other obstacles could be removed, a golf course was created on the fire break.But wait -Except for dog sleds, it was very difficult to get in or out of most places in Alaska. So, adventurous, pioneer aviators began flying into remote areas of the Alaska “bush”. Those early aviators were soon known as “bush pilots”.They Needed a Place to LandAnchorage, and other parts of Alaska were beginning to use aircraft more and more. However, conditions for taking off and landing were primitive and dangerous. So it was decided that the new golf course in Anchorage would also make a great landing strip for bush pilots.By the way, once planes began landing and taking off on their new airfield, golfers were instructed to give planes the right of way. Ya think?Eventually, the presence of aircraft made it obvious that the golf course had to go.In the photo above is the Anchorage airstrip used by early pilots. This field later became Delaney Park, the largest community park in Anchorage.Then, in 1926, Arthur Shonbeck founded Anchorage Air Transport, Anchorage’s first airline.To start his service, Shonbeck hired a pilot from the lower 48 named Russel Hyde Merrill.Earlier, on August 20, 1925, Russel Merrill and his aviation partner Roy Davis had become the first to fly an airplane to Anchorage.Anchorage Air Transport started with two planes named Anchorage No. 1 and Anchorage No. 2.In 1927, Anchorage Air Transport built the first airplane hangar in Anchorage.Merrill’s Life Saving Flight: It’s What Bush Pilots DoIn 1927, Merrill received a Signal Corp radio message.An airlift was urgently needed to transport a critically wounded school teacher in Ninilchick who was near death.It was nighttime when his plane returned to Anchorage. And with his patient onboard, Merrill had to continue circling the new airfield as he tried to find where to land.The citizens of Anchorage realized what was happening and quickly came to the rescue.They set bonfires around the field and used automobile headlights to help guide Merrill’s landing. The results became the first night landing in Anchorage.The teacher recovered.He Transported Many FursThe photo above shows Russel Merrill with a load of furs.By 1929, Merrill was flying 10 to 12 hours a day.Russel Hyde MerrillA true aviation pioneer and Alaska bush pilot, Merrill made the first flight across the Gulf of Alaska in a Curtiss F Flying Boat.He was also the first pilot to cross the Alaska Range.And Merrill survived many forced landings and crashes.The Last FlightOn September 16, 1929, Russel Merrill set out for Bear Creek at Nyac, near Bethel.Merrill was not seen again.While the crash site was never found, a piece of airplane fabric washed up on a beach at Tyonek, on the west side of Cook Inlet. The fabric was identified by Alonzo Cope, the mechanic who had worked on Merrill’s plane.Yes, You Can Share This EditionDid you know that you can share this edition of Alaska Stories with your friends and family?And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on a first class trip around the world. You’ll follow the famed route of Phileas Fogg and his companion Passpartout in Jules Verne’s 1872 novel, “Around the World in 80 Days”… well, it could happen.Just click on the following link:Thanks for reading Alaska Stories. This post is public, so feel free to share it.Anchorage was GrowingThe town was growing to the south, which meant that it was becoming too dangerous to continue having planes flying in and out of the fire break. So a new airport was needed.Aviation FieldIn the photo above is the first dedicated airport in AnchorageLocated just outside of Anchorage. The new airport, opened in August 1929, and was named Aviation Field.Merrill FieldIn 1930, the Anchorage Women’s Club petitioned to change the name of Aviation Field to Merrill Field.The TowerOn April 2, 1930, Merrill Field was established.A 52 foot tall steel framed tower topped by a rotating aerodrome beacon was erected next to the runway.Memorial PlaqueAlso in 1930, the Anchorage Women’s Club raised funds for a memorial plaque, honoring Russel Hyde Merrill.The date at the bottom of the plaque refers to the day of his last flight.The plaque is now located in the Merrill Field airport control tower.Recognized...
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  • Alaska's Kennecott Copper Mines, One of the Greatest Ever.

    Alaska's Kennecott Copper Mines, One of the Greatest Ever.
    2025/01/07
    It all began in the summer of 1900.“Tarantula” Jack Smith and Clarence Warner were prospecting along the east edge of the Kennicott Glacier. They thought the large green patches on the mountain in front of them were grass. But it was too high up the mountain for grass.So the two decided to climb the mountain. Up close, they discovered the green cliffs were, actually exposed copper.They took samples of what would become known as the “Bonanza Mine Outcrop”. Those samples turned out to be 70 percent pure Chalcocite, one of the richest copper deposits ever found.Where?The Kennecott Mines are located in the Copper River area, northeast of Valdez in what is now the Wrangell, St. Elias National Park and Reserve.A Clerical TypoThe Kennecott Mines were named after Kennicott Glacier.However, as things sometimes happen, a clerical error resulted in the use of an “e” where the “i” was supposed to be. And that’s the reason for the difference in the spelling of the names.How to Bring Out the Ore?In the years that followed, a railroad was constructed to bring out the copper.Meanwhile, a man named Stephen Birch was in Kennecott to start developing the mine claims. But how was he going to get the ore to market before the railroad was a reality?Birch actually decided to bring an entire steamship over the mountains from the port of Valdez. How did he do that? One piece at a time, and he put them together on the Copper River.Dog Sleds and HorsesBirch also used dog sleds and horses to haul up the mining equipment he needed to get the mining operation up and running.You Can Share This EditionDo your friends and family know about Alaska’s Kennecott Mines?You can easily share this story… but be careful because they might want to become Alaska prospectors. But if they do, be sure you get a cut of whatever they find.Just click on the following link:Thanks for reading Alaska Stories. This post is public, so feel free to share it.11 Years LaterThe photo above shows two miners who were working in one of the mines.When Kennecott was up and running, there were about 600 men, often working 7 days a week in the mines and mill town.11 years after the two prospectors first discovered the rich copper cliffs, the first train left Kennecott. It was filled with 250,000 dollars worth of copper.In the photo above, to the left is the Hospital. It was the only whitewashed building in the entire complex.Five MinesThe Kennecott Mines included the Bonanza, Jumbo, Mother Lode, Erie, and Glacier.1916 was the peak year for production in the mines, when the mines yielded 32.4 million dollars worth of ore.Altogether, the mines took out around 200 million dollars in ore.Enjoy this video of the Kennecott Mines1938 – the Last TrainBy 1938, the mines had played out and the last trainload of ore chugged away.The Kennecott Mines became a ghost town.1939 to the Mid-1950sThe only people living in the Kennecott Mine buildings from 1939 to the mid-1950s was a family of 3, who served as watchmen.New LifeIn the 1980s, the Kennecott Mines became a popular destination for tourists.And in 1986, the area was designated a National Historic Landmark.BONUSDiscover the whole Kennecott Mines Story and enjoy.From Our North Stars (that’s you)From our look at the Hillside StarRozanne had this to say:“Thank you so much.I spent most of my years living at Sand Lake, moving to "homestead" in the 50's. One day, there was a star, from then on, I looked for her each season. Being born here before Statehood, I am privileged to experience a wonderful place to grow up, and return to.”Michael offered this comment:“Thank you for sharing the history of the Star... I didn't know that!”Connect with Mike and MaryIt’s time to put away your pick and shovel.We know… you were just one scoop away from finding the Mother lode.Did you enjoy learning about Alaska’s Kennecott Copper Mines?We love to hear from our North Stars (that’s you). Do you have a comment? Just reply to this email. Or you can Contact Us to say, “I’ve been to the Kennecott Mines”.Until Next TimeMike and MaryAlaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe
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  • See the Beautiful Site Summit Star, a Surprise Gift to Anchorage, Alaska

    See the Beautiful Site Summit Star, a Surprise Gift to Anchorage, Alaska
    2024/12/15

    Alaska’s mountains are tall, commanding, and majestic.

    But mount Gordon Lyon in the Chugach mountains, overlooking Alaska’s largest city, has become special to the citizens of Anchorage.

    Illuminated during those long winter nights, the “Site Summit Star” was a gift to Anchorage from the soldiers at Site Summit.

    Nike Site Summit

    The U.S. Army established a Nike Hercules missile installation on Mount Gordon Lyon in 1958 to help protect the U.S. during the Cold War.

    Site Summit in Action

    In the photo above, the Site Summit Army post, tests a Nike-Hercules missile

    Mike of Alaska Stories was a student at Clark Junior High in Anchorage. One day, the students were escorted to the front of the school to watch the first test launch of a Nike-Hercules missile from Site Summit. Like the picture above, it was an impressive site.

    How the Gift of the Star came About

    In 1958, Battery Commander, Captain Douglas Evert, had an idea.

    At nearly 4,000 feet up the mountain, Evert wanted to set up a 15 foot illuminated star on the Site Summit gate house as a holiday symbol that would be seen and enjoyed by all of Anchorage.

    But the first star was too small.

    So, a 117-foot star replaced the original in 1960.

    Oops!

    An avalanche destroyed the star in 1989.

    Later, the damaged star was replaced by a 300-foot wide star.

    Yes, You Can Share This Edition

    Your friends and family will be so happy when you share this edition of Alaska Stories with them. You might even get a special Christmas gift… well, it could happen.

    Just click on the following link:

    Thanks for reading Alaska Stories. This post is public, so feel free to share it.

    Now That’s a Lot of Bulbs

    Photo by Crystal A. Jenkins, US Air Force

    Can you guess?

    How many bulbs do you think it used to take to light up a 300-foot star?

    The Answer is:

    There were around 350 bulbs that require year round maintenance. Yes, those light sockets froze and the movement of snow caused damage as well.

    The Site Summit Star Today

    Modern technology has caught up with the star.

    Light bulbs have been replaced with LED lights.

    The star is 300 feet wide. Compare that to the length of a football field, which is 360 feet.

    When Can You See the Star?

    According to a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson publication, the star is lit every year on Thanksgiving and remains on until the last Iditarod dog sled musher crosses the finish line in Nome – sometime in March.

    The Beauty of the Star

    Water color courtesy of Alaskan artist Cindy Pendleton

    Sit back and enjoy the beautiful vision of the Site Summit Star that is captured so well by Alaskan artist, Cindy Pendleton in the water color image above. Our thanks to Cindy for sharing her art with Alaska Stories.

    BONUS

    To learn more, visit Friends of Site Summit and discover.

    Visit Anchorage Memories.com

    You’ll discover a treasure chest of memories, including stories, pictures, and videos.

    Take a look at Anchorage Memories and enjoy.

    Connect with Mike and Mary

    This is one of those great Alaska Stories that warm your heart.

    If you live in Anchorage, or visited during the holidays, what was your reaction, the first time you saw the Site Summit Star?

    Send us your comment by replying to this email, or you can Contact Us right now to say, “I love the Site Summit Star”.

    Until Next Time

    Mike and Mary

    Alaska Stories



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