Alaska VIP Club

著者： Michael R Dougherty
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  • Interesting facts about Alaska

    www.alaskavipclub.com
    Michael R Dougherty
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  • One Daring Gold Rush Drove the Skagway, Alaska Invasion

    One Daring Gold Rush Drove the Skagway, Alaska Invasion
    2024/09/01
    While the Klondike gold fields were in Canada, along the Yukon River, the cheapest entrance was through Skagway, Alaska, or Dyea which was located across the Lynn Canal.It’s estimated that 100,000 prospectors, known as “stampeders” packed the docks headed for Skagway and Dyea on their way to the Klondike in 1897.Most left for Alaska by steam ship from Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. Ships traveled up Alaska’s inside passage and into the Lynn Canal, the deepest Fjord in North America and one of the longest in the world. Skagway and the town of Dyea were located off the Lynn Canal.Skagway, Alaska Muddy streets and hastily thrown together boardwalks greeted weary gold seekers as they left the steam ships and made their way into Skagway. Dyea, AlaskaBefore the gold rush, Dyea was a seasonal fishing camp and a port for trading ships with goods headed for the interior of Alaska. The name Dyea means “to pack”.Gold seekers came to Dyea to use the Chilkoot Pass to get to the Klondike gold fields. When the stampeders arrived, Dyea consisted of the Healy & Wilson Trading Post, a few saloons and a rugged tent city. There was also a U.S. military contingent, but they were instructed not to interfere in civilian matters.Dyea is now, mostly, a ghost town.BONUSTake a look at this video about the history of Dyea and discoverThe Chilkoot StepsThe Chilkoot Pass led stampeders into Canada on their way to the Klondike River. The Canadian Mounties required every prospector to bring a full years worth of supplies with them. So, every person had to make many trips up and down this very long pass to get all their goods to the top. As you might imagine, while stampeders were busy making multiple trips up and down the Chilkoot, theft of supplies was rampant.The Chilkoot had steps cut into the pass that the stampeders used to get up the steep grade. It was called the “Chilkoot Steps” and it was a hard climb. Imagine doing that over and over until you had all your supplies on the top. Only to have them stolen.Yes, You can Share this EditionWould your friends or family enjoy this story about the Alaska Gold Rush?You can easily share this edition of the Alaska VIP Club with them.Just click on the following link:Thanks for reading, the Alaska VIP Club. This post is public, so feel free to share it.Enter Jeff, “Soapy” SmithA brilliant con man, Jeff Smith, brought his gang from Colorado to Skagway to take advantage of the men arriving in Skagway with money to buy goods to get them to the gold fields. And to rob miners returning to Skagway of any gold they found in the Klondike.Smith even had men working the steam ships headed to Skagway and Dyea. His men found out who had money, so that when the ship arrived and the passengers got ashore, they could be mugged or conned out of their money.Soapy Smith got the name “Soapy” after a con game. He would sell bars of soap for a dollar with the chance to find 10 dollars, 20 dollars or more, tucked inside the wrapper.However, Soapy had men planted in the crowd who would “find” the soap bars with money, causing the gathered crowd to get so excited that they would buy up all the soap, hoping to find money in the wrappers.Of course, Soapy’s men were the only ones to “find” the money (which they later had to give back to Soapy). The take was always enough for Soapy to play a few games of faro.The Skagway Telegraph OfficeThere was no telegraph service in Skagway. But Soapy came up with a brilliant con.The Skagway Telegraph office had a telegraph cable that went as far as the inlet. Inside the office, Soapy’s men would take your message and “send” it. In the backroom, Soapy’s men wrote the “replies”.People were sending telegrams about how much money they had or how much gold they found. Then Soapy’s men, who were working the Skagway Telegraph Office con, would report to the gang, who would then find various ways to steal the person’s money or gold.One Man LawThieves, thugs, and con men could operate pretty easily because Marshall Rowan was the only lawman in Skagway.Soapy had tried and failed to get Rowan in his pocket. Later, Rowan was shot and killed by a shotgun blast in a Skagway saloon. It is believed that the shooting was set up by Soapy.The End of the Klondike Gold RushIt was over in a short amount of time.Because of the hardships involved, few make it to the gold. As for Soapy Smith, some of his men robbed a lucky prospector. The prospector complained, and a mob formed to run Soapy Smith out of town.But Soapy faced down the mob and in a brief gun fight, Soapy was shot and killed.From our North Stars (that’s you)Did you know that you can comment on each edition of the Alaska VIP Club?You can either reply to this email, or you can Contact Us to say, “I’ve been to Skagway, Alaska.”A Final Word from Mike and MaryDid you strike gold?Just reading about the Alaska Gold Rush was like striking gold… But now you have to make sure that ...
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  • How a Quick, Dirty Tent City became Anchorage, Alaska

    How a Quick, Dirty Tent City became Anchorage, Alaska
    2024/08/18
    In the spring of 1915, over 2,000 prospective workers and merchants assembled at the mouth of Ship Creek.And more were arriving every day.Shore Access was DifficultPictured above, unloading a bargeSteam Ships anchored in Cook Inlet sent out small launches that brought passengers to shore on Ship Creek Flats.It was a muddy mess. Horse and foot traffic slogged their way through mud over corduroy log paths and the few hastily laid out boardwalks.A “tent City” quickly sprang up. It was filled with a rag-tag collection of tents and temporary wood buildings. The conditions were rugged and unsanitary.Overcrowded and UnsanitaryBy June 1915, tent city was dangerously overcrowded and unsanitary.Harry and Katsuyo Kimura arrived in tent city from Seattle and took over a hand laundry. There was no running water, and the clothes that were brought to them to be cleaned were full of lice.Years later, the Kimura family went on to build Snow-White Laundry and Cleaners and the very popular restaurant, Nikko Garden. Just to name a couple.But back in 1915, the AEC, Alaska Engineering Commission ordered that by mid-August, all tents had to be moved off Ship Creek Flats and relocated up onto what is now known Government Hill and the new town site.What Caused This Rush? It Wasn’t GoldFrom May through June 1914, 11 survey parties were sent from Seattle to Alaska.The purpose of these 11 survey crews, was to determine possible routes for a proposed Alaska Railroad.BONUSTake a look at this information about the Alaska Railroad Survey Crews and enjoy.Yes, You can Share this IssueYour friends and family will say, “Wow” when you share this Tent City edition with them. And when you do, they will be so happy that they will name a bright star in the night sky after you… Well, it could happen.Click on the following link:Thanks for reading Anchorage Memories VIP Club Podcast! This post is public, so feel free to share it.U.S. President Woodrow Wilson DecidedIn April 1915, needing coal for the Pacific Fleet, the Federal Government decided to access the coal fields of the Matanuska Valley in Alaska. President Woodrow Wilson made the decision that the Alaska Railroad would run from Seward to Fairbanks. The route would take the railroad past the coal deposits of the Matanuska Valley and would end in Fairbanks.Then, in 1915, the United States Congress authorized construction of the only Federally owned railroad in the history of the U.S.Construction headquarters would be established at the mouth of Ship Creek at Cook Inlet.And because Cook Inlet could be dredged to accommodate larger ships and was a protected boat anchorage, the area was chosen as the Alaska Railroad mid-point.The goal was to lay 470 miles of railroad track. The StampedeIt was like a gold rush without the goldWhen it was announced that the AEC, Alaska Engineering Commission, was going to hire workers, thousands of people began arriving at Ship Creek Flats. Some were looking for jobs, some for lucrative business opportunities.Almost overnight, a rugged tent city sprang up among the tree stumps. And the work began.Who Drove the First Spike?Martha White, who was born in a cabin just off Cook Inlet, was selected to drive the first railroad spike.BONUSClick on the following link:See how the railroad gave birth to Anchorage and discover.The Plateau Above Ship CreekA town was beginning, so lots were then laid out for a 240 acre town site under the supervision of Andrew Christensen of the General Land Office. First House Built in AnchorageLocated in Elderberry Park at 420 M Street in Anchorage, a home was built in 1915 by Oscar Anderson. Aside from a few log cabins, It was the first wood home built in Anchorage. His home still stands today as an Anchorage tourist site.Oscar Anderson claimed to be the 18th person to set foot on what is now Anchorage. He lived in his house until his passing in 1974.BONUSTake a virtual tour of the Oscar Anderson House and enjoy.How did they arrive at a Name for this New “Town”?An election was held on August 9, 1915, to decide on an official name for the town that was springing up before their eyes.Names to consider included:Alaska CityGatewayHomesteadAnchorageLane (named after Secretary of the Interior, Franklin D. Lane)MatanuskaShip CreekTerminalWinalaskaThere were 538 votes cast.The winner was Alaska City with 146 votes.Lane came in second with 129 votes. Third choice was Anchorage with 101 votes.Then Governor J.F.A. Strong wanted “Matanuska”.The Alaska Engineering Commission (AEC) wanted the name “Ship Creek”.Enter the United States Post OfficeYes, the U.S. Post Office gave the town the name Anchorage.They appointed Roydon Chase as the first postmaster, and all mail was then sent to “Anchorage, Alaska.”The new name was quickly added to maps and news stories covering the building of the railroad and the town.Cook Inlet Pioneer and Knik NewspaperSo much was happening that a newspaper set up shop in town. From it’s ragged ...
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    9 分
  • The Truth about Alaska's Illiamna Lake Monster

    The Truth about Alaska's Illiamna Lake Monster
    2024/08/11
    Scotland has the Loch Ness monster, also known as “Nessie”.But did you know that Alaska has the Illiamna Lake Monster, also known as “Illie”?Alaska Has How Many Lakes?Alaska has over 3 million unnamed natural lakes, and about 3,197 officially named lakes.Iliamna LakeThe largest lake in Alaska is Iliamna Lake, located in Southwest Alaska at the north end of the Alaska Peninsula, about 100 miles from Seldovia, Alaska.That’s a Lot of WaterIliamna Lake is 77 miles long, up to 22 miles wide and has a depth of 988 feet.Where Did the Lake Get Its Name?The name Iliamna comes from the inland Dena’ina Athabascan name “Nila Vena” which means “island’s lake”.How Does it Compare?While Iliamna Lake is the largest in Alaska, it’s the 3rd largest lake in the entire United States and the 24th in all of North America.The Illiamna Lake MonsterAlaska’s Tlinget people tell stories of a creature in the lake, and the Aleut people tell stories of a fish-like monster in the lake.Yes, You can Share this EditionWould your friends like to discover Alaska’s Illiamna Lake Monster?They will be so happy when you share this with them, that they will send you on an all - expenses paid Alaska Cruise… well, it could happen.Thanks for reading Anchorage Memories VIP Club Podcast! This post is public, so feel free to share it.Monster SightingsIn 1942, a bush pilot named Babe Alsworth and a man named Bill Hammersley were flying over the lake.Somewhere in the middle, Alsworth spotted something unusual.Flying lower, he noticed what appeared to be giant fish. Then flying even closer, both the men saw huge fish the color of dull aluminum, The heads of the fish were broad and blunt. The tails of the fish were moving side-to-side.Note: Whales move their tails up and down.The two flew even closer and spotted several dozen fish that the two described as looking like mini-submarines. The monster fish were about 20 feet long.An Encounter with the Illiamna Lake Monster?As the story goes, an unnamed man was trolling for the Illiamna Lake Monster.He used 5/16th stainless-steel cables for fishing line with number two tuna hooks, baited with caribou meat.The cables were tied off to the struts of his float plane. Then the man sat on one of his floats as his plane drifted over the lake.Suddenly, there was a massive jerk that knocked the man into the lake. The plane was then towed away by something in the water. The man was somehow able to make it back to shore.Later, the man recovered his float plane. He discovered that three of the steel cables were gone. The 9-inch tuna hooks on the cables that remained had been straightened out.Monster StoriesThere have been many stories of sightings and encounters over the years.In 1979, the Anchorage Daily News offered a $100 thousand dollar reward to anyone who could provide conclusive evidence that proved the existence of the Illiamna Lake monster.To date, the $100 thousand dollar reward has not been claimed. A White Sturgeon?Here is one possible explanation for the Illiamna Lake monster.White Sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish in North America. At up to 20 feet in length, they can weigh over 1,500 pounds. And a White Sturgeon can live for over 100 years.And by the way, White Sturgeon are bottom dwellers. Because of that, sightings are rare. And remember, Illiamna Lake is around 988 feet deep.So, while the stories are fun to hear around the campfire, the monster may just be a species of White Sturgeon, a Pacific Sleeper shark. Or? You decide.From our North Stars (that’s you)From our Anchorage Spa Swimming Pool edition.Karen sent us this comment:“Dad became a member. I remember the smell of chlorine and the “fog” when you entered the room with the pool. I also remember wading in the “kiddies” pool.”Diana told us her story:“Great job, as always! I did start my lessons there but couldn't complete them because I was too afraid of the water. My dad had thrown me in Spenard Lake, and I sank to the bottom and didn't come back up. When they finally found me, they had to give me mouth-to-mouth. I've been afraid of the water ever since.”Anne has this memory:“When the spa opened, I started to save the $200. It took 3 years. When I had enough saved in 1956, I decided that it was too late because it was time for college.I did get to swim at the Spa when I tried to train without a coach to be on the swim team at Anchorage High.”Douglas sent this comment:“I learned how to swim there when I was about 6-7. I remember the chlorine taste of the water.”Gene set along this memory:“Comically, I nearly drowned during my high school class swimming lesson at the Spa in 1957, and never did learn to swim even though I joined the Navy in '61. But many great memories of splashing around in the warm water of the pool.”Connect with USWow, do you love a good monster story? (look who’s eating all the popcorn.)Illiamna Lake is a fascinating place in Alaska, with many great stories.Do ...
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    6 分

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Interesting facts about Alaska

www.alaskavipclub.com
Michael R Dougherty
社会科学 世界
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