|
Barnette's
Landing Beautification Project.
With no roads and sparse trails, the rivers were the highways in
Alaska in the early 20th Century. Historically, the area along the Chena
River has been a gathering place for people. It's likely that ages ago
hunters and gatherers came to barter, to share ideas and to learn from
one another.
E.T. Barnette landed just upriver in August, 1901, and his cabin and
trading post were the beginnings of what was to become a service and
supply center and a community of families. The new settlement developed
quickly after news of the discovery of gold by Felix Pedro
in July, 1902. From the beginning there was a strong spirit of
individualism and competitivness, yet the talents, skills and business
interests were somehow complimentary.
E.T. Barnette beame the first Postmaster, commissioned in Seattle on
May 4, 1903, with the Fairbanks Post Office scheduled to receive mail 12
times a year. Steamboats brought most of the people and supplies to
Fairbanks in the early years. Work, lives and survival revolved around
the steamboat seasons. The first to arrive in June was full to capacity
with freight and mail held over from the previous fall. The last boat in
the fall carried people trying to escape the winter.
By November 10, 1903, when the city became incorporated, it was the
largest log cabin town in the world. There were about 500 houses and
1,200 people in the city and approximately 1,800 miners working in the
Tanana Valley. Thanks to Judge James Wickersham, the offices of federal
officials, commissioner, marshal, clerk of court, and recorder were all
in Fairbanks. Gold production continued to rise, when at its peak in
1909, millions had been produced, making Fairbanks one of the richest
towns anywhere. The city had grown to 3,500 residents and 15,000 miners.
In addition to the federal offices located here the town had many
shops. The list included:
- seven saloons
- two stores
- one jewelry store
- two meat markets
- two cigar stores
- two tin shops
- one blacksmith
shop
- two dry stores
- four hotels
- one machinery
depot
- one hospital
- one newspaper
- four lawyers
- three large
sawmills
- two laundries
- two barber shops
- four doctors
- two bath houses
- two carpenter
shops
Many names of those early-day residents are familiar today as street
names or historic landmarks. Their descendants still live and work here.
We are proud of their ancestors' courage, vision, and determination, of
what they accomplished by overcoming harsh conditions and adversities.
These people together created a strong, thriving settlement and then this
city, whose spirit and interdependence helped it withstand floods, fires,
earthquakes, and the extreme climate. For some it was pure cussedness and
determination. For others it was a desire to make things better and more
beautiful. Together these qualities and our strength of character set us
apart from many other places. Our community draws strength from the
presence of state and local governments, Native Corporations, large and
small businesses, the military, its schools, and non-profit
organizations.
The Tanana Valley boasts the largest gold mining operation in North
America today, the only operating coal mine in Alaska, the service center
for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and continues to be the supply and
transportation hub for the Interior's communities and industry. The University of Alaska
began as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines in 1917, and
has grown to be a respected academic and global research institution.
Barnette's Landing Beautification Project began with a need, and a
dream by some who believed we could create a lasting tribute to the first
100 years of Fairbanks as a city and as a way to honor our home. Dr.
William R. Wood played a key role in getting this project started. We are
grateful to him and so many others who came before and after him, who
together are the dreamers and doers ~ contributing then, now and in the
future to make Fairbanks a great place to live, work and raise a family.
We dedicate this riverfront beautification to the indomitable spirit
that still exists in our town today as we strive to bring the rier back
to a place of honor in the heart of our town.
Dedicated August 26, 2003.
Project coordinated by Festival
Fairbanks, Inc.
Constructed by Great Northwest,
Inc.
Landscape Architect, Gordy
Schlosser
Ironwork by Chad Dietz
|
City Centenial Logo
E.T. Barnette
|
