SS Nenana: The Last Lady of the River Alaskaland: Borough Past, Present, & Future

Mayor Ward chats with Patricia Schmidt about the history of the SS Nenana, also known as the Last Lady of the River. The Sternwheeler Nenana ran Alaska's rivers from 1933 to 1952 bringing supplies, news, employment and transportation to each of its stops. At one period in Alaskan history, there were over 300 flat-bottomed sternwheelers navigating on the Yukon River and its tributaries. These sternwheelers were essential in the development of the history of Alaska. Of all these lifelines of the rivers, only one remains: the SS Nenana, located in Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, Alaska. Patricia is a longtime Alaskan and is a member of the Friends of the SS Nenana, a local group who is working to see the sternwheeler restored.