Alaska Stories

Michael R Dougherty
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Alaska History, Adventure, and Pioneers. www.alaska-stories.com

  1. APR 12

    Epic Alaska Journey of the First Man on Mt. McKinley Summit

    Photo by the MarPockStudios First named Denali by the Den’ina people of Alaska, the mountain is now officially known as Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, which stands 20,310 feet tall. Each year, around 1,000 -1,200 people attempt to climb the mountain. Only about half of them make it. And all of them use modern-day survival gear, climbing equipment, and cozy tents. Our Story Begins in the 1800s Walter Harper was born in 1892, the son of a Koyukon Athabascan mother. The family’s home village was Tanana, located where the Tanana and Yukon Rivers meet, about 130 miles west of Fairbanks in Alaska’s interior. At the age of 16, Harper attended St. Mark’s Mission School in Nenana, Alaska, where he met a man named Hudson Stuck, the Archdeacon of the Yukon. Hudson was impressed with Walter and hired him as his interpreter, guide, and musher for his dog team. The Expedition: Let’s Climb Mt. McKinley When Harper was 19 or 20, Stuck invited him to join the 1913 Karsten-Stuck Expedition to climb to the summit of Mt. McKinley. In the photo above, Walter Harper is seen on the far right. Other members of the group included Harry Peter Karstens, Robert Tatum, and two teens, Johnny Fredson and Esaias George, who were hired to work the base camp. The expedition left from Nenana on March 17, 1913. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will name a climbing trail after you on a mountain somewhere in Alaska. Even if you have never climbed so much as a ladder in your entire life… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Climbing 20,310 Feet: It wasn’t a Sunday Picnic Steep walls and deep crevasses had to be conquered at Muldrow Glacier. At one point, there was a fire in their tent. And it took three weeks to make it through what is now known as Karsten’s Ridge. At the time of their climb, the ridge trail was blocked by large rocks and huge chunks of ice left by an earthquake the year before. The Final Camp: 18,000 feet, the Highest Camp Ever in North America On June 6, the expedition set up its final camp before ascending to the top of the mountain. The very next morning, they left camp at 4:00 am. “Looking Out of a Window of Heaven” Then at 1:30 pm on June 6, 1913, Walter Harper was the first man to set foot on the 20, 310 foot summit of the tallest mountain in North America. When expedition member Robert Tatum joined him, Tatum stood there in awe, he said, it was like “Looking out of a window of Heaven.” On the summit, Tatum planted a flag he had made out of handkerchiefs. The team also planted a 6-foot cross. Going Up and Going Back Down It took 50 days to climb to the summit. But it only took 2 days to get back down to the base camp. On June 20, the expedition crew returned to Nenana, 3 months and 4 days after leaving to climb the McKinley summit. In 1913, following their successful ascent, Stuck named Harper Glacier in Walter Harper’s honor. Harper Glacier can be found on the upper slopes of Mt. McKinley about 3 miles northeast of the main summit. And What About Walter Harper? In 1918, at the age of 25, Harper married Frances Wells. Shortly after that, the couple boarded the SS Princess Sophia in Skagway on their honeymoon, headed for Seattle. During the voyage, the SS Princess Sophia hit a reef and everyone on board was lost at sea. The incident is often referred to as “the unknown Titanic of the West Coast.” Remembering Walter Harper June 7 is now designated by the U.S. Congress as Walter Harper Day in Alaska. And on July 19, 2022, a life-size bronze statue of Walter Harper was unveiled in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. How Many Today? In 1932, 19 years after Walter Harper set foot on the summit of Mt McKinley, the Lindley-Liek Party successfully reached the top of the mountain. And every year, more brave the challenges faced by Harper to stand at the top. As of 2026, around 50,000 to 51,000 have attempted the climb. Around half of those, or over 26,000, have successfully reached the highest peak. BONUS Do you want to know more about Walter Harper? Take a look at Walter Harper, His Life and Heritage, and discover. Connect with Mike and Mary Jane Can you imagine how hard the climb must have been for Walter Harper and the others? What came to your mind when you read this story? You can also get in touch by replying to this email. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories.com Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    7 min

  2. MAR 29

    The First Female Bush Pilot in Alaska

    Pictured above is Mary “Marvel” Crosson. Like many things in Alaska, it takes a certain kind of person to overcome the wilderness, harsh environment, and rugged roads (when you can find them), which make the Great Land the last frontier. And many, if not most, of the pioneers who paved the way were men. But in this edition of Alaska Stories, we’re looking at two women who took on the Great Land… and won. Her Love of Flying Mary “Marvel” Crosson was born in 1904. Then, when she was either 9 or 13 years old, Marvel and her younger brother Joe saw an airplane—and their world was never the same. In 1925, Marvel and Joe purchased and rebuilt a surplus Curtiss N-9 seaplane. Joe also taught Marvel how to fly, and she soloed that same year. Then, in 1926, Joe was contacted by a friend about a job opening in Alaska for a commercial pilot. Joe headed north while Marvel stayed behind, planning to join her brother later. In Alaska, Joe became friends with early Alaska bush pilots like Ben Eielson, Noel Wien, Russ Merrill, and others. Alaska, Here We Come Joe came back from Alaska to visit Marvel, and in 1927, the two boarded a steamer headed for Alaska. In the Last Frontier, Marvel began flying with Joe and had this to say about the Alaska environment. “It takes hours to get your planes warmed up, and then the daylight is all gone nearly.” “Even the hangers and sheds are cold (and) you have to work in mittens, or your hands would freeze fast to the metal parts.” On March 17, 1928, Marvel earned her limited commercial certificate from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Then, pilot Ben Eielson took her on a check ride. Following that, Marvel could be hired as a pilot to carry freight and mail. And that gave her the distinction of being Alaska’s first licensed female pilot in the Territory of Alaska. She was officially an Alaska bush pilot. It should be noted here that at the time of her Alaska achievement, there were fewer than 70 women in all of the United States who had a pilot’s license. One of Marvel’s assignments was to scatter supplies over rugged Alaska terrain. And once the newspapers in the lower 48 got word of it, they quickly gave her the nickname, “Alaska’s Aviation Grocery Girl.” Along the way, Marvel was also called “Bird Girl” and “Pollyanna of the North”, among others. As a woman in the male-dominated field of the Alaska bush pilot, Marvel had to take a lot of guff from fellow pilots and mechanics. But through it all, she remained a trailblazer. In 1929, Marvel also achieved the women’s altitude flying record at 23,996 feet. Her time in Alaska was short. She left the Great Land and began flying in the lower 48. Alaska Remembers In 2009, Mary “Marvel” Crosson was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will take you “flightseeing” around Alaska every year… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Ellen Evak Paneok Pictured above is Ellen Paneok. A bush pilot, author, and artist, Ellen Paneok became the first Alaskan woman of Indigenous ancestry to get a pilot’s license. Ellen’s mother, Bernice Evak Burgandine, was from Kotzebue, Alaska. Ellen was given the nickname of “Paneok” by her mother. The name is from an Inupiaq word that translates into “fish’s tail.” Ellen went on to legally change her name to Paneok. Growing up in Anchorage, she was inspired by a magazine article to pursue a career in aviation as a pilot. Beginning in 1976, with money from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Ellen was able to start her flying lessons, which had become an obsession. Because of her strong desire to fly, Ellen would often skip school to take her flying lessons at Merrill Field in Anchorage. And since she still didn’t know how to drive, she took a bus to the airfield. When her money began to run out, Paneok began creating artwork to sell to tourists. But it all paid off. In 1979, at the age of 20, Ellen Paneok became the first female licensed pilot of indigenous Alaskan ancestry. High blood pressure kept her from pursuing a career in aerobatics, so Ellen became a bush pilot. As a bush pilot, she was nicknamed “Owl Eyes” because she was able to fly in almost any type of Alaska weather. In 2012, Ellen Paneok was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. And here’s a quote from Ellen: “When you decide to do something, don’t let anyone or anything discourage you, it’s up to you.” BONUS Learn more Take a look at Ellen Paneok and discover. From Our North Stars (that’s you) From our First Automobile Manufactured in Alaska edition From Aletha: “I think this is one of the best stories I have read. You both always have great input to Alaska's history. Thank you” And Jerry makes this point: “Sometimes these geniuses will outperform the brainiacs. I love this story. I have known some who were close to passing over to crazy. Love this story.” Joe has a question: “Wasn't this car on display at the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks before it became the Museum of the North?” Discover Alaska photo by John DeLeon Enjoy reading about Alaska towns, movies made by Alaskans, and Old Alaska Highway memories. Take a look at Discover Alaska and have an adventure in the Great Land. Send Us a Comment Did you enjoy this story about two extraordinary women? Send us your comment. You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Leave Us a Message right here. Until Next Time Mike & Mary Jane Alaska Stories.com Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    7 min

  3. MAR 15

    Only Automobile Built in Alaska

    Pictured above is Bobby Sheldon in Skagway, Alaska. At the age of 22, Bobby Sheldon decided to build an automobile… to impress a girl. It was like this. In 1905, a girl that Bobby liked was being escorted around Skagway in a fancy horse and buggy by the son of a local doctor. Bobby thought that if he had an automobile, he would win the girl over. But Bobby had only seen automobiles in newspapers and magazines. His solution was to build an automobile from salvaged parts. He got a two-cycle marine engine from a sunken boat, buggy wheels from freight carts, and his seats had been two barstools. The 1905 Sheldon Runabout When it was completed in 1905, Sheldon’s creation was the first ever automobile built in Alaska. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will buy you the car of your dreams… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Bobby Sheldon, Alaska Pioneer Pictured above is one of Sheldon’s Ford Model T cars, crossing the Tanana River. Sheldon went on to become the first person to cross the Valdez Trail in a gas-powered automobile. The automobile he used was a Ford Model T, not his Sheldon Runabout. At that time, the Valdez Trail was nothing more than a 360-mile trail for dog teams linking Valdez to Fairbanks. Over the trail, Sheldon’s trip took 4 days at an average speed of 9 miles per hour. At one point, Bobby had a fleet of 15 Model Ts that he used to transport people from Fairbanks to Valdez over the Valdez Trail. Bobby Sheldon’s Life Sheldon went on to become a Road Commissioner and the first person to bus visitors into Denali National Park. Along the way, Sheldon ran a post office for a while and served in the Alaska State Legislature. What About the Girl? Sheldon did take the girl on, as he put it, “many an exciting spin at 15 miles per hour.” In a 1931 interview, a reporter asked Sheldon if he had married the girl he hoped to impress with his 1905 Sheldon Runabout. Bobby replied, “No, but three other fellows have since then.” Apparently, the girl’s mother had advised her daughter to “Stay away from Bobby. He’s a genius, but they’re only one step away from insanity.” You Can See the 1905 Sheldon Runabout You can still see The Sheldon Runabout on display at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska. BONUS Click on the link below to see a video of Sheldon’s automobile today. Connect with Mike and Mary Jane Bobby Sheldon was an amazing Alaska Pioneer. Do you have a comment about this fun story? You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Contact Us right here. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories.com Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    4 min

  4. MAR 1

    Sitka, Alaska Totem Story

    NPS photo Alaskan natives look to animals for inspiration. For them, an animal has their own spiritual story. Totem poles are often used to represent an animal. What Does the Dictionary Say? The word totem is a noun. A totem is an emblem or a badge that features an animal or a plant. Each totem represents a family, clan, or tribe. Golden Age of Totem Carving 1830 to 1880 is considered the golden age for totem carving. Most Alaska totems were created using Western Red Cedar and, on occasion, Yellow Cedar. The reason has to do with both trees being decay-resistant. Haida and Tlingit artists in southeast Alaska carved totems with traditional tools made of stone, bone, or beaver teeth. Later, because of trading, metal tools were introduced, and carvings became more intricate. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will carve a totem that represents you… Well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Alaska Governor John Brady When Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million dollars, many considered the purchase to be a mistake. Back then, “Seward’s Icebox” and “Seward’s Folly” were two of the names given to the purchase. So Governor Brady decided to start showcasing Alaska. Around 1903, Brady had 15 original totem poles collected from Haida and Tlingit villages on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. Those poles were then displayed at a 1904 Exhibition in St. Louis and a 1905 Exhibition in Portland. The Totems in Sitka In 1906, the totems returned to Alaska where they found a home in Sitka. There, the totems were repaired and refurbished, then put on display in what is now the Sitka National Historical Park and the Totem Trail. The Sitka National Historical Park is located in a rainforest of giant spruce trees. Established in 1890, the park covers 113 acres and is the oldest federally designated park in Alaska. BONUS There is much more to this story. Take a look at the Sitka National Historical Park and discover. You can also visit this Wikipedia look at the Sitka National Historical Park to learn more. From Our North Stars (that’s you) From our look at Alaska Firsts The Klawak Cannery was the first salmon cannery in Alaska. Located on Prince of Wales Island. Jerry was there: “Keep up the good work. I spent a few years up there. 1953 was the start when, after the last salmon was canned, they zipped her up until the first salmon arrived in the spring. Of course, the winter fishery of shrimp was going strong in the Petersburg and Wrangell areas. All local employees. I moved my family to Wrangell, where I installed the first automated shrimp peeler in Alaska in 1956. We canned the shrimp. The other shrimp plants were hand peelers, and the market was all fresh. I could go on and on about the fishing industry. All of it.” Connect with Mike and Mary Our look at Alaska totem poles and the Totem Trail in the Sitka National Historical Park has been fascinating. Do you have a comment? You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Contact Us with comments, questions, or a hello. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Alaska Stories.com Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    3 min

  5. FEB 15

    Alaska Firsts

    The view from Fort Tongass The first military post in Alaska Located on Tongass Island near the southern tip of the Alaska panhandle, Fort Tongass was established in 1868, following the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. Shortly after Fort Tongass was up and running, other military posts were set up. Those included Fort Wrangell, a post on St. Paul Island, Kodiak Island, and the Kenai Peninsula. The First U.S. Army Soldiers in Alaska In 1867, the 9th Infantry Regiment was stationed in Sitka following that year’s transfer of Alaska from Russia. First Salmon Cannery in Alaska In 1878, the North Pacific Trading and Packing Company began operation at Klawock on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. The cannery was in operation until 1929. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will get you a year’s worth of all expenses paid, round-trip flights for two around Alaska… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. The First Airplane Flight in Alaska Pictured above are James and Lilly Martin. The first airplane flight in Alaska took place in Fairbanks on July 4, 1913. Captain James V. Martin and his wife, Lilly, flew over Exposition Park. The two reached an altitude of 200 feet, reaching a speed of 45 miles per hour. An earlier attempt in 1913 took place in Nome, Alaska. But that was a failure because the pilot, who was a resident of Nome, had built the aircraft from a kit. Unfortunately, the engine lacked enough power to get the plane off the ground. The First Anchorage Flight In April of 1922, pilot Roy Troxell flew a Boeing Seaplane over Cook Inlet before crashing into the mudflats shortly after takeoff. The pilot was unharmed, but the aircraft was destroyed. The First Airmail Delivery in Alaska In 1924, a flight piloted by Carl “Ben” Eilson delivered the first airplane-delivered mail in Alaska. Also in 1924, Noel Wien piloted the first non-stop flight between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Alaska Firsts Yes, Alaska is a big land, the last frontier, and a place filled with firsts. The ones included here are just a few. Connect with Mike and Mary It doesn’t matter how you look at it. Alaska is a fascinating place, filled with a rich history, adventurous pioneers, and many firsts. Do you have a comment? You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Contact Us right here. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    4 min

  6. FEB 1

    Did You Live in an Igloo?

    1924 photo above by Frank E. Kleinschmidt I remember the first time I was asked if our family lived in an igloo. We were visiting relatives in Texas. I was about 15 years old, and when a family friend found out that I was from Alaska, they asked if we lived in an igloo. At first, I thought they were kidding me. But they were serious. All About the Igloo The word igloo comes from the Inuit word “iglv”, meaning house. In Alaska, igloos were first used around 500AD. While some think of igloos as permanent housing for Alaska’s native population, igloos were used as temporary housing for winter survival. The Craft of Building an Igloo An Alaska native skilled in the art of creating igloos can construct one in about 1 to 2 hours. Most igloos are created as dome-shaped structures. The art of crafting a dome-shaped igloo out of compacted snow takes a lot of knowledge. It all starts with a snow drift of fine-grained, compacted snow. The builders cut the drift into blocks, using metal knives. Originally, a bone knife was used as the cutting tool. The blocks are stacked together in a way that creates a dome-shaped structure. A small entrance to the igloo could be slanted downward and covered inside the entrance with seal skin to prevent cold wind from blowing into the structure. Swankier igloos might even include a block of ice that acted like a window. The interior of an igloo. Yes, You Can Share this Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will build you a really nifty, four-story igloo complete with its own ice skating rink and walk-in freezer… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. A Refuge from the Cold While it was bitter cold outside, say 49 degrees below zero or more, the inside temperature of an igloo was remarkably warm. Temperatures inside can range from 19 degrees to as warm as 61 degrees as a result of body heat alone. Behold the Igloo A completed igloo in Point Barrow, Alaska. Mary’s Igloo For the record, Mary of Alaska Stories is 1/4 Alaskan Indian, but she has never been inside an igloo. This story of Mary’s Igloo is about a very tiny village near Nome, Alaska. In the early 1900s, a small settlement was given the name, Mary’s Igloo, after an Inupiag woman who liked to welcome trappers, miners, and others into her home for a cup of coffee. Mary’s Igloo became a transfer point for supplies headed for the gold fields. By 1910, this tiny community was home to around 141 people. There was a post office, a store, and schools. However, by 1952, all but a few people who lived in Mary’s Igloo had moved to Nome or Teller, Alaska. Today, Mary’s Igloo is no more. Have You Ever Been Inside an Igloo or Built Your Own? BONUS Would you like to know more about igloos? Take a look at Igloos and discover. Connect with Mike and Mary So now that you know all about igloos, you can head outside in the winter and build your own. You’ll be the talk of the neighborhood. Do you have a comment? You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Contact Us right here. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    4 min

  7. JAN 18

    974 Inches of Snow

    Notice the horse-drawn sleds going over Thompson Pass in the photo above. Year unknown. Can you even imagine what 974 inches of snow (which is over 81 feet) in one year would look like? Thompson Pass is the snowiest weather station in Alaska. In 1952–1953, the snowfall that year was measured at 974 inches. The most snow ever recorded in one location in Alaska. Note: But wait, believe it or not, 974 inches of snow in one season at one location is not the most for the entire United States. Mount Baker Ski Resort in Whatcom County in Washington state holds that record with 1,140 inches of snow (around 95 feet), recorded in 1998-1999. Mount Baker is located about 52 miles east of Bellingham, Washington, in the Cascade mountains near the Canadian border. The Challenge Ok, Alaska, Washington state’s 1,140 inches is only 166 inches or 13.8 feet more than Alaska’s 974 inches. So, come on, Thompson Pass weather, you can come up with that, plus a few inches more for a new United States record. Now back to Thompson Pass You’ll find Thompson Pass northeast of Valdez, Alaska, 2,678 feet high in the Chugach mountains. The pass also holds the Alaskan record for the most snow in a single day at 62 inches, which is over 5 feet. That record was set on December 29, 1955. Talk about a white Christmas. They Were First The Alaska native Ahtna people were there first. They had trails over the region for centuries. Enter U.S. Army Captain William Abercrombie Then, in 1898, U.S. Army Captain William Abercrombie led an expedition seeking "an all-American route from coastal Alaska to the Klondike during the gold rush.” Abercrombie gave it the name “Thompson Pass” in honor of Frank Thomson, whose last name was spelled without the letter “P”. However, Abercrombie wrote the name as Thompson instead of Thomson on his sketched map of the area. Note: Frank Thomson was a prominent Pennsylvania financier, railroad executive, and philanthropist. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will discover a new pass and name it after you… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. The Klondike Gold Rush Thompson Pass was used by the Klondike Gold Rush stampeders. However, after it had been in use for a while, it became known as a treacherous route. Later, the trail became the Valdez-Eagle Trail. Because of the Klondike Gold Rush, Valdez became a port for 1800s miners, who used Thompson Pass to get to the gold fields. Keystone Canyon In 1898, the U.S. Army created a trail through a section of Thompson Pass called Keystone Canyon. Note: The canyon location also helped to create another route to Alaska’s interior. That route would later become the Richardson Highway, the first long-distance road into Alaska’s interior. They Had a shoot-out In the 1900s, railroad companies wanted to control the area. But conflicts caused a tense atmosphere. In 1907, an actual shoot-out between rival railroad companies ended hope that Valdez would become a railroad town. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline Photo by Luca Galuzzi The early 1970s saw thousands of workers putting together the Alaska pipeline. Thompson Pass provided the overland transportation link to Valdez, which is where the pipeline ends. Thompson Pass Today, Thompson Pass is a modern, paved highway connecting Valdez to interior Alaska. However, it’s still a challenging, snowy drive. Great Memories Fill your heart and feed your soul with the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club. Take a look at The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club and enjoy. Connect with Mike and Mary But I say this… an Alaska winter can come up with 1,140 inches of snow in one year up in Thompson Pass, plus a measly 14 inches more, so we can take that record away from the state of Washington. What do you think? Have you ever been to Thompson Pass? We want to hear about it. You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Contact Us right here. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    6 min

  8. JAN 4

    The Alaska Flag Story

    In 1926, Alaska Territorial Governor George Parks called for the design of an Alaska flag. The American Legion put together a contest for Alaska youth in the 7th through 12th grades. A 14-year-old named John Ben “Benny” Benson Jr. entered the contest. In the picture above is Benny Benson Benny was born in Chignik, a fishing village on the Alaska Peninsula. When he was only 3 years old, his mother died of pneumonia. Shortly after that, the family’s home was destroyed by a fire. Benny’s father was unable to care for his children, so Benny was sent to the Jesse Lee Home orphanage in Unalaska. In 1925, the Jesse Lee Home was relocated to Seward, Alaska, located on the Kenai Peninsula. Benny Entered the Alaska Flag Design Contest In 1927, Benny sat down at his school desk and drew his idea for the Alaska flag. His design included the Big Dipper constellation and the North Star on a blue background. Benny wrote the following to accompany his design: “The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is the Great Bear - symbolizing strength.” Judging There were over 700 entries, with 142 designs selected by local competitions to be sent to Juneau for final judging by a 7-member panel. All 7 judges chose Benny Benson’s Alaska flag design as the winner. “I Darned Near Fell Out of my Chair” Benny recalled how he first learned that he had won the contest: “One day our teacher’s husband came in the room and he brought a telegram, she just looked at it and her mouth dropped open. She was speechless… And i darned near fell out of my seat I guess.” What Benny Had Won Benny won a gold watch with his design on the back. In 1963, his watch was donated to the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. He was also flown to Washington, D.C., to present the new Alaska flag to President Calvin Coolidge. In addition, Benny was awarded $1,000, which he later used to attend a Diesel engine repair school. Benny’s original flag, made of blue silk, was first flown on July 9, 1927, in Seward, Alaska. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will name an Alaska Mountain after you… Well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Note: The Alaska flag is the only one of the 50 state flags designed by a Native American. The Jesse Lee Home in Seward is now known as the “Birthplace of Alaska’s Flag.” Benny passed away at the age of 58. You can visit the Benny Benson Memorial at mile 1.4 on the Seward Highway. Benny is Remembered with Honors In 2025, Daren Herman, the grandson of Benny Benson, accepted an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Alaska Pacific University, in memory of his grandfather’s achievment. BONUS A Poem and a Song Marie Drake was so taken by Benny’s flag design and the words he wrote that she composed the following poem: “Eight stars of gold on a field of blue,Alaska's flag, may it mean to you,The blue of the sea, the evening sky,The mountain lakes and the flowers nearby,The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,The precious gold of the hills and streams,The brilliant stars in the northern sky,The "Bear," the "Dipper," and shining high,The great North Star with its steady light,O'er land and sea a beacon bright,Alaska's flag to Alaskans dear,The simple flag of a last frontier.” In 1935, her poem was published in the October issue of the Department of Education’s School Bulletin to help teach children about the territory’s flag. Three years later, in 1938, Elinor Dusenbury composed the music that accompanies the poem by Marie Drake. In the photo, Elinor Dusenbury is on the left, with Marie Drake on the right. The two ladies met for the first time in the summer of 1938 in the Baranof Hotel in Juneau. During their meeting, Dusenbury played her composition for Drake. The Alaska Flag Song In 1955, the Territorial Legislature officially adopted the poem and musical composition written by Marie Drake and Elinor Dusenbury. It became the Official Alaska State song in 1959 when Alaska became the 49th State. Click below to hear the song and see the lyrics: Connect with Mike and Mary Mary, just like you, every time I hear the Alaska Flag song, it brings tears of joy to my heart and my eyes. What a great Alaska Story. What are your memories of the Alaska Flag and the song? You can also reply to this email. Or, you can Contact Us right now. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

    7 min
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About

Alaska History, Adventure, and Pioneers. www.alaska-stories.com

Information

  • Creator
    Michael R Dougherty
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael R Dougherty
  • Show Website
    Alaska Stories

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