Alaska Stories

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

  1. Sep 13

    Copper, Gold, and Vices Created McCarthy, Alaska

    The photo above shows an old hardware store from McCarthy’s glory days. Many towns in Alaska got their start because of a nearby gold strike. McCarthy, Alaska has a different story. Some Copper, Some Gold, and Some Vice In the summer of 1900, “Tarantula” Jack Smith and Clarence Warren discovered a rich copper ore deposit at Bonanza Creek above Kennecott Glacier. The find was located in what is now the Wrangle-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (established in 1980) in southeast Alaska. About 310 miles east of Anchorage. Following the copper find, the Kennecott Mine was established in 1903. A Few Company Rules As miners arrived at Kennecott, they discovered that they had to live by a few company rules. Among those was a ban on alcohol, gambling, and shall we say, other “vices.” Enter the Town of McCarthy John Barrett was homesteading 296 acres of land along McCarthy Creek, about five miles from the Kennecott Mine. Later, gold was discovered nearby in Chisana (The English name Chisana derives from the Ahtna Athabascan name Tsetsaan' Na, meaning literally 'copper river') and prospectors descended on that area. But rumors of other mineral finds also brought squatters to Barrett’s land near Kennecott. Barrett decided to divide his land into parcels he could lease. The result became the town of McCarthy. Now because of the restrictions placed on the Kennecott Mine workers, the people of McCarthy decided to make liquor, gambling, and other “vices” available in their new town. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy, that they will name the next new Alaska town after you… Well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public so feel free to share it. Even the Railroad Helped To transport copper from the Kennecott Mine, railroad tracks came from the mine and ran right along McCarthy Creek, stopping in the new town of McCarthy, and then going on. Soon, the trains were also hauling miners to McCarthy from the copper mines. Railroad engineers even got involved by coming up with a secret train whistle to alert the town of McCarthy when there was a U.S. Marshall on board. Kennecott Mine Closed Suddenly, in 1938, all the fun and games came to a screeching halt when the Kennecott Mine closed. In no time, McCarthy was a ghost town. You Can Still Visit McCarthy Yes, the town has come back from the ashes. The population now stands at around 107, with only 20 or 30 hearty souls living there year round. BONUS Would you like to know more? Take a look at McCarthy, Alaska’s Once Thriving Town and discover. Connect with Mike and Mary Jane The history of Alaska is amazing and the stories of places like McCarthy are fascinating. Have you ever been to McCarthy? Tell us about it. You can connect with Mike and Mary Jane by replying to this email. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  2. Aug 9

    He Made His Home in the Wilderness of Alaska

    Pictured above is Dick Proenneke working on his cabin From the age of 51, he lived alone for around 31 years, from 1968 to 1999. His home was a log cabin that he built at Twin Lakes in Alaska. Twin Lakes is about 150 to 200 miles southwest of Anchorage. It’s located in the deep wilderness of Lake Clark National Park and Reserve. Who was Dick Proenneke? He was of German descent and was born in Primrose, Iowa, in 1916. Having quit high school, he was a self-educated man. He was a naturalist and conservationist. During his years in the wilderness, he also kept journals, took photographs and filmed the surrounding area and wildlife. Besides his journals, Proenneke had a wind-up 16mm Bolex camera and a tripod. With that setup, he could start filming and then walk into the shot. For that reason, a lot of film was shot all around his cabin and the Twin Lakes area that includes footage of Proenneke. YES, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you to visit the Proenneke cabin… Well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public so feel free to share it. Arriving in Alaska He first came to Alaska in 1950 and went to Shuyak Island, located about 54 air miles north of the city of Kodiak. At some point, a friend and the friend’s wife invited Proenneke to be their guest at their cabin in the Twin Lakes area of Lake Clark National Park and Reserve. Around 1968, the park permitted Proenneke to build his own cabin in the area. A skilled carpenter, Proenneke's cabin is noted for its handmade craftsmanship. He also used his 16mm camera set up to film himself while building his cabin. Proenneke also built most of the furnishings for his cabin. Dick Proenneke and his well-built cabin. What Did He Do in Twin Lakes? He fished and hunted. He also gathered and raised much of his own food. However, sometimes he had supplies flown in. Proenneke had this to say about his life: “I have found that some of the simplest things have given me the most pleasure. They didn't cost me a lot of money either. They just worked on my senses. Did you ever pick very large blueberries after a summer rain, walk through a grove of cottonwoods, open like a park, and see the blue sky beyond the shimmering gold of the leaves? Pull on dry woolen socks after you've peeled off the wet ones? Come in out of the subzero and shiver yourself warm in front of a wood fire? The world is full of such things." A Connection to the Outside World Leon Reid “Babe” Alsworth was a bush pilot and a friend of Proenneke. He would fly in with his seaplane once in a while, land on the lake and check on his friend. Alsworth brought the mail, food, and things that Proenneke had bought through the Sears catalogue. Discover Alaska Discover Alaska through stories, towns, films, ebooks, and old Alaska Highway memories that bring you the spirit of the Great Land. Take a look at These Discover Alaska pages and enjoy. Visits to the Lower 48 After about 16 months of being in the wilderness, Proenneke went home to the Lower 48 for a brief visit and to get more supplies. When he returned to Twin Lakes, he stayed there for 30 more years. During that time, he would travel back to the Lower 48 from time to time to visit family. Proenneke and the Park Service He had a close relationship with the Park Service. Proenneke assisted them by filming sensitive areas and notifying them when poachers were nearby. Leaving Alaska For health reasons, in 1999, at the age of 83, Proenneke left Twin Lakes and Alaska to live with his brother in California. The Legacy of Dick Proenneke His journals and the film he shot were later turned into a documentary titled “Alone in the Wilderness.” And, there was enough film and journaling left over to produce a second documentary. Proenneke bequeathed his cabin to the National Park Service, and it’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can visit Dick Proenneke’s hand-built log cabin inside Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska. In fact, his cabin is a very popular place to visit. BONUS Take a look at this film, featuring Dick Proenneke and his time at Twin Lakes. From Our North Stars (that’s you) From our edition about Carl “Ben” Eielson William had this to say: “Great read. I always wondered how Eielson Air Force Base got its name.” Connect with Mike and Mary Jane There aren’t many people who could, or would live Dick Proenneke’s dream. It’s a good thing we have his film and his journals. And it’s wonderful that we can still visit his cabin. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  3. Jul 12

    An Alaska Bush Pilot and Aviation Adventurer

    Oh, those childhood days, when we dream and imagine. Carl “Ben” Eielson was born in the small town of Hatton, North Dakota, where he discovered a love for aviation. And Along Came WWI In 1917, during World War I, Eielson learned to fly in the U.S. Army Air Service. After the war, he was back in his hometown. Then, in the winter of 1919–1920, Eielson helped form the Hatton Aero Club, the first flying club in North Dakota. Let’s Try Law However, his life led him to study law. Eielson attended Georgetown Law School (now Georgetown University) in Washington, D.C. Then, while working part-time as a police officer in the U.S. Capitol, he met Daniel Sutherland, Alaska’s territorial delegate to Congress. Sutherland persuaded Eielson to go to Alaska to teach high school. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will pay for you to fly all over Alaska for an entire year…well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Pictured above is Carl “Ben” Eielson and his Alaska airmail delivery plane. Those Alaska Skies Were Calling In Alaska, it didn’t take long for Eielson to get involved in the early days of aviation. As a pilot for Farthest North Aviation, he did something amazing. It took sled dog teams 30 days to carry mail from Fairbanks to McGrath. But Eielson flew the mail there in under 3 hours. Eielson soon became known as the “Father of Airmail in Alaska.” Besides flying airmail, Eielson was also developing a reputation as the “Father of Aviation” in Alaska. Later, he was asked to form Alaskan Airways. In 1929, U.S. President Herbert Hoover awarded Eielson the Harmon Trophy for outstanding aviator of the year. In Fairbanks, Eielson created the Fairbanks Airplane Corporation. He took passengers on joyrides, flew equipment and doctors to remote camps. He was also the first to fly around the North Pole from Alaska to Spitzbergen, Norway. The Final Flight On November 9, 1929, while on a rescue mission in Siberia, Carl “Ben” Eielson died in a plane crash. He was 32 years old. Mile 26 Satellite Field Gets a New Name In 1948, Mile 26 Satellite Field, located 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks, was renamed. It became known as Eielson Air Force Base in honor of Carl “Ben” Eielson. Another honor was the naming of Mount Eielson, a peak northeast of Denali (McKinley) Those Childhood Dreams As a young boy, Carl “Ben” Eielson could have scarcely imagined just how far his love of aviation would take him. All the way to history-making adventure in Alaska. For more adventure, Discover Alaska and enjoy. From Our North Stars (that’s you) From our Journey Back in Time: How the Alaska Railroad Forged Anchorage’s Beginnings. Jerry has a family connection: “My aunt Peggy and uncle John lived in Seward. John Ostrom worked on the Alaska railroad. My cousins, Donald Ostrom and his little sister, were born there in 1931.” Connect with Mike and Mary Jane Those early Alaska aviators brought Alaskans closer together with often daring flights within the territory. And we remember Carl “Ben” Eielson as the “Father of Aviation” in Alaska. Do you have a comment? Until Next Time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  4. Jun 14

    Journey Back in Time: How the Alaska Railroad Forged Anchorage’s Beginnings

    Pictured above is the mouth of Ship Creek (what would become Anchorage, Alaska) circa 1915. In 1914, the United States Needed Coal So the U.S. Congress passed the Alaska Railroad Act to connect the interior coal fields of the territory of Alaska to the Alaska coast. The mouth of Ship Creek was chosen to be the headquarters of the Alaska Railroad because of its strategic, ice-free deep waters and because it was close to the coal deposits in the Matanuska Valley. In early 1915, after the Alaska Engineering Commission (AEC) was established, the U.S. government began advertising in the Pacific Northwest to recruit workers to build the 35 million dollar railroad from Seward to Fairbanks. Heading North Later in 1915, more than 2,000 prospective workers and merchants began leaving on steamships, including the Mariposa from San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, destined for the mouth of Ship Creek in the territory of Alaska. The ocean voyage could take weeks, depending on the steamship and ocean conditions. Nothing but Wilderness As steamships arrived in Cook Inlet, dramatic tides and shallow mud flats made it difficult for passengers to depart. So, passengers and freight had to be loaded from the steamers onto small boats called “lighters” and barges that took them as close to shore as possible. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on an all-expense-paid, round-the-world cruise, once a year for life… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Getting to shore was tricky because of the mud flats. Long wooden boards were used as gang planks for unloading freight and for passengers getting off the small boats and barges. Once ashore, workers and merchants were greeted by the natural landscape of wilderness and a handful of early homesteaders. It wasn’t Much, but it Was Home Workers quickly began clearing the dense wilderness and setting up basic canvas tents or makeshift shelters using lumber, scrap wood, and sod. Some scavenged for material to build shanties and cabins with canvas roofs. Even though the muddy area around Ship Creek was a jumbled and unsanitary mess, it was the humble beginning of what would become Anchorage, Alaska. “North Addition” Because the Alaska Engineering Commission needed the flatland around the creek to build permanent railroad yards and facilities, the settlement was relocated to the higher bluffs to the north, overlooking Ship Creek. That area became known as the North Addition. Later, the Federal government built a row of cottages on the top of the North Addition bluff for its permanent employees. Because of that, the area became known as Government Hill, which later on became the first neighborhood in Anchorage. BONUS Take a look at the Government Hill Story and discover Hey, We’re a Town, and We Need a Name As the population grew, the new town required a name. Those living in the tents had already begun calling it by names like “Ship Creek”. But the town required an official name, so they had everyone vote for their favorite. Possible names included: * Alaska City * Gateway * Ship Creek * Lane (after the U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1913 to 1920, Franklin K. Lane) * Matanuska * Winalaska * Homestead * Terminal * Gateway ***The winner was Alaska City, with Lane a close second. Did You Know? Shortly after the vote, the United States Post Office had another idea. They decided that because of all the barges and boats “anchored” in Cook Inlet, the name for the new town would be “Anchorage.” From Our North Stars (that’s you) From our “Wheels of Fortune: The Gold Rush Bicycle Story” edition. Edie was surprised: “I really enjoyed this surprising story. I'd never heard anything about using bicycles to get to the gold fields. Thanks. Anchorage Memories.com Take a look at this treasure chest of Anchorage Memories and enjoy. Connect with Mike and Mary Jane The people who came to the shores of Cook Inlet and the mouth of Ship Creek were a hearty group… and we complain when it takes “too long” for our fast food order. Do you have a comment? Until next time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  5. May 10

    Wheels of Fortune: The Gold Rush Bicycle Story

    Notice the man in the picture above with the bicycle in the red circle. Let’s use a bicycle to get to the Klondike gold fields. In 1896, the whole world was crazy for bicycles, and from 1896 to 1899, the Klondike gold rush was in full swing. Some stampedes looked to bicycles, or a “wheel” as bicycles were also called, to carry the supplies needed to enter Canada and head for the gold fields. Peddling Through Peril: The Two Hundred Pound Challenge In the late 1800s, bicycles were not light, and some tires were made of solid rubber. However, stampeders with bikes were an inventive lot. And by adding frames to their bikes, they could carry loads as heavy as two hundred pounds. Yes, You Can Share This Edition And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on an all-expense-paid, bicycle trip around the world. Of course, someone else will peddle the bike, while you sit back and enjoy… well, it could happen. Thanks for reading and listening to Alaska Stories! This post is public, so feel free to share it. Biking Over Those Wilderness Trails No, there were no bike paths on the trails, but two early cyclists from the Brooklyn, New York Bicycle Club rode their wheels from Dawson City in the late 1800s and discussed creating a bike path to the Klondike. That idea never became a reality. In the meantime, those using bikes on the trail rode along in the tracks left by dog and horse-drawn sleds. Plus, bicycles were faster on the trail, and you didn’t have to feed a bicycle. A Tale of Two Passes No bicycle could navigate the steep Chilkoot Trail to get to the Klondike. But it was somewhat possible on the White Pass, and a few were reported to have completed that trip. Mr. W.J. Terry was the first known bicyclist to make it from Skagway to Dawson in March 1899. According to Terry, it took him 8 days. During Terry’s adventure, he patched a flat tire by pouring water into the hole. Then, when it froze, he was able to ride again. Can you imagine that? Gold Rush Rides: The Hazards of Biking to the Gold Fields Riding a bicycle during the gold rush in Alaska came with challenges, including flat tires, frozen bearings, and exhaustion. Edward Jesson wrote about bicycling on a trail at a temperature of 48 degrees below zero. “The rubber tires on my wheel were frozen hard, as stiff as gas pipe. The oil in the bearing was frozen, and I could scarcely ride it. My nose was freezing, and I had to hold the handlebars with both hands, not being able to ride yet with one hand and rub my nose with the other.” Peddle to the Gold Fields During the Alaska Gold Rush, Seattle newspapers reported an increase in bicycle sales as stampeders headed to Dawson. In 1900, the Argus reported as follows: “Local dealers report that the success of cyclists on the trail (in the Alaska Gold Rush) has caused this branch of their trade to change from a mere experiment to a steady growing demand. Scarcely a steamship sails for the north that does not carry bicycles.” Too Many Wheels By around 1903, Dawson had so many bicycles around town that they were considered a nuisance. Gold Fever, Skagway, and Soapy Smith by Michael R. Dougherty of Alaska Stories and Anchorage Memories. Adventure waits: A thrilling tale set in the heart of the Alaska Gold Rush. Gold Fever, Skagway, and Soapy Smith is an adventure-filled short story that takes you to the gold strike, the rough town of Skagway, Alaska, and face-to-face with the notorious Soapy Smith. Take a look at Gold Fever, Skagway, and Soapy Smith and get ready for an Alaska adventure. Connect with Mike and Mary Jane Can you imagine how hard it must have been for the stampeders who used bicycles to get to and from the gold fields? Do you have a comment about this edition, Wheels of Fortune: The Gold Rush Bicycle Story? You can also get in touch by replying to this email. Until Next Time Mike and Mary Jane Alaska Stories Get full access to Alaska Stories Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  6. Apr 12

    He was the First to Stand on the Top

    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 Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  7. Mar 29

    Adventurous Wings over Alaska’s Wild Skies

    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 Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

  8. Mar 15

    He Built it to Impress a Girl

    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 Mini-Documentary Series at www.alaska-stories.com/subscribe

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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Michael R Dougherty
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael R Dougherty
  • Show Website
    Alaska Stories