Paul and Lee Rees had originally built the log home that sat in the middle of the property in the 1940s. The home was filled with memorabilia such as pictures of their mushing dogs and sleds, original books in their library, a beautiful fireplace built by Lee, and the two pictures windows that framed stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. Outside the home, there were fragrant, old lilacs bushes, gardens filled with peonies that Paul had planted himself, lilies galore, hardy daisies and so much more.
Truly, an Alaska frontier oasis in the middle of a busy, noisy city.
After almost two years living in that Alaska retreat, it came time for me to move to Fairbanks. About a year after my move north, I noticed a picture of "my log home" in the local newspaper. When I read the story, I was saddened to hear that the historic log home was going to be torn down and replaced with a condominium complex.
What a regrettable end to such a historic part of Anchorage.
It has been three years since that story in the newspaper. I recently visited the Anchorage area and decided to drive by the old "homestead" to see what it looked like with the new buildings on it.
To my shock and horror, I found a desolate, vacant lot. The fields of peonies and lilies, the lush border of spruce and birch, the log home filled with rich memories of an Alaska past had all been turned into a sad, vacant lot.
To think that such a thing has happened. I am writing this letter in dedication to past Alaskans like Paul and Lee Rees who worked so hard to start cities like Anchorage -- true Alaskans who are now forgotten and their labors have turned into old vacant lots. For shame! For shame!
Andie Rice is a former Anchorage resident now living in North Pole.
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