The true history of Cook Inlet’s deadly mudflats
Histories of Anchorage: The mudflats have inspired some of the most enduring and gruesome Anchorage urban legends. The reality is even more haunting.
Whether cursing or joking, Alaskans have always had a lot to say about our ‘state bird’: the mosquito
Alaska history: While many Lower 48 states make similar jokes — especially New Jersey and Florida — the mosquito is an enduring cornerstone of Alaska lore.
This baseball season might be canceled, but Alaska’s history with the game goes way back
Histories of Anchorage: Whalers carried equipment on board for impromptu shore games. The earliest settlers in Anchorage's tent city found time to carve a baseball diamond out of the forest.
From Wally Hickel to Miss Wiggles, the storied history of Anchorage’s first cemetery
Histories of Anchorage: Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery is a rare relic in town that has survived decades of fires, earthquakes, progress, indifference, booms and busts.
How Alaska’s black community fought against police harassment, arson and rampant discrimination for civil rights
Histories of Anchorage: A civil rights breakthrough for Alaska came in 1962 at the Fairview Carrs grocery store.
How Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Anchorage made its mark in Alaska and civil rights history
Histories of Anchorage: Greater Friendship, founded in 1951, was the first black church in Alaska. Unknown to most, Greater Friendship is a notable checkpoint in history, nestled right in the heart of town.
History of the ‘Phantom Swede’ and the origin of Bootlegger Cove’s name
Histories of Anchorage: In its early decades, the area from Bootlegger Cove to the mouth of Chester Creek was a prime place for local deliveries of moonshine, also known as hoochinoo, squirrel whiskey or white mule.
Is a drunken cow really the reason that Spenard Road is so curvy?
Histories of Anchorage: For its first decades, Spenard Road was just the road to Lake Spenard. Its identifying characteristic has long been its erratic course, including the notorious “Deadman’s Curve.”
History of Spenard: How a squatter, bootlegger and showman gave Anchorage’s most renowned road its name
Histories of Anchorage: There was indeed a man named Joe Spenard, a notable figure in the earliest days of Anchorage, but most people don’t know the details.
Scarlet fever, diphtheria, polio: How the 1918-19 influenza pandemic shaped the way Alaskans faced other outbreaks
History: Most Alaska communities, including Anchorage, only established organizations like boards of health with the arrival of that pandemic in 1918.
In 1975, Alaska had a bragging contest. Here’s the story that won first prize
Alaska history: “I lassoed a deer in my backyard with a clothesline,” said John Grainger of Mountain Point. Linda Anselm of White Crossing said she “fought off a thieving black bear with a bag of jelly beans.”
In 1918, Anchorage went into quarantine. Some of what followed might sound familiar.
Histories of Anchorage: Churches were told to close. Political rallies and meetings were banned ahead of an election. Not everyone agreed with the orders.