Alaska Facts and History

How much do you know about the mountain known as Denali? Discover the tallest mountain in North America in this edition.

Alaskans will proudly tell you that mount Denali, pictured above, is the tallest mountain in North America. While there is some dispute about the actual height, it’s commonly referred to as 20,310 feet… Yes, it’s big and impressive.

It’s Real Name and It’s Meaning

The name Denali comes from the traditional language known as Koyukon, used by the Athabaskan people of Alaska. In that language, Denali means “the tall one”.

Alaska natives have used the name Denali for generations. But over the years, others have tried to name the mountain. Only one of those names ever became official… more about that in a moment.

Often Shrouded by Cloud Cover

Denali is about 237 miles north of Anchorage. But because the mountain is so massive, it can be seen from Anchorage on a clear day.

First Recorded Written Reference

The history books say that the first recorded reference to Denali was discovered in 1794 in a journal kept by the British explorer George Vancouver.

Naming the Mountain

While the name Denali was given to the mountain long ago by the Athabaskan people, others have tried to “rename” this majestic natural wonder.

In 1889, some were calling the mountain “Densmore’s Peak” after a prospector named Frank Densmore.

Then in 1896, another prospector named William A. Dickey decided to call Denali, “Mount McKinley” to honor William McKinley, who was a U.S. Presidential candidate from Ohio at the time… McKinley had no connection to the mountain and had never been to Alaska.

In 1917, following the passing of then President McKinley, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the name “Mount McKinley”.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

Your friends and family will love this look at Denali… And if they have never been to Alaska, they will have a sudden, uncontrollable need to visit the 49th state.

So make sure they don’t miss out… share this fun edition with them and you’ll be a hero.

Click on the following link:

They Just Had to Try

While rock climbing or mountain climbing may not be your thing, you have to admit that climbing the tallest mountain in North America would be a nice feather in your cap.

Weather conditions and steep vertical climbs make Denali a difficult climb.

From several hundred to around 1,000 people attempt to climb the mountain each year. The following are a few of those early adventurous souls.

In the photo above is Judge James Wickersham

In 1903, Judge James Wickersham and his team reached the 10,000-foot level on Denali. That spot is now known as the “Wickersham Wall”.

In the portrait above is Hudson Struck

On June 7, 1913, Hudson Struck, Harry Karstens, Walter Harper and Robert Tatum and their team were able to reach the summit of Denali.

Pictured above are Hudson Struck and Harry Karstens

BONUS

You can see pictures of the Struck, Karstens, Harper and Tatum climb.

Click on the following video titled Why Climb?

A Wildlife Preserve

in 1917, Mount McKinley National Park was established as a wildlife preserve.

Note:

Harry Karstens was named as the park’s first superintendent.

Remember - Karstens had climbed to the peak in 1913.

In the picture above is Harry Karstens in his park uniform

Back to Denali

In 1980 the mountain was unofficially renamed Denali National Park and Preserve.

At 6 million acres, the park is larger than the state of Massachusetts.

In 2015, the U.S. government officially returned Alaska’s mountain to its original name… Denali.

The painting above was created by famed Alaska artist Sydney Laurence who spent a great deal of his time painting beautiful portraits of Denali.

BONUS

Would you like to know more about Denai?

The national Park service has a library of information of all kinds.

Take a look at the Park History and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our story about Peggy’s Airport Café

“It is 1957, and I am stopping by Peggy's to have a slice of Banana Cream Pie and a coke.”

Johnny

“One memory of Peggy's Airport Café stands out. My family went there for a meal one Friday Night in the Fifties. Now being Catholic we weren't allowed to eat meat on Fridays. So I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. No problem. My older brother ordered a cheeseburger, apparently thinking it to be some sort of cheesy concoction. Our parents didn't say anything. I guess they didn't know what a cheeseburger was! The food arrived and “Hey there's a hamburger on my cheeseburger!” The waitress must have thought we were from another planet.”

“We did enjoy the pies, but that wasn't Daddy's reason to go there. Peggy also made the BEST hashed brown potatoes (at least in his estimation). I went with him on a business trip one time… just the two of us. When we went for breakfast the day after we arrived, Peggy let me go back to the kitchen with her, and learn how she made those delicious has browns. I still do it the same way.”

Linda

“I'd be interested to know what was on the second floor at Peggy’s Restaurant”

Larry

(Larry – on the second floor was a meeting room where you could also order from the menu. When I worked at KTVA channel 11, we had management staff meetings once a month in the morning. So I got to have breakfast a Peggy’s at least once a month.)

Mike of Anchorage Memories

“When my family first moved to Anchorage, we lived at Martin Arms apartments. I would often stop at Peggy's for a slice of her pies on my way to the old Denali theater before the quake. Nice memories. I was about 13 and remember how kind the waitresses were to me.”

Dan

“One of my favorite memories of Peggy's was when my Poppop took me to breakfast! Her pancakes were the best. That was our special time just he and I.”

Suzanne

“Ah, Peggy's! one of my earliest memories as a child in Anchorage was Peggy's Airport Café, we never called it anything else. It was a special treat whenever the family went there and, a big surprise, the crème pies were my favorite! It was sad to go up this summer, and it had closed. Thanks for the memories!”

Chris

“Gosh what a great story. We lived at the end of 5th Ave across from Merrill Field at our wrecking yard Alaska Towing and Wrecking. It was a 24 hr a day business and sometimes my dad would wake me up to help him. Afterwards we would go to Peggy's for breakfast. I remember the planes hanging from the ceiling and watching the bush planes take off from Merrill Field. And the bush pilots that would come in to eat. A lot of them my dad knew as he was a bush pilot as well. The stories they would tell. I was in awe. Thank you for these great memories.”

Samuel

“How I loved this restaurant! My best friend, Marilyn, and I would go there every Saturday for breakfast and, of course pie.”

Marci

Connect with Us

In the picture above, left to right is Tanner, our granddaughter Scarlett (sitting), our daughter Nikki (sitting) and Shawn. Mary and Mike of Anchorage Memories are standing in the back.

We were at a favorite restaurant to celebrate the birthday of our daughter and our granddaughter.

After all the comments about Peggy’s Café we think the picture above is appropriate.

Did you enjoy this look at Denali? Do you have any comments? You can reply to this email and tell us all about it… Or you can Contact Us to say:

“I once dreamed I climbed Denali, but when I woke up, I was sitting on my pillow.”

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories