Wondrous and Interesting Facts about Alaska

Did You Know? You'll enjoy this look at some interesting facts about Alaska.

In the photo above is Fort Yukon

Located about 145 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

On June 27, 1915, the temperature in Fort Yukon rose to 100 degrees F.

Prospect Creek

Here’s a bone-chilling Alaska fact

The lowest temperature ever recorded in the Great Land was minus 79.8 degrees F. on January 23, 1971 in Prospect Creek, located 180 miles north of Fairbanks.

Have You Ever Heard of “Gravity Hill”

Located on Upper Huffman Road in Anchorage, Alaska, this stretch of road seems to defy the laws of physics.

While it’s only an illusion, a vehicle placed in neutral at the bottom of the hill, appears to roll up the hill.

There are actually a number of “magnetic hills” to be found across the United States.

Did You Know this about Fireweed?

A Fireweed plant (as seen above), actually blooms from the bottom up.

When the top blooms, it means the end of summer.

Yes, You Can Share this Edition

Your friends and family will be astounded by these Alaska Facts.

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The Hammer Museum

A Blacksmith named Dave Pahl, opened the world’s first-ever hammer museum in Haines, Alaska in 2002.

How Chicken, Alaska got its Name

The following may or may not be true.

In 1902, a town in Alaska was going to be named “Ptarmigan”, Alaska.

However, the name was changed to Chicken, Alaska because the residents were not sure how to spell Ptarmigan.

Chicken, Alaska is located 279 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

BONUS

As you might imagine, Chicken, Alaska is… a little different.

Take a look at The Story of Chicken, Alaska and discover.

Skagway, Alaska, Late 1800s

The Skagway Telegraph Office

Did you know that the Alaska Gold Rush of 1897 to 1898 brought 100,000 gold seekers to Alaska?

There was no telegraph service in Skagway. But a man known as Soapy Smith came up with a brilliant con.

The Skagway Telegraph office had a telegraph cable that went as far as the inlet. Inside the office, Soapy’s men would take your message and “send” it. In the backroom, Soapy’s men wrote the “replies”.

People were sending telegrams about how much money they had or how much gold they found. Then Soapy’s men, who were working the Skagway Telegraph Office con, would report to the gang, who would then find various ways to steal the person’s money or gold.

Tongass National Forest

The Tongass National Forest is located in southeast Alaska, and the national forest designation was made in 1907 by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

A vast forest, the Tongass covers 17 million acres and is the largest national forest in the United States.

Its name comes from the Tongass clan of the Tlingit tribe in southeastern Alaska.

Kennecott Copper Mines

Did you know that the Kennecott Mines, northeast of Valdez, were one of the richest copper deposits ever discovered?

It all began in the summer of 1900.

“Tarantula” Jack Smith and Clarence Warner were prospecting along the east edge of the Kennicott Glacier when they discovered green cliffs of exposed copper.

They took samples of what would become known as the “Bonanza Mine Outcrop”. Those samples turned out to be 70 percent pure Chalcocite, one of the richest copper deposits ever found.

Knik River Bridge

In the 1937 photo above is the Knik River bridge that links Anchorage with the Matanuska valley.

Because of the bridge, the Alaska State Fair was moved from Anchorage to Palmer.

BONUS

Visit Anchorage Memories.com

A treasure chest of memories of Anchorage, Alaska.

Take a look at Anchorage Memories.com and enjoy.

The Valley of 10,000 Smokes

NASA Astronauts trained there.

In 1965 and 1966, The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes in Alaska was used as a training ground for NASA astronauts.

It was thought that the area resembled the Lunar landscape.

BONUS

Would you like to learn more about this remarkable place in Alaska?

Take a look at this edition of Alaska Facts and History and discover.

Just the Facts Ma’am

Did you enjoy this fact-filled edition of your Anchorage Memories VIP Club?

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look at George Attla and Dr. Roland Lombard.

“Loved that you dug up the old sled dog race music! Any chance you can find Bi-Lo's radio/TV ads?” (A note from Mike ofd Anchorage Memories - we’ll see what we can dig up on the BiLo ads for you.)

AKMuskrat

“The Rondy racing of any year was fabulous. Certainly, George Attla versus Dr. Roland Lombard was classic beyond belief.

Hearing Dick Lobdell, Evan, Swenson, JJ Johnson, Wally Christanson, Ruben Gaines and Larry Larsen on radio KENI  – there was none better. Great Memories”

Jim

“It was a family event to choose sides between Doc and George, and defend your Choice! Mine was The Huslia Hustler!”

Tony

Connect with Mike and Mary

Did you know all these facts about the great state of Alaska?

The Last Frontier is full of surprises.

Here’s a bonus fact. Did you know that Mike and Mary love hearing from their North Stars (that you)? To connect with us, simply reply to this email.

Or, you can Contact Us to say, “I’ve been to Chicken, Alaska.”

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com