Anchorage Facts and History

Do you know the legend of Sleeping Lady? Come along for a fanciful visit to Mount Susitna in this edition.

Water color of Sleeping Lady by Alaskan Artist Cindy Pendleton

You can see Sleeping Lady if you look west from Anchorage across the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. Yes, the mountain resembles a lady sleeping on her side.

The Legend of the Sleeping Lady

Many millennia ago, a clan of gentle giants inhabited the Great Land, now known as Alaska.

Among the giant people was a beautiful young lady and a handsome young man who fell deeply in love with each other. Their unbound devotion was so joyous that all the villagers admired them and preparations for marriage were underway.

On the day before the wedding a messenger brought dreadful news that a fierce war-like people from the north were invading the country and destroying everything in their path. The village gathered in council to decide what to do. Some suggested going north to attack. The young love-filled man proposed taking gifts to the enemies instead of weapons, showing their interest was in peace and not bloodshed. By morning the brave volunteers were ready to leave.

The young lady had tears of sadness when her lover came to say goodbye. He gazed softly into her eyes and whispered, “I shall return soon with news of peace. Meet me by the slender body of water with two arms.” With one gentle kiss he turned and joined the departing men. The young woman hurried to the pool of water, known today as the Knik Arm, and began the wait, confident that she would soon be back in her mate's arms. For many days and nights she busied herself while waiting until finally she grew very weary and laid down to rest. She fell into a deep sleep.

While she slept, tragic news reached the village that their young men's pleas for peace had been in vain and a terrible battle had broken out. Most of the giant men were killed or captured. When the village women approached the young lady with the tragic news, they could not bare to disturb her from her peaceful sleep, and left her as she was.

To this day, the sleeping lady lies there dreaming of the moment her beloved will return to her side and peace once again rules the land.

Note:

The first printing of the legend was written by Nancy Lesh and was published in 1962. Ann Dixon later published the legend in a picture book in 1994.

(This version of the legend of the Sleeping Lady compiled from the stories of Nancy Lesh and Ann Dixon.)

More of the Legend

Dena’ina Elder, Peter Kalifornsky, continued the story in “A Dena’ina Legacy”.

In his story of the mountain people and a giant who became Susitna mountain (Sleeping Lady). Her relatives followed her and became Mount Redoubt, Mount Iliamna and the Chigmit mountain range. Another wandered inland and became Denali.

Share this Edition

Yes, you can share this fanciful edition of Anchorage Memories with your friends and family.

Mount Susitna and the Dena’ina

The photo above is by Sanchom

Mount Susitna has an elevation of 4,396 feet.

In the Dena’ina language it’s Dghelishia, meaning “Little Mountain” or “Sandy River” referring to Cook Inlet.

The Dena’ina are the only Northern Athabascan group to live on saltwater (Cook Inlet). The meaning of the word Dena’ina has two parts. Dena, meaning “person” and ina, meaning “people”.

Mary of Anchorage Memories is proud to be one quarter Athabascan.

Note:

The Dena’ina name for Cook Inlet is Tikahtnu, meaning “Big Water River”, “Ocean River” or Nuti, meaning “saltwater”.

The Legend

Even though mount Susitna is a real mountain, we prefer the Legend of Sleeping Lady.

From our North Stars (that’s you)

From our Anchorage Fun Memories edition

“I had to chuckle when I read the marquee of the Center Theater…someone had misspelled the title of “Rogue Cop”, instead making the word “rouge”.

“You guys are doing a great job with Anchorage memories!”

Peter

“Don't forget the racetrack at Debarr and Bragaw. Some great videos of those events. All the way from kids on go-karts to smash-em up events for the “older boys”; or is that “younger men?”

Randall

“I love the weekly stories. How can I find a back issue?”

Bill

Note:

Great question Bill. You can read back issues at Anchorage Memories VIP Club and enjoy.

“Oh my, there are so many good memories in this edition! My favorite theatre was the Billiken Drive-In on Muldoon Road, because my mom worked there for one winter, I think it was 1965-66. And that photo of the The Bun is a delight because that could have been my Dad’s ‘58 Cadillac and my fiancé’s ‘56 Buick parked in front! And as a teenager I never missed Ron Moore’s show and called in all the time requesting my favorite songs! Enjoying my morning coffee and basking in the memories… Thank you once again for sharing our history!”

Helen

“Wow, let's go! 4th ave theater, sneaking in the Billiken Drive-In, eating at Brown's A&W, Lucky Wishbone, dancing at the armory, Cinnamon Cinder, Bun Drive-In and so much more! A special memory is driving at night with my father and looking at the star on the mountain feeling warm and secure.

Rick

Connect with Mike and Mary

Did you enjoy learning about the Legend of Sleeping Lady? We sure did.

It’s all about fond memories here on the Anchorage Memories VIP Club.

Do you have a comment or question? You can send it to us by replying to this email. Or you can Contact Us to say, “I loved reading the legend of Sleeping Lady”.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com