Anchorage Pioneers

Have you ever heard of Martha “Mother” White? She was a pioneer who arrived in 1915 Anchorage, and her generosity was legendary.

In the photo above is Martha White, with her daughter, Martha “Babe” White. The photo was likely taken in Sunrise, Alaska across Cook Inlet from Anchorage.

In May 1894, Martha Greer White, known to all as “Mother” White, first arrived in Cook Inlet with her husband Edward. They settled in a place known as Ladd’s Landing, two miles from Tyonek.

Tyonek is 42 miles to the west of Anchorage, across Cook Inlet.

A year after arriving in the Tyonek area, the White’s had a daughter they named Martha “Babe” White.

Later on, the White’s moved 59 miles south across Cook Inlet to Sunrise, Alaska near Hope, because of the gold rush in that area.

In the photo above, is Ship Creek in 1915. Notice the two large white tents on the right side and in the front of the picture.

During their time in Sunrise, Martha and Edward were divorced. Edward went prospecting and was later found frozen by the side of a creek.

Then in 1915, Martha and her daughter moved across Cook Inlet from Sunrise to Ship Creek where a new settlement (that would become Anchorage, Alaska) was quickly being built because of the Alaska Railroad.

Mother White brought supplies with her to Ship Creek and the two large tents, pictured above.

One tent served as a restaurant and the other was a hotel known as the White House. Inside the hotel tent, Martha put up bunk beds and charged 1 dollar a night.

Did You Know?

You can easily share this edition with friends or family?

And when you do, they will be so happy that they will send you a gift certificate for a year’s supply of your favorite coffee… well, it could happen.

Just click on the following link:

In the photo above is the lot auction in 1915, being run by the man in the dark suite, named Andrew Christensen.

During the lot auction on July 10, 1915, Martha “Mother” White purchased lot 8 for 480 dollars. The lot was located on 4th Avenue between I street and K street.

Pictured above is The White House hotel on 4th Avenue at I and K streets in 1915.

In the photo above is “Babe” White, Martha White’s daughter, who in 1915, was chosen to drive the first railroad spike for the Alaska Railroad in Anchorage.

Legendary Generosity

Mother White was also known as someone you could go to if you needed a grub stake.

White was so generous that no one seeking aid was ever turned away.

What They Said About Mother White

Martha “Mother” White passed away on February 2, 1919.

The Anchorage Daily Times newspaper wrote the following:

“Mrs. White was an exceptional woman, possessing all the best traits and characteristics of the pioneer settler of the frontier.

She was brave, yet tender; keen in business; yet generous to a fault. She ministered to the afflicted, cared for the sick, aided the needy, cheered the downhearted, gave good counsel to those who came to her for advice, and was indeed a “Mother” during her long and useful life, to the inhabitants of this remote area”

Martha “Mother” White was buried in the Pioneers of Alaska trac of the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery

BONUS

The story of Martha “Mother” White is much larger than space here will allow,

To learn more:

Take a look at The Martha White Story and discover.

Meet Another Anchorage Pioneer

Did you know that Anchorage Memories has a library of e-books, videos, audio stories and more?

In the e-book above, you’ll get to know the man who built Spenard Road and turned Spenard Lake into a resort.

Like the town that’s named after him, Joe Spenard was a character.

Take a look at Anchorage Pioneer Joe Spenard and discover.

Do You Know Who This Is?

In our last edition we gave you this hint:

You can find information about him in Anchorage libraries.

In the picture above is ZJ Loussac, who built the ZJ Loussac Library.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our “Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes” edition

“enjoyed your recent missive on 'The valley of 10,000 smokes'.”

A happy paid member

And this about the 1953 Mount Spurr eruption

“Yes I lived at the corner of Gambell & 14th street and was in the front room facing west when a large blue cloud came in. By noon, it was all dark and ash started raining down. It destroyed our large garden and killed all the birds. In the late 50s, I moved to King Salmon, Alaska and a Bush pilot took several of us to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. That was the most impressive trip of my life!”

Michael

In Touch

Have you heard of “Russian Jack Springs” in Anchorage, Alaska?

On the left in the picture above is “Russian Jack”. He was a bit of a scoundrel in 1915 Anchorage. He was a notorious bootlegger, who’s still was located in what is now known as Russian Jack Springs.

By the way, despite the advertisement, he was not voted Mardi Gras King in Anchorage.

The nice folks on the right in the picture above are Mary and Mike of Anchorage Memories.

Do you have a comment about our Martha “Mother” White story? It’s so easy to connect with us. You can reply to this email, or you can send us a note to say, “I’ve been to Russian Jack Springs” and Contact Us right now.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com