Anchorage Summer Time Memories

Awe… Those wonderful memories of summer in Anchorage, Alaska. Did you like to go swimming, camping, fishing or hanging out with friends downtown?

Photo by John Parker, 1954

Those lazy summer days on the shore of Lake Spenard. After a long winter, it was nice to spend a day in the sun without your coat, boots, and gloves.

Did You Know?

Spenard Lake circa 1916.

A homesteader named Thomas Jeeter first settled in an area around what became known as Jeeter lake. But Jeeter was there illegally and had to leave… Not long after his departure, the area was opened to homesteading and Joe Spenard moved in.

Spenard built up the area into a resort for Anchorage, including a roadhouse, dance pavilion, bath house and bathing beach on what became known as Spenard Lake.

The road to the area was created by Spenard to haul logs into Anchorage and later to bring people from Anchorage to his lake resort. The road became known as Spenard Road.

The Goose Lake Sun Burn

Mike of Anchorage Memories tells the following story -

“One sunny summer day when I was about 14, I decided to spend some time at Goose Lake, working on my tan.

I really wanted to get some sun on my back. So, I laid down on my stomach. But I stayed in that position way too long and ended up frying my shoulders and my back.

In those days, I had a newspaper route and that afternoon when it was time to put my newspaper saddlebag over my shoulders, I experienced a new kind of pain. It hurt to walk, bend over or even breathe too deeply. When I finally came to the last house on my route, I was never so glad to deliver that newspaper.

As I recall, when I got back home my mom gently applied lots and lots of Noxema to my back.”

Yes, You Can

Did you know that you can share the Anchorage Memories VIP Club with your friends and family?

And when you do, they will be so happy that they will have a summer cook-out in your honor and grill up all your favorites… Well, it could happen.

To share this newsletter click on the link below.

Floating Down Campbell Creek

Great Anchorage summer fun

Did you enjoy an afternoon of floating down Campbell creek? You could pack a lunch and find a scenic spot to enjoy a break while you watched the current of the creek slowly pass by.

Ice Cream Trucks

Remember the happy music that played when there was an ice cream truck coming down your street in Anchorage?

What was your favorite? A popsicle, sidewalk sundae or?

Anchorage Summer Teen Dances

Pictured above are the “Outlaws” featuring Anchorage Memories contributor, Bill Neithercoat on drums.

Did you enjoy summer teen dances in Anchorage?

Watching Late Night TV

Remember when your parents let you stay up to watch TV on those summer nights in Anchorage?

You probably stayed up until the TV station signed off the air. Remember how they showed a film that included the National Anthem? Then they ended the day with a TV test pattern (seen above), and of course, you watched the “snow” and the little white dot that got smaller and smaller after you turned off the TV.

Anchorage Race Track Fun

Remember those happy summer Sunday afternoons at the racetrack?

Back when the drivers names included “Fuzzy” Sprinkle, Bud Borders, Blackie and Hank Langman. And when they put the pedal to the metal, the roar of their engines meant it was race time.

Were you there cheering on your favorite drivers?

BONUS

Find out how he got his nickname.

Take a look at this story “Fuzzy” Sprinkle; Anchorage Racing Legend right now.

Summer Downtown

Did you spend a summer day with friends at the Woolworth lunch counter, Hewitt’s lunch counter, seeing a matinee at the 4th Avenue theatre or enjoying quiet time at the Loussac Library?

Summer Bike Riding Fun

Back in the day, there were no helmets, but somehow we managed to stay safe and have a lot of fun riding our bikes all over Anchorage with our friends.

And not all the roads were paved.

Remember using a clothes pin to hold a playing card up against your back wheel spokes? When you started peddling your bike, the playing card made a sound just like a motorcycle (sort of) as it slapped against the passing spokes.

All Aboard

Did you take the Alaska Railroad to the Palmer Fair?

Summer train rides out of Anchorage were a lot of fun. Mary of Anchorage Memories has a special train connection because her mother Feodoria and her dad, Sammy both worked on the Alaska railroad. And Mary says those train rides to the Palmer Fair were lots of fun.

BONUS

Here’s a fun Alaska Railroad adventure written by Mike of Anchorage Memories.

Check out Riding the Laundry Train Car right now.

Happy 4th of July

4th of July parade circa 1930–1936 on 4th Avenue

The float is the Loyal Order of Moose for a kid’s home named “Mooseheart”.

Anchorage Memories wishes you and yours a happy 4th of July.

Contact Us

These Anchorage Summer Memories really took you back.

But it’s time to put your bike away and say so long to your friends until next time.

Do you have a comment, suggestion for a future newsletter, or do you just want to say, “have a fun 4th of July!”

You can connect us by replying to this email, or you can Contact Us right now.

And remember – you can share this newsletter with friends and family.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com