History

Then and Now: This photo composite shows what the Willoughby District looked like back what it was an Alaska Native village, and now in current day. The historic photograph by Winter and Pond is not dated, but was was taken sometime between 1893 and 1943, according to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections. (Collection number ASL-PCA-87). The photo on the right was taken Monday, June 24, 2019, on Willoughby Avenue by Juneau Empire photographer Michael Penn.

The Willoughby District in downtown Juneau has a new Native name

A nod to indigenous history.

 

FDR’s New Deal helped preserve Alaska Native art, like these three totem poles in Juneau

Rural Tennessee has electricity for the same reason Southeast Alaska has totem parks — the New Deal.

 

The surprising humanity of 19th century 1,500-mile trek through Alaska

Don’t call him Lewis or Clark.

 

Dig this: Art and science collide in new Ray Troll exhibition

Ketchikan artist has been drawing dinos with crayons for 61 years.

Video

Keeping the light on: Alaska’s oldest lighthouse is in dire need of repairs

It’s beautiful from afar, but close up you’ll see it’s crumbling.

Video
Jeff Smiths Parlor Museum recently restored by the National Park Service, July 18, 2017. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Karl Gurcke)

Southeast In Sepia: Jefferson Randolph ‘Soapy’ Smith’s parlor

The building Soapy operated in Skagway has an interesting history.

Jeff Smiths Parlor Museum recently restored by the National Park Service, July 18, 2017. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Karl Gurcke)

Thirty years after Exxon Valdez, Juneau organization working to keep waters safe

They don’t like oil spills.

Silent in life, Tlingit code talkers finally getting recognition

Their families have only found out in recent years.

A memorial to the passengers and crew of the S.S. Princess Sophia at the Eagle Beach Recreation Area on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, 100 years after the ship hit Vanderbilt Reef and sunk in Favorite Channel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sophia centennial and day of sinking share stormy weather

Weather on Thursday’s centennial and the day of the Princess Sophia’s sinking shared a bit in common — but not to an eerie degree, said… Continue reading

A memorial to the passengers and crew of the S.S. Princess Sophia at the Eagle Beach Recreation Area on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, 100 years after the ship hit Vanderbilt Reef and sunk in Favorite Channel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Craig Then and Now: The Presbyterians

I was saddened to read recently that the Presbyterian Church of Sitka was planning to close its doors after more than a hundred years.

Paula Haug, of Folsom, California, and her daughter, Carlie, visit the grave of Haug’s great-grandmother Soyla Valentina Cardwell Lockhart on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Cardwell died in Juneau in 1918. With the help of the folks at Evergreen Cemetery, she was able to track down where Lockhart was buried and place a stone on her previously unmarked grave. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A century later, woman who died in Juneau gets grave marker

Efforts of great-granddaughter lead to discovery of woman’s location, family history.

Paula Haug, of Folsom, California, and her daughter, Carlie, visit the grave of Haug’s great-grandmother Soyla Valentina Cardwell Lockhart on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Cardwell died in Juneau in 1918. With the help of the folks at Evergreen Cemetery, she was able to track down where Lockhart was buried and place a stone on her previously unmarked grave. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska’s 150th anniversary: Juneau lab preserves historical documents

Everyone has enemies. Cats have dogs. Mice have cats. Dust mites have vacuum cleaners. Seth Irwin has Scotch Tape. For the past few weeks —and… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: March 13, 1987

On March 13, 1987, Juneau Girls Scouts celebrated the 75th anniversary since the national program’s founding. The celebration included balloons, singing, a birthday cake and… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: March 12, 1987

On March 12, 1987, Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jay Rabinowitz defended the state courts when speaking before the Alaska House and Senate. In Juneau, claims… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: March 10-11, 1987

On March 10, 1987, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly started reviewing the exemptions list for the municipal sales tax to see where changes… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: March 9, 1987

On March 9, 1987, University of Alaska President Donald O’Dowd said that although there would be massive adjustments made to the UA system, academic programs… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: March 4-5, 1987

On March 4, 1987, a small crew of eight Juneau residents, including three children, stood outside of the Dimond Court Building to advocate for longer… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: Feb. 24-25, 1987

On Feb. 24, 1987, Former Gov. Jay Hammond defended the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend at the Alaska Legislature Monday. Hammond, who was Governor from 1974… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: Feb. 17, 1987

On Feb. 17, 1987, the Canadian precision aerobatic team, the Snowbirds, were set to perform over Juneau the weekend of May 8. Their seventh visit… Continue reading

This Day in Juneau History: Feb. 13, 1987

On February 13, 1987, University of Alaska President Donald O’Dowd spoke from Fairbanks with Southeast Alaska educational leaders about merging Ketchikan and Islands (Sitka) community… Continue reading

This Week's Ads

View All