Local history

The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 19, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 19, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Workers stand next to the Father Brown’s Cross after they reinstalled it at an overlook site on Mount Roberts on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Hugo Miramontes)

Father Brown’s Cross is resurrected on Mount Roberts after winter collapse

Five workers put landmark back into place; possibility of new cross next year being discussed.

Workers stand next to the Father Brown’s Cross after they reinstalled it at an overlook site on Mount Roberts on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Hugo Miramontes)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 12, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 12, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 2, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on June 2, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau author W.R. Kozey holds his book “Tall Tales of Alaska, The Red Dog Saloon: Stories from the Gold Rush & More” in front of the Red Dog Saloon on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

First book published in series on Juneau’s history explores ‘Tall Tales’ of the Red Dog Saloon

Author W.R. Kozey’s stories come from folklore, his experience as a bartender at the saloon.

Juneau author W.R. Kozey holds his book “Tall Tales of Alaska, The Red Dog Saloon: Stories from the Gold Rush & More” in front of the Red Dog Saloon on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Spruce tips emerging on May 25 beside a Juneau trail. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Brewing survival: How spruce tip beer helped 1790s ‘Voyage of Discovery’ navigate scurvy and survey

Health value of tips now forming on Juneau’s trees known to Natives, European explorers for centuries

Spruce tips emerging on May 25 beside a Juneau trail. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 24, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 24, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tom Abbas discusses the hose his boat needs as shop owner and vintage halibut jacket provider Jim Geraghty shows his customer the options. Racks of dry-cleaned woolen jackets hang among the marine supply aisles in Gerahgty’s Lemon Creek business. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Coats of many colors: Halibut jackets make a big splash again

“Pre-owned” wool garments from many decades ago being tracked down for resale by Juneau marine shop.

Tom Abbas discusses the hose his boat needs as shop owner and vintage halibut jacket provider Jim Geraghty shows his customer the options. Racks of dry-cleaned woolen jackets hang among the marine supply aisles in Gerahgty’s Lemon Creek business. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
A lamb-decorated headstone lays half hidden in a cemetery section in Douglas on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Shaky deals from past haunt efforts to preserve Douglas cemeteries today

As volunteers struggle to clear brush at historic sites, city leaders say they have limited options.

A lamb-decorated headstone lays half hidden in a cemetery section in Douglas on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 17, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 17, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hiker Linda Kruger reaches Father Brown’s Cross on Mount Roberts in this July 2020 photo. Kruger has organized the annual trail race to the cross for the past ten years. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, although the cross is no longer there. (Photo courtesy Jeff Gnass)

Crossed off: Famous Mount Roberts cross lies flat

Father Brown’s Cross destroyed during winter for reasons not fully known; restoration plans underway.

Hiker Linda Kruger reaches Father Brown’s Cross on Mount Roberts in this July 2020 photo. Kruger has organized the annual trail race to the cross for the past ten years. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, July 6, although the cross is no longer there. (Photo courtesy Jeff Gnass)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 9, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 9, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 21, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 21, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A waterfront view of Marine Parking Garage with the windows of the Juneau Public Library visible on the top floor. “Welcome” signs in several languages greet ships on the dock pilings below. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)

The story of the Marine Parking Garage: Saved by the library

After surviving lawsuit by Gold Rush-era persona, building is a modern landmark of art and function.

A waterfront view of Marine Parking Garage with the windows of the Juneau Public Library visible on the top floor. “Welcome” signs in several languages greet ships on the dock pilings below. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 16, 1984.
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 16, 1984.
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 11, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on April 11, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Looking south from downtown Juneau in December 2023 with buildings and docks in the foreground, the rock dump can be seen jutting into Gastineau Channel and providing a weather-protected harbor for Juneau. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

Juneau rock dump’s history: From waste site to ‘Million Dollar Golf Course’ to industrial hub

Area now targeted for possible homeless campsite surrounded by bustle of past and present activity.

Looking south from downtown Juneau in December 2023 with buildings and docks in the foreground, the rock dump can be seen jutting into Gastineau Channel and providing a weather-protected harbor for Juneau. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 25, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on March 25, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)