Things to do / Travel Guide
As one of the youngest states in the U.S., Alaska's architectural history mainly fits into the category of “Gold Rush Chic,” with the majority of the scenery looking like it comes straight out of the 1840s. This makes for some interesting structures. Lots of Old West-style saloons and other buildings dot the landscape in the frontier towns of the Alaska Panhandle, like Wrangell, Skagway, and Haines. That said, there are a few eye-catching buildings that stretch beyond the Old West style, if you know where to find them! Here are a few to make note of:
Juneau
The Casey Shattuck Neighborhood is a neighborhood that has been preserved and designated as an historic area by the Alaska Historical Commission. These homes reflect the colonial, Tudor, and Italian Renaissance Revival styles.
The Davis Log Cabin is an historic building which can be seen at the corner of Third Street and Seward Street. The cabin is a replica of Juneau's first schoolhouse and houses a visitor information center.
Located at Marine Park, the Juneau Library was built above a four-story parking garage, sporting a unique design that actually made a cover of Architectural Digest Magazine.
The grand old Alaska State Capitol Buildings lie between Main Street and Seward Street. These historic buildings on Front Street were built along the old high-tide line, and the buildings on the sea side were originally built on pilings that hung over the beach.
The beautiful St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church was constructed in 1894, and is found on Fifth Street between Gold Street and North Franklin Street. It is hard to miss, with its classic gold dome, typical of the Russian Orthodox Church. Once inside, you can see beautiful, religiously-themed icons and paintings.
Skagway
The A B Building is so named for the large “A” and “B” plastered on the front (it really stands for “The Arctic Brotherhood”). The face of this interesting 1899 building is made entirely of driftwood.
The Mascot Saloon was built in 1898 and has been beautifully restored to its “Wild West” style. There are exhibits depicting the old saloon at the peak of the gold rush.
Haines
The white buildings of Fort William H. Seward show what army life was like during the frontier days of the late 1800s. The foundations for the buildings were cut from local granite stone by Italian masons brought in just for this purpose. Cedar siding was placed on building exteriors over diagonally-laid pine boards, and was then painted white.
Wrangell
Chief Shakes Island is an interesting attraction located right in Wrangell's inner boat launch. The island features an amazing collection of totem poles as well as the Shakes Community House. This structure is an excellent example of the building style of a high-caste tribal house.
Petersburg
The Sons of Norway Hall is found on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1912. This gleaming white building sits atop pilings with colorful rosemaling, a beautiful Norwegian art form that covers the structure's window shutters.
Ketchikan
The Creek Street Boardwalk is built on pilings and was a famous red-light district for over 50 years. During its heyday in the late 1800s, Creek Street contained almost 30 brothels. Dolly's House was the first and still stands today, easily recognizable by its bright red doors and windows. The house is now a museum dedicated to that notorious time in Alaska's history.
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