March 27, 1913: Last Monday, March 24 was an anniversary uncelebrated of one of the warmer days in Wrangell's history. Seven years ago on that date a fire broke out in a rooming house and saloon owned by E.P. Lynch and J.G. Grant, present owners of Wrangell Hotel, a fire that is recalled with regret by the then owners of property from the wharf to the St. Michael Trading Company's store. Unlike a well-regulated fire, the origin of Wrangell's is not known to a certainty. It took an earthquake to set Frisco afire and the origin of Chicago's blaze has been traced to a cow that kicked over a lighted lantern but we in Wrangell, seven years after the fire, are not able to decide positively in favor of either the cigar stub or defective flue theories. We are, however, certain of the worth and permanency of the institutions that have sprung up out of the ruins in the past seven years for they are here today and tomorrow for us to see.
March 25, 1938: F.S. Barnes was made president of Wrangell Chamber of Commerce by the Board of Directors following a luncheon meeting Wednesday at the Wrangell Hotel which was attended by eighteen members and two visitors. The meeting was held on call by F.G. Hanford, retiring president who was asked to be relieved of the office. For the past two or three years, interest in the organization has been steadily declining. A year ago it was thought that small attendance at meetings might be overcome by changing from luncheon meetings to evening meetings at the city hall, but the change has not worked out satisfactorily.
March 22, 1963: Lester F. Johnson was elected Exalted Ruler of Wrangell Elks Lodge 1595 at Wednesday night's meeting. Other officers chosen were Allen V. Ritchie, Esteemed Leading Knight; Phillip C. Rasler, Esteemed Loyal Knight; Harold L. Wilson, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; Joel Wing, Secretary; A.F. Gilkison, Treasurer; Richard S. Moore and Robert H. Grant, Trustees. Appointive officers: Raymond P. Sims, Inner Guard; Joseph W. Sawyer Sr., Chaplain; S. Bruce Johnston, Organist and Theodore W. Winslow, Esquire. Installation will be held early in April with Past Exalted Rulers, Donald J. House, officiating.
March 24, 1988: Nearly 90 dolls were entered Sunday in the 1988 annual doll show sponsored by the Wrangell Historical Society. Everything from Barbies, collector dolls, paper, GI-Joes, Cabbage Patch astronaut, apple-head, corn husk and Aleut dolls were entered in the show. In voting by those attending the show, the title of “Most Favorite Doll” went jointly to a 50-year-old bed doll entered by Dianne Whittlesey and a Barbie dressed as a Shady Lady entered by 5-year-old Jessi Bunch. The “Most Unique Doll” title went to a collection of Aleut dolls in handmade, authentic dress, entered by Whittlesey. Bunch's Barbie also took the “Best Dressed Doll” award. The doll wore a pink and black outfit, complete with feather in her hair and sewn by Rose Johnson of Wrangell. Dani Gross, 5, took the award for submitting the youngest doll for a tiny doll in a see-through purse which she said she had received just the day before as a gift. The oldest dolls were a collection of 73 to 79-year-old paper dolls from Ladies Home Journal entered by Jeanette Dodson. Also as part of the show was an autograph party, featuring Joy Orth signing copies of her book “Island.” Organizers said 20 autographed copies of the book were sold at the event.
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