The Way We Were

September 18, 1913: The Norwegian steamer Karen cut the rates between Wrangell and Petersburg so a great many members of the Arctic Brotherhood Camp of Wrangell and friends took advantage of the low rates and attended the dance given by the Petersburg Camp Saturday evening. The party reached Petersburg about six o'clock and were met at the dock by the Petersburg Brass Band and the townspeople who presented the visitors with a large key to the “Welcome and Hospitality” of the city. The music rendered at the dance was exceptionally fine. The hall was filled to its utmost capacity and everyone had a fine time throughout the whole evening. Lunch was served at midnight and the dance continued till the small hours of the morning. The party left Petersburg about ten o'clock Sunday morning tired but with a happy smile on each face.

September 9, 1938: A large attendance greeted Delegate Anthony J. Dimond and James V. Davis Democratic candidate for re-election in next Tuesday's election, Mr. Dimond as delegate from Alaska to Congress and Mr. Davis as representative in the Territorial legislature. Mr. Davis speaking first confined his remarks almost entirely to calling attention to the federal bureaus' rule of Alaska which he says causes much distress. Speaking briefly of the regulations of the Alaska Game Commission which he termed ridiculous in many respects he turned to the Bureau of Fisheries. He said he questioned the integrity of the Alaska agent and opposed the putting of control of such vast resources in one man's hand.

September 6, 1963: Wrangell's thru-way from the south city limits to Church Street is not only a good road well kept by the landing strip for a wheel plane this week. Edwin Kraft, M.D. of Portland, Oregon, was southbound Wednesday in his wheeled aircraft from Juneau to Portland. The weather started to sock in, as the airmen have it, both south and north; couldn't get back to Juneau, couldn't make Annette. The flying doctor decided to get down out of there. Sighted the road and landed neatly to be greeted by State Trooper Charles Soriano, on patrol, who gave a hand in finding a parking area at the roadside. Serviced by Stikine Air Service, Dr. Kraft, took off from the highway yesterday for another look. No luck; weather still overcast. Another highway landing with the doctor still in town waiting, like all good pilots, for “this stuff to lift.”

September 8, 1988: State officials are seeking bids for work to rehabilitate sections of the Wrangell downtown harbor, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also is moving ahead on plans to repair the breakwater. Bids for the three-phase Wrangell harbor rehabilitation job are due with the Department of Transportation's Juneau office by Sept. 22. Harbormaster Ron Phillips said the estimated $100,000 in state jobs bill money will be used to replace a 75-foot section of the Fish and Game Float, replace the existing gangway ramp at the Standard Oil Float and conduct bracing work to the Reliance Dock trestle. A fourth section of work also is planned but isn't contained in the first bid package, Phillips said. This section would involve putting in a cement sidewalk and driveway to the Standard Oil Dock. Easements to the area must be clarified before this work is put out for bid, he said. At the same time, the Corps of Engineers is moving ahead with plans to repair the Wrangell harbor breakwater. The structure, built in 1923 and capped with cement in 1925, has eroded and is deteriorating, Phillips said. While it could stand for many decades, a heavy storm at high water could actually wash it away and cause major damage to the harbor area, he said. Corps spokeswoman Pat Richardson said agency engineers have identified various alternatives available to accomplish the breakwater repairs. A report containing those alternatives must be forwarded to divisional headquarters in Portland, Ore. so a decision can be made on which option to select, she said.

 

Reader Comments(0)