The Way We Were

Dec. 14, 1922

Last Sunday evening, a service of more than common interest was held in the Presbyterian Church. Though erected 43 years ago and occupied continuously as a place of worship, the building had never been formally set apart as a house of worship. In the years immediately following the building’s construction, there was no audience family with the functions to officiate a church dedication. During the past summer, while the old church was in the course of a thorough renovation, it was decided that the Rev. S. Hall Young, who had built the structure and who is now in Alaska as General Missionary for the Territory, should perform the simple but solemn service.

Dec. 12, 1947

A letter received here this week by Al Ritchie, of the Ritchie Transportation Co., from W. A. Hunter, Hudson’s Bay agent at Telegraph Creek, British Columbia, told of a huge slide which occurred in the South Fork of the Stikine River last month. Mr. Brett reports big boulders were washed into the Stikine at the time of the slide, when a 500-foot canyon wall fell into the South Fork. He said these boulders, which were washed the five miles down the South Fork into the Stikine, would have to be blasted out of the river before Ritchie could resume navigation next spring.

Dec. 15, 1972

Efforts of the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce to have a U.S. Coast Guard vessel stationed in this community have drawn a polite but firm “no” from that agency. Two Coast Guard cutters are stationed in Petersburg. Rear Adm. J.A. Palmer, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District, told the chamber by letter that “it has been determined that it is both operationally and economically advantageous to continue basing these cutters in Petersburg.” Palmer’s letter continued: “You may not be aware that the Coast Guard is now operating twin-turbine helicopters from Air Station Annette. The greater speed and other operational capabilities of these new aircraft will benefit communities throughout Southeast Alaska and will provide improved air rescue service to the Wrangell-Petersburg area.”

Dec. 4, 1997

Efforts of local bowhunters to build an archery field range in the Wrangell area got a boost recently when the planning and zoning commission approved the idea. The planned range would have 14 targets, laid out to simulate hunting conditions in the field, and may include a second range for conventional target shooting. The National Field Archery Association will provide insurance for the facility. Liability insurance will be an important factor in gaining permission from the city council for the use of the land, since the city will retain ownership of the site under current plans. To date, 41 archers have expressed interest in constructing and using the range.