The Way We Were

March 15, 1923

Wrangell basketball boys faced an assembly of 900 in Olympia, Washington, on Tuesday and gave detailed reports of Alaska. Wrangell lost the game to Olympia on a canvas floor. Then Wrangell lost to Everett, 19-18. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce is giving a big feed to the boys Friday. The Pacific Steamship Co. arranged to take the Wrangell boys on a free excursion including a big dinner. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce made arrangements for the boys to go through the Navy Yards at Bremerton, with all expenses paid from Seattle. The boys are meeting city, county and state officials wherever they go. County Schools Superintendent House of Seattle says the trip is equal to a year in school for its education value.

March 12, 1948

The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce at its Monday meeting decided unanimously to sponsor a celebration this summer in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Gold Rush of 1898. Chamber president Thor Hofstad pointed out that it is only fitting that Wrangell commemorate the Gold Rush as Wrangell was known in 1898 at the gateway to the Interior. Fifteen sternwheel riverboats operated on the Stikine at the time, carrying gold seekers into the Interior. The celebration will commence about June 15, and extend for the duration of the tourist season with everyone getting into the spirit of 1898 by decorating, dressing up and acting accordingly.

March 16, 1973

The Wrangell City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance raising water rates on first reading; the ordinance still must go through second and third readings to become law. Overall, the ordinance will increase city water rates an average of 24% for city users, double the connection rates and raise rates for the 30 to 40 outside-city customers 100%. City Manager Herb McNabb told the council and the audience that the water rates the city now charges do not pay for the service, that the city is falling short approximately $20,000 each year and that the water utility is about $60,000 in the red.

March 12, 1998

During the city council meeting Tuesday, the topics of both the current ferry system and an alternative one were presented, both as critical problems and as possible solutions. The discussions stemmed from the council’s concern for the local fisheries which are suffering from transportation problems due to sparse ferry service. City Manager Scott Seabury initiated the discussion on a larger, alternative ferry system, stating that this could mean huge changes to Wrangell. He noted that this option would involve building several new terminals on the route. He added that the number of mainline ferries would be geared to the number of people they could put on the ships in Bellingham, Washington, and that these ferries would stop in the main cities, including Wrangell. This would create more traffic, opening the area for a different kind of tourism as well.