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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-17 Historic District Board Walking TourH i ~tor i c D i ~tr i ct Board Walking Tour November 17, 1997 WALKING TOUR The period of building significance for the Kenai Townsite Historic District is 1881-1925; that was when the majority of properties were constructed. Three factors combined to create this significance' first, the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, second, people were constructing buildings with a sense of community, and third the Kenaitze Indians were moving in fi'om outlying villages. Preceding this time (1881-1925) was an era of Russian fur trade spanning almost seventy years (1791-1860). From 1890 to 1967, the American era was highlighted by canneries, World War II, homesteading, and oil. All these events contributed to give Old Town the appearance it takes today. It would be convenient if we could take you on this walk chronologically; however due to the layout of Old Town we want to save excess walking and put you back at the Visitor's Center in a logical sequence. Enjoy! Entries marked with an asterisk (*) do not have walk/ng tour signs. 1) Moosemeat John's Cabin - Now the office of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce, this cabin represents Kenai's early homesteading era. Given the name "Moosemeat John" for hunting moose to feed his thirteen children, John Hedberg homesteaded with his family out in Nikiski, often sharing the success of his efforts with neighbors. His 160 acre homestead was near the Kenai Pipeline site currently owned by Tesoro. He was bom March of 1866 in Wannland-Lan, Sweden and amved in Alaska before the mm of the 20th century. He was also a prospector, trapper, and fisherman. 2) (1935-1957) Moose Range Headquarters - From 1898 to 1908 this property was the Alaska Aghcultural Experimental Station consisting of twenty six acres and tied into existing federal government programs for aghculmre (i.e. Hatch Act 1887). Because rapid settlement was anticipated, these headquarters were put here to determine what crops and livestock would do well in this region. Experiments lead to the conclusion that Kenai did not show promise for fanning. The eqkipment and livestock were transferred to Kodiak and none of the original buildings from this time stand. In 1935 the Alaska Fish and Game Commission used the property until the late 1940's and prior to WWII part of the property was used as an airstrip. In 1941 the U.S. Government set aside 1,730, 000 acres as protected moose habitat changing the name Territorial Fish and Game Commission Headquarters to Kenai National Moose Range. In 1980 after the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) the KNMR was enlarged by 2 million acres with the Refuge Headquarters moving to Soldotna. The property is currently owned by the Kenai Native Association. 3) (1925) Arness Cabin - 4) (1918-25) Three Scandinavians' Cabin - 5) (1918-25) Cabin # 3 - 6) (1910) Miller Cabin - Appearance is the major factor with these three cab/ns as they represent a style of building from the beginning era in Kenai's initial "village" growth (1898-1925). They have all been moved to this present locale and knowledge of their origins is scanty. Although this may be the case, try to picture the buildings in Old Town Kenai as a village over hundred years ago. They looked much like the ones you see here. In the 1920's Kenai was described by one observer as "about as modem as a rural American town of the 1850's. In 1934 twentv-eieht houses held 131 people. The breakdown is as follows' 18 wood frame buildings, 7 cabins, 3 tents. For roofing material thirteen had shingles and twelve were tarpaper with the number of occupants averaging between four and six The census figures for 1900 list 156 residents; comprising this figure were 88 Russian and American residents with 68 Kenaitze people. Records show that a large portion of those not bom in Alaska or the U.S. as emigrating from Scandinavia. By 1929 census figures listed 286 residents in Kenai. In addition to these figures, the major source of employment/economy was commercial fishing which in Kenai began in 1888 with Northern Packing Co. This cannery was joined by Pacific Packing in 1897 and Libby McNeill & Libby in 1912. A by-product of canneries was salvage materials; after their fish traps were dismantled, many residents collected the timber planking from to build their homes. 7) (1869) Fort Kenay- The building is a commemorative effort constructed in 1967 by the Bi-Centennial Commission celebrating Alaska's purchase in1867. It began as a museum and community hall symbolizing transition from Russian to American ownership. Although the original stockade and buildings within it are long since gone, this location holds more significance than the existing structure. Historically, the Russian Redoubt Nikolaevsk (1791), America's Fort Kenay (1869-70), and the Russian Orthodox Church School (1900), all shared this same piece of ground. The Russians built ungamsoned forts called redoubts during their time in Alaska; Nikolaevsk was one of five built on the Kenai Peninsula. Such places stnmg out from St. Michael (Yukon River mouth/Norton Sound in Western Alaska), along the Aleutian Chain, to Kodiak, then going as far south as Sitka and Wrangell. A brick factory was set up here in 1841; t~ricks were used mainly for chimneys, ovens, and foundations. By 1865 thirty thousand bricks a year were being produced. When Alaska was purchased in 1867 for $7,200,000 it was designated as "Indian Country"; thus from April of 1869 to September of 1870 four officers and their families along with 116 enlisted men spent time here at what was called Fort Kenay. The Indians proved to be friendly and Battery F Second U.S. Artillery was transferred to Indian wars in Idaho. Prior to the federal government presence, salmon canneries, and various commercial interests, the Russian Orthodox Church was very influential. The Russian school was erected here teaching classes in catechism, Russian language, Church Slavonic, arithmetic, an)music. 8) (1881) Parish House Rectory - Built in 1881, this building is believed to be the oldest building on the Kenai Peninsula and has continued to be used as a residence since that time. ~ (1894) Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church Constructed in 1894, this building is one of the oldest standing Orthodox churches in Alaska. It is also a National Historic Landmark and services are still regularly held. It is a reminder that Russian missions along with the fur trade were part of Kenai and Alaska's history. * (1906) The Chapel of St. Nicholas The Chapel of St. Nicholas was built as a tribute to Igumen (Abbot) Nikolai, first hfissionary in the Kenai area, his assistant Markary Ivanov, and another monk whose name is not recorded. Among his many contributions to residents of the area, Father Nikolai was responsible for bringing the smallpox vaccine to the Kenai Peninsula and with the help of Makary Ivanov, vaccinating the survivors of this deadly disease that decimated the Dena'ina population. According to custom, priests are buffed in the church yard; therefore this hand-hewn log chapel was constructed over the site of the first Russian church established by Father Nikolai which he built on the site of the original Russian Fort St. Nicholas. On December 19, St. Nicholas Day, a memorial dedication or "moleiben" is held to remember this beloved priest and his reader. 9) (1918) Oskolkof/Dolchok Cabin - This cabin remains in its original location. It has changed owners a number of times with a number of slight modifications such as the shed roof addition, exterior staffs, and second story window; the donner which faces south may have been added as well. The house also is one of three homes in this district which represents a theme of Kenaitze Subsistance (circa 1900-41) meaning that either the builder or owner was Kenaitze Indian. The Oskolkof/Dolchok Cabin is a good representative of what the buildings in early Kenai looked like. Because the additions have not significantly altered the property's basic historic appearance and the design and workmanship of its origin are still intact, this house is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It retains its historic feeling since no incompatible construction is adjacent to it. 10) (1912) Wilson House - Kenai residents Paul Wilson Sr. and wife Katherine bought this house and raised their family here during in the Early Community Building Era. His son Paul Jr. and his wife Elizabeth also raised their family of eight children in this house. Like the Oskolkof/Dolchok Cabin this home is representative of the Early Community Building Era as well as Kenaitze Subsistence. Also like the Oskolkof/Cabin it is in the original location as it was built and has retained its setting with no incompatible adjacent construction. This house is eligible for the National Register of Historic places as well. 11) (1950) Steve King House - This house was built in the 1950's by Steve King on his North Kenai homestead. He relocated here in the early 1960's. It is thematic with the growth period which followed World War II. It is now a rental property. 12) (1940's) The Jahrig Building - This building is noteworthy in that it is the only commercial property in the Kenai Townsite Historic District dating from the Post World War II Community Growth Period. The property originated as a Northwest Cannery property and was moved here from Kasilof. It has since seen varied uses and was Kenai's first theater and fa:st pharmacy. It became a bakery and coffee shop in the late 1950's and early 60's. It is now known as Old Town Villag.e restaurant and has been added on to as well as remodeled, reshaped and otherwise altered. It probably saw its beginnings as simple one story frame building with gable roof and shiplap siding. Like many others, it is a building which has been moved here testifying to the cost and scarcity of materials in an earlier time. Before the advent of building supply stores and highways, it was easier to salvage materials or move a structure in its entirety rather than build from scratch. For more historic photos and information on this building, you may inquire within. 13) (1948) Kenai Commercial Building- Also associated with Kenai' post World War II growth, this property was remodeled in 1985 and except for it's concrete foundation has been altered considerably. The very first store on this location burned down in the 1940's. Another building was barged up from Kasilof in 1948 and, like the Jahrig buildig, g, it was thought to be an old cannery building (Alaska Packers Cannery). It was set up as Kenai Commercial Company by E. Wells Ervin and Helen Jones to sell groceries arid dry- goods. The store had a slogan - "buy on credit, pay after fishing" Helen Jones who operated the store was also a registered nurse for the community. The Kenai Commercial Company operated until 1966 when it became Northern Commercial Co. and after three years here Northern Commercial moved to another location. The Jahrig family bought the building and lived here until 1980. It remained unoccupied until 1985 when it was bought by Robert and Janice Cowan who remodeled it making the law office you now see. 14) (1935) Showalter House - The only remaining house in Kenai which was built in the 1930s. It was built by local c .arpenter John Berg whose wife Helen was the local postmistress. The postoffice was operated from their home. The house was sold to Ward Showalter in 1947. Showalter was a commercial fisherman. It has remained in the family and is now owned by his son James Showalter also a commercial fisherman. 15) (1950's) Kenai Bible Church- Though not located in the historic district, or compatible in size or design of historic the buildings, nor is it yet fifty years old, it is representative of being the first Protestant church in Kenai. It also borders the bluff and sits at the mouth of the Kenai River. With this in mind the lighted cross is a comforting reminder to some fisherman entering the river after a day out on the Cook Inlet Fishing grounds. 16) (1916) Hermansen Miller House - Built by Martin Updahl out of rough planking from Libby McNeil cannery, this structure is considered 'to be the oldest frame house in Kenai. Of Norwegian descent, Updahl changed his name to Hermansen not long after coming to Kenai. He mamed Fedora Peterson and raised a family there until 1939. A shed and running water were added in 1925. Mr. Hermansen was a jack-of-all-trades who helped build many of Kenai's homes. In 1950 this building was sold to a man named Lemon who operated a small grocery store which soon became Kay's Diner. Fred and Louisa Miller purchased the house in 1951, where they rented out rooms upstairs and had an ice cream parlor downstairs. Concurrently, the Millers operated the local post office and allowed the Catholic church to hold mass in the ice cream parlor until 1956. Shortly thereafter it served as Kenai's first hospital/clinic. Today is serves as a bed and breakfast establishment. *) (1922) Dolchok/Juliussen Cabin -Originally constructed by Mike Dolchok on Overland Avenue across from U.S. Fish and Wildlife buildings, formerly the Moose Range Headquarters.. The Dolchok family home was sold to Dick Wilson in the late 1940s who then sold it to the Juliussens. Julius Juliussen moved it to its present location and raised his family here until the 1950s. The property's appearance in 1925 was similar to the way it looks today; however, the large addition on the right did not exist nor the large multi pane window. 17) (1954) CiVic League Building - Built in 1954 with materials donated by the J.H. Pomeroy Construction Company and volunteer labor, this property served as a commumty center, serving the following functions' public library, library, Homemaker's Club, courthouse, various church services, a schoolroom and evening meetings such as the Civic League (forerunner of today's city management). With Kenai's incorporation in 1950, it provided city office space, storage for the first fire truck, and housed the public health nurse. Today a preschool operates in this building and is an excelled example of a municipal building constructed during the post World War II community growth period. 18) (1955) Kenai Firehall Jail -Like the .Civic League Building, the Firehall was built using volunteer labor in 1955. Two years later the jail was added to the rear of the building. After the Kenai Police and Fire Departments moved to their new facility in 1973, this building was leased for one dollar per year to the Kenai Arts Council. In 1980 it was renovated into a gallery and artists' workshop.