VOL. 1
Anchorage, Alaska, Saturday, July 24, 1915
NO. 8
Much Activity Displayed
in the New Townsite
The sale of lots in the new
townsite was concluded, for the
time being, Saturday evening.
The total number of lots sold was
655. The aggregate purchase
price was $147,235, or an average
of $225, in round numbers, per
lot. Lots to the number of 635
remain unsold at this time, and
Superintendent of Sale Christen
sen announces that the second
sale will begin August 15.
The first sale broke all records
of sale of government townsites
and establishes a precedent diffi
cult to surpass. The sale of a
lot, on the average, took just a
minute and a half, whereas in
other government town lot sales
a much greater time was con
sumed in disposing of lots. This
substantially proves the eager
ness with which purchasers
sought locations and gives An
chorage a boost which is sure to
redound to its benefit, because of
the confidence shown by local
residents. While it is true that
there were some lots bought for
purely speculative purposes, for
the most part the purchasers in
tend to build business houses or
erect residences. Indeed, great
activity is already displayed on
the new townsite, and some
buildings and residences are al
ready in evidence. But it will
take a few days to clear the lots,
in most cases, preparatory to
building.
The Montana Cafe, with com
mendable enterprise, was the
first business established in the
new town, and the owner has as
patrons persons engaged in lot
clearing and improvements.
H street, from the beach to the
townsite clearing, is being clear
ed ready for use. The work is
being done by private subscrip
tion on the part of those chiefly
concerned.
The first government building
erected in the new town will be
the postoffice, work on which
was started this week, under the
direction of the engineering coin
mission. It will be 24x36 feet
and accommodations for 3000
boxes are arranged for. The
plans show a sightly building
that will be a credit to the town. |
A federal jail building will soon
be erected.
J. A. Moore, special agent of
the land office department, has
been designated as townsite man
ager. Mr. Moore has been here
for the past few weeks and is
conversant with local conditions.
The selection meets with general
approval. A. G. Watts, a civil
engineer who served under M.H.
Thompson, the noted Seattle en
gineer, and who later established
grades, etc., in the city of Prince
Rupert, B. C., has been designat
ed as assistant engineer, and will
perform similar duties in the new
townsite. The plan is to lay out
the town as to street grades, sew
erage system, water system,etc.,
on definite lines looking to its
future evolution into a big com
mercial center.
A temporary water system is
being installed under the direc
tion of the engineering commis
sion and water will probably be
available any day now. Some
industrious individuals have be
gun the sinking of wells on
their property. Capt. Lathrop’s
force got an excellent flow of
water at a depth of 27 feet.
Happy Couple Joined in Wedlock
Miss Emerelda Longmire was
married to Mr. P. J. McDonald
at Knik Thursday night, the Key.
T. P. Howard, pastor of the
Presbyterian church, officiating-.
The bride was charmingly at
tired for the occasion and was
attended by Miss Brown as brides
maid. The groom wore the con
ventional black, and Mr. Henry
Dohrman was best man.
The wedding occurred at the
commodious Social hall, which
was nicely decorated for the
happy event, and after the cere
mony a reception was tendered
the popular couple.
The bride, for the past two
years, has been school teacher at
Knik and has won hosts of friends
during her residence there. The
groom, a contractor and builder
who has been in the country for
years past and is now in business
at Anchorage, is a fine type of
American manhood. The Pioneer
extends its heartiest congratula
tions. _
All new goods just arrived go in at
our cost price sale. F. E. Parker & Co.,
opp. P. 0.
Memorandum books and sta
tionery at Pilger’s.
ortant E
Work on the government rail
way system starting from An
chorage is progressing in good
shape all along the line to Mata
nuska.
Drilling is in progress at the
mouth of Ship creek to determine
the character of the material to
be dredged in order to make the
extensive harbor improvements
planned.
The work of laying out mate
rial yards and the construction of
side tracks in the present tent
city was started this week, and
it thus behooves persons living
here to remove to the new town
site as soon as possible. Creat:
quantities of railway construc
tion material are expected here |
from the Panama c;.
about two weeks, and plenty of
room for its storage will be re-,
quired.
A government tie camp has
been started at Bird point, Turn
again arm, and ail tie cutters that
can be obtained will be given em
ployment.
A city wharf, about 50xG0 feet,
for the accommodation of the
new townsite, will be construc
ed at the corner of E and First
streets.
A large pump will be installed
east of E street to pump water
for the new townsite. A large
storage tank will be placed on C
street, between Fourth and Fifth
streets. A pipe line from this
tank will extend from C to Iv
streets with stand pipe at each
street corner.
New Contracts
The following railroad contracts !
were let during the past week:
No. 135 -Anderson & Co., nine
men; grading stations 4761 to
4771.
No. 136 Hannigan & Co., five
men; grubbing townsite.
No. 137 C. D. Ryther, one
man; painting.
No. 138 -Morik & Co., seven
men; grading 4771-4780.
No. 139— David & Co., three
men; grubbing townsite.
No. 140—Groermie & Co., thir
teen men; grading near ware
nouse.
No. 141—Nelson & Co., six men;
outlet to ditches.
No. 142 Keeley & Co., eight
men; grubbing townsite.
No. 143 Amestoy & Co., six
men; grubbing townsite.
No. 144 Moquist & Co., eight
men; wagon road and grade cross
iflcr
No. 145—Grenier & Co., four
men; clearing townsite.
No. 147—McLaughlin & Co.,
two men: laying water line.
No. 148—Muir & Co., two men;
clearing townsite.
No. 149 McPherson & Co., two
men; clearing townsite.
No. 150,—Vassil & Co., four
teen men; grading 4530 to 4560.
No. 151—Krist & Co., 16 men;
grading, 4800 to 4810.
Keeley & Co., two men; grub
bing townsite.
No. 153—Hansen & Co., two
men" grubbing townsite.
No. 154—Stokes & Cx, two
N. • Svu&r
No. 155 A. S. Henry, one man;
50 tons hay at Homer.
As it is necessary for the post
office to close the outgoing mail
one hour before time of departure
of steamers, for convenience of
the public the Admiral Line will
be pleased to accept hand mail at
the company office up to half an
hour of the time of departure on
their vessels and will send the
same to the ship’s mail clerk.
A sample of brick from the
Chas. J. Young brick yard on
Chester creek was brought to the
Pioneer office by Mr. Young one
day this week and the product is
of excellent quality. The manu
facturer says that if he is given
encouragement, he will manu
facture brick on an extensive
scale, thus adding an important
industry to the town.
The Pioneer is reliably inform
ed that a large hotel will be erect
ed on lot 8, block 30, in the new
townsite. The plans call for a
structure 40x120 feet, two sto
ries. The first floor will have a
ceiling 12 feet in height and the
second floor 8 feet in height. The
hotel will be furnished in modern,
up-to-date style, and the propri
etors will quote a low rate for
winter lodgers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Will sacrifice good stock of first class
lumber, windows and doors, finish and
roofing. Must go outside on account
illness in family.
SHIP CREEK LUMBER CO.
By H. Molen.
Office and yard foot of D st.