When the footprint of the Morris Thompson Center was surveyed in 1909, it contained 16 subdivided plats available to the residents of newly formed Fairbanks. Over the years, various families built homes on these plats along the Chena River waterfront. This photo was taken approximately from where the island is in our parking lot looking toward the river. The historic cabin you see onsite is the only one that remains. The Morris Thompson Center was constructed in 2008.

Built in 1910, one of the oldest structures in the core area that is still in its original location. Its construction is exemplary of log cabin residences in the Fairbanks area and the region. Likely built with local materials, there were two sawmills nearby. The first known residents of the cabin were Walter and Mary Ellen Gould who purchased the cabin in 1914. Mrs. Gould was an avid gardener, raising vegetables to feed the family, as well as flowers — particularly fuchsias. This cabin was added to the National Register in 2021.

Cross the Cushman St bridge. In 1904, when a Catholic priest arrived in Fairbanks, all choice lots in the center of town were taken. Father Francis Monroe, a Jesuit missionary, selected land at the edge of town, bordering the Chena River. The first Roman Catholic Church in the interior of Alaska, a small frame building, was hastily constructed during September and October. Its original location was diagonally on this side of the river and was moved in winter 1911. Added to the National Register in 1976.

The Big I began life as the International Hotel and Bar, in a wood-frame building constructed by Emil Pozza in 1920.  It was originally located approximately where you are now standing. However, in 1923 it and several other buildings were moved about 100 feet to the west across Turner Street to make room for the Cushman Street right-of-way and the new Alaska Railroad depot. The original burned down in the 1940s but was reconstructed as a two-story concrete-block and reinforced -concrete building with basement.

Originally known as Alaska Commercial Company, the Northern Commercial Company was established in 1903 and built their flagship store along the banks of the Chena River. The approximate location spanned from where the KeyBank building is now to second avenue. For many years the Fairbanks store generated electricity for Fairbanks, operated a machinery store, sold automobiles, washing machines, dry goods of all sorts, and prospecting and mining supplies, and ran riverboats and stage coach lines. 

Now an empty parking lot, built in 1906, its architecture was "eclectic Renaissance Revival", a style that had been popular in the "lower 48" United States in the 1880s and 1890s. The lower level was rented as a grocery store for many years and had imported Belgian carpets and plush furniture. This building served an important social and humanitarian role in the community as a fraternal organization. The building also served as a backdrop for President Harding as he addressed a crowd from the steps in 1923. This building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, but was demolished in 2018 after a portion of the roof collapsed.

Approximately where the Christian Science building is now, the first buildings in Fairbanks were part of a settlement known as Barnette’s cache. Gold discoveries in 1902 started a minor stampede to the area and lots were staked along the river to accommodate the potential gold rush. Temporary structures came down; local industry such as sawmills developed; streets and blocks were platted; and the frame buildings of a new town hurriedly rose along the waterfront. These new developments brought electricity, water supplies, a stronger system of law and government, and a variety of then-modern amenities.

Indoor plumbing was rare in early Fairbanks and hot baths were somewhat a luxury. Built in 1907 as a bathhouse by proprietor Cora Madole, this structure is an architectural representation of a turn-of-the century traditional wood frame building. When the bathhouse’s pipes froze, the International Order of Odd Fellows (a benevolent, service-oriented organization) bought the building soon thereafter to use as its meeting hall. It is one of the few remaining examples and reflects the important social changes of Fairbanks. Added to the National Register in 1980.

Built in 1909, the library building is an example of American missionary activity in Alaska. Fairbanks’ first public library is a direct result of Episcopal Church efforts to provide reading materials for residents of Alaska’s frontier settlements. It was the 1915 location for an unprecedented meeting between six Tanana tribal chiefs and United States Government officials to discuss Alaska Native claims to the land and needs concerning work and education. This conference began the Alaska Native fight for compensation for land that was colonized by Russia and the United States. There were no concrete actions that came out of the conference, but it represented one of the first times that Natives had been consulted on issues that affected them. It also showed the chiefs’ resolve to speak out on important issues and become involved in representing their people and lobbying for change.  Added to the National Register in 1972.

Work on the church began Sept. 26, 1904 and the first service was Oct. 16. In February 1947 the church was seriously damaged in a fire. Parishioners were able to save the hand carved altar, lectern, altar rail and the original bell. The new church, built in was patterned after the original’s simplicity. It was constructed of peeled logs sawn flat on three sides, and featured similar gable-fronted nave and vestibule. Two major differences in the new church were the more steeply pitched roof, and the belfry’s location on top of the vestibule — tucked under the nave’s roof. When the building was completed the altar, lectern, altar rail, and bell from the old church were re-installed. The first services in the new church were held on Christmas Eve, 1948. Additions have been made to the rear of the church, but the structure still retains its simple rustic beauty. Added to the National Register in 2016.

The house’s exact year of construction is a bit of a mystery. Borough records estimate it was built in 1922, but other records indicate 1911. Charles Claypool came to Alaska in 1900 and was first stationed in Circle City as a court commissioner, equivalent to a justice of the peace. He transferred to Eagle in 1901 and then to Fairbanks when the court’s headquarters moved in 1904. In the early 1900s the bank of the Chena River across First Avenue from the Claypool house was where steamboats were pulled up on “ways” (long wooden rails) during the winter.  The Claypool house is one of the earliest frame houses in Fairbanks.

This cabin belonged to J.T. Hutchison a talented aircraft mechanic where he and his wife raised their 10 children. He excelled at patching together aircraft at crash sites so they could limp back home often working on planes owned by Alaskan aviation pioneers like Noel Wien and Wiley Post. This cabin is an example of the resourcefulness of Fairbanks’ first residents. The original cabin you see in the front was later added onto when the family grew. Our local public career technical school is named after Hutchison.

In the early 1900s the bank of the Chena River was where steamboats were pulled up on “ways” (long wooden rails) during the winter. Two riverboats are represented at Pioneer Park: the S.S. Lavelle Young (first commercial steamboat to navigate the Chena River in 1901), and the S.S. Nenana (last steamer to Fairbanks in 1957).

Curling is the oldest organized sport in Alaska. In 1905 the Fairbanks Curling Club was established and curling games were played on the deck of the Northern Commercial Company dock in downtown Fairbanks. When ice was suitable, games were played on the river. The first club building was constructed in 1908 and located on Second Avenue. Women were invited to curl in 1935 and by 1961 a new location was found to accommodate the number of players. 

When the application for the address  of  the current building was submitted, “1962 Second Avenue” was chosen to correspond with the year the building was built.

Built between 1961 and 1962, Growden Memorial Field is one of the state's most historically significant sports venues. Named for James Growden, a teacher at Denali Grammar School, and at the time of his death in Valdez, AK, an eighth-grade teacher. He was lost during the Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964.  This ballpark is recognized for its local, statewide and national significance to America’s Pastime of baseball. Added to the National Register in 2025.

Originally planned as a tourist attraction featuring Alaskan exhibits, the Pioneers of Alaska requested public land from the State of Alaska as a place to preserve Alaska’s history . In 1965, the Alaska 67, or A-67, committee requested that the Park be used for the 100th year celebration of Alaska's purchase from Russia.  . The Alaska 67 Centennial Exposition was intended to immerse the visitor in a series of experiences that represented the grandeur of Alaska. A Gold Rush Town, exhibit hall, wildlife exhibit and Alaska native dwellings were built among the park-like setting. Today locals and visitors alike enjoy seeing history come alive while visiting.

1901 E.T Barnette travelled up the Tanana River in search of a spot to establish a trading post. When the boat was no longer able to navigate the river due to rapids, the captain tried to go up the Chena as a detour. Unfortunately for Barnette the captain was unsuccessful and instructed him to either turn around or get off with his supplies. Thus the original settlement of Fairbanks was born.  The boat later sunk and was abandoned but what was left of the wheelhouse was returned to Fairbanks and reconstructed by the Fairbanks Historical Preservation Foundation. It is now on display here at Pioneer Park.

The SS Nenana was built in 1933 for Alaska Railroad service on the Yukon, Nenana, and Tanana Rivers.  The SS Nenana provided access to interior Alaska long before roads could be built. The ship carried military cargo during World War II, including lend-lease aircraft on their way to Russia.  It is one of the few remaining original steamboats and it represents a period when our nation's rivers were used as major transportation routes. In 1965 the Nenana was added to the park by digging a channel from the Chena River and into a human made pond where it sits today. It was added to the National Register in 1972.

The Pullman passenger-observation car, “Denali”, was used on the Alaska Railroad to transport president Warren G Harding and his party in 1923President Harding spent 2 weeks in the territory of Alaska accompanied by Secretary Wallace of Agriculture Secretary Work of Interior and Secretary Hoover of Commerce travelling around to determine the best way to develop the natural resources the state had available. . Harding rode to Nenana on the railroad to drive the “Golden Spike” to commemorate the completion that connected Interior Alaska with the year-round port of modern-day Seward.  Added to the National Register in 1978.

Constructed with lumber from a nearby sawmill, the residence of Judge James V. Wickersham, Fairbanks’s first Judge, was the first frame house in Fairbanks. Wickersham was instrumental in securing Fairbanks’ position as a viable gold rush town in the interior. His house was moved to the park in 1967 from First Avenue downtown and added to the National Register in 1979.