Anchorage Memories You'll Love

Enjoy a wonderful treasure chest of Anchorage Memories including stories, pictures, and videos that will happily remind you of a different time.

anchorage alaskaDowntown 4th Avenue and a favorite movie theatre

Do You Remember?


Growing up and living in Anchorage is a unique experience. Remember how much fun it was to go downtown?

You could see a movie at almost everyone's favorite movie theatre. It was our movie palace. Remember seeing movies at the 4th Avenue theatre (pictured above)?


Woolworth's June 27 1961 Photo by Ward WellsPhoto by Ward Wells

Next to the theatre, in the 1950s, on the corner of 4th and F streets was the Oyster Loaf Café. Later, in that same location Woolworth's joined the downtown scene with its fun lunch counter.


federal buildingCelebrating Alaska's Statehood in 1958

On the other side of 4th Avenue, across from the movie theatre is the Federal Building (pictured above), which takes up an entire block.

Did you know that at one time, the Federal Building also housed a jail?


stewarts photo shop

Just up the avenue to the east is Stewart's Photo Shop, a great place to pick up some film, or a new camera. Stewart's is also home to Star, the most famous Reindeer in Alaska.


visitor's log cabin water colorWatercolor by Alaskan Artist Cindy Pendleton

Across the street from Stewart's Photo is the Visitor's Log Cabin and the old City Hall. The Visitor's Log Cabin (pictured above), with its sod roof (snow-covered in the winter) is a must-see for tourists from around the world. And the old City Hall with its big, inviting lawn was a fun place to stop and enjoy the sights of the city.


kimbals dry goodsThe upstairs was the family residence

Behind City Hall was Kimball's Dry Goods (pictured above), one of the oldest buildings in Anchorage, dating back to around 1916 when the town was still just a tent city.


Loussac Library 5th and F street 1955 CROPPED

Do you remember the downtown Loussac Library? Pictured above, it was a great place to do your homework or browse the books.


Sydney Laurence Auditorium

And you could always enjoy a play or a concert at the Anchorage Municipal Auditorium, also known as the Sydney Laurence Auditorium. The auditorium was named after one time Anchorage resident and the most famous artist in Alaska, Sydney Laurence.

These are just a few of the wonderful Anchorage Memories you'll discover here on Anchorage Memories.

Enjoy your visit.


Quick Links – find what you want here

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Do You Remember?


sears mallThis was the first Mall in Anchorage

When the town first learned that they were going to build a mall, there was excitement in the air.

An area of town off Northern Lights Boulevard that had been nothing more than a bog, was going to be cleared and turned into a shopping center and gathering place.

What were your favorite stores in Anchorage's first mall?

Remember Grandma's Closet, Andy's Carmel Corn, and the Book Cache?


BONUS

This edition of the Anchorage Memories VIP Club looks at how Anchorage's first mall, the Sears Mall, came about.


Click on the following link

Take a look at Anchorage Sears Mall Memories and remember.



“Thank you for all you do to bring

these Memories to my heart.” Jody


Anchorage Radio and TV Memories


anchorage radio and television memories

Do you remember?


  • “Mother Moose”, “The Coke Show”, “The Varsity Show”.
  • Remember Theda Comstock and Norma Goodman?
  • And how about Romper Room or Koko the KENI Klown?

You can revisit your favorite Anchorage radio and TV shows and personalities right here.

Remember how local radio and television brought us together? Remember watching the Fur Rendezvous sled dog races? And listening to the Coke Show with Ron Moore?

What were your favorite shows? Who were your favorite TV and radio personalities?

Take a look at Anchorage Radio and Television Memories and enjoy.


Look for the word “BONUS

You'll discover special treats, gifts and more information when you find a “BONUS” all throughout this Anchorage Memories website. 


A Local Favorite


arctic roadrunnerWhat is (was) your favorite local hamburger?

Do you remember?


  • The Lucky Wishbone
  • The Arctic Road Runner
  • The Double Musky Inn

What was (is) your favorite Anchorage restaurant or burger place? Do you remember those great fries at the A&W Drive-In located in Mountain View?

We all have our favorites. Some are gone now, but some are still serving up that great food.

You'll be hungry when you read these stories and remember when.


Take a look at Anchorage Restaurant Memories and enjoy


Interesting stories,

love Anchorage Memories.” Christine


Nostalgic Pictures

and Memories


spenard 1955Intersection of Spenard Road and Fireweed Lane 1955

Photo above courtesy of John Parker


I love looking at

the photos you share.” Beth


Yes, you'll discover a huge number of photos all over this Anchorage Memories website. Many are being shared here by our website visitors. Do you have pictures you'd like to share?


Enjoy Anchorage and Alaska

e-Books, Short Stories,

videos, audio stories, and art


anchorage memories store

Find out what's in the store.

You'll enjoy even more Anchorage Memories in these nostalgic e-books and short stories.

  • Remembering the 4th Avenue Theatre
  • Dynamite and the Alaskan Outhouse
  • The Varsity Show, Anchorage's teen TV dance program

And much more.


click on the following link and discover




Did You Grow Up in Anchorage?


What neighborhood did you grow up in?

Where did you go to school?

Where did you play?

What did you like to do?

Who were your friends?

What were your favorite local TV and radio shows?

The Mother Moose Show, Romper Room, The Buckaroos, The Varsity Show, or the Coke Show?

You'll remember so much here on Anchorage Memories.


Did You Live in Anchorage?

Do You Still Live There?


What neighborhood did you live in?

Who were your friends?

What were your favorite restaurants?

Where did you like to shop?

What did you like to do?

Where did you like to go?

Do you remember the Fur Rendezvous, the Loussac Library downtown, the 4th Avenue Theatre, Anchorage High School, and were you there, and what were you doing when the 1964 Good Friday earthquake struck Alaska?

You'll enjoy all these and so many more Anchorage Memories.


Posting Your Memories


Many of the memories you'll discover here were submitted by website visitors just like you.

Do you have a memory you would like to share?

To learn how, check out How to Post Your Anchorage Memories right now.


Who Created Anchorage Memories?


mike and maryThat's Mary on your left and Mike on the right

Hello,


One of us was born and raised in Anchorage. And one of us came to Anchorage when they were only 3 years old.

Take a look at our story right now.


We're Mike and Mary Dougherty, and we created Anchorage Memories just for you.

Mary was born in the old Providence Hospital and raised in Anchorage.

You can Meet Mary right here.


Mike first came to Anchor town when he was 3 years old in 1950, and he brought his mom and dad with him. (OK, you do the math, and you'll find out Mike's age).

You can Meet Mike right here.


Join the Fun


With all of this in mind, what better way to enjoy your wonderful memories than with this website, where you can also share your memories of life in this special place called Anchorage, Alaska.


And don't be shy about sharing your memories.


We're all friends here because we have something in common, an exceptional bond.


We all have our Anchorage Memories.


Anchorage Memories VIP Club


BONUS


anchorage alaska

Join your free Anchorage Memories VIP Club

A treasure chest of precious Anchorage memories, delivered right to your email in-box three times each month.

Plus

Discover Alaska Facts and History

and

Meet Anchorage Pioneers

Plus, just for you:

Right after you join

you'll receive “Nostalgic Anchorage Stories”

as a special thank you

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"I thoroughly enjoy Anchorage Memories,
it is absolutely magnificent" Robert