Nostalgic Pictures of
Anchorage Alaska

These Pictures of Anchorage Alaska are treasures that will happily take your heart to a different time.

How many Anchorage businesses do you recognize in the photo above?

Piggly Wiggly is one.

The tallest building is the Federal building.

“Anchorage Memories brings back a lot of memories of life in Anchorage” 

Michael

A wise person once said, “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

You'll really enjoy scrolling down this page and stopping to look at the many pictures you'll discover. If you used to live in Anchorage, or still do, a flood of memories will fill your heart. Enjoy.

4th Avenue Downtown Anchorage

circa mid-1940s

Photo courtesy of Bob Rieth

In the background on the left side you can see the 4th Avenue Theatre.

What other businesses do you see?

Charles Brewster

owner of Brewster's Department Store

Photo by Cindy Pendleton

Besides owning one of the most popular stores in Anchorage, Charles Brewster was a horseman and, as you can see, he had an incredible saddle.

It looks like the crowd appreciated his ride.

Fur Rondy Sled Dog Races

1978

Photo courtesy Les Graff

The beautiful photo above shows you how crowds lined the trail in 1978 to catch a glimpse of dog mushers and their teams as they raced during Anchorage's annual winter carnival, the Fur Rendezvous.

Competition in this race made it a crowd pleaser.

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.

Visit the Store Library

click on the following link and discover

Visit the Store

Anchorage Visitor's Log Cabin

watercolor by Alaskan artist, Cindy Pendleton

A Frontier City Welcome

By Cindy Pendleton

“Alaska is a long way from anywhere.

When I first came to Anchorage forty some years ago, I didn't know a soul, except my best friend, who had come 4,800 miles from Michigan with me in my little jeep.

As I put her on a plane to her first job in Fairbanks, I realized that I was truly alone in a new land. A little forlorn, I returned to my newly rented trailer. As I pulled into my driveway, I was greeted by the lady next door. With a smile on her face, and a sack of fresh salmon in her hand, she said, “Come join us for dinner.” Before long, I had a whole set of “extended family”, who were there when I needed advice, a helping hand, or just a sounding board.

It was these people who made Anchorage such a special place – a place to call home. This frontier hospitality was, and still is the Alaska way of life.”

BONUS

To enjoy more watercolors by by Alaskan artist Cindy Pendleton,

click on the link that follows and enjoy

Anchorage Art

4th Avenue Circa 1958

photo by Gene Smith

courtesy Gary Smith

In the background of the photo above, notice the original location of Hewitt's lunch counter and drug store. Following the 1964 earthquake, Hewitt's was relocated to Spenard.

By the way

Notice the sign over 4th Avenue that reads, “Anchorage All American City”.

Many people have no idea why such a sign hangs over the main street.

That designation was an honor given to the city by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine. And Anchorage won the award a total of 4 times. In 1956, 1965, 1985 and again in 2002.

Spenard Road

and

Fireweed Lane

1955

Photo by Ken and Nancy Parker

Courtesy of John Parker

My how times have changed.

The intersection seen above is now a very busy one in modern-day Spenard.

Downtown Anchorage

4th Avenue

1940s

Photo courtesy David Jensen

4th Avenue

1956

Photo by Jim Zoller

In the Picture:

How many businesses do you remember in the photo above?

The D&D Bar and Café. Next door is Stewart's Photo. Across the street is the Union Club and Army Navy Surplus. Can you spot any other businesses?

Entering Spenard

1958

Photo Courtesy of Linda Miller

In the Picture:

Going toward Spenard where Minnesota is now.

The sign reads: “Entering Spenard The Land of the Free For All”

Spenard Lake

1954

Photo by Ken and Nancy Parker

Courtesy of John Parker

Sun bathers enjoy a warm day as small planes take off and land in the water across the lake.

Spenard Lake

the early days

Circa 1916 to 1920

At one time, Anchorage pioneer, Joe Spenard, had built the lake up to be a resort. It featured a dance pavilion, bath houses, a picnic area and more.

A fire destroyed the resort.

Anchorage

Circa 1950

Photo courtesy of Michael Nore

In the Picture:

Notice the old Alaska Native Services (ANS) Hospital to the left in the picture above.

The Chugach mountains can be seen in the background.

Alaska Railroad Yards

and Government Hill

Circa 1950

Photo courtesy of Michael Nore

Circa 1950, see how much building has taken place over the years. From a rugged tent city in 1915, to this 1950s photo.

The Sears Mall

Circa 1968

In The Picture:

The Sears Mall at E. Northern Lights and the Seward Highway.

Anchorage and Alaska's first mall.

Stores included Carr's Food Center, Andy's Carmel Corn, Sheffield Cafeteria and Pub, Grandma's Closet, Ben Franklin.

Spenard Road

1957

Photo by Ken and Nancy Parker

Courtesy of John Parker

Alaska Railroad Building

and Anchorage Docks

Circa 1950s

The picture above looks at the Railroad Depot and part of the Port of Anchorage.

This location is where Anchorage began as a tent City in 1915.

After the 1964 Earthquake

On the right side of the photo above, you can see the earth being cleared of debris from the 1964 quake and the ground prepared for new construction.

How many businesses do you recognize in the picture?

Carr's Super Market

Circa 1954–1955

When you live in Anchorage, grocery stores get food by truck, air or by ship.

Larry Carr and his brother started the Carr's supermarket chain by opening their first store in an old Quonset hut.

Anchorage

4th Avenue

1944

4th Avenue

1956

Photo courtesy of Kimberly Starks

In the Picture:

Drum Major, Alice Wanda Turner

Anchorage High School

Bootlegger's Cove

1968

Photo by Cindy Pendleton

BONUS

Bootleggers Cove got its name when Anchorage was still a tent city and liquor was banned. So, bootleggers would sneak moon shine to shore at Bootleggers Cove where they couldn't be seen by the authorities.

Betty Faris Apparel

Circa 1950s

Photo courtesy of Doug Brundage

About the Picture:

Between 3rd and 4th Avenues

Owned and operated by Izzie Brundage

Bi Lo Grocery Store

Circa 1974 or 1975

Photo courtesy of Clytie Alaimo (on the pony)

Bi-Lo was also known as one of the sponsors of the Mother Moose TV show, an Anchorage kid's program that featured Larry Beck as the Old Prospector and Carol Beck as Miss Northern Lights.

You can Submit Your

Pictures of Anchorage Alaska

Visitors will love seeing your pictures of Anchorage from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

You can easily send us your pictures as an email attachment. And when you do, remember to tell us what the picture is and the year.

Send your pictures to mike@anchorage memories.com

Chester Creek Flats

1967

Photo by Cindy Pendleton

About the Picture:

Overlooking Chester Creek Flats before in became Westchester Lagoon.

Eklutna Chapel

Photo courtesy of Gene Gough

About the Picture:

Created by Carola Gough

President Nixon's Motorcade

1971

About the Picture:

Part of the motorcade when President Nixon met with Japanese Emperor Hirohito in Anchorage.

Taken on Northern Lights as the motorcade made its way to the home of Walter J. Hickel.

In the background you can see Rayfield's 76 gas station and a Bilo grocery store.

La Casita

Mountain View

Photo courtesy of Roxann Regenstreif

Pictures of Anchorage Alaska

Eldeberry Park

west end of 5th Avenue

1976

Photo by Cindy Pendleton

4th Avenue

circa 1940s or 1950s

Photo courtesy of Cordell Dow

In the picture:

Cub Scout troop 817

Food Center, owned by Keith Lesh

J. Vic Brown Jewelry store

Siedenverg's (before it was Siedenverg and Kays)

Pictures of Anchorage Alaska

Early Log Home 1915

Photo courtesy of Gary R Smith

About the Picture:

Swan and Lisa Swanson's Home

Their daughter, Ingaborge is the mother of Gary R Smith

Anchorage Alaska Pictures from the early days.

Downtown

4th Avenue 1968

Photo by Cindy Pendleton

Theda Comstock

"The Woman's Touch"

TV Kitchen Set

Photo courtesy of RB Laurie

About the Picture:

Taken in the KENI-TV studio in the 4th Avenue Theater building, this picture shows “The Woman's Touch” a popular local women's show hosted by Theda Comstock.

Anchorage Main Street

1940s

Photo courtesy of the Michael Nore Collection

Northern Lights Blvd.

Looking east of Wisconsin

1978 - 1979

Photo courtesy of Lonnie Frazer

The Bun Drive-In

and the Coke Show

radio booth

July 1963

Photo courtesy of Malcolm Burgess Jr.

In the Picture Above:

Anchorage teens could stop in for a burger and listen to The Coke Show with DJ Ron Moore, a radio favorite. Teens could also call in to the program, request a song and make a dedication.

Spenard Kid's Train
across from Spenard Lake

1948

Photo courtesy of the Brown family

In the Picture:

Cliff, Cheri and Ron Brown and Denny Beeman enjoy the train.

Anchorage Dairy

4th and C Street

1948

Photo courtesy of the Brown family

About the Picture:

At one time, the Brown family lived in an apartment above the dairy.

Coming Home from School

Northern Lights Blvd

Near Turnagain by the Sea

1956

Photo courtesy of Linda Miller

Linda Miller, the girl in red, just got off the bus.

Did you ride the bus or walk to school?

5th Avenue looking east

Circa 1950s

Did you enjoy looking at these Pictures of Anchorage, Alaska?

It's nice to see our town in these photos and be reminded of the way it used to be.

Anchorage Memories VIP Club

“I’ve learned a lot about my hometown of Anchorage, and you’ve jogged memories of things I haven’t thought about for years. I can only say YAY!”  Juanita.

BONUS

PLUS

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

Discover Alaska Facts and History

and

Meet Anchorage Pioneers

PLUS you'll receive your free Anchorage e-book when you join

Click on the following link

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

Pictures of Anchorage Alaska

Here on Anchorage Memories you can celebrate your precious memories of days gone by.

Did these pictures bring back memories?

And now you can take a few moments to go through your old boxes of pictures, pick out a few and send them to Anchorage Memories.

Our website visitors will love seeing them.

We all have pictures from our time in and around Anchor town that we took, and then promptly put away in a photo album, or in a box that was quickly stored and is now rarely seen.

But now, you can share at least a few of them with the world.

Your pictures of Anchorage Alaska will help our website visitors remember back in the day.

“I hadn't thought about that in years” is something people say to Anchorage Memories all the time.

“Thank you for the memories” is another thing that we hear regularly.

That's what it's all about. Preserving your precious memories and bringing a smile to your face… and your heart.

Now you can be a part of that by simply sharing your Anchorage Alaska pictures.