This Week In Alaska History 7/5-7/11 Juneau Gets The Telephone!

July 5, 1869: Steamboat Yukon Enters Yukon River, First to Do So (Yukon River)

Steamboat on the Yukon River, Circa 1920

On July 5, 1869, the steamboat Yukon became the first steamer to navigate the Yukon River, marking a significant milestone in Alaska’s transportation history. This event facilitated increased trade and movement of goods, opening up the interior to further exploration and commerce.

July 6, 1921: Fire Destroys Chilkat Oil Company Plant (Katalla)

Katalla's Location (Now A Ghost Town)

A devastating fire on July 6, 1921, razed the Chilkat Oil Company’s plant in Katalla, disrupting early oil industry efforts in Alaska. The loss underscored the challenges of developing industrial infrastructure in Alaska’s remote and harsh environments.

July 7, 1920: President Warren G. Harding Visits Alaska During Voyage (Seward)

President Harding In Alaska

On July 7, 1920, President Warren G. Harding arrived in Seward during his "Voyage of Understanding," becoming one of the first sitting U.S. presidents to visit Alaska.

His visit highlighted Alaska’s strategic importance and boosted local morale, though it also drew attention to the territory’s underdeveloped infrastructure.

July 8, 1937: Radio Telephone Service Inaugurated Between Juneau and Seattle (Juneau)

On July 8, 1937, radio telephone service was established between Juneau and Seattle, costing $9 for a 3-minute daytime call. This technological advancement improved communication, connecting Alaska’s capital more reliably with the mainland United States.

July 9, 1953: Mount Spurr Erupts, Blanketing Anchorage with Ash (Anchorage)

Mount Spur In 2004

Mount Spurr erupted on July 9, 1953, northwest of Anchorage, coating the city with volcanic ash and disrupting daily life. The event highlighted Alaska’s active volcanic landscape and its impact on growing urban centers.

July 10, 1899: Fort Gibbon Military Reserve Established (Tanana)

Fort Gibbon Near Tanana 1899

On July 10, 1899, President McKinley’s executive order established the Fort Gibbon military reserve near Tanana to support U.S. presence in Alaska’s interior. The fort played a key role in maintaining order and facilitating communication during the Klondike Gold Rush era.

July 11, 1921: Last Russian Blockhouse Razed in Sitka (Sitka)

Illustration of New Archangel (What would come to be known as Sitka) and Russian Block House, 1805

On July 11, 1921, the Coast & Geodetic Survey demolished the last of Sitka’s old Russian blockhouses due to its iron spikes interfering with nearby magnetic observatory instruments. This event symbolized the fading physical remnants of Russian colonial influence in Alaska, transitioning the region further into American control.