Anderson, Oscar, House
a.k.a. AHRS Site No. ANC-098
4th Ave. extended, Anchorage, AKThe significance of the Oscar Anderson house is derived from three facets the early developmental history of the Anchorage community; the contributions of Oscar Anderson to commerce in this region of Alaska; and the building itself.
Anchorage was born in the spirit of the railroad development of Alaska. The U.S. Congress, in creating the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1912, also commissioned a study of potential railroad routes which would link the seaboard with the interior and its rich mineral deposits. However, it was not until 1915 that the selection of a route was actually made. President Wilson, by Congressional authorization, selected the Western or Susitna Route. This route would join Seward, an ice-free port, with an interior that was so rich in gold, oil, timber, and fertile soil. Of particular importance, the railroad could transport coal from the Matanuska area. In short, the Alaska Railroad (as the route was to be called) can be justly attributed as the reason for bringing Anchorage into existence. Plans for the railroad's development proceeded and a site at Ship Creek was visualized as the ideal location from which construction could proceed north to the coal fields as well as south toward Seward. As lighterage could carry equipment and supplies from larger ships that lay "at anchor" in the Inlet's deeper waters off Ship Creek, the railroad's headquarters were constructed there. Workers flooded to the spot by the hundreds creating a "tent city" in the short space of a few months after Wilson had authorized the route. By midsummer, the Alaska Engineering Commission (i.e., the Federal agency building the railroad), had cleared a townsite, platted lots according to the simplistic grid system of streets, sold those lots at public auction to create the town, and endorsed the people's vote to call the town, Anchorage.
Oscar Anderson arrived at Ship Creek in the early spring of 1915. By his own account, he was the eighteenth person to set foot in a "tent city" the temporary settlement of those who anticipated railroad-related employment. He quickly went into business with a man by the name of Jensen as the primary meat packer for the region; their cold storage operation was first located at Riverside (i.e. the temporary tent settlement). Anderson was a successful bidder in four instances during the initial auction on July 15, 1915. He rapidly developed a building on his lot in Block 43 to which Ship Creek Meat Market was relocated. Similarly, he began construction of his house on Block 32, a site with a most impressive view of tidewater, soaring mountains, and ever-changing sunset.
The house is said to be the first permanent residence to be completed after the creation of the Anchorage townsite. Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, his widow, relates that her husband took pride in the supplies which he provided Anchorage - not only, food through his market, but also, fuel. Anderson was one of the original owners of the Evan Jones Coal Company started at Jonesville in 1921. Later he became the company's President and General Manager. That coal carried on the Alaska Railroad was a major energy source for Anchorage for over a quarter century. Besides his interest in the meat and coal business, Anderson, among others, also contributed to the town's development by giving his support to the Anchorage Times and in introducing air transportation to this region.
Local significance of the building:
Anchorage was born in the spirit of the railroad development of Alaska. The U.S. Congress, in creating the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1912, also commissioned a study of potential railroad routes which would link the seaboard with the interior and its rich mineral deposits. However, it was not until 1915 that the selection of a route was actually made. President Wilson, by Congressional authorization, selected the Western or Susitna Route. This route would join Seward, an ice-free port, with an interior that was so rich in gold, oil, timber, and fertile soil. Of particular importance, the railroad could transport coal from the Matanuska area. In short, the Alaska Railroad (as the route was to be called) can be justly attributed as the reason for bringing Anchorage into existence. Plans for the railroad's development proceeded and a site at Ship Creek was visualized as the ideal location from which construction could proceed north to the coal fields as well as south toward Seward. As lighterage could carry equipment and supplies from larger ships that lay "at anchor" in the Inlet's deeper waters off Ship Creek, the railroad's headquarters were constructed there. Workers flooded to the spot by the hundreds creating a "tent city" in the short space of a few months after Wilson had authorized the route. By midsummer, the Alaska Engineering Commission (i.e., the Federal agency building the railroad), had cleared a townsite, platted lots according to the simplistic grid system of streets, sold those lots at public auction to create the town, and endorsed the people's vote to call the town, Anchorage.
Oscar Anderson arrived at Ship Creek in the early spring of 1915. By his own account, he was the eighteenth person to set foot in a "tent city" the temporary settlement of those who anticipated railroad-related employment. He quickly went into business with a man by the name of Jensen as the primary meat packer for the region; their cold storage operation was first located at Riverside (i.e. the temporary tent settlement). Anderson was a successful bidder in four instances during the initial auction on July 15, 1915. He rapidly developed a building on his lot in Block 43 to which Ship Creek Meat Market was relocated. Similarly, he began construction of his house on Block 32, a site with a most impressive view of tidewater, soaring mountains, and ever-changing sunset.
The house is said to be the first permanent residence to be completed after the creation of the Anchorage townsite. Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson, his widow, relates that her husband took pride in the supplies which he provided Anchorage - not only, food through his market, but also, fuel. Anderson was one of the original owners of the Evan Jones Coal Company started at Jonesville in 1921. Later he became the company's President and General Manager. That coal carried on the Alaska Railroad was a major energy source for Anchorage for over a quarter century. Besides his interest in the meat and coal business, Anderson, among others, also contributed to the town's development by giving his support to the Anchorage Times and in introducing air transportation to this region.
Commerce; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, signed into law in 1971, was the largest land settlement in United States history. The act provided for the transfer of over 44 million acres of land and nearly $1 billion to Alaska Native corporations.