HomeMy WebLinkAbout03222017 Historic Preservation Packet Seward Historic Preservation Commission
Agenda Packet
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Regular Meeting
March 22, 2017
Council Chambers 6:30 p.m.
The City of Seward, Alaska
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA qP
March 22, 2017 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers
Linda Lasota 1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair
Term Expires May, 2018 2. OPENING CEREMONY
John French A. Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chair 3, ROLL CALL
Term Expires May, 2017
4. SPECIAL REPORTS
Wadeen Hepworth
Commissioner A. City Administration Report
Term Expires May, 2017 B. Chair Report
C. Friends of the Jesse Lee Home Update
Laura Erickson D. Resurrection Bay Historical Society Update
Commissioner E. Iditarod Trail Blazers Update
Term Expires May,2017 F. Alaska Nellie Materials Update
Wolfgang Kurtz G. Mapping Project-Historical Properties Update
Commissioner
5. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE
Term Expires May,2019
ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING [Those who
Fred Woelkers have signed in will be given the first opportunity to speak Time is
Commissioner limited to 2 minutes per speaker and 30 minutes total time for this
Term Expires May, 2018 agenda item.]
Vacant 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner [Approval of Consent Agenda passes all routine items indicated by
Term Expires May,2019 asterisk (*). Consent Agenda items are not considered separately
unless a council member so requests. In the event of such a request,
the item is returned to the Regular Agenda]
James Hunt
City Manager
Valarie Kingsland
Library Museum
Director
Madeline McGraw
Library Museum
Curator
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Agenda
March 22, 2017 Page 1
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Discuss the Commission's role in the possible preservation of Parks and Recreation
warehouse building located at 702 Aspen Lane, KPB parcel 145029.
B. Discuss how the Commission should coordinate and facilitate its input to the City
and other entities regarding Alaska Historic Preservation Act (AHPA) Section 106
compliance for projects within the Commission's geographic area of responsibility.
C. Statement on Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) building on Sixth Avenue
(Woelkers).
D. Review and discuss letter from SHPC to Seward Association for the Advancement of
Marine Science (SAAMS, aka ASLC) Board of Directors, "Importance of
maintaining the historical integrity of the Seward Historic Downtown Business
District; especially the vacant properties at the base of Fourth Avenue" (French)..
.Page 3
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. February 15, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes.* Page 5
B. Review and discuss HP Award nominations and select recipient.
C. Review and discuss annual Priority List and resolution Page 11
D. Discuss and plan for Historic Preservation Month in May.
E. Review, discuss, and approve Historic Preservation Month ProclamationPage 15
F. Discuss 2016 Annual Certified Local Government (CLG)report due in AprilPage 16
G. Plan for Hoben Park beautification.
10. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No Action Required)
A. Seward's Day 2017 Proclamation.. Page 22
B. Excerpt from Mary Barry, "Seward, Alaska: a History of the Gateway City", chapter
24,pages 237-243.. .Page 23
11. COMMISSION COMMENTS
12. ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS
13. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
14. COMMISSION AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS'
COMMENTS
15. ADJOURNMENT
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Agenda
March 22, 2017
Page 2
Seward Historic Preservation Commission
City of Seward
P 0 Box 167
Seward AK 99664
<date>
<Distribution as per distribution list>
Dear Dr. Riemer, Chair Stuart and other members of the SAAMS Board of Directors,
A major concern of the City of Seward Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) is
maintaining the Seward's historic downtown business district (HDBD).The future
development of properties within that district could have irrevocable impacts on its
historic and economic value. The undeveloped lots at the south end of Fourth Avenue
are particularly important in maintaining the sense of place for HDBD as a Gateway to
Alaska. The Seward Association for Advancement of Marine Science (SAAMS) owns
the lot on the eastern side of Fourth Ave. Dr. Riemer has told SHPC that you placed this
lot on the market last summer but withdrew it after all the offers were deemed
unsatisfactory. The Commission wishes to encourage you to continue to protect the
historical integrity of this lot and its place in the HDBD. You could do this by placing
deed restrictions on any future use of the property which assure that any new
construction is consistent with the national standards for new buildings in historic
districts. The highlights of these standards are discussed later in this letter.
Enhancing visitation to HDBD is important to both Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) and
downtown businesses. Tourists interested in cultural history (Heritage Tourism) and its
natural beauty are both important. Maintaining the historical integrity of the Historic
Downtown Business District (HDBD) is important to maintaining its economic vitality.
Tourists visit Seward for many reasons. Tourists, who come for a variety of reasons,
rather than a single purpose, often stay longer and spend more money. Visitors drawn
to a location by its historic and cultural heritage often partake of natural history other
visitor opportunities as well. Several national surveys have confirmed that heritage
tourists have the following characteristics:
• They stay longer than the average visitor.
• They spend more money than the average visitor.
• They partake of a variety of opportunities in the communities they visit.
Surveys of National Park visitors have shown that Park visitors tend to appreciate the
availability of cultural heritage and natural ones among their visitor opportunities.
Within Alaska, Seward is a historic community. It was the port of entry for many future
Alaska residents. Passenger steamers would come up Resurrection Bay and dock at
the passenger dock at the base of Fourth Avenue. They would then either board the
train, or pass up Fourth Avenue into the City of Seward. It was indeed the gateway for
many arriving in southcentral Alaska. The original Arcade Building (curia 1922; corner of
3
Fourth Ave (then Broadway) and Railway Ave.) was a welcoming feature to that arrival.
There are currently three vacant lots at the bottom of Fourth Avenue. These open lots
do not provide a meaningful transition from the historic train depot, Hoben Park and
ASLC on Railway Avenue to the core historic businesses on Fourth Avenue. The fate of
those lots will play a major role in defining the future integrity of HDBD.
Historic preservation planners have made the following general statement about new
construction within historic districts:
New buildings should be compatible with the size scale, color, material
and character of the district, sub-area or block.
New buildings may be designed in a variety of architectural styles
including styles that are intentional restorations, inventions within an
historic style, or abstract reference to styles present in the district, so long
as the design reflects the sense of place of the specific district and creates
a continuity of character.
Unlike many national historic districts, Seward's HDBD is not single themed. It is a
blending of buildings consistent with early town development, those built after the fires
in 1942 and 1943, with a smattering of unsympathetic modern buildings. That provides
a lot of leeway for new construction to "reflect the sense of place and create a continuity
of character". The National Park Service's renovation of the "Old Solly's Building" was
consistent with this goal; a modern glass and steel cube would not be.
To reiterate, SHPC requests that SAAMS considers placing appropriate deed
restrictions on future sale of the property it owns within HDBD to help assure that ifuture
uses help assure the historical integrity of the historic district for the benefit of both
ASLC and HDBD businesses.
Respectfully,
Linda Lasota Wadeen Hepworth
Chair, SHPC SHPC
John French Wolfgang Kurtz
Vice-Chair, SHPC SHPC
Laura Erickson Fred Woelkers
SHPC SHPC
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City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
February 15, 2017
Volume, Page
CALL TO ORDER
The February 15, 2017 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to
order at 6:50 p.m. by Chair Linda Lasota.
OPENING CEREMONY
Commissioner French led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Linda Lasota presiding,and John French
Wolfgang Kurtz Fred Woelkers
comprising a quorum of the Commission; and
Valarie Kingsland, Library Museum Director
Madeline McGraw, Library Museum Curator
Via Telephone-Laura Erickson, Wadeen Hepworth
SPECIAL REPORTS
City Administration Report: No report.
Chair Lasota, Chair Report: Chair Lasota clarified that when the Commission submitted
reports to City Council in written form, they were included as informational items rather than action
items.
Friends of the Jessie Lee Home Report:No report.
Resurrection Bay Historical Society Report: Director Kingsland stated that on February 23,
2017, at 7 p.m., Lee Poleske would be giving a program before the start of the Resurrection Bay
Historical Society meeting.
Iditarod Trail Blazers Report:No report.
Alaska Nellie Materials Report:No report.
5'
City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
February 15, 2017
Volume, Page
Mapping Project-Historical Properties Report: No report.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC
HEARING AND OTHER ITEMS NOT INCLUDED ON AGENDA
Dr. Tara Riemer, President and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center and the Seward Association for the
Advancement of Marine Science (SAAMS), was in attendance. She stated that she had a message from
the Seward Rotary Club in regards to the anniversary of the Alaska Purchase in 1867. The Rotary Club
would be working on a project related to the Purchase on March 28, 2017, and would like to join with
other organizations in this process. The Seward Rotary Club would also be working on the lagoon
boardwalk and gazebo during the summer of 2017. Commissioner Kurtz asked if the lagoon boardwalk
project was a firm project. Dr. Riemer stated that while she was not directly involved in the project, it did
have budget available.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (French/Kurtz) Approval of Agenda and Consent
Agenda
By request from Commissioner French, the January 18, 2017, August 17, 2016, and October 19, 2016
Regular Meeting Minutes were removed from the Consent Agenda to be discussed and voted on
separately in the Regular Agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discuss the Commission's Role in the Possible Preservation of Parks and Recreation Warehouse
Building Located at 702 Aspen Lane,KPB Parcel 145029.
Commissioner Kurtz stated that the KPB Parcel number, "145029", was missing a digit, but did not know
what digit was missing. Chair Lasota requested that this item be left on Unfinished Business for the
March 22,2017 regular meeting.
Discuss How the Commission Should Coordinate and Facilitate its Input to the City and Other
Entities Regarding AHPA Section 106 Compliance for Projects within the Commission's
Geographic Area of Responsibility.
(0
City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
February 15, 2017 Volume, Page
Commissioner French stated that guidance from the City was desired on this topic, specifically on what
form the Commission's comments should take. French requested that this item be left on Unfinished
Business for the March 22,2017 regular meeting.
Statement on Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT)Building on Sixth Avenue.
Commissioner Woelkers had no updates yet on this topic. Chair Lasota requested that this item be left on
Unfinished Business for the March 22,2017 regular meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
January 18,2017 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Motion(French/Woelkers) Approve January 18,2017 Minutes
Motion Passed Unanimous
August 17,2016 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Motion (French/Woelkers) Approve August 17,2016 Minutes
Motion Passed Unanimous
October 19,2016 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Motion (Kurtz/Woelkers) Approve October 19,2016 Minutes
Motion Passed Unanimous
Review and Discuss Letter from SHPC to Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine
Science (SAAMS, aka ASLC) Board of Directors, "Importance of Maintaining the Historical
Integrity of the Seward Historic Downtown Business District; Especially the Vacant Properties at
the Base of Fourth Avenue".
Commissioner French stated that he would like to ask Dr. Riemer her opinion on this letter. Chair Lasota
allowed this. Dr. Riemer had a variety of suggestions to the Commission on this topic. She clarified that
the SAAMS Board of Directors would not need to be convinced that historic tourism was important, as
much of them live in Seward. She also suggested emphasizing the goal of the letter within the first
paragraph, and making concerns clearer. Commissioner French stated that he would redraft this letter and
requested that it be included in New Business for the March 22, 2017 regular meeting.
Resolution 2017-001, A Resolution of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Seward, Alaska, Requesting that the City Council Reinforce the Commission's Pursuit of
Preservation Opportunities within City Owned Fort Raymond Properties.
Motion (Kurtz/French) Discuss Resolution 2017-001
Motion Passed Unanimous
Motion (Kurtz/French)
Approve Resolution 2017-001 with
amendment
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
February 15, 2017 Volume, Page
The Resolution was amended to include the word "properties" after "Fort Raymond" in the eighth
"Whereas"on page 2.
Motion Not Passed Yea(Kurtz,French,Lasota)Nay
(Woelkers)
Motion (Kurtz/Woelkers) Approve Resolution 2017-001 with
amendments
The Resolution title was amended to read "A Resolution of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission
of the City of Seward, Alaska, Requesting that the City Council Reinforce the Commission's Pursuit of
Preservation Opportunities Regarding City Owned Fort Raymond Properties and Assets". The eighth
"Whereas" on page 2 of the Resolution was amended to read "WHEREAS, time is of the essence, as
opportunities to determine historic preservation priorities for the Fort Raymond properties and assets will
continue to dwindle as the area may be subject to appropriation and development in the near term by
public and private entities;".
Motion Passed Unanimous
Review and Discuss Annual Priority List and Resolution.
Discussion of this item was moved to New Business for the March 22, 2017 regular meeting.
Motion(French/Woelkers) Bring current Priority List to Joint
Council Meeting
Motion Passed Unanimous
Review and Revise Seward's Day Proclamation.
Motion (Woelkers/Kurtz) Approve amended proclamation
Commissioner French stated that the current proclamation should be amended to include Jean Bardarson
as mayor,the date of March 27,2017 as Seward's Day, and the date of signing as March 13, 2017.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Discuss and Plan for Historic Preservation Month in May.
Chair Lasota requested that this item be left on New Business for the March 22,2017 regular meeting.
Discuss 2016 Annual Certified Local Government(CLG)Report due in April.
Chair Lasota requested that this item be left on New Business for the March 22, 2017 regular meeting.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required)
Letter from Commissioner Erickson to Beth G. Pendleton, Judith E. Bittner, and John M. Fowler,
dated February 3, 2017, Concerning the USDA Programmatic Agreement;
2017 Seward Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Schedule.
.ice
City of Seward, Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
February 15, 2017 Volume, Page
COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner Erickson thanked everyone for attending the meeting, thanked Commissioners
Woelkers and French for their committee work, and thanked Dr. Riemer for attending the meeting.
Commissioner Hepworth stated that she spoke to Dawn Campbell of the Women's Auxiliary
regarding DVDs that had been released by the Pioneer Club, who would contact someone to give any
information that they could to the Commission. Hepworth also thanked the Seward food bank, the He
Will Provide pantry. This food banked donated nearly 1,000 pounds of food each week, and their work
was important to the community. Hepworth also stated that she would need a copy of the priorities list to
be printed for her.
Commissioner Kurtz thanked Dr. Riemer for attending and enriching the meeting. He also
stated that the 2017 Historic Preservation Month theme would be"See. Save. Celebrate!".
Commissioner French thanked Dr. Riemer for attending the meeting.
Chair Lasota thanked staff for their work. She also reminded the Commission that there were
still duties to be completed for the report to City Council, and stated that the February, March, and April
minutes from 2016 still needed to be completed. Chair Lasota stated that she would complete the April
minutes herself.
ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS
Director Kingsland stated that Commissioners Kurtz and French needed to have their revisions
turned in to staff by the end of February, 2017. She also reminded Chair Lasota to turn the amended
Seward's Day proclamation in to staff as well. She also asked the Commission to always include herself,
staff,and City Clerk Kinney in their emails.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None
COMMISSION& ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Madeline McGraw,Curator Linda Lasota, Chair
City of Seward,Alaska Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
February 15, 2017
Volume, Page
ATTEST:
Johanna Kinney, CMC
City Clerk
(City Seal)
I0
Sponsored by: Seward Historic Preservation Commission
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2016-049
A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, REQUESTING COUNCIL ADOPT THE 2016
SEWARD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION PRIORITIES
WHEREAS, the Seward Historic Preservation Commission wishes to assist the City
Council with the ongoing responsibilities it holds as a Certified Local Government(CLG), which
requires provision for recognition of the historically significant activities, structures and the
people who helped build Seward; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission to
assist with the continuing education of citizens regarding local historic preservation and
community history; and
WHEREAS, it is also the responsibility of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission
to assist with the preservation of Seward's local history; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has continuously received Certified Local Government
grants for historic preservation activities;and
WHEREAS, the Commission provides recognition each year to an outstanding
contributor to Seward's history by awarding the annual Seward Historic Preservation Award; and
WHEREAS, the Commission continues to revise the Seward Historic Preservation Plan;
and
WHEREAS, in order for the Commission to continue to provide this level of service to
the community and assistance to the Council,a long range plan for activities is necessary;and
WHEREAS, the Council and the Seward Historic Preservation Commission met to
discuss and revise the 2016 Priority List at the February 24, 2016 joint work session; and
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
that:
Section 1. The 2016 Priorities for the Seward Historic Preservation Commission is
hereby recommended to the City Council for approval.
Section 2. The Seward Historic Preservation Commission 2016 Priorities List is as
follows:
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2016-049
Public Outreach
• Coordination with Planning and Zoning- At least once a year, the Historic
Preservation Commission would like to meet with and coordinate activities and/or
projects with the Planning and Zoning Commission(1)
• Historic Preservation Web Presence - Continual updating and work on website to
reflect Seward's Historical Resources(2)
• National Historic Preservation Month- Continue to participate and plan celebrations
for the recognition of H.P. Month. The scope of the activities will vary from year to
year(1)
a. The month of May is Historic Preservation Month
• Seward Annual Historic Preservation Award (1)
a. The Historic Preservation award may be given in May
b. Announce to the public the nominations the commission believes deserve to
be a recipient of the award. Nominations should be received by April.
c. Update City plaque as appropriate in timely manner.
• Local Historic Plants and Tree(2)
a. Inventory of Local Historic Plants and Trees
b. Request Nominations from the Public.
• The First Friday Fireside Historical Lecture Series-(2)
a. Bi-yearly work session to brainstorm program ideas
• Cemetery Information Project(2)
a. Update Cemetery/Obituary Information on Seward Historic Preservation
website and Past Perfect Database.
• Purchase of Alaska 1.50th 2017 Anniversary(1)
a. Promote and assist in community coordination activities for the celebration of
the purchase of Alaska 150th Anniversary in 2017. Direct coordination with
but is not limited; City of Seward, Resurrection Bay Historic Society, Kenai
Fjords National Park, Pioneers of Alaska, City of Seward Chamber of
Commerce, U.S. Coast Guard, Trail Blazers', Alaska State Parks, Seward
American Legion, Moose Pass Sportsmen Club, PSTA Site Council, local
religious organizations, Rotary, businesses, society clubs and other local
interested parties.
Historic Structures &Sites (1)
• Continue to update the Seward Inventory ofHistoric Sites
• Continue to nominate structures,site's and vessels to Seward Local Register
• Monitor the Historical Jesse Lee Home Project
• The Commission continues to support Historical Hoben Park's restoration and is
willing to assist with planting the planters.
• Continue to engage family/owners of Alaska Nellie's home site to develop, uncover
1Z
CITY OF SEW ARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2016-049
and otherwise seek to preserve related historical resources.
Historic Preservation Plan
• Seward Historic Preservation Plan- (1) Current plan is in review, rewrite and update
status.
a. Promote economic incentives; historical preservation and education; enhance
understanding of economic heritage tourism.
Other Commission Tasks
• *Establish and maintain a basic working inventory of cultural resources in the
local area, compatible with the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey and
annually provide new data to the Offices of History and Archaeology. (1)
• *Survey and inventory community historic architectural and archaeological
resources within the community. (1)
• Set priorities for CLG grant applications. (1)
a. Schedule annual work session to discuss future grant applications
• Participate in the review of the City of Seward Comprehensive Plan. (1)
• Required by City Code
May 18,2016
Code(1)HIGH PRIORITY(2)ONGOING
Section 3.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Seward City Council of the City of Seward,Alaska,
this 8th day of August 2016.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
kladel44,"„i
an Bardarson,Mayor
13
CITY OF SEW ARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2016-049
AYES: Casagranda,Keil,Alterman,McClure,Bardarson
NOES: None
ABSENT: Butts,Squires
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
J
A 1. A _ rrvL�,
Brenda Ballou, SIC
Acting City Clerk
,�sr�iU,Ii *
••'� OF SEh;'•.f
(City S414C .
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PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth and
sustainable development, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining
community character while enhancing livability; and
WHEREAS, historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both
urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, it is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the
contributions made by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the
heritage that has shaped us as a people; and
WHEREAS, "Saving Place Matters" is the theme for National Preservation Month, May
2017, cosponsored by the Seward Historic Preservation Commission and the National Trust for
Historic Preservation; and
WHEREAS, over the course of the past year the Seward Historic Preservation
Commission has initiated and contributed to local historic preservation activities and projects
such as the Seward Preservation Plan, nomination of Historical Preservation awards, nominate
structures to the Seward Local Register and Historic Properties Inventory List, and continual
Public Outreach.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jean Bardarson, Mayor of the City of Seward, do proclaim
May 2017 as
National Historic Preservation Month
and call upon the people of Seward, Alaska to join their fellow citizens across the United States
in recognizing and participating in this special observance.
Dated this 24th day of May 2017.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
Jean Bardarson, Mayor
IS
Annual Certified Local Government Report
The Alaska Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Program State Guidelines call
for each Certified Local Government (CLG) to submit an annual report of its activities to the
Alaska Office of History and Archaeology for the past calendar year (January 1- December
31). The purpose of the annual report is to provide information on the local government's
historic preservation activities. This information helps the Office of History and Archaeology
to evaluate local CLG programs and to be aware of the activities of the historic preservation
commissions around the state. Please complete the following questions and provide any
additional information in attachments. If you do not wish to use the form please be sure all
questions are addressed in your report.
Name of CLG: City of Seward
Date of Report: 03012017
Prepared by: Linda Lasota
A. LOCAL PRESERVATION ORDINANCES:
1. Have there been any new ordinances, amendments or proposed amendments made
to the local historic preservation ordinance? If yes, please attach.
❑ Yes ®No
2. Have there been any changes or proposed changes regarding historic preservation to
the local comprehensive plan? If yes, please attach.
0 Yes ®No
B. LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISION:
1. Please list the current members of the historic preservation commission noting the
disciplines they fill (archaeologist, historian, architect/historical architect, Alaska
Native, and general).
Linda Lasota; John French - Archaeologist; Wadeen Hepworth - Marketing;
Laura Erickson; Wofgang Kurtz - Media Specialist; Fred Woelkers - local
historian
2. Have there been any new members appointed to your commission?
0 Yes ® No
1
16
3. If yes, please attach a resume for any new professional members (archaeologist,
historian, architectural historian or architect), and a short statement of occupation
and expertise for any new non-professional members.
3. Are there any vacancies on the commission?
® Yes 0 No
5. If yes, list the positions that are vacant noting duration and efforts to fill them.
One Commissioner position, Expires May 2019; City Clerk posts vacancy message in
public notice
6. Please provide us with the dates of commission meetings.
Third Wednesday of the Month 7 to 8 meetins a year (Jan, Feb, March, April, May,
Sept., Nov.)
7. Please attach copies of your meeting minutes for the year.
❑ Attached ® Not Attached
8. Please list any CLG or historic preservation related training sessions or workshops
attended by commission members and staff.
None
C. SURVEY AND INVENTORY OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES:
1. Has your CLG conducted any local surveys in the past year? If you answer yes
please complete questions 2-4.
❑ Yes ® No
2. Please summarize the survey activity, including the number and types of surveys
conducted and the total amount of acreage covered. If you provide this information
in an attachment please note below.
None
3. How many historic properties were recorded and reported to the Alaska Heritage
Resources Survey (AHRS)?
None
2
I �
4. Please provide, in an attached document, a summary of the results of each survey
conducted, including type of resources recorded, the number of new sites or
structures recorded, the number of properties investigated during the survey, and
the number of volunteers and property owners involved.
5. Do local government staff and non-staff researchers use the local cultural
resources inventory?
❑ Yes ®No
6. If yes, please provide an estimate of how often and by which users your
inventory is used.
D. PRESERVATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Are you currently working on writing or updating your local preservation plan?
® Yes ❑No
2. If yes, please provide us with a brief summary of your progress writing or updating
your local preservation plan.
The Commission has gone through a complete update process of the 1996 plan, for
the new 2017 City of Seward Historic Preservation Plan. Currently the commission
is working on specific areas of the plan that need further revision, checking citations
and facts for correctness. The Commission has asked the City Council to provide
funding for local assistance in formatting & spell checking of the plan, thus
providing a clean draft copy for city government to review and provide feedback.
Feedback will provide the commission with the ability to judge if a professional
Historical Preservation reviewer will be needed.
3. If you have an adopted preservation plan how are you implementing the plan's goals
and objectives?
Have not adopted plan, submittal goal is May 2017
E. NATIONAL REGISTER PROGRAM PARTICIPATION:
1. Has your commission evaluated any properties for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places in the past year?If you answer yes please complete questions 2-5.
❑ Yes ®No
3
Ig
2. Please provide a list of names and locations of historic properties evaluated.
The Commission has had the priviledge to review the Eide Stotko Home (1905-10)
located at 420 Third Ave, Seward, which has been placed on the local Seward
Historical Register of Historic Places.
3. Please list the dates of public hearings or regularly scheduled meetings at which the
public had the opportunity to comment on the nomination(s).
Unknown
4. Please explain how the commission arranged for review of the nomination by a
qualified historian, archaeologist, architect or historical architect if not represented
on the commission.
Extentisive documentation was provided by the property owner to qualify the
nomination.
F. PROTECTION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES:
1. Does your commission or staff review local projects for impacts on cultural
resources?
® Yes ❑ No
2. If yes, how many local projects were reviewed in the past year?
6
3. Please provide a summary or list of the types of local projects reviewed that
impacted or had the potential to impact historic properties.
AK Department of Transportation - Tunnel Review; AK Rail Road yard Project;
Alaska Nellie historic yard clean-up; AK Departmet of Transportation - Road
Improvements; Fort Raymond tract(City); Pat Williams Park - Senior Housing
4. Has your CLG participated in any Section 106 consultations?
Ak Department of Transportation - Tunnel Review; AK Department of
Transportation - Road Improvements
5. If yes, what were the projects and did you participate, through consultation, in the
development of Memorandums of Agreements or Programmatic Agreements, to
resolve any adverse effects to historic resources within your community?
Written letters
G. PUBLIC PRESERVATION EDUCATION PROJECTS:
4
1. Has your CLG conducted any public education projects addressing historic
preservation in the past year?
® Yes ❑No
4. If yes, please list them.
Gave information out reach talks to Trail Blazers & Alaska Rail Road - Tour
announcements on their summer trains
H. HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT ACTIVITIES:
1. Did your CLG apply for and receive any CLG Historic Preservation Fund grants in
the past year?
❑ Yes ®No
2. If yes, please provide a list of grants applied for and received.
3. Please list and briefly describe of other (non-CLG Historic Preservation Fund)
preservation grants applied for and received.
None
I. OTHER PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES:
1. Please summarize any other local events, projects or achievements involving historic
resources in the community.
Commission member have been involved inventory archives in collabortion with
RBHS
J. UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION:
1. Please provide us with the following contact information so we can insure our
records are up to date:
COMMISSION STAFF
Name: Valarie Kingsland
5
Z.6
Title: Director Library and Museum
Address: P. O. Box 167
Phone number: 907-224-4082
Email: vkingsland@cityof seward.net
COMMISSION CHAIR
Name: Linda Lasota
Phone number: 907-224-3316
Email: bearlakeglassstudio@gmail.com
ADDITIONAL CLG/COMMISSION CONTACT
Name: John French
Title: Vice Chair
Phone number: 907-491-0343
Email: pesa@gci.net
For clarification or more information about the annual report requirements, please contact
Summer Rickman, CLG Coordinator at the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology at (907)
269-8717 or summer.rickman a,alaska.gov. Annual reports can be mailed to the Office of
History & Archaeology, 550 W 7`h Ave Suite 1310, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3565 or emailed
to summer.rickman(aalaska.gov.
6
Z (
PROCLAM TION
WHEREAS, on March 30, 1867, then Secretary of State William H. Seward signed the
Alaska Purchase Treaty;and
WHEREAS,this treaty negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia; and
WHEREAS, it was proclaimed by the State of Alaska that this day be celebrated on the last
Monday of March each year;and
WHEREAS, this day is of special importance to the City of Seward as this city was named
in honor of William H. Seward;and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jean Bardarson, Mayor of the City of Seward, Alaska, do hereby
acknowledge and recognize William H. Seward for his foresight and wisdom in acquiring Alaska
from Russia, and do hereby proclaim Monday,March 27, 2017 as:
SEWARD'S DAY
Dated this 13a'Day of March,2017 THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
Jean Bardarson,Mayor
Sew*ad 414.54 4- its to -tlia 64-1 4- / c:+�r
a � s
efifedel do/. 0 : 161/4/ -117°23Eo461'Ruc,1toit.)
I14f3 13A/ c-lb/ o09 -2-0
X45-/- Ed;I ion
Chapter Twenty-Four
Seward, Alaska and the Noble Experiment
Seward's pet bear,Carry Nation,foreshadowed havens for their men and raising the children
the coming officially arid decades when she entered properly. If they did any drinking, it was usually
local saloons during Seward's pioneer days and done privately. The ministers heard plenty about the
smashed the bottled goods inside. problems caused by immoderate drinking from their
It may seem curious that pioneer Alaskans, congregations. Thus, the movement solidified and
mostly ex-Klondikers,traditionally pictured as hard- grew. Ironically enough,some of the alcohol protest
drinking individuals prone to visiting saloons and marchers and saloon smashers returned home to
dance halls when they came in from the creeks, refresh their spirits with their medicinal
actually voted themselves Bone Dry,even before the tonics—which owed much of their "lift" to the fact
United States banned alcoholic drinks with the that they were primarily alcohol!
Eighteenth Amendment of 1919 and the Volstead
Act of 1920. Alaska had started as a bone-dry possession
A brief look at historic attitudes toward liquor after its purchase from Russia by the United States.
consumption in America and Alaska will illustrate This was a continuation of the effort in the West by
the prohibition trend, even if the final vote remains the U.S. government to keep liquor away from the
difficult to understand. Indians.
Many of our colonial American citizens were The government soon discovered that it could
chronic topers. Overindulgence resulted in obvious not prevent the use of alcohol in Alaska, as
social evils. In the early 1800s,laws to limit drinking smugglers abounded and both the white and Native
began to appear. Every community had its own inhabitants began concocting their own brews. The
approach to solving the drinking problem, so that laws were then modified to permit the sale of liquor,
even today one encounters a multitude of rules on under governmental control.
opening and closing hours, where one may drink, Missionaries came to the new possession and,
who may drink,and what and how one is allowed to except in the towns where a diversity of religious
drink. adherents resided,divided the territory into separate
People who objected to any use of alcohol spheres of influence. Some of the church
joined forces to form the Temperance Movement. organizations opposed any alcoholic use, others
Although temperance usually implies moderation,the disapproved of it,and a very few tolerated drinking.
temperance adherents sought to ban all use of Although women were greatly outnumbered by
liquor. The first temperance union was an all-male men in pioneer days, they received respect that
combination of clergymen and laymen. Women outweighed their numerical status. The wives of
formed their own temperance groups when they pioneers usually sought to impose an orderly, even
were denied membership in the earlier organization. refined, atmosphere to their surroundings.
The Prohibition Party first ran a presidential Gradually, the dance halls and gambling
candidate in 1872. Clergymen and women were the establishments of early times faded away, and red
principal organizers and supporters of the light districts were tolerated only because they were
movement. thought to be necessary for controlling the
The problem of overindulgence were easy to predominantly single male population and keeping
see. In the worst cases, men wasted the household them from bothering the "decent women." Saloons
money and abused themselves and their families. In were licensed and the number of them in a specified
the better situations, the men socialized at taverns area was limited.
and bars, while dinner got cold at home. Society Seward formed its first temperance organization
frowned upon women hanging out in taverns. in 1910. A youth group, with both young men and
According to the mores of that time, their place was women as members, followed.
in their houses, preparing clean and comfortable Alaskan women were granted suffrage in 1913,
sewed,Was y: st History 237
23
when Alaska gained territorial status (they earlier and Mrs. Arie Tillett (a former teacher) vice
had their say at most miners' meetings and in such president.
local issues as town school elections). As a switch,Seward became a liquor supplier to
However, the strongest impetus toward total the residents in the state of Washington. People in
prohibition occurred during World War One, when officially dry Washington could buy two quarts of
a wave of puritanical and anti-Germanic sentiment liquor at a time, if they got a permit from the
arose in response to patriotic appeals. The greatest authorities, and Alaska was the handiest place to
honor one could show one's country was to enter make their purchases. Joe Morris, of the local
military service. For those who were unable to join Palace bar,received several orders from thirsty souls
the armed forces, one way they could express their to the south.
patriotism and support for the war effort was by June 1916 saw another vote on liquor licensing.
doing without luxuries and even some necessities. Seward and Juneau voters still preferred"wet,"while
As the demands of warfare began to draw away Skagway went dry by a close vote. In Seward, 436
more and more of the country's resources, doing were for licensing bars, 145 against, and 31 no
without moved from a voluntary movement to a opinion(though included in the "against"number).
federally-mandated one. Meatless and wheatless
days became part of the weekly calendar, and, of The
course,wheat needed for the armed forces and the liquor n governmenttheirro railroad A had a nchorage,pocy which no
allied countries could not be spared to brewers. Alaskan Engineering Commission controlled as their
Furthermore,people with Germanic names owned main construction town,was officially dry. However,
most of the breweries—further reason for avoiding liquor distilling establishments flourished along Cook
their products. Drinking was regarded as a frivolous Inlet—one area of Anchorage is still known as
and wasteful activity during this serious period of "Bootlegger's Cove"—and smuggling
history. Thus, the organized forces of prohibition To cut down on imports to Anchgewand railroad
received support from the general population and camps, the courts decreed that the Alaska Railroad
community after community, then state after state, would not transport liquor for sale.
voted to ban the use of liquor. The ban on transporting alcoholic beverages by
Seward was visited periodically by temperance train resulted in an unusual complication in rail
organizers(Mrs. Lora LaMance came in 1913),and transportation. Hootch sled travel from Seward
several ardent prohibitionists lived in the town and northward increased remarkably. On at least one
vicrmty, occasion,so many sleds came and went on the rails
Their influence on regional and territorial laws between trains that the dogs and sled runners pushed
soon became evident. In March 1914, U.S. Deputy snow on the rails, which froze overnight and caused
Marshal Isaac Evans served notice on Seward's hard going for the train the next day.
saloon keepers that they must close from 12:00
To curtail Saturday night to 12 p.m.Sunday,following the order issued an order t in Febhis ruary 9171forb ddinarshalreg Se ard
man
of the Attorney General. liquor dealers to ship liquor to Anchorage or other
The prohibition movement gained strength points along the railroad.
throughout the United States. By November 1914,
four states had ne d The local prohibitionists weren't about to take
8o dry—Washington, Oregon, two election defeats sitting down. They plastered
Arizona and Colorado. The general belief was that Seward with placards and on the next vote,
where the women got the vote, prohibition followed. November 1916, Seward went dry (271 against
This was followed in Alaska by the Sunday Closing licenses, 160 for"wet"). The Methodists sponsored
Law, which specified that "No store,shop, grocery, a celebration for the victory of the dries, with the
ball alley, billiard room or tippling house for WCTU members as guests of honor.
purposes of labor or traffic, or any amusement, be The Bone Dry Law
by an
open on Sunday." A few exceptions, considered overwhelming vote in Alaska a Itewent inn ol6 effect on
necessities,were permitted. Public protest caused a January 1, 1918. The reason for the delay was that
modification of this law. Congress had to pass special measures setting
A vote in April 1915 polled residents for their regulations and restrictions on making and selling
views on liquor licensing. The Valdez court was liquor,to comply with the Organic Act. _-.
informed that 365 Seward residents favored granting A writer on the Anacortes American (Anacortes,
liquor licenses and 105 voted against, with 35 Washington),who identified himself as"E.T.Aoin,"
abstentions. (an old reporter's joke,as these letters often turned
In December 1915, the local WCTU elected up on the linotype) was inspired to write the
Mrs, Lindley Green (the attorney's wife) president following poem on Alaska's new law: ,i
il
---vi. _.-4„c ..ri A?::-.4Te t
24
Old Timers, have you heard the news? employed at a roadhouse at Roosevelt, on Kenai
Alaska's going to cut out booze Lake, 231/2 miles north of Seward on the Alaska
And henceforth will that frozen clime Railroad route,became known as the"Carry Nation
Subsist on pop and selzered lime, of Alaska." She didn't smash saloons or deliver
And miners from the frozen hills public lectures, but she worked to end the use of
In buttermilk will bathe their gills whiskey in Alaska. Her place of business was a
And Klondike Pete and Rough-house Liz
Will quench their thirst in kickless fizz square building made of logs, primitive but
And mushers chilled on Arctic trips scrupulously clean. At times, 75 railroad working
Will drink beef tea and smack their lips. men took meals there, and Mrs. Dabney did all the
work.
The roadhouse will no longer cheer On the Fourth of July,in 1916,twenty-five men
The trail-worn soul with hootch or beer, stopped at the place,bringing with them a demijohn
The mining camp will silent be, and several bottles of whiskey. Mrs. Dabney
Except for miners drinking tea. discovered them drinking,ordered the owner of the
No more they'll seek D. Rum of nights house (her employer) to go to his room,and locked
And get lit up likeeal Lights, him in. Then she returned to the com n and tried
or steal
Since none may buy or steal or mooch Pa Y
One little spot of fiery hootch. to break the demijohn. She failed, as it was too
And Yukon Ike, the good old soul, heavy, so she poured out the whiskey and threw all
Will have to shinny up the pole, the bottles of whiskey into Kenai Lake. When one
And soon we'll see Hell-roarin' Pete man called her a Carry Nation,she replied that she
Upon the water wagon's seat. did not propose to clean up after drunks, that the
government forbade the use of whiskey on property
The sourdough,when he wants a drink, housing railroad employees, and that she would see
Will amble to the Yukon's brink that the rule was enforced. They acknowledged her
And quaff a horn of 11-2-0, right to do this, and they and all later comers
A harmless drink as well you know; submitted to her martial law and respected her for it.
Then go his way in search of gold On the birthdayof heremployer (the unofficial
And sing an ode to water cold,
And when he makes a stake he'll go "mayor"of Roosevelt),she said,"Al says he is going
To camp and buy a drink or so, to celebrate tonight, but he won't, even if he is
Of orangeade, near beer,or lime, mayor!"
And swear he's had a ripping time. She later married her employer, Al Roberts,
and they operated the roadhouse together.
Not like the days of old, not much; In March 1917, Deputy U.S. Marshal Evans
John Barleycorn is now in Dutch, destroyed 205 gallons of high grade whiskey in front
From Sitka to the Arctic shore, of an interested crowd on Second Avenue. The
And "Forty-Rod"will cheer no more liquor had been shipped to Seward under a false
The Hardy Argonaut, for he
has climbed the pole like you and mc. consignee's name.
At least one resident began bootlegging
prematurely. Marshal Evans arrested J. R. Benn for
Meanwhile, Sewardites believed they would •
selling liquor without a license and tined him $150
have one more chance to stock up before the
deadline. Marshals at Anchorage seized illegal Plus costs.
whiskey in Anchorage and proposed to auction it to Mrs. Cornelia Templeton Hatcher, territorial
private persons in Seward. The Seward Woman's President of the Alaskan WCTU,came to Seward in
May 1917 to speak on her experiences as a dry-law
Club protested to Governor Brown against the
proposed sale and the liquor was destroyed instead. lobbyist. She was largely responsible for Alaska's
In January 1917, James Wickersham, prohibition law. Mrs. Hatcher was the wife of
Congressional Delegate from Alaska, introduced the Robert Hatcher, a prominent and wealthy miner of
Alaskan Prohibition bill,which forbade transporting, the Willow Creek and Moose Pass gold mining
manufacturing or disposal of liquor in clubhouses, districts.
buildings, cars, boats, etc. and drinking or being Meanwhile,on the national level, leaders in the
campaign for a dry America looked to the Ohio
drunk in public gatherings, buildings, or
Congressional delegation to put forth the national
transportation. Property rights to liquor were
canceled, so alcoholic beverages could be prohibition resolution for an amendment to the
confiscated or destroyed without compensation. Constitution.
Mrs. Dabney(later, Mrs. Al Roberts),who was The Alaska Bone Dry law took effect on
Seward. [as0: A)(Leary 239
Zs
January 1, 1918,directly after the stroke of midnight confiscate liquor. In July, he hosted a "smashing"
ushered in the new year. Dancing at the Mason's affair at the San Juan dock, breaking bottles and
Hall stopped at midnight. People at the Arctic throwing the contents into the bay. This became a
Brotherhood Hall gave the New Year a good periodic event.
reception. People shouted and cheered on the The year ended on a sober note—no Tom and
streets, and glasses were broken in some bars to Jerries at Christmas and no champagne toasts on
signal that drinking was "off." New Year's, not in the public eye, anyway. One
At the stroke of twelve, the liquor places could prohibit,but one could not always prevent.
allowed one last drink,taps were opened wide, and The WCTU launched a fund-raising and
bar bottles were poured empty. They then disposed membership drive throughoutAlaska and the rest of
of all their remaining stock, and all but the Palace the United States, to strengthen its position just in
closed their doors. The Palace remained open, but case anyone got the idea of bringing liquor back.
dispensed soft drinks. In June 1919, the Commissioner of Internal
Leo Margules hired a force of men from Revenue announced that anyone brewing beer at
Brosius and Noon to change the Northern into a home would be treated as illicit distillers after July 1.
pool and billiard room, cigar stand, soft drink bar Country papers throughout the United States had
and card-playing spot. The bowling alleys were torn been printing recipes for making varied drinks out of
out,with plans to place them later in the basement. fruit juice, meal, raisins, and other farm products.
Grape juice took the place of more potent As an unusual side effect of prohibition laws, 100
potables in the various former bars. The Branch foreign-born persons a day, mainly Portuguese and
became a soft drink parlor,while C. A. Benson and Italians, were applying for permits to leave the
Company, formerly in the bar business, had the United States, giving prohibition as their reason for
Seattle Bar building remodeled into a motion picture leaving.
theater. Liquor caches around the Gateway City were
The U.S. Commissioner made a short speech sought out and destroyed. In July 1919, deputy
explaining the law to bootleggers and said that illicit marshals from Anchorage came to Seward to
sales would not be tolerated. unearth an abandoned still down Resurrection Bay.
Some people chose to disregard the message, In April 1920,nine Seward men nearly poisoned
and suffered the consequences. C.A. Anderson was themselves with some whiskey made from oil of
found drunk by Police Chief Guest and Patrolman wintergreen. Dr. Romig and Dr. Kirkham pulled
Emsweiler. When asked where he got his liquor,he them through.
told them "None of your business"—which got him An impromptu party, held by the Pioneer's
90 days in jail. Emsweiler himself, a boatman and Lodge for coastguardsmen of the USS Snohomish,
sc
Fisherman, maintained some stills of his own down was enlivened with some homebrew made by Joe
the bay, but that did not interfere with his law- Streljc and delivered by Bill Patterson, the local
enforcing zeal. expressman. Marshal Reed, who had replaced
A liquor cache was discovered in the basement Marshal Evans, heard of it and squelched the
of the former Seattle Bar and Charles A. homebrew part of the festivities.
Tecklenburg, the owner of the property, was fined Gus Wyman, a local old-timer, invested all his
$1,000. savings in distilling machinery and ingredients, and
A steam shovel crew working on the stream bed set up his factory on Caine's Head. By coincidence,
of Lowell Creek unearthed a keg of beer. Before Marshal Reed decided to spend the day there for
the word got out, they took it upon themselves to recreation, but found this manufacturing plant.
"destroy"the evidence. Commissioner Whittlesey gave Wyman a three-
In May 1918, Leo Margules received a carload month sentence.
shipment of a new soft drink called "Bevo,"and put Punishments were frequently severe. Fred
it out at several of Seward's new soft drink Tibbo, owner of the Commerce Pool Hall, was
establishments. An ad informed potential customers arrested for selling homcbrew at his bar.
that Bevo was not just for sissies: "Our boys in the Investigators uncovered several bottles of brew and
Navy enjoy their Bevo. Sold and served on all U.S. a complete manufacturing outfit. Tibbo was fined
vessels and in training camps . . . Soft in the strictest $500 and warned that the next offense would result
sense, but a thoroughgoing man's drink. . . in a $1,000 fine and closure of his business for a
Manufactured by Anheuser-Busch,St. Louis." This year, during which time the building could not be
was accompanied by a drawing of naval gunners on used for any purpose.
a ship. Arrests continued in 1922, including a raid on a
Marshal Evans continued to search out and still at Fourth of July Creek. Several cases involving
240 Seuar4 stfasts: a Nisrtory
26
illegal liquor were tried during Seward's court supplied to several places in Seward. Finally,
session. Lanning and the Dry Squad went to Crook's cabin
A joke circulated in 1923,that"Seward is not in on Fifth Avenue near Adams. All the shades were
such bad shape as our pessimists would have us drawn. Lanning knocked on the front and back
believe. Some of us have still a little,while others doors,but got no response,so Lanning called out for
have a little still." Crook to open the door. The rattle and clink of
The Gateway had supported prohibition at the glasses resounded inside the building. Some of the
onset, but in 1923 an element of disillusionment thy Squad went to the rear, in time to receive a
crept in. The newspaper editorialized that large paper bag, full of liquid-filled bottles, being
prohibitionwas in crisis—the law was not succeeding. shoved out. Crook opened the door,revealing seven
Although it might have lessened alcohol consumption intoxicated men inside. His liquor cache was found
in Alaska, it was causing worse evils: bootlegging, nearby. He paid $300 and spent three months in
rum running,and secret drinking. jail.
The soft drink parlors of Seward either had Prohibition Shea was transferred from Seward
given up serving illicit liquor by December 1923, or to Southeastern Alaska in October 1925. A few
had become more adept at hiding it. Prohibition months later, he was reported out of the service and
officer D. W. Flanagan and a group of local officers living in Seattle.
descended periodically on the local establishments, Shea(no relation to the"Jack"Shea family who
but found nothing illegal. lived for many years in Seward) pursued his job
Nationally,shortly after the beginning of 1924, diligently and achieved many arrests. Unfortunately,
the American Federation of Labor, the he wasn't as diligent at home. He and his mother
Constitutional Liberty League, the Association lived in an apartment over J. L. Grad's Hardware
Against Prohibition, and the Moderation League Store. The mother set a big crock on a box and was
combined their forces in a campaign to change the brewing up a large quantity of beer when the box
Volstead Act. gave way, the crock tipped over, and beer rained
In Alaska, in March 1924, Claude Shea was into the hardware store. This led to the loss of
appointed special officer for prevention of the sale of Shea's job as prohibition agent.
liquor to Natives. He succeeded J. Lindley Green, Prohibition Agent D.W.Flanagan,an old-timer
who became register for the land office in who had come to Alaska in 1897, during the gold
Anchorage. Shea had lived in Seward for a year,but rush, resigned on February 14, 1926. He explained
his jurisdiction extended over a large area. that his area of Westward and Interior Alaska was
In April 1925, Claude Shea was appointed too much to cover. Although he had a home and
federal prohibition officer (he became known as wife in Seward, he was there only a month during
Prohibition Shea around Seward). He resigned from 1924. His wife accompanied him on some trips, but
the Indian service. his salary and allowances were too low for this to
Prohibition Officer D. W. Flanagan's territory continue. He had traveled 30,000 miles in the Third
covered a vast area in the Third and Fourth and Fourth Divisions and achieved 90 percent guilty
Divisions of Alaska. In May 1924, he was at pleas.
Nenana, trying to arrest J. W. Clark for liquor Anti-prohibition stories began appearing in
violations. Clark fired buckshot through the wall of newspapers throughout the land. Theodore
his cabin,narrowly missing Flanagan. Flanagan and Roosevelt,formerly opposed to saloons,urged repeal
a deputy marshal charged into the cabin and arrested or modification of the Volstead Act to permit local
Clark. option. Costs of enforcement were rising and the
A very dry edition of the Bible appeared in government was losing money formerl acquired
1925—all favorable references to wine and strong through liquor taxes. In some cities. the police
drink were cut from the text. One wonders how they themselves were found using confiscated liquor.
handled the miracle at Cana. The Volstead Act. however. remained
The prohibs became tougher: a raid on the unchanged. Arrests in Alaska and elsewhere
home of a resident uncovered liquor in his continued, and the Alaska Bone Dr!. law was
possession. He received a fine of S1,000 and a year reaffirmed as legal in October 1927—no liquor was
in the Valdez jail. allowed in Alaskan homes.
A Keystone Kops series of events resulted in Arrests for alcohol sale and possession ceased
the arrest of Jack Crook and his cronies. Martin to be news,unless they involved some unusual twists,
Lanning,Chief of Police at the time,had conducted such as the two following cases:
a long investigation to find the source of liquor Robert Daly made the mistake of setting a jug
Seward afua s a History 241
77
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This copper boiler, part of a distillery operation,was confiscated by Iry Metcalf in the 1940s.
At Resurrection Bay Historical Society Museum
of white mule beside Marshal Ralph Reed, as the In November 1929,officials closed the red light
marshal stood on the dock watching the Admiral districts in Alaska to eliminate places to purchase
Evans prepare to saiL The marshal inspected the liquor. However, this made enforcement more
jug,then pinched Daly for possession of liquor. Daly difficult,as the residents scattered about town under
edged toward the dock railing and dropped a various camouflages. Eventually, the districts were
suitcase that he was carrying into the sea. The reinstated.
suitcase, instead of sinking, landed on its side and By 1930, the anti-prohibitionists resurged and
floated. The lid popped open, revealing a cargo of got some unexpected support.
suspicious bottles. The marshal turned his prisoner The Right Reverend Peter Trimble Rowe,
over to the night watchman and rescued the suitcase. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska,said that
Daly,who was on his way to Fairbanks,was detained prohibition had set back the cause of temperance in
in Seward for thirty days. Alaska. Listing the harmful influences of Alaska's
The evidence exploded during the trial of Peter prohibition laws, he said they led to drunkenness
and Minnie Coulter for manufacturing and rather than the temperate use of alcohol.
possessing intoxicating liquor, namely beer. The In the United States in general, many scandals
government introduced as exhibits several bottles of surfaced as city and county court systems and
the alleged brew,labeled A,B,C,etc. While Minnie administrations were revealed to have been
Coulter was on the stand, testifying that she had corrupted by gangster organizations made wealthy
never sold any beer, one of the bottles of alleged through liquor dealing and other illegal practices.
brew could no longer take the strain. With a loud The Alaska Legislature of 1929 passed an act to
BANG,it sent its cork toward the ceiling. The trial put the question of repeal of the Alaska Bone Dry
was delayed until Marshal Sullivan retrieved the cork law to a vote by the people of the territory.
and put it back in the bottle. The Coulters were Governor George Parks vetoed the act.
found guilty. Nationally, the Wets made big gains in the
A new prohibition officer arrived in Seward in November 1930 election. Wets and Dries were
:':.: 1929—agent Boyce and his wife. nearly even in the Senate, while the Wets cut into
,•:-...:-.: .fir_ A History 2
the House's dry majority. Some die-hard distillers, who had learned or
In 1931 and 1932, the Seward Gateway began perfected the trade during prohibition (or simply
informing on undercover agents used by the Dry preferred their"mule" to the legal drink)continued
Squad. Editor Jessen called them"geoducks,"as he to manufacture their own,without Treasury permits
said they resembled the Washington State clam with or taxes. First Avenue,south of Washington Street,
the extraordinarily long neck. When a new was known informally as "Homebrew Alley."
prohibition agent arrived in town in 1932, Jessen Miscreants were periodically sniffed out by the
quickly blew his cover by publishing his name. marshals for years after prohibition was a historical
Oddly enough, as sentiment grew towards memory.
abolishing or modifying the prohibition laws, law Why didn't prohibition work? Recent research
enforcement activities intensified. Many raids were suggests that about 10 percent of the population are
carried out practically to the moment of repeal. prone to become habitually alcoholic, and should
On March 23, 1933,President Roosevelt signed avoid using alcohol in any form. That leaves 90
a bill legalizing beer and wine of 3.2 percent alcohol percent who can use alcohol, but are unlikely to
content. The"noble experiment"ended. Governor become alcoholics. A portion of these people never
George A. Parks signed the Hellerich measure in drink alcoholic beverages knowingly, because of
March 1933, repealing the territorial Bone Dry law health,religious,or other personal reasons. The rest
and ending 16 years of prohibition. Only one feel deprived unjustly when they are forbidden to
legislator cast a dissenting vote. Most of Seward's drink. Many come from areas of Europe where beer
soft drink parlor owners began remodeling their and wine were considered for centuries to be part of
buildings so they could serve beer. Although they a meal and were used mainly for the flavor or as a
had pre-ordered beer, expecting the end of thirst-quencher rather than as a means to become
prohibition,it was several months before any arrived. tipsy. Therefore, these people, during prohibition,
In December 1933, prohibition in the United had no moral incentive to follow what they
States ended and New York had its largest considered a foolish law.
celebration since the Armistice. The opinion Meanwhile, some of the younger people,
prevailed that Congress would make the Twenty-first especially during the Roaring Twenties, thought it
Amendment, the repeal of prohibition, effective in chic to defy the law and probably did more heavy
the U.S. possessions as well. However, Alaska was drinking than they would have under normal
not off the hook until April 1934, when President circumstances. The revelation of widespread
Roosevelt signed the Alaska prohibition repeal corruption in city and county administrations finally
measure. The legal sale of liquor resumed on May resulted in the cancellation of the prohibition
1, 1934. amendment.
,Seward Afits n: A History 243
MEMORANDUM
DATE: January 11, 2017
TO: Seward Historic Preservation Commission
THROUGH: Valarie Kingsland, Library Museum Director
FROM: Madeline McGraw, Library Museum Curator
SUBJECT: 2017 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Schedule
This memo is to provide a schedule of the Historic Preservation Commission Meetings for the year 2017.
The Historic Preservation Commission regular meetings begin at 6:30 PM and are held at the City Hall Council
Chambers, unless otherwise noticed.
Regular meetings are usually followed by a work session. Additional work sessions are scheduled and noticed as
needed.
Month Regular Meetings Work Sessions
January January 18 January 14—10 am
January 18—after meeting
February February 15 February 15-after meeting
February 18- 10 am
March March 22 March 18- 10 am
March 22-after meeting
April April 12(no staff) April 8- 10 am
April 12 -after meeting
May May17 May 13- 10 am
May 17-after meeting
September September 20 September 20-after meeting
November November 15 November 15-after meeting
January January 17,2018 January 17, 2018-after meeting
This schedule is subject to change and is updated as needed. Updated memos will be included each meeting
packet.
?() Rev. 2/3/17
If you are unable to attend, or have questions or concerns, please call 224-4082 to leave a message for Valarie or
Maddi, or, send an email to vkingsland@cityofseward.net and mmcgraw@cityofseward.net.
( Rev. 2/3/17
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May 2017May 2017 June 2017
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