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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05172021 Historic Preservation Work Session Laydown - Mary Ann Benoit05172021 II °Il P Wy CLG Grant 20005 Historic Preservation Planning and Advocacy Work Session Laydown 5-17- 2021 Mary Ann Benoit • Final sign proofs for all signs sent to the manufacturer can be seen and downloaded at https:ZZspaces.hightail.com/receive/svnBiMpgH1 Thank You Sign • The thank you sign has been updated and submitted. All edits suggested at the last meeting were made and edits from Bruce Jaffa and Jason Audette were also made. The final sign is attached. Sign Permit • The sign permit has been updated and is attached. Property owners do not need to sign individually. This permit covers them. • Each property will need to identify their sign location and we need to make sure there are no water/electric/gas lines by having the people from 811ak.com. The notification process is a free service for the first locate on a project. The process begins when an excavator notifies 811 AlaskaDigline of a proposedexcavation. This must occur not less than two () nor more than fifteen () full business days prior to excavation. Statewide: 1-800-478-3121. 1 assume the best way is to give them a list of all properties where there will be digging and have them do all at once. Will need to check in with owners about locations and get their OK for them to come within 2 week of installation to mark avoidance areas. hpsa//www® 11a.com/locates/how-i-works/ Walking Tour S rnmarie.s Attached is the draft of the information for the back of the walking tour map. The sign designer will no doubt edit this, shorten, change fonts etc. as he thinks appropriate. I am sure this will need to be shortened. This is the first cut to show you what is on it and get your help filling in the missing pieces or get your ideas for things to remove. o Black font -It is a summary from our signs or properties like Urbachs that was on our priority list and did not want a sign. o Green Font- Properties that wanted a sign or to be on the tour but were below our funding line. o Purple font- Properties I thought would be worth adding because they were on previous tours, the heritage tree and shrub report or they seem like they should be on the tour. Private properties, we should get their permission. o Yellow highlighting- Info needs to be added or updated, permission to add needed. Part of the mission of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission is to promote the educational, cultural, and economic welfare of Seward by illustrating our history and the cultural and architectural characteristics that make, Seward unique. We are excited to share this Historical Walking Tour and Iplleased to take this opportunity to thank those that helped to achieve it. This project was made possible with funding from the Alaska State Historic Preservation Office in partnership with and administered by the City of Seward. Thank you to our partners, those we have listed here, and all of those who are unlisted. Your time, talent, and resources hielped to complete this wonderful project. We are grateful for your contributions. • immm Preservation Coruttissioii Thank you for sharing Seward's history through your vision, leadership, project management, research: and story development Cheryl Seese - Chair Sue Ward - Vice -Chair Mary Ann Benoit Sherry Furlong Wolfgang Kurtz Tanguy Libbriacht Jim Pemberton Fred Woelikers City of Seward Thank you to the City Council and staff for securling grant funding and assisting in this effort. City Council Christy Terry, Mayor Tony BacJaan, Vice Mayor Ristine Casagranda Liz DeMoss Sue McClure Johns Oserga Sheryl Seese Staff Andy Bacon Brenda Ballow Tyler Florence Karen Corrigan Doug Schoessler Jessica Stallard Jackie Wilde Alaska State Historic Preservation Office Thank you for funding this grant project and providing support and direction. Judith I Maria Lewis Kahle Ringsmuth Thank you for assisting with information, sign narratives, narrative review, editing, photos, funding, and sign installation. Resurrection Bay Historical Society Colleen Kelly Linda Lasota Art LeMasiter Sue McClure Seward Community Library Association Mary Tougas Seward Community Library & Museum Valarie Kingsland Elana Yanu5z Seward Rotary Club Doug Capra Lee Poleske, Thank you for donating time, materials, and/or funding to, make this project happen Alaska State Historic Preservation Office City of Seward Seward Rotary Club Iris and Hugh Darling Bruce and Carol Jaffa Lezile Witter Corvus Design WITIM L07 I am Thank you for contributing time, knowledge, and/or photos to tell Seward's history. Margaret Anderson Iris Carling Elsie Dillewaard Carol Griswold Fay Gumbleton Mark Luttrell Tom Mudgett Candy (Zentmire) Norman Christina Pichottai Lezlie Wilfer Property Owners Thank you for giving your tinfe, history, photos, and sharing Seward's history with others. Jason and McKenzie Audette Leona Cange Don and Judy Clary Michelle Cobbs Galena Erickson and Todd Lance Debra Haferneister Mathew and Meredith Herstrock Elliott Jackson Bruce & Carole Jaffa Micheley Kowalski and Michael Steward Dixie and Eric Landeriourger Sherri LaRue Steven Leirer Shelly and Matt Lindell Mark C Nelson Valerie Rose Randy Smith Charles Taylor Jodi and (Pete Tooff Dorothy Urbach Susie and Bob White Doug Wight We hope you enjoy the tour. Great care has been taken by many people to share stories that are factual, interesting, and are sprinkled with local flavor. E I oy! 4zW,W t� () rtt1lei17 3z-j�, � Please note, all homes are privately owned and do not offer tours to the public. i 3I:0 II'°°1irst Ave­'1.925 Jan van Emple's house. Van Empel, ( 1880- 1940), was a famous Dutch American artist from the early 20th century, traveled to Seward, Alaska in 1924 and lived here for 2 years. In 1925, he painted his first sacred picture, " The Resurrection" for the back wall of the church, using Seward residents and himself as models. 335 First Avenue --Brownell House --IMAGINE AND INSPIRE-1904--Don Carlos "Carl" Brownell, Sr. was one of the Pioneers of Seward and part of the 1903 landing party. He purchased the first commercial lot and built the D.C. Brownell Hardware where the Yukon Bar is presently located. He was a senator, a key figure in the passage of the Alaska Anti -Discrimination Act of 1945, and a good friend of artist Rockwell Kent who often stayed here. 225 Second Ave —Thoday House--1955 235 and 239 Second --St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Rectory --PEACE TO THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY-1906. Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Seward's oldest church and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is known for its unique 1925 painting of the Ascension of Christ behind the altar by well-known Dutch artist Jan van Emple. Instead of Apostles, van Emple shows the people of Alaska. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 303 Second Ave- Charles Sheldon House-1920 or 1908? 3,u.�u Second Ave- 1918- Notable residents include Captain Don Orlow and his wife Pam. Captain Orlow was a captain for the Alaska Ferry, Tustumena, when it was homeported here in Seward. Pam pioneered excursions to the Kenai Fjords National Park before it was officially a park. 318 Second Ave--Manthey House --HOUSE RESURRECTED-1920--This property was originally owned by Frank Ballaine, one of the founders of Seward. It may have originally been a warehouse based on clues found during renovation. Gustave and Clara Manthey bought the property in 1924. Many interesting things were found in the wall during remodeling. 1111 Second Ave —Stucco Johnson Historic Home Site -CLUES TO SEWARD'S PAST--1916--Site of master craftsman Stucco Johnson's unique Spanish Mission Style cottage before it was moved by horses to 327 Fifth Avenue around 1920, where it stands today as the Swetmann House (on the National Register of Historic Places). The house slipped through the ropes guiding it down the cliff on moving day and slid down the hill on its side without developing a crack, cementing Stucco's reputation as a master craftsman. 125 Third Ave- THE MARY LOWELL HOMESTEAD, THE LINE, AND ALASKA TRANSFER COMPANY --This corner where the Seward Marine Science Center now stands once was a bustling center of activity. It originally was the site of the Mary Lowell homestead. Frank Ballaine had a house built for her here. Later the house was the home of Lydia and Al Peel and known as the Peel House. He was a manager of the Alaska Transfer Company, located where the parking lot is now. His wife was associated with Seward's notorious red-light district known as The Line, where the line of cottonwoods now stands. The cottonwoods were probably planted by Lydia and Al Peel around 1913 at the edge of their property. Behind the cottonwoods there once were 21 little houses owned and operated by local businesswomen. The Line closed down in the mid-1950s 118 "VNird, Avenue Vk4Iteir VNIue V louse 1920?--Wayne Blue purchased this lot in 1916 and the house was built around 1920. Wayne Blue was a manager at the Alaska Transfer Company, an agent for the Seward Water and Power Company, and a business manager for the Seward Gateway paper. 235 Third Ave —PERFECT TIMING —1941--Built when Seward was going through hard times. World War II brought 3000 soldiers, blackouts, and short supplies. A fire destroyed many buildings on the east side of Fourth Ave. leaving housing in short supply. People joked that "when the Japanese fly over they won't bomb us because they will think we have already been bombed". This building provided a welcome home to locals and visitors, then and now. 417 Third Ave. --Holland House --MILLIONAIRE'S ROW —1905--From Seward's earliest days, Millionaires Row, built between 1904 and 1906, represented a modern life and progress to a frontier town that still had stump -strewn, muddy streets and board sidewalks. These homes represented a genteel society when Seward started to find its identity. This beautiful row of houses is on the west side of the Seward Highway (Third Avenue) north of Jefferson Street. 420 Third Ave --Norway apie--<1943-- Beautiful old Norway Maple (Acer platanoides). Mrs. Amend bought this beautiful tree through the Sears catalog in the late 1930s and planted it as a sapling. 429 Third Ave --The Hale House --MILLIONAIRE'S ROW—1905-- The Hale family was a prominent feature of Seward's business, art scene, and social life. The family's patriarch, F.G. Hale, was the president and a founder of the Bank of Seward and the Seward Chamber of Commerce. Third Avenue and Dairy Hill Lane --Benny Benson Memorial Park --Memorial to 13-year-old Benny Benson, whose design won the American Legion's contest for the Alaska State Flag. 209 Fourth Ave. --Brown & Hawkins --A 100 YEAR FAMILY AFFAIR —1906. Brown & Hawkins is the oldest continuously operated business in Seward. They provided provisions to pioneers throughout the territory and became the first bank and telegraph office in Seward. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 218 Fourth Avenue- Urbach's Clothiers-105 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP--1942—Urbach's has been in business since 1915 when Leon Urbach founded it in a different location. In 1921, he opened his new store where it is today. While a fire destroyed the original building in 1941, Leon wasted no time and rebuilt it in 1942. Leon had the only radio receiver strong enough to get the national news and would write up bulletins and post them on the window of his house to keep Seward up to date. The Urbach home was the meeting place for statesmen regardless of their political party and Leon was one of Alaska's unofficial leaders. When Leon retired his son, Larry, and his wife Dorothy, took over running Urbachs. Dorothy Urbach continued the family tradition of leadership and in 2020 received an award from the mayor for her 30 years of leading the Friends of the Library and her many years of service to the Seward community. Come in and take a step back in time, with the same quality as the Urbach family business has provided for 105 years. 219 Fourth Avenue- Orlander Building --THE CLASSIEST STRUCTURE ON THE STREET-1916--The focus was mainly on the ladies. When Mrs. Jessie Ellsworth had the store designed and built, it was declared "the classiest structure on the street." Over the years it was a millinery shop that sold women's clothing and accessories, providing a necessary service in a pioneer country. Later it was Orlander's jewelry store for women and men. 222 Fourth Ave. --McMullen Building —BUILT TO LAST-1930—This building has survived time, fire, and earthquake. It was built by locally renowned craftsman Gerhard "Stucco" Johnson using concrete blocks made in Seward. The building served many unique functions and was an essential part of the town fabric like its owners, Luella and Paul (P.C.) McMullen. The 1941 fire that destroyed many other businesses stopped here. 225 Fourth Ave --Seward Commercial Company --GET WELL-FED AND WELL-READ-1908. William M. Sauers built the new Seward Commercial Company which operated as a general merchandising store and lending library, with a meeting hall and dance hall upstairs, known as Commercial Hall. The Seward Commercial Co. participated as a "circulating library' along with the local paper, churches, and other businesses. This community library effort led to our community library of today. 227 Fourth Ave--Generations-The Sexton House --AN ADVENTUROUS, CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER- 1911--"Gene rations" pays tribute to how the Sextons and the Sexton House, have withstood the test of time and reflects the spirit of Seward's adventurous photographer, Sylvia Sexton, and her family. 237 Fourth Ave.-Kawabe Park --Fourth Avenue Business District --THE BEATING HEART OF SEWARD -- From Seward's founding in 1903, Fourth Avenue has been the beating heart of Seward's commerce and celebrations, as it is today. Early risk -takers and entrepreneurs invested their energy, creativity, and finances to make Seward the center of commerce in South-central Alaska. 1200 Fourth Avenue --Seward Mariners` MemorWa A lighthouse that houses the names of mariners lost at sea or who have passed on after a lifetime of love for the ocean. 212 Fifth Avenue. Heritage tree. Note the huge, beautiful open -grown Sitka Spruce tree. 2,13 and 221 II i(fthu Ave ­­­1�9io4:O Sewaud ­­­oidgp irualll yh `1,909,,i- , In 1905, William McNeiley built the Hotel Seward. In 1909 the hotel was advertised as a first-class hotel with rates of $1 and up. The hotel burned down in ??? and then was rebuilt in 1944. Different wings have been built over time. 232 Fifth Ave. —Mt. Marathon Apartments --WARM AND WELCOMING-1906?-- Longtime resident Pat Williams (born in 1909) said: "This is a very old building." And while that may be as close to a construction date as anyone in Seward can tell., we do think this building has been offering a warm and welcoming place to live for over 100 years. It likely was a boarding house for early railway workers. 327 Fifth Ave.--Swetmann House --SLID DOWN A HILL AND SURVIVED IN ONE PIECE-1916-- Considered a jewel of Seward architecture, it was built by locally renowned craftsman Gerhard "Stucco" Johnson as his residence in 1916 and moved here after being purchased by Elwyn Swetmann around 1921. During the move, it slid down a steep hill and tipped over, then was set upright and moved by horses and skids. The Swetmanns were benefactors of the Seward Community Library and Museum. 2'19 S'i;uu.lGh Ave.,. "The Cable V louse —CONNECTING ALASKA TO THE WORLD-1905—The Government Cable Office is a historic building that once served as the telegraph office for the entire Kenai Peninsula. This connected Seward to the rest of the world. It was constructed by the U. S. Army Signal Corps. 239 Sixth Ave. --Seward Community Library & Museum —CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY, SHARING OUR STORIES-2011--The combined Seward Community Library & Museum opened in January 2013. After all these years, the building continues to collect our stories and connect our community. Come in and be a part of our story, too. We hope you enjoy the Seward Historic Walking Tour. Pick up a map here. 313 Sixth Ave. --Malloy House -IF WALLS COULD TALK-<1928.- This house was built before 1928 on a hill above Second Avenue. Avalanches buried some of its neighbors, so it was moved here around 1928. It has seen a lot, but the most excitement was during the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake when the Anderson family had to run for their lives as the Standard Oil tanks a block away exploded and the earth shook. 308 Sixth Ave --Dryden House --MOBILE HOME LIVING-1920. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, moving whole houses to new locations with horses was a common practice. People moved frequently when the "grass was greener" somewhere else, or after a local catastrophe such as a fire. This house was moved from Mile 7 in 1930 and may have been a barn once. 400 and 408 Sixth Ave --WHAT'S A QUONSET?-- Circa 1941. Quonset huts were lightweight, portable, and easily put together barracks used by the military during World War II. The 420th Coast Artillery Corps, an anti-aircraft unit, was located in this area. These Quonset huts may have housed visiting entertainers for the military including Lauren Bacall. Quonsets were sold and repurposed after the war. This one is now a Bed and Breakfast. 304 Adams Street --The Liberty Theater— 1943-1944--Built by Don Carlos Brownell Jr, a silent film actor, after the fire of 1941 destroyed the original theater of the same name. The original theater was built in 1924 on the SW corner of Washington and Fourth Ave. and had vaudeville acts, plays, music, and movies. It also served as a "chapel" for some famous couples such as Billy Lawing and Alaska Nellie. Skip and Marie Fletcher purchased the Liberty Theater from Don Carlos Brownell Jr. Skip used to drive down the Alcan (2,700 miles) to pick up the new reel to reels for their theaters. What dedication! 308 Adams --Van Guilder Hotel -- GAMES, GHOSTS, AND HISTORY-1916-- This beautiful historic hotel has played host a legendary game, ghosts, and famous pilots. Over the decades, it had several names and uses and even played host to a legendary, ongoing pinochle game that visitors could watch from the front windows. A hotel is said to be haunted since 1921. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 500 Adams Street --The Ray Building-1916-- Built by the Harriman Bank of New York, it served as a bank until 1924, and the local high school until 1933. L.V. Ray, a prominent pioneer attorney bought the building and had his office here. 504 Adams Street--IOOF Odd Fellows Hall-1918-- It served as a community center for many years. 611 Adams St,-- Standard Oil Managers House --BEACH FRONT PROPERTY—1928-- In the 1920s, women got the vote, Harding won the Presidency, and Standard Oil Company of California came to town. Seward was extremely competitive in actively attracting businesses like this to be the center of commerce in Southcentral Alaska. It was built for the company's manager. The earthquake destroyed the oil tanks and structures, giving it beachfront property today. 302 Church St --Resurrect Art Coffee House --DREAMING AND CONNECTING-1917--There is something about this place that makes a connection as soon as you enter. It tugs at your heart and gives you a sense of awe and inclusion. From the time it was constructed as the third Methodist Church, this building has connected our community. This old church demonstrates that historic buildings are often best preserved when occupied by a thriving business with owners who love them. Note the Heritage 12' tall Lilac tree. i 208 Brownell St. --Home Brew Alley--MOONSHINERS AND HANGERS-ON-- <1932. This house is one of the only remaining houses of "Home Brew Alley". Also called Alley A, it contained a "whole bunch of moonshiners and hangers-on," including famous bootleggers and the marshals who guarded their booze. It was the place to go for a drink, especially during prohibition. A0%4&1& 0"t Corner Jefferson/ Ballaine--Lowell Creek Diversion Dam and Flume —TAMING MOTHER NATURE FOR NOW-1940- Lowell Creek used to rage down through Seward, wreaking havoc, destroying bridges, and blocking access to the north side of town. It was such a problem that in 1927 the Alaska Railroad constructed a small diversion dam and flume. That didn't work and a diversion tunnel was driven through the adjacent mountain to carry the stream. It was such a feat of engineering and so important to Seward's history, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 4,0 i.Aveinuue I°lIobein Hoben Park was built in time for the visit by President Warren G. Harding on July 13, 1923, when completion of the Alaska Railroad was celebrated. The park is named for Hedley V. "Harry" Hoben, who created it. Harry was a prominent citizen and business owner and was mayor in 1918-19. The park has been generally restored to its 1920s appearance by the Seward Historic Preservation Commission. Note the Heritage tree, the beautiful Balsam Cottonwood in the center of the park. It is in the National Register of Historic Places. 501 Railway Ave. --Seward Railroad Depot --SAVED FROM THE FLOOD —1917-The Seward Railroad Depot was moved to its current location following the devastating flooding of Lowell Creek in 1928. It used to be at Adams Street and Ballaine Boulevard. It is an important example of a hip -roofed, Craftsman -style railroad depot, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 613 Railway Ave --Founders Site and The Fourth Avenue Wharf --A BUSTLING TERMINAL-1903-- Imagine, in 1903, the founders of Seward landed here, and it was not long before the Fourth Avenue wharf that you could see from here, was built and buzzing with activity. The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 destroyed warehouses, docks, and intersecting railroad tracks. If you look closely in the water, you can see remnants of a pier, boat ramp, and the old rail tracks. 411 Washington Street --Old Solly's--A SEWARD ORIGINAL--1916-- Built by Alaska pioneer Cal. M. Brosius, Old Solly's was named by locals after owner Sol Urie who owned it from 1952-1973. The building was a community hub and Sol was named Mr. Seward by the City Council for his wide involvement in civic activities. Over the years it has served as an art studio, apartment, liquor store, and telephone office. Now it serves as the Kenai Fjords National Park headquarters after being lovingly restored by them. aolne (&� "IMV/ Lowell Canyon Road --Mount Marathon Race --CALL OF THE MOUNTAIN--1915-- There are many tales of races on Mount Marathon before the first official race in 1915. What is truth and what is conjecture remains a mystery and is what Alaskan stories are made of. oodlawn Cemetery -Intersection of Salmon Creek (Road and Moat ay-4916—In the early days, people were buried in numerous places around Seward and there was no official cemetery. The city purchased the land for the Woodlawn Cemetery and some of Seward's earliest residents such, as Mary Lowell are buried here. A person was paid $30 per body to dig up remains in Seward, transport them and rebury them at Woodlawn. When Salmon Creek changed its course, the water table became too high to continue using the land as a cemetery and it was abandoned around 1926. Many of the remains were relocated to the Seward Cemeteries if their relatives desired. Seward Cemeteries- Ashen (Lane and Coolidge Drive--1927- The city established a cemetery here and later deeded land to some local fraternal organizations who had initiated the idea of creating this cemetery. The city deeded one -acre tracts to each of these fraternal groups. The Jesse Lee Home also used a portion of the cemetery just above the American legion plot. Many graves were relocated from Woodlawn Cemetery if relatives desired after it closed in 1926. Today, this encompasses the City, American Legion, Masons, and Pioneers of Alaska Cemeteries. See the Memorial Garden and list of people buried here created by the Seward Rotary Club and the sign about the Jesse Lee section for information. CITY OF SEWARD SIGN PERMIT NO. 2021-05 ISSUED TO: Seward Historic Preservation Commission ISSUE DATE: 4/29/2021 LOCATION- Varioms locations within the City of Seward This Sign Permit is granted to the above warned applicant by the Counnunily Development Office for: 18- 6 sf freestanding signs (posts at various locations) 8- 6 sf wall signs (on buildings at various locations) 1- 4 sf freestanding sign (post at Seward Community Library & Museum) Total Footage: 160 square feet Post Signs: 235 Second, 239 Second, 222 Fourth, 327 Fifth, Mount Marathon, 429Third, 318 Second, 313 Sixth, 235 Third, 400 Sixth, 408 Sixth, 613 Railway Ave. .335 First, 302 Church St, 611 Adams, Jefferson and Ballaine, 308 Sixth, Sixth Ave, Kawabe Park Building Signs: 209 Fourth, 308 Adams, 501 Railway, 225 Fourth, 227 Fourth, 202 Brownell, 232 Fifth, 219 Fourth This Sign Permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit Was issued has not been completed within six months of its issuance. Before such work can be reconinlel iced, a new permit to do so shall first be obtained, and the fee shall be one-half the amount reL.111.1ired for a new permit (SSC' 1110.030.1)). FEE PAID: Waived RECEIPT: DA,rr,,D this 291" day of April 2021 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA By: Courtney B nghurst Planner $NO FE: 11M ISSUANCIF(T Ili IS PFRM 11 1 H111:01YOFSEWARD, H 1I:KI'NAl ITNINSI I A I U)IM I Ai I I, FFI)FIR A I ORTHE SIWIL OFALASKA RFGW I A VIONS