HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1996-133Sponsored by: Historic Preservation Commission
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 96-133
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, ADOPTING THE SEWARD
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission to
develop a local historic plan that includes provisions for identification, protection and interpretation
of the area's significant resources (SCC §2.30.425); and
WHEREAS, Phase I of the Seward Historic Preservation Plan was completed in 1993 with
the assistance of a federal matching grant; and
WHEREAS, additional federal grant assistance was received to complete Phase II of the plan
in FY 1995; and
WHEREAS, numerous work sessions, a town meeting and a community survey were utilized
to gather public input for the development of the Historic Preservation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the plan has been recommended for adoption by the Planning and Zoning
Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission through the passage of Resolutions No. 96-11
and No. 96-02, respectively;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The Seward Historic Preservation Plan, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby
adopted and made a part of the Seward Comprehensive Plan.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 14th day
of October, 1996.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Marg t Anderson, Vice Mayor
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 96-133
AYES: Anderson, Crane, Keil, King, Sieminski
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bencardino, Deeter,
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
.Q,(Linda S. Murphy, CMC/AAE
City Clerk
(City Seal)
f
r
A PLAN FOR HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
in
SEWARD, ALASKA
October 1996
City of Seward
City Council
Louis Bencardino - Mayor
Margaret Anderson Marianna Keil
David Crane Jerry King
Darrell Deeter Bruce Siemenski
Ronald A. Garzini, City Manager
Seward Historic Preservation Commissioners
Doug Capra Donna Kowalski Virginia Darling
Faye Mulholland Jeanne Galvano Dan Seavey
Glenn Hart Shannon Skibeness Mike Wiley
Project Historian - Anne Castellina
Community Development Department
Kerry Martin, Director
Rachel James - Planning Assistant
Contracted assistance by:
Margaret Branson Tim Sczawinski Madelyn Walker
Funded by:
The City of Seward and the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology
Recommended by:
Seward Historic Preservation Commission Resolution 96-02
Seward Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution 96-11
Adopted by:
Seward City Council Resolution 96-133
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...............................................................1
Purpose of the Plan....................................................1
Method.............................................................2
Goals for Historic Preservation ........................................... 3
Community History and Character ............................................... 4
Community Resources....................................................... 20
Preservation Law..........................................................22
Preservation Efforts.........................................................24
Preservation Incentives...................................................... 28
Threats and Opportunities.................................................... 32
Land Use - Preservation Coordination ........................................... 37
Agenda for Future Action....................................................40
Plan Implementation........................................................46
Bibliography..................................................... Bibliography
Appendix A. Chronicle of Seward Phoenix Loy Articles January 1994-July 1995)
.................... ........... I ..................... .... Appendix A 1
Appendix B. Seward Historical Site Inventory ........................... Appendix A 3
Appendix C. Community Survey ...................................... Appendix C 1
Appendix D. Town Meeting Agenda ................................... Appendix D 1
Appendix E. Seward Vicinity Map, Local Historic Districts and
National Register Sites .................................... Appendix E 1
Introduction
"I came, I saw, I liked, I stayed "
Historic Preservation Commissioner and thirty year resident, Dan Seavey
The town of Seward, through its landscape, setting, historic architecture, central downtown district
and transportation ties, conveys a strong "sense of place" to those who visit and who reside there.
A spectacular natural setting and planned community layout, set it apart from other Alaskan
communities.
Seward's role in the history and development of Alaska is significant. Unlike many communities
triggered by a single purpose, Seward's setting on Resurrection Bay has attracted settlement through
all periods of Alaska history: prehistoric, Russian, miners and trappers, gold rush, railroad, territorial
days, and World War II. Vestiges of all these periods of history remain today. History is not quiet
here; it speaks from remnant pilings along the beach, the Iditarod Trail, a railroad depot, the Lowell
Canyon diversion tunnel, a Quonset hut. These and other places and structures are our link to the
past; part of the quality of life which brings us here. There is no way to "freeze frame" the historical
character of Seward into any one of these periods. They are all part of what Seward is and was, the
town "character" many find difficult to describe, but hold dear.
Purpose of the Plan
According to the 1990 Seward Comprehensive Plan, when asked what they liked most about Seward,
residents singled out the people, Seward's natural beauty and small town nature. Through a local
historic preservation plan, the community intends to identify, maintain, protect and enhance, its
cultural, historic, social, economic, architectural, archaeological and scenic heritage.
The Seward Historic Preservation Plan focuses on the historic and cultural resources unique to the
community and suggests ways to integrate these resources into current and projected growth
patterns. The plan identifies sites, buildings and structures residents consider essential to the identity
of their community and "sense of place." It is intended to provide resource material and guidance to
the Seward Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) and the City's Community Development
Department in developing annual and long range work plans and taking on new projects. Upon
approval by the Seward Historic Preservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission and
the Seward City Council, the final plan will be included as an addendum to the Seward
Comprehensive Plan, adding preservation goals and considerations to city-wide planning efforts.
Many local historic resources have been lost throughout the years and present economic opportunities
may put others at risk. An effort must be made by all governmental bodies and the private sector to
prevent the gradual loss of these resources. The adoption of a preservation plan guarantees that
historic resources will be incorporated into future development and land use planning.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan
This plan is designed to help inform, guide and focus community efforts to preserve historic resources
by providing the local historic commission with a tool to formulate future recommendations and
actions. The plan is not designed to respond to any particular project, past, present or future but
rather promote historic and cultural resources as valid and necessary planning concerns.
Method
This plan was developed through three public work sessions with the Seward Historic Preservation
Commission, a community survey, interviews, a town meeting and research material gathered from
July through December 1995. Every effort was made to reflect the concerns and wishes of the
community.
Community surveys were circulated and collected in the community over a 15 week period (mid -
August to mid -November). Modeled after the statewide historic preservation questionnaire,
contractors worked with the local Historic Preservation Commission to customize the survey to meet
community needs. The type of format (75% essay) required 20-30 minutes to complete and most
certainly affected response rate. Over 200 were distributed with a return of 50. Although
troublesome to complete and difficult to tabulate, the survey succeeded in bringing out more than
superficial responses on issues of historic preservation in Seward and should prove helpful to the local
commission in assessing community sentiments and concerns. A summary of survey responses is
located in Appendix C.
On November 15, 1995, the Commission hosted a town meeting at the historic Railroad Depot
building. The Depot, a recent focus of preservation concerns since being vacated by the Alaska
Marine Highway in the summer of'95, provided an inspiring and realistic setting in which to discuss
community concerns regarding local historic preservation. Thirty-six people attended, reflecting a
variety of backgrounds, businesses and concerns. The meeting served not only to obtain information,
but to increase community awareness of the preservation plan process, the Commission and historic
preservation in general.
The meeting was facilitated by one of the contractors, and notes were take-i by both city staff and
the contractors. The recorded information was used to augment the community survey to identify
Seward's historical assets, threatened sites and the best means to preserve historic properties. The
meeting agenda is found in Appendix D and meeting notes are on file with the Community
Development Department.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 2
Goals for Historic Preservation
Based on the above process, the following goals are set forth to identify, maintain, protect and
enhance Seward's cultural, historic, and scenic heritage:
Maintain the historic character of Seward while encouraging its
development as a commercial, cultural, and tourist center.
Ally historic preservation and economic development in Seward
through the promotion of heritage tourism and adaptive re -use of
historic buildings and structures
Identify and preserve the diverse aspects of Seward's history:
buildings, sites, structures, trails, landscapes, archives, transportation
facilities, downtown district, and artifacts.
Integrate historic preservation into Seward's city planning process to
insure preservation decision making becomes routine in local land use
planning.
Encourage community understanding and appreciation of Seward
history.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 3
Geography Community History and Character
P►Seward's destiny as an ice free port and the hub of commerce and transportation began as
long as two million years ago with the advent of the Pleistocene Epoch.
The Seward side of the Kenai Peninsula provides some of the best evidence of
Pleistocene glacial activity. Most of the valleys are U-Shaped with steep sides and a
broad flat bottom. River cut valleys tend to be V-shaped. The valley in which
Seward is situated was formed by a main valley glacier.
From several miles north of its head to the mouth of Resurrection Bay, a river of ice
hundreds of feet thick flowed south. To get an idea of how far it filled this valley,
note the terrace it formed halfway up the side of Mount Marathon. Then look across
the valley and pick out the highest peak, Mount Alice ..... the U-shaped valley just
below Mount Alice is hanging above the main valley floor. The base of the ice was
not at today's shoreline. Judging from the soundings in Resurrection Bay, the ice
scored up to 900 feet below current sea level. ---All the ground you walk on in the
Seward area has in some way been shaped by glacial activity. (Testarmata)
Viewed from across Resurrection Bay or from the air it is easy to see the alluvial fan caused by the
abrupt change in gradient of a loaded stream which once flowed out of what is now known as Lowell
Canyon and the flood plain and delta at the mouth of Resurrection River. Though it looks to be
barren soil, in fact this age old alluvial fan was once densely covered with coniferous forest. (Ross)
Early Native Influence
F*Legend and history confirm that humans used this area for many centuries. In prehistoric
and early historic times, the bays around Seward sheltered UnLxkugmu[t Settlements. (Barry).
Nearly all of these settlements were abandoned by the 1880 census, although a village called Yalik,
in Yalik Bay south of Seward was inhabited by 32 people in 1880. It was abandoned by the 1890
census. (Barry) Several significant indigenous camps or settlements survive along the coast. In 1993
archeological surveys in Kenai Fjords National Park reconfirmed the presence of these and uncovered
several new sites used by both prehistoric and early historic man. (Kenai Fjords National Park)
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 4
Explorations and Settlement
r►Unlike other countries who came north largely to chart and explore the vast new territory,
the Russians came to Alaska to explore and to establish firm claim to the land by building
permanent settlements. Grigor Shelikhov, a Siberian merchant, built the first Russian settlement on
Kodiak in 1784. Shelikhov hired Alexander Baranov and in 1792 ordered the building of ships in the
new colony. Baranov entered the inlet he chose for the shipbuilding site on Easter Sunday, 1793 and
named it "Voskrensenskaya Gavan," - Resurrection Bay. Storehouses, living quarters, and a palisade
were constructed somewhere in the Bay area. The PHOEMX, the first Russian ship built in what was
to become America, was launched in August, 1794. (Barry I: 17-19) No confirmed artifacts from
this historic shipbuilding site in Resurrection Bay have been found to date.
P* Captains Portlock and Dixon, of the British Royal Navy, charted portions of Prince
William Sound in 1786 and 1787. Portlock's chart gave the name "Port Andrews" to the site now
known as Resurrection Bay. (Barry I: 15)
r►A small party of the United States Geological Society (USGS) which was exploring
Alaska from Cook Inlet northward to discover a route from tidewater to the Tanana River, landed
at Resurrection Bay on May 30, 1898. It was lead by Lt. H.G. Learnard. Also in the party were Mr.
Bagg and Walter C. Mendenhall of the USGS. One of the routes to the Turnagain Arm gold fields
at Sunrise and Hope, founded in 1895, began at the head of Resurrection Bay.
Several results of this 1898-1899 exploration were significant for Seward's future. This party mapped
the trail from Resurrection Bay to Tumagain Arm and the Crow Creek to Eagle River route. The
reports influenced the development of the railroad route from Resurrection Bay to the head of
Turnagain Arm and along the north side of the Arm, and also lead to the establishment of the Iditarod
dog team trail.
The official reports also mention the agricultural possibilities of the Matanuska Valley and the
extensive and valuable Matanuska coal fields. These findings, together with the mining activities at
Hope and Sunrise encouraged promoter John Ballaine to organize the first railroad out of Seward.
(Barry 1986)
F*Although the founding of Seward is dated from the August 28, 1903 landing party headed
by the Ballaine brothers, the founders of the Alaska Central Railway, there were early Settlers prior
to 1903. Mail and supplies for the gold fields in the Hope -Sunrise area were landed here as early as
the 1890's. Later this included Nome and Iditarod.
Frank Lowell and his family settled on Resurrection Bay in 1884. Mrs. Lowell, who was of Russian
and Native extraction, and several children and their spouses, had homes in what became part of the
original townsite. Frank Lowell decamped to Kodiak and remarried prior to the coming of the
Ballaines and the railroad. Nothing of Lowell homesite remains, but sites such as Lowell Point,
Lowell Canyon, Lowell Glacier, Mt. Alice and Mt. Eva commemorate their place in Seward's history.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 5
Seward's footprint was determined by a survey drawn up by C. M. Anderson, Civil Engineer, and
signed by Frank Ballaine on behalf of his brother John Ballaine, founder of the Alaska Central
Railway. The plan laid out city blocks divided by wide streets and bisected by alleys as neatly and
precisely as a railroad surveyor could make them.
The original townsite proceeded from the waterfront to seven lots beyond Monroe Street and from
First Avenue at the foot of Mount Marathon and Bear Mountain to the sea. There were 40 blocks
and 1211 lots (some were truncated by the curve of the shoreline.) Each lot within this townsite was
39 wide by 100' long. The street bordering the south side of town was named Railway Avenue and
each of the other east -west streets were named for the first Presidents; Washington, Adams,
Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. The North/South avenues were named First, Second, Third, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh (now Ballaine Blvd).
Frank Ballaine dedicated the streets and avenues to public use, reserving the right to construct and
operate railways, telegraph and telephone lines, gas and water mains, and tunnels or other excavations
on the streets. The plat was recorded on June 7, 1905 and with a few exceptions continues to this
day. (Barry 1986)
By the time the plat was recorded, Seward's earliest settlers, many of whom had arrived on the
steamer SANTA ANA in 1903, had built a thriving town. Millionaire's Row, a series of larger homes
on Third Avenue, were built and occupied by Alaska Central Railway officials by 1905. Many of
these early homes and apartments such as the Ballaine House, Hale House, Cameron House, Holland
House, Winter, Stewart and Williams Houses and Harborview Apartments still stand in Seward
today.
Home Brew Alley, a collection of small houses on lower Second Avenue, housed several of the early
settlers. This area fell victim to urban renewal after the 1964 earthquake and there are no extant
buildings from this unique area of town.
With the exception of Anchorage, which also began as a railroad terminus, Seward is unique in
Alaska for its conformation and compact downtown business section. In many ways Seward
resembles small railroad towns in the rest of the United States rather than its sister cities in Alaska
which often have meandering streets and spread out business sections.
Military and Government
P* The first attempt at City incorporation was an election held in May 1911, but the
proponents failed to garner the two-thirds majority needed. The incorporation was delayed until May
of 1912 when Seward residents voted 160 for and 31 against incorporation. (Barry 1986)
One of the reasons given for Seward's survival as a town during the discouraging
years between the first boom accompanying the building of the Alaska Central
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 6
Railway and the excitement related to the beginning of the Alaska Railroad was the
stability of the town's institutions.
Unlike many early Alaskan settlements, Seward had a planned layout and most of the
amenities found in Stateside towns of the same size. Legal procedures were
immediately available, a school system began during the founding and grew with the
town, and churches were established, with permanent buildings to accommodate
them. (Barry 1986)
Seward developed some industries which helped it survive the hiatus between the railroad activities.
The largest source of jobs was the mining industry on the Kenai Peninsula. The transportation point
for travel into the interior began in Seward, and the town became the headquarters for many who
followed the various gold rushes. The community also had an aggressive booster organization in the
Seward Commercial Club and an optimistic newspaper. (Barry 1986) The Alaska Central
Commission Building served as City Hall until it was razed in 1964 and replaced by the current city
hall building.
An early jail and magistrate's office was located at the corner of 3rd and Adams but was moved to
the rear of the fire hall in 1917 and into the Harriman (Ray) Building in 1919 (the vault was used as
a cell). In 1920 the jail was moved to the Commission Building, then into the fire hall located on
Third Avenue where the Tot Lot is now located. In 1948, the firemen built a fireball at the present
location next to the Civic Center. This building burned, along with the Civic Center in 1962, and a
new one was built in 1963. When the new city hall was built in 1964 the jail was relocated to the
basement where it remains.
PO Alaska was not much affected by the World War I era in terms of Federal spending.
(Alaska Historical Commission). However, the decision in 1914 by the Federal Government to
purchase the Alaska Northern Railway and build the Alaska Railroad had a significant effect on
Seward. By 1916, 600 men were working out of Seward on the railroad, and in 1917 this had
increased to 888 men, creating a housing shortage. (Barry 1993)
Polk's Directory for 1917-18 shows a population -of 1500, a sharp rise from previous surveys. Many
of the workers were affiliated with the Alaska Engineering Commission, the U.S. Government agency
engaged in the construction of the Alaska Railroad.
After the United States entered World War I, the armed forces drew off people to work outside of
Alaska. However, work continued on the railroad and on September 10, 1918 the gap which existed
between Seward and Anchorage was closed, and three trains per week began running between the
two towns. The railroad headquarters moved to Anchorage in 1917 taking higher ranking personnel
and causing much resentment in Seward. (Prince) All sectors of the economy suffered and the
population dropped. The 1920 census lists fewer than 700 people in Seward. (Barry 1993) In 1930
train service to Seward was reduced to one train per week. Economic doldrums continued
throughout the decade with declining population and no growth.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 7
r► The imminence of a Second world war made a significant impact on Seward in July,
1941 when the Army stationed 171 officers and 3,278 enlisted men at Fort Raymond, an Army Post
established just outside the townsite limits. Fortifications, including a 6 inch "en barbette" battery
named Fort McGilvery, were built at Caines Head and several of the islands south of Seward.
Seward was ringed with 155 MM, and 75 MM gun emplacements, remnants of which still exist in
various places around the area. The airport was cleared and made ready for planes by August 30 of
1941.
The initial encampment consisted of a vast array of tents. Later, Quonset huts and wooden barracks
were built. The 420th Coast Artillery Corps soon joined the Army. They were located on Seventh
Avenue (now Ballaine Blvd.) between Jefferson and Monroe Streets.
One can only imagine the impact an Army of this size had on the small city, as well as the financial
benefits derived from the $6,641,495 in construction costs of these defense units.
The entire camp and the gun emplacements were abruptly dismantled in March, 1944. Some Quonset
huts were converted to dwellings after the war and are still occupied. Many of the Fort Raymond
buildings were bought by local people, moved, and converted to other uses. For example, the
Cedarside Apartments building on Third Avenue began its life as a military barracks and the
Methodist Church, which was destroyed by fire in 1994, once served as the Chapel at Fort Raymond.
Remnants of Fort McGilvery still exist in the Caines Head State Recreation Area south of Seward.
Commerce and Economic Development
^►The gold mining strikes at Sunrise and Hope on Tumagain Arm in 1893 turned into a
gold rush in 1896. One of the routes to Tumagain Arm started at Resurrection Bay. Other gold
producing areas on the Kenai Peninsula developed: Russian River, Palmer Creek, the Moose Pass
district, and Nuka Bay. Seward became the principal supply point of the Kenai Peninsula mining
operations. (Barry 1986)
Alfred Lowell and others located mining claims in and near Seward on Tonsina Creek, Humpy Cove,
Falls Creek, Sunny Bay, Thumb Cove, and the head of Fourth of July Creek. These unprofitable
mines were soon abandoned, leaving little in the way of buildings or other indications of their
existence.
While no coal deposits were found in the Seward area, it was the coal fields located in the interior
that lead Ballaine to believe that a railroad was economically feasible and ultimately led to the
founding of Seward as a debarkation point for coal from the northern fields. The withdrawal of
development and mineral rights of these coal fields by the Federal Government in 1906 led to the
bankruptcy of the railroad and the cessation of railroad construction. Touay that interior coal is
moved by rail and shipped to overseas markets.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 8
P► Fur trade in the area was limited. After Frank Lowell settled on Resurrection Bay in
1884 a ship would come in once a year to pick up furs, perhaps obtained from pelagic hunters who
sought otter and other sea mammals, and to leave supplies. (Barry 1986)
While fur hunting was not a major part of Seward's economy, by 1923 Seward functioned as
headquarters for outfitters and guides on the Kenai Peninsula and Fox Island was the site of a fox
farm. Fox Island was also the home of noted New York artist and book illustrator, Rockwell Kent
and his son during the winter of 1918-1919. Kent's book, Wilderness (1920), was written about his
life on Fox Island.
P*With the establishment of dairy herding in 1904, Seward residents were supplied with
fresh milk as early as 1904. In 1915, the Seward Dairy was established at Mile 3 (the McPherson
Homestead) by Adelman and Quilty. Mr. Adelman, later sole owner, moved the business to what is
now called Dairy Hull, formerly Chamberlain Hill (Barry 1986). Purchased in 1924 by Henry Leirer,
the Dairy operated until 1956. The present residence was built in 1929 and is still occupied by the
Leirer family.
P►The flsheries industry began when San Juan Fisheries and Canning Company established
the first cold storage plant in Seward in 1917. It was located offshore on pilings between Monroe
and Van Buren Streets as was the subsequent salmon saltery, halibut processing plant, and salmon
cannery. Remains of the pilings are still visible. (Williams)
The Halibut Producers Co -Op (now Seward Fisheries -Icicle Seafoods) was the first business to
rebuild in Seward after the 1964 earthquake, following complete destruction of the original
processing plant on the waterfront. At one time it was the nation's largest halibut processor. It is still
in operation and processes salmon, halibut, cod, and crab in season. This operation has been
expanded several times and has an active dock area.
P► Since the townsite and the surrounding area had an abundant timber growth of spruce
and hemlock, cottonwood, birch and alder (much used to smoke fish) small scale logging was part
of Seward's industrial development from its founding. Sawmill operations were opened at Mile 3-1/2
and logging was opened up in 1923 at several sites around the Bay, at Fourth of July Creek, and at
Bear Lake. A sawmill operated at Bear Lake by the Tressler Brothers until 1973 when it was
acquired by Louisiana Pacific and was moved and enlarged. It closed and left Seward in the 1970's.
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Chugach National Forest on July 23, 1907. Today it
is one of the oldest national forests in America. The original boundaries included what is now
Anchorage all the way to, and including, Kodiak. It is currently the second largest national forest in
the country. (Allen)
P* Tourism was a part of the economy even before there was a town of Seward.
Steamships landed passengers and freight at the head of the ice free bay and from there they headed
north to the gold fields by horse, dog team or on foot. As the work on the railroad progressed, more
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 9
traffic was generated and early Seward boasted the Coleman House, Hotel McNeiley, Seward Hotel,
Hotel Overland and others. The Van Gilder, built in 1916 as an office building and meeting rooms,
was converted to a hotel in 1921. Only the Van Gilder survives today as the others were victims of
fires.
With the creation of the Kenai Fjords National Monument by President Carter in 1978, tourism
began to occupy an important place in Seward's economy. It became a national park in 1980 and
visitation has since grown to 170,000 visitors in 1993. (U.S. National Park Service). There are
numerous fishing charter boats, tour boats, buses and cruise ships all catering to the visitor industry.
This trend is expected to increase with cruise ship dockings growing each year. Numerous bed and
breakfast operations have joined the hotels and motels and new restaurants have opened each year.
Development of the small boat harbor waterfront between Third and Fourth Avenues, outside the
original townsite, has resulted in a second commercial district with restaurants, motel, art gallery,
shops, charter/tour boat operations, etc. Several of the businesses are housed in relatively small
buildings designed only for summer use. Many of the businesses, even in more substantial buildings,
close for the winter. Commerce in the boat harbor is particularly busy in the summer tourist months.
The U.S. National Park Service has established the headquarters for Kenai Fjords National Park in
the boat harbor area.
o+General Commerce began in Seward even before the town plat was recorded in 1905.
By October, 1904 there were over 40 businesses established in town. These included two
barbershops, a dairy and a delivery service, three restaurants, four saloons, and three hardware and
furniture stores.
Brown & Hawkins, the oldest businesses in Seward, and the oldest business in the state still run by
the same family, is still housed in the original building. The Yukon Bar occupies another of the
earliest buildings. Other early structures are the Orlander, Osbo, and Seward Commercial Buildings,
all on Fourth Avenue.
There were two machine shops, one of which housed the Ford dealership. Lechner's Seward Machine
Shop still remains, albeit abandoned. The Buick Building on Third Avenue, once a car dealership,
survives and is now used as a laundry and apartments.
The shrinking number of banks, from two in 1915, (the Harriman National Bank of Alaska at Seward
and the Bank of Seward,) to one in 1923 (Bank of Seward), reflected a decline in population and
commerce as Anchorage grew. The old Harriman bank building, now known as the Ray Building,
serves as a adjunct to the Seward City Hall. A new bank building was erected in 1979 on the site of
the Bank of Seward on the comer of Fourth and Adams.
Polk's Alaska Yukon Gazetteer and Directory for 1911-12 recorded Seward's population as 500. It
noted that 6 steamers a week plied the waters between Seward and Seattle. Many of the residents
recorded were classified as miners. Their homes located on Second and Third Avenues between
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 10
Washington and Jefferson Streets, constructed during the 1903-1906 building boom, were "a step
down from the Railroad owners' houses (on Millionaire's Row) and a step up from the shacks on
Home Brew Alley." (Williams)
Longshoring at the port of Seward was one of the main occupations during the early and mid-1900's,
and during the 1940's, 50's and early 60's, employing over 250 men. Most of the freight to interior
Alaska came through Seward. The city also supplied the needs of western Alaska. As the
transportation industry changed, fewer men were needed. Anchorage built a dock and began
shipping. The Alaska Railroad decided to use rail barges and Whittier became the base for this traffic,
primarily for economic reasons. (Seward Phoenix Log) By 1950 the population in Seward had soared
to 2,114. But by 1960 reduced commerce had left Seward with a population of only 1,891.
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry MIV TUSTUMENA was stationed in Seward beginning in 1960
bringing a total of 35 new jobs to the area. The ferry used Anderson's dock first and then utilized the
remains of a City owned dock at the end of Fourth Avenue that was damaged in the 1964 earthquake.
They established their offices in the old Alaska Railroad Depot. There were no new buildings
associated with the ferry.
The establishment of The Alaska Skill Center, now called the Alaska Vocational Technical Center
(AVTEC), in 1969 brought employment for 65 to 70 state workers. AVTEC started with only two
training programs in food service and mechanics and has expanded to include 55 to 60 training
programs today. Annually 1,600 to 1,800 students from throughout the state attend training courses
varying in length from a week to 14 months.
An active downtown merchants association bolsters the downtown business section of Seward.
Several of the older buildings are empty. However, the construction of a $50 million marine research
and visitor center, the Alaska SeaLife Center, at the base of Third Avenue at Railway is revitalizing
the area. Several lots. and buildings have sold, some new businesses have opened, and a new gift shop
has been built Many buildings have been upgraded from new paint to major remodeling. The upstairs
of the Alaska Commercial (Sauer) Building has recently been restored as a bed and breakfast. Prior
to the SeaLife Center funding, only one new building, the Apollo Restaurant, had been constructed
since just after the 1964 earthquake when two new buildings were erected. The Fourth Avenue
business district is configured today as the original layout in 1903 and is lined with one and two story
buildings.
Transportation
o► Steamships
"... the steamers had been in and out of Resurrection Bay before the town of Seward
began. It was BERTHA in 1902 that dropped a survey party led by F. G. Bleckly and
John G. Scurry near where the old dock stood.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 11
r
0
Another party under William G. Atwood had left Seattle in February 1902 for the
Nenana area. From there they headed south toward Broad Pass where they were to
meet up with the group landed by BERTHA.
Both expeditions had been sent by the newly formed Alaska Central Railroad
Company to scout out and survey the starting point and route.
It was also the steamer SANTA ANA that landed the first party of permanent settlers
here on August 28, 1903.
In the fall of 1904 there were two steamship companies servicing Seward on a regular
basis.
Alaska Pacific Navigation Company had its headquarters in Seattle. E. R. Gray was
the local Seward agent. They ran the SANTA CLARK, the SANTA ANA, and the
DORA.
The Alaska Commercial Company, with home offices in San Francisco, ran the
steamers BERTHA and PORTLAND. BERTHA sailed from Seattle via Juneau on the
loth of each month. She left. Seward on the 22nd.
By 1905 steamer traffic and service to Seward was to increase considerably. By May
1906 it wasn't unusual to read reports of five boats arriving within two days. In fact,
Seward was averaging 20 to 30 steamers a month." (Capra)
^►Trails and mail routes formed Seward's early transportation routes. In 1902 Anton
Eide contracted to carry mail from Resurrection Bay to Sunrise and Hope. This contract brought a
monthly steamer into the bay. (Barry 1986) A series of trails existed from Resurrection Bay to the
gold fields of Nome. In 1908 the Alaska Road Commission surveyed a new trail from Seward to
Nome to provide more direct winter transportation by dog sled. Nearly 1,000 miles were cleared and
marked in 1910-1911. Heavy traffic continued over the trail until the 1920's when mining declined.
Seward is Mile "O" of the Iditarod National Historic Trail System. An informational sign marks the
start. The bike path that begins at Fourth Avenue and Ballaine Boulevard and continues along the
shoreline is considered to be the beginning of the Iditarod Trail. (Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers
Pamphlet)
o► Railroads
"It was five o'clock on that August 7th morning in 1905 when the steamer
VALENCIA docked in the port of Seward; aboard were 443 men to work on the
railroad, 25 horses, several tons of cargo for the railroad commissary, one determined
woman, and an adventurous 14-year-old boy." (Capra)
Seward Historic Preservation Plan
12
Frank and John Ballaine built the Alaska Central Railway to transport coal from interior coal fields.
While construction of the railroad precipitated the birth and early growth of Seward, the line itself
only extended to Mile 76 prior to the arrival of the Federal Government in 1914 and completion of
the line to Anchorage and beyond.
A gasoline driven auto car was put on the railroad for passenger traffic in 1909. Passengers took the
railroad to mile 34, went over the trail by packtrain to the gold mining area at Sunrise, and then
traveled by boat across Cook Inlet to Susitna. This shortened the trip from Seward to Susitna to two
days. Even though the railroad had built a $55,000 headquarters building on the corner of Adams
and Fifth Avenue (replaced by the present City Hall after the 1964 earthquake) Seward's rail system
did not become a major part of the Southcentral Alaska transportation system until after the
completion of the government railroad to Fairbanks.
The Alaska Railroad Depot, constructed in 1917 at what is now Adams Street and Ballaine
Boulevard, was moved to its present location on Railway Avenue following a damaging flood down
Jefferson Street. A craftsman style building, it was used as the depot until 1964, when the railroad
was destroyed in the earthquake and more recently as headquarters of the Alaska Marine Highway
ferry Tustumena for over twenty years. The depot was entered on the National Register of Historic
Places in 1987.
Alaska Central Railroad Tunnel No. 1 is located just north of Seward and is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
P* The highway from Seward to Anchorage was completed in 1951. However, various
segments of the road were constructed to Moose Pass and Hope and it was possible to drive to Hope
in 1928 - if one first took the train to Moose Pass. An 18 mile segment from Seward to Kenai Lake
was finished in 1923, but the Mile 18 bridge, which was referred to as the "missing link," was not
completed until 1946, allowing access by highway from Seward as far north as Hope, and as far west
as what is now the Russian/Kenai River Confluence (Henton's Lodge or Sportsman's Lodge).
ow Seward was brought into the ail' age in 1923 when the U.S. Army Air Service began
planning an around the world flight. The four planes of the World Flyers arrived in Seward on April
13, 1924 and landed in Resurrection Bay where they were tied to moorings at the San Juan Fisheries
dock. The fliers overnighted in the Van Gilder Hotel. This flight increased the interest in commercial
air travel in Seward but the first work on an airfield was not done until 1927 when a site at the head
of Resurrection Bay was selected and the Alaska Road Commission began work.
The airfield was improved and enlarged in 1929 and again in 1935. In 1940 the Civil Aeronautics
Authority took a survey of the Seward Airfield with the objective of turning it into a mile -long field
with radio beam station and residences for personnel. (Barry 1993) The Seward Airport was brushed
out and completed by the Army and ready for planes by August 30, 1941.
PoSeward's place as a majorpOrt began with the Alaska Central Railway's development of
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 13
extensive docking and warehousing facilities at the foot of Fourth Avenue where all water
transportation arrived. Nothing except old photographs remain of the early trestles, warehouses,
docks, and railroad tracks and facilities.
Following the 1964 earthquake and urban renewal, a new small boat harbor was built in an area
created by dredging and filling north of the original townsite. The Seward Small Boat Harbor has
500 slips and 7000 lineal feet of transient boat space. Many businesses have opened up in the harbor
since 1970.
Communications
PO In 1905, the Ballaines conveyed one 30 foot lot to the U.S. Signal Corps as a site for a
cable station in Seward. In August, 1905 the Washington -Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph
Station (WAMCATS) was completed. The two story cable office, now a private home, is located
on Sixth Avenue. (Barry 1986) In 1916 the Alaska Communications Systent run by the U.S. Army
took over long distance telephone service to Alaska. Four Alaska Communications System
buildings used to house personnel and equipment were constructed on Third Avenue and remain as
private homes today.
In April, 1917 President Wilson set aside 40 acres of flatland at the head of Resurrection Bay as a site
for a wireless Station, first proposed in 1914 to serve military ships and forces. The facilities
included an operating station, a six man dormitory, quarters for four families, and a power house.
It was in operation by December of 1917. The municipality of Seward acquired the abandoned
station in 1931 for a $1.00 a year lease. A fire in 1934 destroyed most of the facility. The remains
of the wireless station building are in the vicinity of the Seward airport near the head of Resurrection
Bay.
^►Seward had one or two newspapers from its early beginnings and very complete files are
extant in the Seward Community Library. A 1904 to 1910 index of the Seward Gateway has been
compiled and published.. Other newspapers include: the Seward Daily Gateway, the Seward Polaris,
The Seward Seaport Record, The Seward Tribune, Seward Weekly Gateway, The Petticoat Gazette,
and the Seward Phoenix Los. Prior to 1919 the Gateway was housed in various locations. In 1919
it was moved to the basement of the Van Gilder Hotel, and later to the Arcade Building until that
building burned in 1941. New papers were started, merged and disappeared leaving the Gateway the
survivor until 1941.
Spiritual Structures and Sites
P*St. Peter's Episcopal Church (1904), which is listed on the National Register, is the only
active early religious building still used for religious purposes in the original townsite. Sacred Heart
Catholic Church, built in 1909-1910 and replaced by a new A -Frame church building after the 1964
earthquake, burned in 1988.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 14
The original Methodist Church at Third and Jefferson Streets had an important, perhaps predominant
role in the town's religious life. (Barry 1986) The church was built in 1906 and with a pastor's
residence added in 1907. In 1908 the bell tower was added. At one time high school classes were
held in this church. In 1916, a new church was built at Third and Church Street along with a pastor's
residence. (Barry 1993) These buildings were eventually sold to the Lutherans, and in 1967, the
pastor's residence burned. The church is currently an art gallery/coffee house. A chapel from Fort
Raymond was moved in 1946 to the corner of Fourth and Church and became the new Methodist
Church. It was destroyed by fire in 1994.
^►Since Seward's 1903 founding, there have been a number of cemeteries located within
and around the community. In the early years there were burials at the present hospital site, on the
beach near the ball diamonds, and on the hillside above the Bayview Addition where there are still
a few graves. At the other two sites the remains were relocated and the sites used for other purposes.
In 1916 the city purchased and repatted a parcel of land known as the Woodlawn Cemetery along
what is now Salmon Creek Road just before entering Camelot Subdivision. When Salmon Creek
changed its course, the water table became too high to continue using the land as a cemetery so it was
abandoned in 1926 with most of the remains being relocated to the present cemetery reserve site.
In 1930 the city received patent to USS 1759, known as the Cemetery Reserve, encompassing
approximately 40 acres at Coolidge Drive and the Seward Highway. Since a number of local fraternal
organizations had initiated the concept of acquiring this land for a cemetery, the city deeded one -acre
tracts to each of these fraternal groups. The Jesse Lee Home also used a portion of the cemetery in
the dense trees just north of the Oddfellows plot.
Educational and Social Institutions
PO -The Jesse Lee Home was built in 1923, as an orphanage for Alaska's native children,
under the auspices of the Wesleyan Women of the Methodist Church. It was listed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Eighty children and a staff of six to eight were moved from Unalaska to Seward after construction.
This institution was moved to Anchorage in 1964, following the earthquake. The privately owned
buildings are currently empty and stripped of all windows, partitions, wiring and plumbing. The
original administrator's residence is currently a private home.
^►In the early days of Seward, school was conducted in the Episcopal and Methodist
Churches as money was not available to build a school. However, school was an important aspect
of Seward's life and several lots were donated and various buildings were built, beginning in 1904.
The earliest school building was constructed on the corner of Second and Jefferson in 1904 but was
destroyed by the Lowell Canyon Flood of 1917.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 15
In 1914 eight lots south of the Episcopal Church were purchased for a new school which opened in
January 1915 with 48 students. Many residents sent their children Outside to high school as Seward
was not accredited for a 12 year program. In 1927-28 high school (without seniors) was held in the
Harriman Bank Building (Ray Building). (Williams)
A new elementary/high school building was constructed on the block bounded by Third and Fourth
Avenues and Madison and Monroe in 1928. In the early 1950's the high school moved into a new
building of its own on Second Avenue. The elementary school continued in use until 1969 when a
new elementary school was built on part of the Jesse Lee Home property. In 1979 the Second Avenue
high school moved into a new facility adjoining the newest elementary school.
The 1928 school building was torn down in 1982 to make way for buildings associated with the
Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) facilities. Other AVTEC functions are located in
several buildings both old and remodeled in Seward. The dormitories and food service center, library
and student services center, are located between Madison and Monroe and Third and Fourth Avenues
on the former site of the elementary school which was demolished in 1982.
The administration center is in the remodeled high school on Second Avenue and the building
maintenance training area is located in the National Guard Armory, also on Second Avenue. Other
shops housing the mechanics department are located along the Seward Highway near the north end
of town in newer buildings built by the state.
The University of Alaska established the Institute of Marine Science (IMS) on the waterfront and
based its research vessel, the R/V ALPHA HELIX, in Seward. A marine life laboratory, supply
warehouse, transient student dormitory, and a new auditorium -marine display building, built in 1981,
are part of this campus complex located at the foot of Third Avenue. The SeaLife Center located
next door, will allow IMS staff to conduct research at that facility. The IMS campus complex is
slated for expansion in 1996 with the addition of an 11,500 sf mariculture technical center/shellfish
hatchery.
r►Healtk care came to Seward in 1911, when Dr. J. H. Romig established a hospital in the
former Cameron House on Millionaires Row, 423 Third Ave. He became the chief surgeon of the
Alaska Railroad.
A major health problem in Alaska, tuberculosis, was detected in the State during WWII and in 1946
a Sanitarium under the auspices of the Wesleyan Ladies Auxiliary was opened in buildings erected
at the decommissioned Fort Raymond. The "San" as it was called, could accommodate over 100
patients and was a major employer in Seward after the war. This property is now owned by the City
of Seward and occupied by the U.S. Army and Air Force Recreational Camps which were established
after the Sanitarium closed in the mid 1950's. The building now housing the Wesley Rehabilitation
& Care Center on First Avenue was built in 1958 to house the nurses employed at the "San".
(Williams) The present Seward General Hospital was erected in 1957.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 16
Recreation
P*Many Social organizations formed in Seward in its formative years. An active Arctic
Brotherhood chapter (Seward Camp No. 21) constructed a social hall on the corner of Fifth and
Washington in 1917. Later used as a gymnasium, theater and garage, it has housed Dreamland Bowl
since 1948.
The upper story in Brown and Hawkins was used as a social hall and for dances during the early days
of Seward. The Pioneers of Alaska held their first dance there in 1913.
The Masons and Oddfellows held their meetings on the third floor of the Van Gilder Hotel from
1916-1921. Eventually the Masonic Lodge moved its meetings to the upstairs of the McMullen
building on Fourth Avenue until they built a new structure on Fifth in the 1960's. The McMullen
building was built in 1929 by Gerhard (Stucco) Johnson using concrete blocks made in Seward. The
devastating fire of 1941 started in the building next to the McMullen Building and spread south. The
McMullen Building prevented the fire from spreading north. When the McMullen Building was
remodeled in 1983, the remaining vestiges of the old Masonic Lodge were removed.
An International Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) Hall was built in 1921 on Adams Street and is used
today by the Seward Life Action Council.
Seward enjoyed an active Chamber of Commerce, a booster organization called the Seward
Commercial Club, a Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Church, The Women's Auxiliary of the
Episcopal Church, and the Altar Society of the Catholic Church during its early history. All had a
great influence on Seward and continue today.
P► Community Celebrations have always been a part of Seward's history. The Fourth
of July has always been an important celebration day in Seward, embellished by the addition of the
Mt. Marathon Race. This is the second oldest foot race in the U.S. dating from 1915. Held annually,
the race attracts runners and sports enthusiasts from all over the United States and some foreign
countries.
In 1956 the Seward Chamber of Commerce started the Seward Silver Salmon Derby. This annual
August event continues to draw numerous entrants. The Chamber also has a month long halibut
derby which began in 1987.
Reverend Louis H. Pederson, Seward's first Methodist minister, wrote the resolution which led to
making Alaska Day an official holiday in Alaska. (Barry 1986)
The Alaska Legislature has designated July 9th a state holiday - Alaska Flag Day. This was the date
upon which the Alaska Flag was first flown in Alaska. Benny Benson, an orphan housed at the Jesse
Lee Home, created the winning design for the Alaska State Flag in 1927.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 17
The Resurrection Bay Historical Society annually promotes the founding of Seward on August 28th.
Pw Seward has been blessed with many public developed recreation camps, cabins, and
trails. Since the late 1960's, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force have utilized the former Fort
Raymond as a recreational camping and boating headquarters for Seward and the Resurrection Bay
area. The Army is currently rebuilding their portion of the camp retaining few of the buildings. The
Alaska State Parks, U.S. Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service supply recreation cabins, well
groomed trails, and campgrounds in the area surrounding Seward.
Two Lakes Park , located on the hillside area of Seward includes trails and lakes which are used
extensively. Early swimming and ice skating areas were located here. Ice skating is still a popular
winter activity.
The Greenbelt Park was developed after the 1964 earthquake demolished the railroad roundhouse,
tracks, Standard Oil storage tanks and the docks then located along the waterfront. The bike path
follows the designated route of the Iditarod Trail. The park supports pavilions, parking for numerous
recreational vehicles, and a tent camping area.
Disasters
m►Natural and man made disasters have plagued Seward from its early years. Lowell Creek
flooding began in September, 1917 when heavy rains and powerful wind: struck Seward. At the
time, the creek was located where Jefferson Street is now, and washed out everything in its path -
bridges, trees, houses, and the railroad tracks. It tore the school house (Second and Jefferson) from
its foundation and toppled the newly constructed Community Christian Church. Every light and
power pole along the stream washed into the Bay and Seward was without light, telephones, power
and water. Lowell Creek also flooded property south of the stream, between First and Third Avenue.
Washouts occurred on the rail line. Subsequent to the flood a citizens committee recommended
building a flume 15 feet wide, eight feet high and 3,000 feet long. A second flood in 1918 damaged
the old Seward General Hospital at Fifth and Jefferson, then operated by the Catholic Sisters of St.
Joseph. (Barry 1993)
The Lowell Creek Diversion Tunnel was constructed by the Corps of Engineers in 1939 to divert the
waters of Lowell Creek from its course down Jefferson Street. The tunnel is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
r+The devastating fire of 1941 burned 19 businesses from McMullens south on the east side
of Fourth Avenue to the Arcade Building on the corner of Fourth and Railway and over to the
Seward Hotel on Fifth Avenue. Over 450 persons were left homeless. The Army provided tents to
house them. Another fire in 1942 burned the west side of Fourth Avenue from the present day Elks
Lodge on the corner of Fourth and Washington south to the Lechner property. One hundred persons
were left without homes. (Polk)
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 18
P►The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake and its resultant tsunamis devastated the
industrial heart of Seward. It destroyed the San Juan, Army and railroad docks, the tracks leading
to the dock, the oil tank farms, fish processors, warehouses and the small boat harbor. The
waterfront of downtown Seward was permanently altered.
The destruction of the waterfront led to less emphasis on Seward's role as a rail port facility. The
railroad began moving more materials through the port at Whittier and increased the shipping going
directly into Anchorage. Economic stagnation resulted from the loss of longshoring jobs.
Although the U.S. Government's post -earthquake Urban Renewal Program built a new city hall, it
also wiped out much of an older area of Seward including Home Brew Alley, located behind Second
Avenue directly against Bear Mountain, and Alley B a section of small shacks used for many years
for various unsavory recreational purposes. The University of Alaska Institute of Marine Science
now occupies most of that area, located at the end of Third Avenue.
P►The 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, while an environmental disaster in the waters and
on the beaches of Kenai Fjords National Park, proved to be an economic boost to Seward. Over 500
persons found employment in the immediate area. Fishermen deprived of their fishing season were
able to charter their boats to the oil spill cleanup and many received compensation for lost fishing.
Oil spill litigation settlement monies will also benefit Seward in the funding of the research portion
of the Alaska SeaLife Center and purchase land for public use. These include a waterfront tract at
Lowell Point to be used as a trail head and access to Caines Head State Recreation Area (Fort
McGilvery during World War II) and a parcel located at Mile 7 of the Seward Highway at Grouse
Lake.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 19
Community Resources
Historic Buildings and Structures
There are four source listings for historic properties in Seward:
National Register of Historic Places,
Alaska Heritage Resources Survey (AHRS)
Seward Register of Historic Places (Ordinance No. 95-10, May '95)
Seward Historical Site Inventory Summary (Appendix B)
The latter was developed as part of this plan and is the most comprehensive of these sources. It is
an inventory of historical sites at least 50 years old and includes sites listed on the AHRS which have
been lost or destroyed. This detailed inventory represents an invaluable resource to city staff, historic
preservation commissioners and community members and is an essential planning tool for historic
preservation activities. At the request of the Seward Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC), all
sites listed on the Seward Historical Site Inventory will soon be listed on the AHRS.
Recent activities in historic preservation include an updating of the MRS by the Community
Development Department (October, 1995), the addition of a local register of historic places, and the
acceptance of the Jesse Lee Home National Register of Historic Places nomination in September
1995. There are now nine sites in Seward listed on the National Register (Appendix E):
Jesse Lee Home
Ballaine House*
Swetmann House*
Van Gilder Hotel*
Government Cable Office*
Brown and Hawkins Building*
Railroad Depot*
St. Peter's Church*
Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel
The (*) buildings also appear in the publication, Buildings of Alaska, published by the Society of
Architectural Historians. Buildings highlighted in this series were chosen for specific points of
architectural history they illustrate. Other historic buildings listed in the book for their historical
architectural significance include: the Ray Building and the Stewart and Cameron Houses on
Millionaire's Row.
The Iditarod Trail, from Seward to Nome, was declared a National Historic 'frail under Public Law
95-625 (The National Parks and Recreation Act) on November 10, 1978.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 20
The Seward Register of Historic Places was established to provide for public recognition of local
cultural resources worthy of preservation. Applications are reviewed by the Historic Preservation
Commission who shall according to criteria outlined in SHPC Resolution No. 95-06, recommend
nominations for approval by the City Council. The listing currently consists of the National Historic
Register properties listed above.
Other Resources
00 City files are an often forgotten source of information on Seward history - past city
council minutes, resolutions, ordinances and old tax assessor records. The city clerk has traditionally
cared for these documents. The Community Development Department also maintains a sizable
collection of historic maps, plans and documents. Much of this information is not indexed or
cataloged and is in need of curation. The city has applied for grant funds to archive and preserve city
documents currently in under -protected storage.
P* District Court/Land Recorders Office documents such as land transactions and
death records are of great historical importance. This office provides an essential resource for
researching mining claims and title searches on property ownership.
r► The Library has collected thousands of historic photos, documents, films, and rare
Alaskana publications. This is an ongoing process with community members contributing significant
materials every year.
P* The Resurrection Bay Historical Society and Museum maintains an excellent
source for local historic research and information including curated artifacts, photos, newspapers and
documents.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 21
r
Preservation Law
Individuals, commissioners and city administrators need to be aware of three levels of historic
preservation law which are linked together and come from the federal, state and local levels of
government. Together, these laws provide a resource for individuals and local governments
interested in historic preservation. Because historic preservation has been ongoing in the United
States for many years, a huge volume of information is available. While many of Seward's historic
preservation problems seem unique, most have been faced and dealt with by communities around the
country. The designation of Seward as a Certified Local Government along with the formation of
the Seward Historic Preservation Commission provides the city with the opportunity to request
assistance from state and federal experts in a wide variety of disciplines.
'+ By 1966, Congress had come to the realization that projects funded by the federal
government were capable of destroying important historic and archaeological sites. As a result the
National Historic Preservation Act was enacted requiring that historic and prehistoric
properties be taken into consideration during the construction of large scale federally funded
projects. Federal and state laws affect city and private property only when state or federal money is
being used in a particular project.
This Act also established several programs to encourage historic preservation. These include the
National Register of Historic Places and a matching grant fund administered through state historic
preservation offices. It provided funding for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and for the
identification and protection of historic and prehistoric sites which might be adversely affected by
federally funded construction. The Secretary of the Interior was given overall responsibility for the
implementation and coordination of the Act. The National Park Service was made the federal
government's official advisor on matters relating to historic preservation.
While inclusion on the National Register affords a special status, owners are under no special
obligation to preserve historical structures. However, these properties are eligible for tax credits and
technical assistance for preservation and rehabilitation on a voluntary basis. Owners volunteering to
be involved in these state and federally funded programs are required to follow the Secretery of the
Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.
'+ In 1974 the State of Alaska declared its official policy regarding historic preservation
through the enactment of the Alaska Historic Preservation Act and the creation of the Alaska
Historical Commission. The commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources was given
overall responsibility for historic preservation duties. To assist the commissioner are the Alaska
Historic Commission and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and staff.
State law essentially mirrors federal law. It provides for implementation of the National Historic
Preservation Act at the state level. The SHPO's office reviews nominations to the National Register,
assists applicants and makes recommendations to the Keeper of the National Register. They are
charged with insuring that state -funded construction projects do not adversely affect historic and
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 22
archaeological properties. Additionally, SHPO administers the Federal Historic Preservation Fund
Program, serves as a "clearinghouse" for information on the state's historic, prehistoric and
archaeological resources, and encourages and assists local governments in historic preservation
activities through the Certified Local Government program.
P► At the local level the Seward City Council sets policy for historic preservation matters.
Implementation of local ordinances and resolutions is performed by the city manager and his staff.
As a requirement of its Certified Local Government (CLG) status, in 1992 the City created the
Seward Historic Preservation Commission. This body of appointed citizen volunteers was tasked to
look into Seward's historic needs including historic buildings, archeological sites and documents.
They are charged with the development of a historic preservation plan, identification and inventory
of local historic and prehistoric resources, making recommendations for properties eligible for the
National Register, and acting as an advisory body to the city council, city administration and other
boards and commissions.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 23
Preservation Efforts
In general, the key to successful historic preservation activities is to act before buildings, structures,
documents and sites are threatened, damaged or in danger of destruction. Properties allowed to
deteriorate cost more to restore and in some cases are beyond saving. In Seward there are many
borderline cases. Historical research and historic preservation efforts are anything but new in Seward;
they have been underway for years through the efforts of many people.
Documents
P*Seward is very fortunate that one of the first published histories of the town was written
by one of the town's founding fathers, John Ballaine. Ballaine, whose railroad building efforts led to
the development of Seward's original townsite and the building of the Alaska Central Railway, had
the foresight to recall what he knew of the town's founding. He published an essay on the founding
of Seward in the December 5th, 1925, "Progress Edition" of the Seward Daily Gateway.
In addition it is believed that a manuscript written by John Ballaine regarding the development of
Seward is located in the University of Washington's Suzallo Library. Efforts are under way to locate
this document.
'*Seward's newspapers, published under various editors and names over the years, remain
one of the best sources of historical information about the area. In addition to providing detailed
news of significant events and people there have also been several mini -histories and historical essays
published in them.
A series of historical essays, written by Jay Stauter an Anchorage newspaper columnist, appeared in
the 1951 Seward Seaport Record. These essays were based on Stauter's personal knowledge of
history and interviews with reliable sources.
The 1954 Petticoat Gazette "50th Anniversary Issue" ran a capsule history of the town's development
and was illustrated with many historic photographs. This role of Seward's newspapers continues to
this day.
Doug Capra, a Seward high school teacher, published a 1978 series of historic essays in the Seward
Phoenix Log. Over the years he has produced a number of significant articles, plays and most
recently two books of short essays of historical interest.
The 1975 "Progress Edition" sponsored by the Seward Phoenix Log and the local radio station
contained many articles on Seward's development.
The Seward Observer was a short lived paper published in 1993 and contained many articles on
Seward's history.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 24
P►Over the years volunteers have contributed to both local and tourist understanding of our
town through their efforts at organizing a local historic walking tour. This information has been
published annually since 1978 and was most recently included in the Seward Chamber of Commerce
visitor's guide.
F+Many books about Seward have been published. In 1975 long time Seward resident John
Paulsteiner wrote a book entitled Seward Alaska, Sinful Town on Resurrection Bay. Hailed by some
and hated by others, the publication goes beyond a basic chronicling of facts and includes
interpretation and critical examination of history. The publication clearly shows that no two people
view history the same way.
Perhaps the most impact of Paulsteiner's book was the influence it must have had on his daughter
Mary Barry. Since 1986 she has published a three volume chronological history of Seward creating
an exhaustive reference aid on Seward's history. Seward is fortunate to have such a dedicated
researcher with an interest in its history.
Over the years many authors have found Seward interesting enough to use its historic past as a
backdrop for their writing or other creative endeavors. Some of the people inspired by historic
Seward include: Rockwell Kent ffildemess 1920, paintings, drawings, writings), Robert Lund (The
Alaskan, 1935), Pat O'Cotter (Rhymes of a Roughneck 1919), Ralph Guthrie (Breed of the North
1928), Billy Blackjack Johnson (Jesse Lee Home, Shelter from the Storm 1990), V. M. Potter (God
Flies Benny's Flag 1989) and P. Krasilaysky (Benny's Flag 1960).
There are many other written accounts of Seward, its history, people and environment. A complete
listing of their works would prove to be very long. These include innumerable short and specific
histories on topics such as the Mount Marathon Race, families such as the Osbo's, and President
Harding's visit to Alaska.
►Others have used audio visual and other media to present Seward's past. These have
included Margaret Deck and Doug Capra (Seward is Burning, film documentary of the 1964
earthquake), Jim Pffiefenberger (Spotlight Seward, T.V. productions with historical issues discussed,
1995), Larry and Christy Johnson ("76 Hours in Eternity" video on the earthquake) and local high
school Swetmann Scholarship projects.
Preservation
F*Perhaps the first organization formed to deal specifically with historic preservation was the
Resurrection Bay Historical Society. A small group of foresighted and dedicated individuals
met in 1962 to discuss the formation of a group dedicated to the collection of artifacts and papers
relevant to Seward's history. The society was formally incorporated as a non-profit group in 1965
and has been active and successful in its goals ever since. Enough can not be said about the
contributions of this group over the years. In addition to the development of an excellent museum
of well curated artifacts, photos, newspapers and documents, the museum is also involved in the
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 25
education of children in Seward and the southcentral Alaska region. Tourism also benefits from their
activities; 10,203 visitors were counted passing through the museum in 1995. The society publishes
a monthly newsletter, which has nationwide circulation and serves as a chronicle of the Society's
historical preservation efforts. The society receives little local, state, or federal financial support for
its activities.
r► In the 1960's, the Seward Community Library became a major player in Seward's
historic preservation efforts. Librarians prepared National Register of Historic Places nominations
for most of the buildings in Seward now listed. Library staff and board members also put together
a narrated slide program on Benny Benson and the Alaska flag. It is still available for viewing at the
library. Through a grant, the library produced a cross-indexed volume of Seward's earliest
newspapers (1904-1910) making research of early papers relatively easy. Volume I, of what was
hoped to be part of a complete index, was published in 1983. Unfortunately the project has not been
completed. The library receives little financial support for their historic preservation endeavors.
^► Many other organizations have also made important contributions to historic
preservation. The community's 1967 Alaska Centennial projects included the Benny Benson
Memorial and the 1978 Diamond Jubilee celebration which brought about the Annual Library Photo
Contest, the Founder's Monument, the Seward Historic Walking Tour, the Iditarod Trailblazers
efforts at trail reconstruction and commemoration of the role of trails and dog sledding in Seward's
past. Other significant activities have included the Phoenix Bicentennial Committee's efforts to
remind people of the Russian shipbuilding efforts in Resurrection Bay two hundred years ago, the
Seward Senior Center's Women in History Month lecture series, the reunions of U. S. military groups
who served in Seward during World War II, the earthquake reunions, the state park restoration and
interpretive efforts at Caines Head. All of these group and individual efforts show there is a clear
public interest in the history of Seward.
0+ The City has demonstrated a leadership role in pursuing Certified Local Government
(CLG) status and the development of a local historic preservation plan. Significant city resources
have been allocated to this effort. The city has demonstrated initiative in historic preservation efforts
in a wide range of projects: cemetery restoration, acquiring funds for preparation of the Jesse Lee
Home National Historic Register nomination and providing coordination and assistance to the
downtown business district historic lighting project. In the summer of 1995, the city appointed an
ad -hoc committee to formulate a plan for use and restoration of the historic railroad depot building
and Hoben Park that would:
* Restore and preserve historic integrity and significance of the depot and park.
* Provide for long term maintenance
* Reduce or eliminate the city's financial liability exposure
* Allow the SeaLife Center plaza, park and depot to compliment one another
* Provide income to the city from a capital asset.
The committee's efforts culminated in a proposed Seward Gateway Historic Transportation District
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 26
Plan which included eight significant historic sites and structures. Only the sections of the plan
addressing the Railroad Depot and Hoben Park were approved by the City Council. In the meantime
the depot and park have become high profile properties, and the community expects the city to follow
through with a request for proposals to accomplish the objectives set forth in the ad -hoc committee
plan.
Since its creation, the Seward Historic Preservation Commission, has recommended several
ordinances and resolutions which have been enacted into local law and policy by the City Council.
To date they have related primarily to the creation of historic districts, and recommending the
nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places.
#* The public's interest and efforts in historic preservation are reflected in a recent 18
month (February 1994 - July 1995) chronicle of newspaper articles Appendix A. During this period,
28 articles appeared having some relation to history and historic preservation. All were published in
The Seward Phoenix Loa. Most were written by Eric Fry, newspaper reporter. This chronicle
documents that many individuals and organizations are involved in historic preservation. The citizens
of Seward should be proud of this public involvement; many communities are not so fortunate.
Restoration
P* There has also been an increased effort in the historic preservation, restoration and
adaptive re -use of historic buildings in the community. These efforts have primarily been associated
with commercial buildings. The Van Gilder Hotel, the Alaska Commercial Company (Sauer Building)
and the Ballaine House are using their historical significance to attract visitors for overnight lodging.
A prospective buyer hopes to do the same with the Jesse Lee Home as negotiations are currently
underway for the sale and renovation of the Home into a hotel complex. Although the Brosius &
Noon Building (now Seaview Plaza) has been drastically modified from its original state and has been
determined ineligible for the National Register, it is currently being utilized as an office building. The
original Methodist church is currently being utilized as an art gallery/coffee house with the owners
occupying what used to be the pastor's residence. The Swetmann House, which is listed on the
National Register, continues to be occupied as a single family residence.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 27
Preservation Incentives
People choose to preserve and protect their historic heritage for social, educational, community
environment or economic reasons. Almost every town has some reminder or monument to its
founders. Streets and buildings are often named after early pioneers and libraries, archives and
museums are established to collect and protect their words and images.
Alaska's towns were settled by people who did so at great personal risk. The towns of Chena,
Council and Candle were once numerous in population but exist no more. Those towns that did
survive take great pride in having prevailed against the odds. Today several generations of families
have lived in these communities. The nucleus of historic preservation grows around the memory of
these pioneering families who, with few resources, came, fought the climate, the economy, and the
odds, stayed and prospered.
Social
^►The descendants of a town's founders and others who came later begin to develop a unique
sense of pride in the role these pioneers played in developing their town A sense of place, of
belonging, of vested ownership begins to evolve. This feeling is not exclusive to the direct
descendants of the pioneers, in fact it is easily transferred to and adopted by newcomers and visitors.
This sense of pride and feeling of place is at the core of why people choose to become involved in
historic preservation.
A visitor may only be in a town a few hours but he or she will feel this "sense of pride" if it is there.
Whether or not a visitor is favorably impressed with a town is often dependent on this feeling. If a
town's historic resources are well taken care of it is easy for visitors to feel that a town is proud of
itself.
Educational
^►In an ideal community, school children are taught about the prehistoric and historic past
of their town. They learn about the struggles their forefathers faced in building the town. They learn
of the evolution of their town and the town's role in the development of their state and country.
Educators consider this knowledge to be part of a well balanced education. Children raised with a
sense of pride in their forefathers role in the development of their community come to respect the
hard work of those who preceded them.
In order to instill these feelings of pride and respect in the younger generations, teachers must first
have this feeling themselves and secondly must have truthful and inspirational material to work with.
Thus historic documents, photos, artifacts, landmarks and buildings become tangible tools in the
• education process. The ability to hear our forefathers actual words through their own writings, to
feel the tools they used to build the town, and to see first hand the things they built enhances the
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 28
process of learning.
Adults, too, stand to gain from remembering the past. It has often been said "people who ignore
history are doomed to repeat it." There are few social, economic, political or environmental problems
that face us today that have not existed in the past. By reviewing the actions of our predecessors,
we can find solutions for today's problems. We can also see where past solutions have not worked
and we can attempt to develop genuinely new solutions with a better chance for success.'
Community
P►Our community environment is molded by our history and how it is preserved. Two years
ago the City of Seward sponsored a series of town meetings in which the following question was
asked, "What do you want your town to look like in the year 2003?" The year 2003 was chosen
because it is the one hundredth anniversary of the town's founding.
About one hundred Seward residents attended this series of meetings and represented a good "cross
section" of the community. Both long and short term residents were represented as were people from
government and private sector employment. While many views were expressed regarding the future
of the city, especially how best to develop its economic growth and stability, the majority agreed that
they liked the city much as it is, especially its present size and basic layout and "feel."
Many communities have found that plain old friendly persuasion can be an effective way of getting
property owners to maintain their historic buildings and to rehabilitate them in a way that respects
the distinctive community character. The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions encourages
local preservation commissions to provide helpful guidance to property owners on design matters.
Economic
Because no two communities have the same preservation needs, economic incentives on the local
level present an opportunity to offer not just moral encouragement but actual financial incentives
specifically designed to provide monetary rewards for property owners who assist in the preservation
and restoration of Seward's historic character
When it can be shown that historic preservation and economic stability and growth can work
together, many local governments provide economic incentives to encourage private property owners
to preserve or rehabilitate historic buildings. Following is a brief review of economic incentives used
in other cities which may be considered locally to aid in the rehabilitation of older buildings.
ow Grants and Loans
Federal matching grants administered through the State Historic Preservation Officer to Certified
Local Governments have been utilized by the City of Seward to assist in the nomination of the Jesse
Lee Home to the National Register of Historic Places and for the development of the Seward Historic
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 29
Preservation Plan. Grants are generally awarded on an annual basis for the following types of
preservation projects: 1) Survey, 2) Inventory, 3) National Register Nomination, 4) Historic
Preservation Planning, 5) Public Preservation Education, and 6) Predevelopment, Development or
Acquisition projects.
Many communities throughout the country and some Alaskan cities have developed small scale
revolving loan funds which involve the city administration entering into an alliance with local banks
to offer citizens very low interest loans for historic preservation work. Generally, these loans are less
than $5000.00 and often the city guarantees them on behalf of the applicant.
P► Tax Incentives
The Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit provides owners of historic buildings an
opportunity to qualify for a 20 percent rebate off the cost of rehabilitation projects. This program
is limited to rehabilitation projects on buildings or sites which are listed or eligible for inclusion in the
National Register of Historic Places and are able to generate a source of income. It cannot be an
owner -occupied residence. To find out if a building's proposed rehabilitation project will qualify for
this tax break, it must be certified but the State Historic Preservation Officer and National Park
Service.
Throughout the country there are various types of local sales and property tax relief or exemptions
for owners who rehabilitate historic buildings. Currently, the City of Seward and the Kenai Peninsula
Borough have no such incentives.
Sales tax waivers for material purchased for historic preservation work would be difficult to apply
in Seward because the Kenai Peninsula Borough collects the 5% city (3%) and borough (2%) sales
tax. A possible option for consideration would be for the city to grant rebates of sales tax monies
once they are returned from the borough.
A more practical local tax incentive plan would be a property tax relief program at the borough level.
Under Alaska Statutes, Title 29, boroughs can offer property tax exemptions for historic preservation
work. There are several types of property tax relief for historic preservation applied throughout the
country which should be considered including: 1) a flat exemption from taxation, 2) a lower mil rate
for historic property owners who agree to do certain types of preservation work, and 3) a freeze on
property taxes prior to the commencement of preservation work. The theory behind the later
incentive being that often property values increase after preservation work is accomplished. A tax
freeze would essentially ensure that owners are not penalized in terms of higher property assessments
and taxes because they have improved their property.
P* Building & Zoning Code Exemptions
Consider and develop flexibility in zoning, parking and building code requirements to encourage the
preservation of historic structures. This might include permitting waivers of Zoning Code
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 30
development requirements for historic rehabilitation projects. There already exists building code
exemptions for historic buildings.
F* Other Financial Incentives
While all of the above financial incentive plans refer to historic buildings and structures, the
community should also consider financial incentives for the donation of other types of historic
material. Currently, people who donate items such as rare books, important historic documents,
artwork, historic artifacts and photo collections to non-profit institutions such as the library and
museum can write off the value of the objects against their federal taxes. Perhaps the city and/or
borough should consider granting tax and/or utility credits to people who make such donations.
There are many ways such a credit system could be structured, the underlying theory being that these
people who make these types of donations should be rewarded as the donation of historic materials
of the use of the community is more significant than the loss of a relatively small amount of tax or
utility revenue.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 31
Threats and Opportunities
The are many activities within the community that affect historic properties. Some are natural and
some are based on human activity. These activities present both opportunities and threats to historic
resources. Of greatest concern to the community is the increased growth and development currently
taking place within the Seward area. The main sources of growth were identified as the Alaska
SeaLife Center and tourism.
^►Natural ForCeS are generally considered a threat to historic properties. In the past the
community has experienced many devastating events including floods, fires, an earthquake and
resulting tsunami which have damaged or destroyed historic properties or structures that would be
considered historic today. Recurrences of those events continue to present a threat to historic
properties. These natural disasters are discussed under the historic background and character section
of the plan and will not be elaborated further here.
OwThe majority of Seward residents envision steady Community growth over the next ten
years. The perceived trend appears substantiated; in 1995, the city's population hit an all time high
of 3,074, culminating an upward trend started in the 1970's. Gross sales, according to Kenai
Peninsula Borough statistics, are projected to be up in 1995 for the third year in a row.
Community sentiment is split on whether or not population growth and development constitute a
direct threat to historic properties or present possible opportunities for historic preservation. It may
threaten historic and scenic property values. Hillside development and annexation of Meridian Valley
could compromise scenic or historic values of Marathon Mountain, the Iditarod Trail and the Seward
Scenic Byway. Demand for property could threaten "marginal" historic properties if incentives for
re -use and renovation are not there.
On the flip side many residents point out that growth and development can encourage historic
preservation; a healthy economy provides the incentive, private and public funds to fuel a community
historic preservation program. New development can occur in a way complementary to historic
preservation and therefore does not necessarily -constitute a guaranteed threat.
P* A significant element of Seward's environmental and economic growth is the increased
TOuriSm/ViSitor Industry. According to a study prepared for the National Park Service (Jones
and Jones, 1994) visitation to Seward in 1993 totaled 316,849. Over 75% of those visitors came by
private auto or recreational vehicle. Although there is no comprehensive program to produce an
annual tally of visitors (Jones' tally was computed from reports from Alaska Railroad, Marine
Highways, cruise ship operators, and the Alaska Visitor Statistical Program) individual sectors
substantiate an upward trend. City operated campgrounds showed substa itial increases in usage
between 1989 and 1993; from 34,544 to 113,159. The number of bed and breakfast lodgings listed
with the Seward Chamber of Commerce increased from 29 in 1994, to 52 in 1995. Seward Chamber
of Commerce information center visitor counts show 14,396 in 1988; 24,383 for 1993 and 37,760
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 32
for 1995 (as of 9/30/95). Cruise ship dockings increased from 13 in 1985, to 29 in 1990, to 113 in
1995. Visitation to Kenai Fjords National Park (Visitor Center and Exit Glacier) increased from
131,364 in 1990 to 214,466 in 1993. Moderate growth scenarios prepared by the National Park
Service project visitation to exceed 300,000 in the year 2003. Seward has already surpassed all other
Kenai Peninsula communities in visitation by non-residents showing a 102% increase between 1989
and 1993.
Upward trends in visitation have already caused concerns among the community regarding waterfront
development, use and access (greenbelt area and Small Boat Harbor). Waterfront is a desirable
tourist commodity; it enhances basic services such as food and lodging and is the major source of
visitor "entertainment," sightseeing and fishing charters. With up to 75% of the visitors traveling by
private auto or recreation vehicle, the subsequent need for adequate parking puts further demand on
a limited waterfront area and limited amount of developable land in general. The need for parking
and possible revenue attached to it could impact the more "marginal" value of historic properties and
open space areas remaining in town.
Competition for waterfront property is keen. Waterfront location is also required by many of
Seward's industries: fishing and fish processing, timber, and shipping. The most recent local
development project, the Alaska SeaLife Center, also required waterfront property.
As waterfront and developable properties diminish the threats to open space and existing historic
properties will increase. Without financial incentives for re -use and renovation, many properties
could be subject to demolition to meet demands of growth. Although many waterfront properties
were lost during the 1964 earthquake, historic properties still exist on the south end of town: the
Depot, Hoben Park, and related sites considered in the proposed Seward Historic Gateway
Transportation District Plan. Waterfront development for the tourism industry could constitute
threats to beach access, and pocket parks, such as the Small Boat Harbor plaza, Benny Benson
Memorial and the Founder's Monument.
Increased needs for visitor lodging could result in substantial renovations to private historic homes
and demolition of historic properties to make way for new construction and/or parking. Many historic
homes such as the Ballaine House, which is listed on the National Register, have become revenue
"generators" since renovated for use as bed and breakfast lodgings, their historic aspects highlighted
in visitor information. The historic Van Gilder Hotel promotes its National Historic Register status
and enjoys a busy tourist season.
Ps -Another growth issue is the impact of the Alaska SeaLife Centel' (ASLC). In addition
to fueling attraction to a growing visitor destination, the actual waterfront site lies within the
established local Downtown Historic District.
In 1994, a report Historic Architecture Survey of the Waterfront. Seward. Alaska, was prepared for
the Section 106 review of the ASLC under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The
project's potential area of effect on historic architecture was defined by a development "footprint"
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 33
where land disturbance would take place and where view of the proposed development could
adversely affect values of properties eligible for the National Register. This "footprint" did not take
into account 90% of the Downtown Historic District, which is perceived by many locals to be under
significant development pressure as the ASLC becomes eminent. Proximity to such a volume visitor
attraction will put high premium on downtown properties. Rapid growth in the downtown area could
endanger the "downtown character" and appeal of this historic district, of noted importance by
Seward residents in the Comprehensive Plan and the Town Meeting of November 15, 1995.
The ASLC project, the resulting environmental impact study (EIS) and Waterfront study required for
federally funded projects, created a launching point for a flurry of historic preservation activities
including the official naming of Hoben Park, the identification of two properties which may be eligible
for the National Register (Hoben Park and the Seward Machine Shop), an archaeological excavation,
and the activities of the Depot/Hoben Park Ad Hoc Committee. It must be noted that all of these
undertakings, except the Ad Hoc Committee, were a result of regulations attached to federally funded
projects. Further development in the adjacent Downtown Historic District will not necessarily be
subject to the same requirements.
^►The Military Recreation Camp Renovation project in Seward has caused concern
among residents. The construction is taking place on City property leased to the military on the site
of WWII Fort Raymond. The original fort was dismantled in 1944; most of the buildings were moved
to various locations around town and converted to other uses. An environmental assessment was
completed in compliance with Section 106 requirements with a finding of no significance. The project
has proceeded without City oversight since developers claimed federal exemption from building
permits. Although the City was provided with the construction plans, City officials have not
inspected the project construction.
PO Economic development and historic preservation need not be mutually exclusive.
Heritage tourism is a concept embodying the development and use of historic resources as visitor
attractions. It has also been used by many small communities as a strategy for neighborhood
revitalization.
Currently, the tourism drawing card to Seward is Kenai Fjords National Park. In the shadow of
calving tidewater glaciers and humpback whales, Seward's heritage may be easily overlooked as a
potential visitor attraction. According to a survey by the United States Travel and Tourism
Administration of the top leisure and recreational activities participated in by overseas travelers to
the U.S., visiting historic places ranked fifth. Visiting National Parks ranked seventh tied with visits
to art galleries and museums.
Heritage tourism includes individual historic properties open to the public, tours, special events and
celebrations. Elements of all already exist in Seward and could be further developed and promoted
to create a theme for communicating Seward's unique heritage to visitors. The Seward Gateway
• Historic Transportation District Plan exemplifies such an effort; resources viere surveyed, a theme
identified and a plan for interpretation developed in concert with the maintenance and preservation
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 34
of the properties involved.
The Caines Head State Recreation Area is located south of Seward and contains World War II
resources. This historic site which is already a popular tourism and recreational resource presents
an excellent opportunity for heritage tourism development. The guiding principles established by the
National Trust for Historic Preservation concerning tourism are:
Authenticity and Quality. Tell the true stories of historic sites and culture of the area.
The specific development of an area and the contributions made by previous
generations are what distinguish one place from another.
Education and Interpretation. History can be fun. Names and dates don't bring a
place or event alive, but the human drama of history does. The interpretation of
historic sites should be creative and exciting.
Preservation and Protection. Take care of maintaining historic places and the historic
buildings of neighborhoods and towns for residents and visitors both now and in the
future. A community wanting to attract tourists must safeguard the future by
establishing measures to protect the very elements that attract visitors.
Local Priorities and Capacity. Build strong, comprehensive tourism programs
directed toward local priorities and ensure that tourism is of economic and social
benefit to the community and its heritage.
Partnership. Cooperation among business leaders in tourism, operators of historic
sites, local governments and many others is important to enhance tourism activities.
Historic sites and districts deserve special funding consideration for operations and
maintenance since they are often the reasons why people wish to visit a community.
P* Individual involvement provides an excellent opportunity for historic preservation.
Such efforts are, for the most part, what has kept historic preservation alive in Seward, Alaska. As
discussed throughout this plan, it has generally been one or a few individuals who have completed
local preservation projects. There are so many different facets of preservation that there is something
for just about everyone. It is common for people to be involved in some form of historic preservation
and not realize that they are part of a much larger group of people working toward the same or a
similar goal.
P*The public has identified the following threatened buildings, structures, sites and
districts within the community:
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (NHR 79). Members of the community are concerned that
the congregation of this still active church cannot adequately fund maintenance of this aging building.
The furnace is failing and there is no sprinkler system. The fact that two other historic churches have
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 35
been destroyed by fire in the past ten years clearly shows that the concerns are legitimate. Recently
a fund has been established to save the church. The church was listed on The Alaska Association for
Historic Preservation's (AAHP) Ten Most Endangered Properties List for 1996.
Jesse Lee Home (NHR 95): The home was listed on the AAHP's Ten Most Endangered
Properties list in 1993 and 1994. Although consistently cited by Seward residents as a high priority
for historical preservation, community members express a futility about its future under private
ownership. Currently, the present owner is engaged in litigation over the property with the City of
Seward. Consulting architects on the proposal of the Seward Senior Citizens have given the
structures two years before it is beyond salvage for a senior housing project. Many residents feel its
salvation is beyond the scope of a small community and that its status as a state historic treasure and
home of the Alaska flag design should be recognized.
Railroad Depot (NHR 87) / Hoben Park: Most residents are concerned with the Depot's
present status as a vacant city property. Other concerns expressed are the condition of the building
and the possibility of yet another "t-shirt shop." There is strong sentiment for it to be managed for
community use. This building was also listed on the AAHP's Ten Most Endangered Properties List
in 1996.
Railroad Car/Information Cache: Owned by the Chamber of Commerce, the observation
car on Third Avenue has fallen into a notable state of disrepair. Concern is that the Chamber does
not have the funds and may find it difficult to preserve it.
Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel (NHR 77): The tunnel is in need of repairs to insure it
fulfills its original intent of protecting the downtown from Lowell Creek flooding.
Downtown Business District: Perceived threats of this area include: "loss of character"
through development,. seasonally vacant storefronts, and an over abundance of tourist retailers (cited
as t-shirt shops).
Navy Radio Station: Located at the head of Resurrection Bay, this structure is clearly
endangered by tidal waters and the channeling of Resurrection River. Access to this property is
limited.
Waterfront/Open Space: There are concerns that open waterfront will give way to a
developed coastline.
Archives: Tremendous archival resources exist in Seward under the management and care
by the City, library, museum and local churches. Many are not properly stored; few are catalogued.
Archaeological Sites: Little archaeological surveying has been done in the Seward area.
There is no oversight of subsurface excavation when federal funds are not involved.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 36
Land Use - Preservation Coordination
Past Efforts
P► The Downtown and Jesse Lee Home Historic Districts were established by City
Council resolution in 1984. In 1988, the Downtown Historic District was redefined to encompass
a greater area (Appendix E). The criteria established for selection of local historic districts mirrors
state and federal standards. The City Council designation of local historic districts accompanied the
efforts of several individuals to place local properties on the National Register of Historic Places.
Most recently, Ordinance No. 95-10, provided historic preservation with its own chapter under Title
15, Planning and Land Use Regulations of the Seward City Code. This chapter contains provisions
for a local historic register, criteria, involvement of the historic preservation commission and
established historic overlay districts. Upon enactment, all designated historic districts are classified
as Overlay District H - Historic District on the official city zoning maps.
The New Illustrated Book of Development Definitions defines an overlay zone as a zoning district
encompassing one or more underlying zones and that imposes additional requirements above those
required by the underlying zone. The Seward Zoning Code defines an historic district as:
An area containing buildings or places in which historic events occurred or
having special public value because of notable architectural or other features
relating to cultural or artistic heritage of the community of such significance to
warrant conservation and preservation.
While the code provides for historic overlay districts it imposes no additional protective zoning
requirements beyond those of the "underlaying" district. Results from the community survey and
town meeting show a split in the community as to the effectiveness of zoning to implement historic
preservation.
In some states enabling legislation requires that local historic districts be official zoning districts.
Alaska zoning enabling legislation does not specifically mention historic preservation as a legitimate
purpose of zoning. When this is the case, it is wise to consider basing a local preservation program
on some authority other than zoning.
Role of the Historic Preservation Commission
^►Article 2.30.400 of the City Code establishing a Seward Historic Preservation Commission
(SHPC) directs the commission to:
......act in advisory role to other officials and departments of local government
regarding identification and protection of local historic and archaeological
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 37
resources (2.30.425, A.4) and;
......review local projects and recommendations about the effect on properties
identified in the local historic preservation inventory.
The commission performs these functions as issues and concerns are brought before them by private
owners or through administrative reports. Involvement in private sector projects relies upon the
disposition of the applicant. Involvement in public works relies upon public vigilance and the
cooperation among city staff. Projects involving federal funding fall under Section 106 review are
required to seek commission approval. These have included the Alaska SeaLife Center project,
Seward Highway project Mile 0-38, and the military camps.
Administrative reports and citizen participation provide a "link" between historic preservation and
Planning and Zoning (P&Z). The commission may review a project and forward a recommendation
to P&Z. The commission may, but is not directed to, appear at P&Z hearings to raise preservation
concerns. There is nothing stated to determine how the recommendations made by the commission
are taken into account; the role of the commission to all officials and groups is advisory only. The
commission receives no special notice of P&Z meetings and agendas other than the standard public
notice process; agendas appear in the paper one week before, public hearing notices are published
two weeks in advance.
The SHPC has the authority to review and act in an advisory capacity to the P&Z Commission and
City Council with regard to properties listed on the local historic site inventory, however there is no
stated review process upon which to base their recommendations.
Recommendations/Summary
r► Other than federal projects, items scheduled for review by the Historic Preservation
Commission are subject to the voluntary actions of private citizens and the keenness of administrative
staff. Currently, with an administrative staff attuned to historic preservation this presents no problem.
If the staff should change, subjects for review would be subject to the disposition of their successors;
there are no clear-cut guidelines as to what the commission should review.
There are several actions which can progress towards a goal of incorporating historic preservation
into the planning process. Some actions listed here are not included in the Agenda For Future Action
as overall community feedback did not indicate a desire to enact additional local legislation and
zoning requirements as a strategy to implement historic preservation. Such actions are included for
future reference and consideration in the annual plan review and revision process.
1. The SHPC should consider developing a review process which establishes guidelines for
review of local projects which might affect historic properties, especially those identified in this plan.
Goals and objectives generated by the Commission and community input could be used to develop
guidelines upon which the Commission could base their recommendations.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 38
An ordinance could be considered which would require Historic Preservation Commission review of
land use actions involving properties on the local historic register, the local historic site inventory,
or historic overlays districts and clarify the relationship with the P&Z Commission in such actions.
The Commission would need to develop guidelines for consideration.
2. Building permits issued by the City of Seward could be cross referenced with the historic
resources survey and the Seward Register of Historic Places. If listed the building permit could be
scheduled for review and recommendations by the Community Development Department and the
Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission would need to develop guidelines for review
and approval/disapproval. The process could have a positive effect and be limited to alerting the
owner to the historical significance of the property, historical properties provisions in the Uniform
Building Code, and alerting them to incentives and benefits of preservation. This could be
implemented by adding a historic resource survey cross reference to the zoning site plan review
checklist completed by the Community Development Department for all city building permit
applications.
3. Currently, historic districts are classified as Overlay District H-Historic District on the
official zoning map of the City. By definition, overlay districts can impose additional requirements
above that required by the underlying zone (Moscowitz). Through ordinance, additional requirements
that conserve and protect the historic district could be applied. This may require the assistance of an
architect to identify essential design elements to help develop guidelines although many communities
use the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation. Again, it should be noted that
community sentiment is split on the use of zoning to pursue historic preservation. Any changes in
the current historic districts zoning would need to be initiated by a petition of registered voters, a
majority of the property owners, or the P&Z Commission and be approved by the City Council.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 39
r
Agenda for Future Action
This plan has set forth community goals for historic preservation in Seward along with an historical
perspective and background of the political and economic framework within which these goals will
be achieved. Although goals, by definition, may be lofty, an agenda for action must be reasonable
in identifying steps towards accomplishing those goals. n a small community such as Seward, it is
unreasonable to expect that a position in the city government would be created dedicated to historic
preservation oversight and development. f the responsibility continues to fall within the Community
Development Department, the staff of two persons can hardly be expected to devote more than a
small percentage of their time to historic preservation efforts.
Given the present resources, the following agenda for action is set forth to move toward the historic
preservation goals cited in the plan. oals and objectives were generated by work sessions with the
Seward Historic Preservation Commission and refined through public input. Activities have been
developed as more specific "tasking" for the objectives from research conducted on the plan. Target
dates and responsibilities have not been set forth; it is suggested that these "steps" be prioritized and
assigned by the Seward Historic Preservation Commission in conjunction with the Community
Development Department and incorporated into annual work plans and long range planning.
Goal #1 Maintain the historic character of Seward while encouraging its
development as a commercial, cultural and tourist center.
Objectives:
1. City Council adopt a local historic preservation plan.
2. Identify and develop financial incentives for restoration and preservation of historic
structures.
3. Encourage adaptive re -use, rehabilitation, and maintenance of historic structures from
all periods of Seward history.
4. Provide informational services (i.e. workshops, printed information) to business and
property owners about economic benefits of historic preservation.
5. Encourage and facilitate community involvement in historic preservation through local
organizations as demonstrated by the Iditarod Trail Blazers, Seward Women's Club,
Resurrection Bay Historical Society, Seward Senior Citizens and the Seward Library
Association.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 40
Activities:
1. Establish calendar for adoption of plan by City Council by July '96.
2. Develop and provide concise information on financial incentives and
benefits of historic preservation to property owners.
3. Develop and provide a directory of help/information services on
historic preservation including how to obtain local, state and federal
historic listing status, and current listing sources available.
4. Set up a workshop with the State Historic and Preservation Officer
(SHPO) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation on benefits
of historic preservation for local business and property owners.
5. Recognize and support community efforts in historic preservation.
6. Seek funding (National Trust for Historic Preservation) to assist in
defining historic character and suggest design guidelines for existing
historic districts.
Goal #2 Ally historic preservation and economic development in Seward
through the promotion of heritage tourism and adaptive re -use of
historic buildings and structures.
Objectives:
Make accurate and consistent historical information available to business, charter and
cruise operators, and the Chamber of Commerce.
2. Document historic properties for the local and National Historic Register.
3. Promote and monitor continued maintenance of established monuments and parks
such as the Founder's, Iditarod, Benny Benson, and Hoben monuments and flag
raising site at Jesse Lee Home.
4. Encourage the private sector to take an active role in historic preservation by
identifying advantages of heritage tourism and preservation incentives.
Activities:
Encourage the Resurrection Bay Historical Society to organize local
historical information for business and visitor services and/or be
involved in materials review. They may consider requesting a fee for
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 41
these services.
2. Develop a system of recognition (signage) for national, state and local
register properties; identify potential funding source; encourage
owners to utilize. If no funds are identified, pursue a sponsorship
program.
3. Work with the Parks and Recreation Department to incorporate
historic preservation goals into park planning and management;
identify annual maintenance requirements; solicit involvement of
community groups, i.e. adopt a park/monument.
4. Work with the Seward Chamber of Commerce to provide accurate
historic information and incorporate heritage aspects into Seward
promotional information (already prevalent in the visitor's guide.)
5. Encourage formation of an ad -hoc group with commission,
community groups, city, local business and visitor services members
to evaluate the potential of heritage tourism in meeting the goals of
historic preservation and economic development in a growing visitor
industry.
6. Provide recognition for outstanding community efforts in historic
preservation and heritage tourism.
Goal #3 Identify and preserve the diverse aspects of Seward's history:
buildings, structures, sites, trails, landscapes, archives,
transportation facilities, downtown district and artifacts.
Objectives:
1. Identify significant historic properties threatened by development, neglect,
abandonment, or erosion.
2. Establish and nominate a downtown historic district to the National Register of
Historic Places.
3. Insure that policies and ordinances for preservation protect private property rights.
4. Encourage city government to take a leadership role in restoring and preserving city
owned historic properties.
5. Rehabilitate and map cemeteries in the Seward area.
6. Encourage proper archival care for city, library and museum archives and collections.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 42
7. Cooperate with local native groups to encourage archaeological survey in the
Resurrection Bay area.
8. Prepare indexes of local newspapers and photo collections held by the local library
and museum.
Activities:
1. Continue to monitor Jesse Lee Home status and support the efforts to
save it. Seek statewide support.
2. Monitor progress of Seward Historic Transportation Gateway
District.
3. Pursue a National Register nomination for the downtown historic
district in cooperation with Downtown Business Association and
property owners. Seek funds to identify period of significance and
suggest design guidelines.
4. Monitor Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) Section 106 requirements.
5. Rehabilitate and map local cemeteries.
6. Monitor city fund requests to manage city archives; if not forthcoming
pursue through city budget process.
7. Encourage the Public Works Department and local contractors to
consult the local historic site inventory before commencing projects
affecting historic properties; inform Community Development
Department and Historic Preservation Commission.
8. Identify funding sources to support'archiving of library photo and
newspaper collections.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 43
Goal #4 Integrate historic preservation into Seward's city planning process
to insure preservation decision making becomes routine in land use
planning.
Objectives:
1. Advocate for the Historic Preservation Commission to become involved in the
building permit review process regarding properties listed on the local historic
inventory.
2. Maintain open communication between the Historic Preservation Commission, the
City Council, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
3. Insure the role of the Historic Preservation Commission in land use planning issues
remains simple, straight forward and positive.
Activities:
1. Add requirements to Community Development Department's Zoning
Site Plan Review checklist to cross reference building permit
applications with the Local Historic Site Inventory. Inform the owner
of the property's historic status, restoration incentives, and exemptions
in the Uniform Building Code.
2. Continue to develop an open working relationship between the
Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning
Commission.
3. Include historic preservation goals in the city Strategic Plan and
Comprehensive Plan.
4. Define the function of a historic overlay district.
5. Develop and implement a review process to guide Historic
Preservation Commission recommendations on local projects affecting
historic properties, especially those noted in the plan.
Goal #5 Encourage community understanding and appreciation of Seward
history.
Objectives:
I. Make historic information readily available to the public.
2. Develop a directory of where Seward historic information is available.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 44
3. Develop a guide on how to conduct local historic research.
4. Encourage Kenai Peninsula Community College to offer courses in local and Alaska
history, restoration and preservation.
5. Encourage city-wide participation in the celebration of national, state and local
historic anniversaries such as Historic Preservation Week, Seward's Day and
Founder's Day.
Activities:
1. Invite local groups and individuals to participate in annual work
planning of the historic preservation commission.
2. Encourage local groups i.e. Iditarod Trail Blazers, Resurrection Bay
Historical Society, Women's Club, Seward Seniors, Qutekcak Native
Association, to share information on their activities with the historic
preservation commission.
3. Develop a directory of historic research sources in Seward.
4. Encourage city wide participation in celebration of national, state and
local historic anniversaries.
5. Request Community Schools and Community College offerings in
local history, research and restoration.
6. Promote the teaching of local and Alaska history in the Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District high schools.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 45
Plan Implementation
#►Completion of the Seward Historic Preservation Plan marks another chapter in the story
of local efforts to improve the community. Participation in the planning process by local residents
is evidence of the value placed on maintaining the "historic character" of Seward. The roles for
government, private preservation organizations and individual property owners will be expanded and
refined in the years to come
Community input has indicated sentiments that the future of historic preservation in Seward rests
primarily with private individuals, groups and cooperative efforts. However, the community expects
city government to take a leadership role in the protection and preservation of historic sites over
which it has direct control. As discussed earlier, the City has already demonstrated a willingness to
step forward in a wide range of projects and initiatives. The City of Seward should consider the lead
of other municipalities by involving all city departments in historic preservation. City departments
should consider the value of historic resources in all projects involving their review and participation.
Identification of resources could come from the historic inventory summary and guidance from the
Historic Preservation Commission and should extend to public rights of way, infrastructure
development, parks and city owned properties. Decisions regarding maintenance, demolition, or
disposition of city -owned historic properties should merit recommendations from the Historic
Preservation Commission and the community. Historic preservation goals and objectives should be
considered for incorporation into the city's current strategic plan.
The success of historic preservation in Seward will rely upon the combined efforts of interested
citizens and property owners, the City of Seward, the Seward Historic Preservation Commission, and
local groups such as Iditarod Trail Blazers, Resurrection Bay Historical Society, Seward Women's
Club, Seward Seniors and the Seward Community Library Association.
Plan Adoption
#►Present the plan to the public in general, the Planning and Zoning Commission and Historic
Preservation Commission for review and recommendations.
#► Planning and Zoning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission approve a
resolution recommending City Council adoption of the plan.
#+ City Council approve a resolution adopting the Seward Historic Preservation Plan,
Plan Review and Revision
#►Annually in April, the Seward Historic Preservation Commission will hold a work session
to review the plan and determine progress in meeting stated goals, whether goals and activities should
be redefined, and reevaluate priorities. This process will form the basis to develop an annual work
plan for the Commission. Efforts should be made to involve interested constituent groups who
contributed to the plan, i.e. Resurrection Bay Historical Society, Seward Community Library, Seward
Women's Club, and the Iditarod Trailblazers. Recommended changes and revisions to the plan may
be made at this time by majority decision of the Commission.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan 46
Bibliography
Alaska Historical Commission. Alaska's Past. Anchorage, Alaska: 1983.
Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of History and Archaeology. Certified Local
Government Historic Preservation Program, Alaska State Guidelines. Anchorage: June 1991.
Alaska Historical Commission (OHA). Statewide Questionnaire on Historic Preservation. Alaska
Department of Natural Resources: 1995.
Allen, David. A Forest Born of Ice. Chugach National Forest Alaska. United States Forest Service:
1992.
Anchorage Daily News. "Travel Adviser", pg 2, Sunday, November 19, 1995
Barry, Mary J. A History of Miningon the Kenai Peninsula. Anchorage: Alaska Northwest Publishing
Company, 1973.
Barry, Mary J. Seward Alaska, A History of the Gatewgy City. Vol I. Prehistory to 1914. Anchorage:
MJP Barry, 1986.
Barry, Mary J. Seward Alaska A History of the Gateway City. Vol. II 1914 to 1922 The Railroad
Construction Years. Anchorage: MJB Barry, 1993.
Barry, Mary J. Seward Alaska. A History of the GatewaLCity Vol III Growth Tragedy. Recovery
Adaptation. Anchorage: MJB Barry, 1996.
Capra, Doug. Something To Be Remembered. Seward: 1996.
Capra, Doug. A Handful of Pebbles. Stories from Seward. Seward: 1995.
Castellina, Anne. Personal interview, August 29, 1995.
Center City Development Corporation. Historic Preservation Focus Plan, Centre City, San Diego:
January, 1993.
City of San Jose/Committee for the Past. Plan for the Past. San Jose, California: 1989.
City of Seward, Depot/Hoben Park Ad Hoc Committee and Community Development Department.
Draft: Seward Gateway Historic Transportation District Plan. September 25, 1995.
City of Seward, Hyett Palma, Inc. 2010 Comprehensive Plan Seward, Alaska. August 1990.
Cook, Linda A. Historic Preservation for Unalaska. Alaska. Alaska Regional Office, National Park
Service, U.S.D.I., Anchorage, Alaska: October, 1990.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Bibliography i
Dunham, Beverly. Personal Interview. April 5, 1993.
Goodall, Pam. "Historic Register Building Research." Seward Public Library Files. No date.
Guthrie, R. Breed of the North. The Popular Weekly, pp.2-32. New York: June, 1928.
Hansen, Reed and Associates. Kenai Fiords National Park Visitation Report. Bainbridge Island, WA:
July 15, 1994.
Hoagland, Alison K. Buildings of Alaska, Oxford University Press. New York: 1993.
Iditarod National Historic Trail. Pamphlet. Seward: Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers, Inc. No date.
Jankowski, Celia. "The Fabric of Alaska's Past: A Curriculum for Historic Preservation." History and
Archaeology Publications, Serial Number 26: 1980.
Johnson, Billy Blackjack. Jesse Lee Home. Shelter from the Storm. Bothell, Washington: 1990
Kelcher, Bradley. "Main Street Mid -America. "Small Town Institute: July -Aug, 1990.
Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, Inc. 1994 Situation and Prospects, Kenai Peninsula
Borough. Kenai Peninsula Borough: 1994.
Kent, R. Wilderness A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska: 1920, Hanover, N.H. University of
New England Press/Wesleyan University Press (re -issue 1996).
King County. Kim County Resource Protection Plan. Washington: no date.
Kowalski, Donna. "A Walking Tour of Seward, Alaska", Seward: 1995
Krasilaysky, P. Benn s Flag. World Publishing Co., Cleveland and New York: 1960.
Lund, R. The Alaskan, a novel, J. Day, New York: 1953
"Map of Seward." Seward Gateway, p.7: September 14, 1915.
"Seward Historical Site Inventory Summary," City of Seward Community Department, 1993.
Mobley, Charles M., and Associates. Historic Architecture Survey of the Waterfront, Seward. Alaska
for the Proposed Institute of Marine Science. Anchorage: 1994.
Moscowitz, Harvey & Carl G. Lindbloom. The New Illustrated Book of Development Definitions,
1992
Museum, Seward. Alaska. Pamphlet. Seward: Resurrection Bay Historical Society. No date.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Bibliography ii
O'Cotter, P. Rhymes of a Roughneck. Seward: 1918
Paulsteiner, J. Seward. Alaska. the Sinful Town on Resurrection Bay. Anchorage: 1975
Poleske, Lee. Personal Interview. 1993.
Polk, R L. Alaska Yukon Gazetteer and Directory. Seattle, Washington: R. L. Polk & Co., 1911-12,
1917-18,1923-24.
Potter, V. M. God Flies Benny's Flag. Frontier Publishing Co., Seattle, Washington: 1989.
Prince, Bernadine LeMay. The Alaska Railroad. Ken Wrays Print Shop, Anchorage: 1964.
Roddewig, Richard J. Preparing a Historic Preservation Ordinance, Planning Advisory Service
Report #374. American Planning Association, Chicago: February, 1983.
Ross, J. Anthony and Arthur Tunley. Geology and Geography of Alaska. Anchorage, Alaska: Polar
Publishing, 1976.
Sanborn Map Company. Sanborn Insurance Map. New York: 1927.
Seward Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Visitor Count and Comparison,
October 1995.
"Seward Phoenix Log Progress Edition." Seward Phoenix Log: 1975.
Stallings, Mike. Index to the Seward Gateway, a newspaper. 1904-1910. Vol. I., Seward Community
Library. Seward: 1983.
Stauter, J. The History of Seward. manuscript on file, Seward Community Library, Seward: 1955.
Svendsen Tyler, Inc., and Clarion Associates. Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan, December,
1992.
Testarmata, Margaret. "Glaciers Cover Seward!" Seward Magazine, p.10: Spring and Summer 1988.
Toloff, Caroline. Personal interview September 1, 1095.
TRA with Victor Steinbrueck. Downtown Historic Development Plan prepared for the City and
Borough of Juneau, Alaska: December, 1981.
USDI Park Service, Denver Service Center. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. Front Country
Development Concept Plan Environmental Assessment. September, 1995.
White, Bradford J., and Richard J Roddewig. Preparing_a Historic Preservation Plan. Planning
Advisory Service Report #450, American Planning Association. Chicago: March 1994.
Williams, Pat. Personal interview, September 5, 1995.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Bibliography iii
Append x t. C ronicle o�f�§SwaNd Do,�nix Log
rticles anuary 94my 11-995)
1) Feb 24 >Hope artist wins Phoenix Bicentennial Logo Contest
2) Mar 10 >Historians Lydia Black and Richard Pierce to speak on the Russian -American history
of Resurrection Bay.
>Seward's Day celebration held at museum
>Museum installs computer to answer students\visitors questions about the 1964
earthquake.
3) Mar 17 >James Leirer Memorial Bookcase purchased for library rare Alaskan book
collection.
4) Mar 24 >Consultants to study social (historical\archeological) and economic impact of Alaska
SeaLife Center Project.
>30th anniversary of earthquake spurs reunion of Seward's earthquake survivors.
5) Mar 31 >Earthquake survivors invited to tell tales.
6) Apr 14 >Uncovering archeology in 6th grade classrooms
>Talent show includes plays on Rockwell Kent and building of Phoenix
7) May 19 >Local archeologist teaches 6th graders how to dig history at waterfront
demonstration site
8) May 26 >Historic Preservation Commission targets Jesse Lee Home for National Register
Nomination.
9) Jun 6 >$200,000 awarded for "antique" street lights
10) Jul 14 >City intern writes Certified Local Government (CLG) application, Historic
Preservation Commission creation, first phase of Historic Preservation
>Plan completed, Jesse Lee Home National Register nomination funded.
11) Jul 21 >City manager guest commentary "The Future of Jesse Lee Home"
>Plaque to be unveiled by Methodists at Jesse Lee Home
12) Aug 11 >Citizen concerns about impact of Alaska SeaLife Center project on archeological
resources expressed at Planning and Zoning Commission. State archaeologists sees
no archeological concerns with project.
13) Aug 25 >Council fails to support conditions placed on conditional use permit for the Alaska
SeaLife Center project. Archeological monitoring still required condition of permit.
14) Sep 1 >Founders Day celebration announced
15) Sep 8 >Mitch Seavey announces he will recreate historic Seward to Iditarod run.
16) Sep 22 >P&Z Commission conditions on SeaLife Center project not approved by City
Council. Archeological monitoring still required.
17) Nov 3 >Library auctions historic Swetmann memorabilia to raise funds
18) Nov 23 >"Interest in Seward's history on rise"
a) Historic photo calendar produced
b) Historic streetlights ordered
c) Historic Preservation Commission requests permission of city council
to apply for grant to complete Phase 11 of Historic Preservation report
and plan
d) Possibility of local historic building register discussed
e) Historic building walking tour guide updated produced by Donna
Kowalski
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Appendix A 1
19)
Dec 29
>Historic Methodist Church goes up in fire
20)
Feb 23
>Seavey will mush entire Iditarod Trail .
21)
Mar 2
>Historic trip, Mitch Seavey finishes Seward -Anchorage run prepares to depart for
Nome -
>Seniors want to restore and use Jesse Lee Home
22)
Mar 16
>"Local Teacher has some tales to tell about Seward" Doug Capra's book A Handful
of Pebbles about Seward's history published.
23)
Mar 30
>Photographer captures bits of southwest Alaska life in early 1900's; John Thwaites
photos (early Seward residents)
24)
May 11
>Seniors wish to purchase Jesse Lee Home
25)
May 25
>Archeology in the school project - 6th grade students dig up clues about past
26)
Jun 8
>Newly formed Alaska Nellie Historical Society Meets
27)
Jun 22
>City Council shaves library funds for curating historical photos/documents.
28)
Jul 13
>Archeology monitoring at SeaLife Center, state archeologist to let excavations
continue.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Appendix A 2
s me we
APPENDIX B: SEWARD HISTORICAL SITE INVENTORY
Historical Theme: 1-Prehistory; II -Exploration 6 Settlement; III-Mit%ary 6 Government; W-Commerce 6 Economic Development; V-Transportation 6 Communication; VI -Intellectual 6 Social Institutions; VII-Disasters and Natural Hid
•.T u_rr u:..r...:.. 7—:1 uc_m. i ci6iA - 1Jo.b.A i.mLa. ReianlaA• I R RaWnrd Reoister
CRy
IOR
AHR
i
nrsrurrcrt
Historical Name
rarm
Yr
Built
aroma.
Theme
ran -rasa
Property
n,a.v.w .. w.o,
S.
..,-..a... .
Current t
Use
..... ..........-
REMARKS
Raglstar
Status
PhyFleet
Locallon
Legal ONeraptb
KPB
Tea•
Current
Owner
SUbtl
Blk
Ld
1
lditarod Trail (I880.1923)
VI
Site
Trail, winter use
Trail
NT78
CrtiWmatstas,
2
Shipyard (Phoentq
1794
9N
Site
Transportation, water
Campground
unknown
Laubrw
City
3
Ft McGiMay
42
III
Structure
Military, fortification
State park
Caines Head
-
-
18908005
State
4
Outposts. Barwell, Rugged, Etc.
42
III
Structure
Military, fortification
Abandoned
Res Bay
-
State
5
Navy Wwoless Station
17
UW
Building
Communications
Abandoned
old green bidg by airport
Airport
-
14502401
State
8
Rockwell Kent cabin
VI
Site
Camp
lodge
Fox Island
Shute
7
07
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
300 1st
Original Twnat
13
21
14903001
Coumoyer, Rene
8
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
308 lot
Original Twnst
13
24
1490300/
Whitmore, EMe
9
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
318 lot
Original Twnst
13
30
149=7
Hatmeister, Debra
10
304
Brownell (Don Carlos) House
10
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
originally a log house
S35 1st
Loma Estates
1
14021001
ChnaWlear, Wall
11
<27
U
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
428 tat
Original Twnst
28
35
14804000
MacS wain, James
12
TB Sanitarium Nurses Lodging
50s
VI
Building
Housing, institutional
Wesleyan
431 1st
Marathon Addn
19
14802WI
Methodist
13
Quonset (McHenry home)
42
m
Building
Mimmy, facility
Storage
s081st
Original Twnst
27
24
14805018
Rice, William
14
Lindsey Home
<24
II
Building
Dwelling. single
Home
701 id
Federal Adn
row
14713011
Lindsey, Dab
15
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
202 2nd
Original Twnst
11
21
1490b025
Kowalski -Rogers
18
4208i Coast MtiUery Quonset
42
UI
Building
Mulary, facility
storage
205 2nd
Original Twnst
12
18
149=13
LlndvillelDegiee
17
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
208 2nd
Original Twnst
11
25
14905008
Broughton, Lucy
18
<27
U
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
216 2nd
Original Twnst
11
29
14905009
Vas, Paul
19
Sandback (Old) House
07
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
220 2nd
Original Twnst
11
31
149MO10
Demchenko, Donna
20
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
222 2nd
Original Twat
11
33
14905011
U-w John
21
Thoday House
<27
It
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
burned 19437
225 2nd
Original Twnst
12
8
149=18
Crisp, Mandn
22
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
227 2nd
Original Twnst
I
10
149=18
Johnson, Ed,
23
25
It
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
230 2nd
Original Twnst
11
35
149MO13
Holm, Brad
24
Sa1h (John) House
<27
U
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
on fine alley
230.5 2nd
Original Twat
11
38
14WW14
Stidirg, Dan
25
Torwanger House
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
2342nd
Original T"st
11
38
14905015
Wilkens, Wilkens,
28
St Peters Rectory
<27
IWI
Building
Dwelling, church related
Home
238 2nd
Twnst
12
3
149=1
Episcopal Church
27
28
SL Peters Episcopal
05
VI
Building
Religious facility
Church
NR79, L95
239 2nd
Twnat
12
1
149=1
Episcopal Church
28
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Storage
301 2nd
Twnst
13
19
14=1027
Amon, Jos29
Sheldon (Chades) House
08
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
later Schaefenneyer, PM 24-48
303 2nd
%ngm2
Tvmst
13
18
14003027
Anne, Joe
30
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
304 2nd
Twnst
14
23
1490WM
Luck, Jerold31
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
311 2nd
Twnst
13
15
14903019
Olsen, Eric
32
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
314 2nd
Twnst
14
28
14908004
Shea, Seward
33
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Hams
315 2nd
Twnst
13
13
149=19
Wilson, Lucky
34
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
318 2nd
Original Twnst
14
30
14908007
Emerald Sea Inc.
35
<27
9
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
320 2nd
Original Twnst
14
31
/49ON32
Buckley, Ronald
38
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
323 2nd
Original Twnst
13
9
14903022
Towsley, John
37
LV Ray Home
06
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
built by Wm Butts
327 2nd
Onginel Twnst
13
7
14903023
Rowe, Jerry
3g
<27
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
1
329 2nd
Original Twnst
13
8
14W=4
Dutra, Carlene
39
Casey (Ellsworth) House
07
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
330 2nd
Original Twnst
14
38
1490803/
Hetllok, David
June 14, 1996 Appendix 81
APPENDIX B: SEWARD HISTORICAL SITE INVENTORY
Historical Them: 1-Prehislory, II -Exploration & Settlement; 1114AINary & Government; W-Commerce & Economic Development; lif-Transportation & Communication; VI- "19clital & Social Institutions; Vll-lDbuleborg and Natural Hid
..�- .—:.— Un wr..v! ui. ~i- 1-1— Ulu Ju l Wi.t..rin Trull KW-NM'i Rwniafr Flinihim- NR-LiklkD.L.4.4-1 R_CrmM Ranidr
City
IDS
AMR
9 IF
Hisawical Nam
Yr
Built
Them
Theme
Prop"
SU
current
Use
REMARKS
Register
Status
Legal C 1pdo
KP8
Test
current
Ownw
Subd
Mk
Los
40
Modem Motors
IV
Building
Slow, specialty
AM
built by Bill Muir
4M 2ral
Original Twmd
25
21
14WM
Olson, Marilyn
41
Hardinan Bank Caretaker House
06
IV
Building
Dwelling, single
Horne
414 2nd
Original Twined
25
28
14WM
Fleming, Misdoom
42
Harriman Bank Mgr Home
06
111
Building
Dwelling, single
Horne
Eric Lucas House
419 2nd
Original Twnst
25
11
14840011
Austin, JoffiJonny
43
Overhalden Home
<24
N
Building
Dwelling, single
Apts
525 2nd
Original Twist
27
3
114SM2
Rook, William
44,
Sister House
15
11
Building
Dwelling,
Home
builder was a miner
SM 2nd
Federal Adn
14
8
14714W3
Kullor, LLAW
45
Comsat
41
111 iStructure
Military, facility
Storage
a02 2nd
Federal Adn
14
0
14714003
Kuser, Luke
46
Wiklund (As=) House
<24
11 IGuilifing
Dwelling. single
Horne
built around a tent
SDS 2nd
Fedwal Adn
14
9
14714002
Wilifund, Amron
47
420th Coast Artillery
42
IIIAV
Site
Military, fortilonfian
2 Lakes Park
gun
$11 2nd
First Lake
-
City
48
Quarry
28
V
Site
Transportation
hwWpa*
for harbor breakwater
IOM 2nd
Federal Adn
Is
IA
14715024
Ennis, Don
49
Buick Bldg
<27
IV IBuilding
Store, specialty
AptiLaundromat
built by Paso Ogle
200 3rd
Original Tomt
10
21
14909003
Stawins. Mary
so
Eamon (also Helen Williams)
06
11
Building
Sk", specialty
Home
laundry, &M hene Nussbaum
207 3rd
Original Twnst
11
17
14905MO
Lwz, Polly
51,
Eamon
08
11
Building
Dwelling, single
apt
2D7.5 3rd
Original Twnst
11
17
.149=8
L=z, Polly
52
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Homeftbore
House of Diamond Willow
213.5 3rd
Original Twnst
11
14
149MO
Lorz, Polly
53
247
Ogle (Pete) House
15
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
earlier owned by Sol Urie
219 3rd
Original Twnst
11
11
114905020
Hatch, Am
54
Ft Raymond Barracks
42
111
Building
Military housing
Codarside Apts
moved by Nols Hagen
229 3rd
Original Twist
11
8
14905021
SultalCorpenter
55
246
SexaDn(Georve)Ho&seP&PMmhQ
<05
11
site
Dwelling, single
church site —
Tom down
301 3rd
Original Twnst
14
20
14906M5
Pentecostal Church
so
Andrews Hom
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Horne
305 31d
Original Twnst
14
is
imma
Atwood, Carol
57
11
1 Building
Dwelling. single
Horne
305 &it
Original Twist
14
14
14MOM
Johnson, Larry
58,
11
1 Building
Dwelling, single
Horne
307 3rd
Original Twnst
14
17
149MI
Kolar, Lonnie
59
Kreffing (Charles) Apts
08
11
IBuilding
Dwelling, multiple
Apt a-plex
30111 3rd
Original Twnst
14
is
146060r18
Gillespie, Tom
so
11
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
311 3rd
Original Twnst
14
15
140MO
Hedberg, Adam
61
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
317 3rd
Original Twnst
14
12
1411
Trask, Russel
62
Blue (Wafter)House (built by GfeM
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Real estate Office
my be oldest in Seward
321 3rd
Original Twnst
14
11
14900028
Bericardino, Coinnie
63
11
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Horne
377 3rd
Original Twist
14
7
.14908M
Swenson, Eric
64
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Horne,
329 3rd
Original Twnst
14
8
1149=23
Suilhan, Timothy
65,
32
Observation Car—
23
V
Railroad
Transportation, rail
Info Cache
401 3rd
Original Twnst
25
20
14WMM
Chamber of Commim
sa
Stewart (Duncan) House
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
Millionaires Row
411 3rd
Original Twnst
25
15
14WM0
Bryant Mary
67
223
Winter (George) House
05
1]
Building
Dwelling, single
Horne,
Millionaire's Row
413 3rd
Original Twnst
25
14
1141907011
Woom, Jim
68
227
Holland (Murray) House
05
11
IBuilding
Dwelling, single
Home
Millionaires Row
417 3rd
Original Twnst
25
12
114001,12
Landenburger, Eric
aq
Warner (Neeley) House
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single —
Home42D
3rd
Original Twnst
24
30
1481OD23
Res Bay 1rweste- Inc
70
231
Comm (J.B.) (Or. Romig) House
05
IVVNI
IBuilding
Dwelling, single/Hospito
Horne
Millionaires Row
423 3rd
Original Twnst
25
10
14WM3
Lind, Wilma
71
232
Hale (Eugene) House
05
11
Building
Dwelling, single —
Home
Millionaires Row
429 3rd
Original Twnst
25
7
14WM4
Folkark Fern
72
23
Ballaine (Frank) House
05
11
Building
Dwelling, single
HMO
Millionaire's Row
NR78, 1-951
437 31d
Original Twnst
25
2
14WM5
Seffor&KoszewWd
73
Shellhom (W.R.) House
28
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
built by Shollhom
500 3(d
Original Twnst
20
is
148011013
Colions, AMvd
74
<24
11
Building
Dwelling, skgle
Home
519 3rd
Original Twnst
26
11
14808=
Richardson. Monty
75
Alaska Communications
Is
V
Building
Housing, Institutional
Horne
$12 3rd
Federal Adn
3
4
14809012
Authier estate
76
AlaskaC�,unicvtiors
is
V
Building
Housing, Institutional
Home
813 W
lFederal Adn
4
1
1148OWW
Austin, Joseph
77
jAlaskaCorrimunicatiom
is
V
Building
Housing, Institutional
Home014
3rd
Federal Adn
3
f4
3
114MMI
I Borticavich. Sheila -
78
Alaska —
ka
Is
V
Building
Housing, Institutional
Home
615 3rd
Federal Adn
2
11411010005
Tyres, Ray
June 14, Ion, A.
so
Me
APPENDIX B: SEWARD HISTORICAL
SITE INVENTORY
0%
Historical Theme: 1-Prehistory; II -Exploration O Settlement III -Military, d Govemment; N-Commerce 3 Economic Development; V-Transportation 6 Communication; VI -Intellectual d Social Institutions; VII-Disasters snd Natural Hist
. u:_•_I_ r :i uc_sw•e 0 :. —n:..:ue• AmD.LaM.nindim Dd.nf.A• 1 R_Cr•mr.l Rwnister
mrserwumove.a.
amnia.
n.a-nau
rn.•..,ry ,.wtiC-11
Current
Use
REMARKS
ReglsM
Status
Phy+tui
Localian
Legal Deseriptio
KP5
Tax•
Current
owner
ity
lD6
R
•
Historical Name
Vr
Bur
Theme
Property
T
Sub-
Subd
&k
Lot
79
Ingram House
<24
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
711 3rd
Federal Ain
7
8
147130M
Werner, Ken
80
<24
g
Building
Dwelling, single
Office
810 3rd
Federal Ado
13
7
147240M
King
81
29
Alaska Railroad Mile 0
15
V
Site
Transportation, rail
4th Ave Dock
part of SeaLils Center
401 Railway
Waterfront T
2A
-
149=2
City I SHAMS
82
31
ARRI4th Ave Dock
35155
IVN
Structure
Transportation, water
Dock
part of SeaLife Carrier
401 Railway
WaAerhoM T
2A
149=2
City I SHAMS
83
148
Wilmot Trail mile 0
VI
Sit
Trail, winter use
park
401 Railway
Waterfront T
-
2
1492001/
City
84
300
Yukon Building
04
IV
Building
Commercial
Bar
built by DC Brownell
201 41h
Original Twirst
10
20
14ODMU
Cummings, Sue
85
Girs (Thorn's) Showcase Lounge
43
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Bar
2D8 4th
Original Twnst
9
24
14911003
Than, Louis
88
38
Brown O Hawkins Store
04
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Retail store
NR88. L95
209 4th
Original Twnst
10
17
149MG
Darling, Virginia
87
Alaska Shop
43
IV
Building
Store, department
Store
210 4th
Original Twnst
9
25A
14911034
Cane, Deve
88
DLK (Flamingo)
43
IV
Building
Restaurant
of oo
216 nth
OrgWat Twnst
9
29
14911MY
KoMalkifDunham
89
Urbach's Store
42
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Retail
218 48n
Original Twnst
9
30
14911MB
Urbach, Larry
90
Orfander Bldg
18
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Vacant
also owned by Jew Ellsworth
219 4th
Original Tvmst
10
11
149MO
White Mtn Tiring Co.
91
Seward Drug
43
IV
Building
Store, Specialty
Retail
built a6er'41 fire
220 48m
Original Twnst
9
31
14911000
Woem, Jim
92
The Mart
Alas
IV
Building
Store, department
Fora tmena=Ice
221 4th
Original Twmd
10
10
149MM
Johnson, Larry
93
McMullen Building
IV
Building
Store, specially
Retail222
4th
Original Twmd
9
32
14911010
Jail, BrucatDood
94
Osbo Bldg
IV
Building
Store, specially
In Home Video223
41h
Original Twmd
10
9
149=1
Murphy, Kevin
95
SenAen Candy Fountain
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Jewelry store
227 4dr
Original Tw at
10
7
1490OM
Thompson, Res
g8
Carson Meal (Wemees)
L25
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Retail230
48e
Original Twnst
9
36
14911014
Werner, Larry
97
Seward Trading Co.
IV
Building
Restaurant
AptsMcant
236 41h
original Twnst
9
39
14911017
Slmnon, Bart
98
Seward Trading Co.
IV
Building
Store, specialty
AptsNacant
grocery Mmu 1988
238 4th
Original Twnst
9
40
14911017
Stanton, Bart
99
City Hall
3as
III
Building
Govemment city hall
Travel Agency
300 4th
Original Twnst
16
21
14912MI
Dunham, Willard
100
242
Alaska House (Andrews Any Store)
OB
V
Site
Sure, specialty
Parking Id
tom down
304 4th
Original Twnst
16
23
14912019
City
101
34
Ft Raymond Chapel
42
IIWI
Building
Facility, religious
Church
l present sits'46, bumed'94
321 4th
Original Twma
15
10
14909013
Methodist Church
102
Johnson (Bob) Ants
<30
11
Building
Dwelling, multiple
Sprucetop Apts
maned from Mi 7
416 48n
Original Twnst
23
29
14812004
O'Brien, Pat
103
Garcia House
38
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
CO USCG MORRIS
SW 4th
Original Twnst
30
21
148130M
a anon, Margaret
101
Seward Elementary
25
VI
Site
School
AVTEC
Tom down
Sig 48n
Original TwmA
29
29
148110D3
Shia
105
Helm (John) House
We
II
Building
Dwelling, single
HomMBB.B
811 Alfh
Original Twnst
38
15
1480M
Sullivan I Calhoon
108
Helm (John) House
3as
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
613 4th
Federal Ain
3
1
14809aN
Stoltz, Sigrun
107
Tom Thodee House
<24
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
705 4th
Federal Adn
6
3
14T230DO
Bade, Jury
108
413
Seward Commercial Co. (Sauers Bldg
08
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Retail I BOB
225 48i
Original Twnst
10
8
1490802I
Turner, Gordan
109
Helm (John) House
30's
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
W9 4th
Original Twnst
38
18
14808022
dBrisn, Brands
110
303
Arctic Brotherhood Hall
07
VI
Building
Meeting hall
Dreamland BOW
202 Sth
Original Twnst
8
22
14913002
Kowalski -Ropers
ill
4as
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
212 Sth
Original Twmd
8
27
1149130M
Mal, Don
112
Seward (New) Hotel
48
IV
Building
Had
Hotel
217 Sth
Original Twmd
9
12A
11491102D
lNew Seward Flop Assoc
113
3as
N
Building
Dwelling, single
Hrbr Dnnr Cib
built by Charles Cooper
220 Sth
Original Twmd
8
27
1491 X=
Nomnn, Carl
114
302
HarborviewM/eir Apartments
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, multiple
Aptdbeauty shop
235 Sth
Original Twnst
8
37
14913009
lZilka, Christopher
115
Kenai Coop
4as
IV
Building
Store, specialty
Library
2385M
Original Twnst
5
40
14913010
Cityof Seward
lie
<24
11
Building
JDAWling, single
Home
308 Sth
Original Twnat
17
25
119/Al005
Fillinpim, Michel
117
147
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic
10
VI
Site
lReligious facility
Vacant land
Destroyed by firo'89
320 Sth
Original Twnst
17
17
14914026
Fox, William
June 14, 1996 Appendix B3
APPENDIX B: SEWARD HISTORICAL SITE INVENTORY
Historical Theme: 1-Prehistory; It-Erpbration & Settlement; IPA (Nary 6 Government; N-Commerce d Economic Development; V-Transporlation 6 CommunkMtkm; VI -Intellectual 3 Social ImNtulknis; VII-Disasters and Natural Hid
. ue ua•r uw..a.. ee..i_re. MT_r,Mnr uiclnrin Tell hIFAl rl Rwidw FIIni1J.• kiI2- JJ.wnhmthwr RaieArr• 1 R_CawnrA R.W"
City
1DO
R
i
4WMC40 Nam
Yr
Built
Theme
Type
Property
Type
Sub -Type
Current
use
REMARKS
Rplsbr
Status
pflygpll
Lot wm
Legal OsaeAptlo
KPB
Taxi
Conant
Owner
Subd
Mk
Lot
118
150 19webmnn
House
16
it lBuikhng
Dwelling. single
Home
Stucco Johnson home
NR78, L95
325 SM
Original TWnst
18
7
14912014
Msoci bei John
119
89
Ft Raymond NCO Club
41
IaM IBuilding
Military, facility
American Legion
400 56n
Original Twnst
22
22
14815001
American Legion
120
Ingram (Harriet) House
We
N JEMIding
Dwelling, single
Home
built it herself
SW Sth
Original Twnst
31
36
1481MM
Connelly, John'
121
<24
q ISuilding
Dwelling, single
Home
70 Bill
Oceaoviewsl0
9A
14rMM
Spada/Stevens
122
Shuster Howe
We
It I
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
215 6M
Original Twnst
8
13
14913013
Hody, Kkn
123
200
Government Cable Office
05
OW lBuilding
Communications
Home
WAMCAT house
NR80, L95
219 f11h
Original Twnst
8
11
U913014
Wiley, Mike
124
<27
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
223 fllh
Original Twnst
8
9
1491MIS
Barkley, James
125
Lochner House
<27
a
Building
Owelding, single
Home
235 61h
Original Twnst
8
3
14913017
DleckgraedL David
126
Keating Home
N
Buikdinq
Dwelling, single
Home
moved from Mi 7 in'30
we 66n
Original Twnst
18
25
149IMM
Leah, Jin
127
Malloy (Mike) House
<28
0
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
??moved from 1000BIk 2nd'28
313 6Sn
Original Twnst
17
14
14914017
Anderson, Val
128
Ft Raymond building
42
IN
Building
Miltary, facility
Home
to present she abouyfl0
317 66t
Original TWnst
17
it
1491401E
Hukn, Bemis
129
4201h Coast Artillery Quonset
42
111
Building
Military, facility
Home
400 fIM
Original Twnst
21
21
14817W1
Alaska Shrine Temple
130
4201h Coast Artillery Quonset
42
Ill
Building
Military, facility
Home
405 fllh
Original Twnst
21
23
14817W6
Lowen, Ann
131
420M Coast Artillery Quonset
42
111
Building
Military, facility
Home
408 fllh
Original Twat
21
25
14817W7
Laren, Ann
132
Ft Raymond building
42
III
Building
Military, facility
vaunt building
old Mini Mall, Country Kitchen
303 Adams
Original Tvmat
10
40
14905014
Leer Estate
133
Liberty Theatre (older name)
40s
VI
Building
Entenbrinmem, theater
Thee"
once where Eats is now,
304 Adams
Original Twnst
9
21
14909001
Fletcher, Skip
134
100
Van Gilder Hotel
18
IVNI
Building
Hotel
Hotel
NR80, L95
306 Ads=
Original Twnst
9
20
14909008
Nelson, Deanne
135
154
Harriman Bank
18
VNI
Building
FinanciaVschod
Ray Bldg
High School (1927)
5W Adams
Original Twnst
17
21
14914WI
Meehan @LaL
136
233
OddMknvs Hall (IOOF)
18
VI
Building
Meeting hall
SLAC
504 Adams
Original Twnst
17
21
14914W2
SLAC
137
Put Office (pe'24-28)
<27
III
Building
Goverment, post office
Hrbr Fuel Gres
2nd Hand Sore (1927)
508 Adams
Original Twmst
17
20
14914016
IN Ent Ito.
138
FL Raymond building
42
III
Building
Military, facility
vaunt
Reed's Jewelry building
608 Adams
Original Twnst
18
20
14918010
kpeen, Johnathon
139
Standard ON Manager House
28
INIV
Building
Dwelling, single
HomaIBSB
611 Adams
Original Twnst
7
1
14915014
H9ckeI, JwklJane
140
I-eirer Dairypastures
IV
Site
Agriculture
airporVARR
-
-
-
Slate DOTIPF & ARR
141
Highway Maintenance Shop
We
III
Building
Public works
Maint Shop
412 B St
Omnview
4
6
14732W8
Sob DOTPsF
142
Evans House
We
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
moved from old airpod'40's
231 9slisira
Original Twist
7
5
14915012
BrNbin, Mks
143
1420th Coast Artillery Quonset
42
III
Building
Military, facility
Sbnage
403 BaSains
Original Tvmst
21
19
14817003
Modena, Max
1"
Tr ins Sawmill
Site
lCommencial
subdivision
numerous locations
Bear Lk Rd
Bear Lake
-
145
Schoolhouse (1 mom)
<24
VI
Building
School
Home
a wayside?
- Bear Lk Rd
Woodrow
35
12503216
Daniels, Sam
146
Magistrate
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
chimney origirud
. Beer Lk Rd
Woodrow
64
1125=1
Weimer, Leonard
147
Ft Raymnd Mantry Mess Hall
42
1 III
IStructurs
Military, tactility _
Duplex_
original location (Bldg M2501311)
2403 Bitch
Forest Acres
S
11450M
Off, Nat an
148
Home Brew Alley (upper)
077
N
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
200 Bmwnd
Original Twnst
12
22
114W2DDI
ICI@y Estate
149
Rasumsson (Andy) Sawmill
03
IV
Site
Commercial
Vaunt
where rid bocarwas
1207 Chamberlain
Cliff Adn
-
-
ROW
City
150
Leiter (Senior) home
40
11
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
1411 Chamberlain
Cliff Adn
10
8
14722DOS
Krook. Randy
151
33
Resurrection Luthem Church
16
VI
Building
Religious facility
Homdan gallery
formerly Mediodist Church
302 Church
Original Twist
15
31
14909017
Ohm, Mike
152
Cemetery, Jesse Lee Home
27.43
VI
Site
Cemetery
Cemetery
300 Coolkip Or
Ft Raymond
-
1
14502NO
City
153
Leber Dairy Barn
47
INIV
Site
Facility, animal
Storage
built by Adelman
1 W Dairy HiN Ln
Bayview
1
row,
14707W2
Laker, Haman
154
Leirer Home
20
II
Building
Dwelling. single
Home
100 Dairy KA Ln
Beyview
1
1
147070111
Laker, Herman
155
Elwell Log House
25
II
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
she workedlhe dank beer
103 Dairy Hill Ln
CHIT Adn
5
8
14700019
Herderiong, Ron
158
TS Sanitarium
46
VI
Site
Medical, sanitarium
Mil Rec Camps
closed in'S5
2201 Dirriald Bid
Ft Raymond
-
9A
14502W4
City
June 14, 19" A-
we me wo
APPENDIX B: SEWARD HISTORICAL SITE INVENTORY
Historical Theme: 1-Prehistory; It -Exploration h Settlement; III-Mlitary 6 Government; N-Commerce 6 Economic Devetopmend; V-Transportation 6 Communication; VI -Intellectual & Social Institutions; VII-Diwsbrs and Natural Hist
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REMARKS
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Reglshr
Status
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_.___—_
Legal Destdptb
KPB
Teat
Comm
OWMr
City
Ins
R
B
Nlehrleal Name
Yr
Bulk
Theme
Properly
Sub-
Current
Use
Subd
91k
Lot
157
Ft Raymond Army Magazines (2)
42
III
Shucturo
Military, facility
Unused
2707 Dimond Blvd
Jap Crk
14531002
Schafer, Al
158
Black Cabin
II
Building
Camp
Public cabin
in National Park
MIS ErelrrlacierRd
Placer Croak
-
Pads SerWm
159
11
Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel
37
81VI1
Structure
Public works
Tunnel
NR77, L95
100 Lowell Pt Rd
USS 703
-
14MM7
City
100
90
Mt Marathon TralitRace
05
VI
SM
Recreation, outdoor
Trail
2nd oldest loot racein USA
NRJ
300 LoMellCynRd
City S Shh
fell
Alaska Freight Unes
40s
VAY
Structure
Transportation, water
Dock
east side of bay
1103 Nash Rd
USS 3924
-
2
14533WS
Bardarson, Blaine
182
161
Alaska Flag Raising
27
VI
site
Commemorative
Yard
in front of Jesse Lee Home
1822 Phoenur Rd
Jesse Lee His
158
14502320
Idek, Frank
163
3
Jesse Lee Home
27
VI
Building
Housing, institutional
Vacant
NR95, L98
1828 Phoenix Rd
Jesse Lae Ho,
158
14502320
hick Frank
164
151
Emus Noon Side
08
IV
Building
Commerical
Seaview Plaza
No longer NHR eligible
302 Rahway
Original Twnst
3
32
14907001
Undsey/Siemenskl
165
Sewerd Machine Shop
15
IV
Building
Commercial
Abandoned
305 Raikvay
Original Twnst
3
5
14907004
Pruitt, James
168
Arcade Building
43
Will
Building
Dwelling, multiple
Apls.'Rehil
1 st floor rebuilt of ee4l fire
400 Ralway
Original Tvmst
4
37
14910001
Coleman, Don
167
Hoban Park
<27
VI
Site
Recreation, outdoor
Park
aka Arcade, Ladies, Niles Park
401 Railway
WstemoMT
-
2
1492DO14
City
168
1
Alaska Railroad Depot
17
V
Building
Transportation, rail
Ferry office
NR87, L95
501 Rsikvay
Waterfront T
-
1
14=013
City
169
Poundals Landing Site
03
It
Site
Commemorative
monument
613 Ralwwy Ave
Waterfront P
-
CRY
170
12
Cemetery, Woodlawn
18
VI
Site
Cemetery
Abandoned
Salmon CkR
Woodlawn
1
14411003
City of Seward
171
Primrose Mine
IV
Structure
Facility, ezbactive
Mine
Mill Seward Hwy
USFSIMoore
172
Primrose Cabin
42
9
Building
Camp
Cabin
Primrose Trail
His Seward Hwy
-
USFSSdoare
173
Covered highway bridges
V
Struturo
Transportatin, road
abandoned
abutiments still visible
2708 Seward Hwy
-
ARR
174
Jests Les Superindent's House
42
VI
Building
Dwelling, single
Home
1810 9walmann
Jesse Lee Hts
2
2A
1/520030
Ce K Am
175
Ft Raymond Navy Magazine (2)
42
III
Structure -
Military, facility
Unused
424 Unimak
Galsway
Tr F
-
1/535001
Oily
176
208
Sotlys
09
p/
Building
Commercial
Office
built by Bmius
411 Washington
Original Tvmat
4
1
14910002
George, Lea
177
301
The Louvre (also The Belmont)
OS
IV
Site
Hotel/Restaurant
Restaurant
original torn down udy'80s
112 Washington
Od9lr+al Tvmat
9
20
140I1033
BtaOcMord, et It.
178
Ft Raymond Bldg t202
42
111
Building
Military, facility
Warehouse
702 Aspen
Ft Raymond
5
1/502509
Oily
179
Ft Raymond Bldg a205
42
III
Building
Military, facility
Mess hall
2101 Dimond BNd
Ft Raymond
7A
14502807
CRyK'arps Hass
180
Ft Raymond Bldgs a254 8 258-261
42
111
Building
Military, facility
Rec camp
2013 Seward lkrwy
Ft Raymond
7A
14502507
Cdy0Corps fuse
181
Lowell Homesite
law
II
Site
Settlement
street, IMS
tested under Sec 108 SAAMS
313 Railway Ave
Waterfront T
i
City I SAAMS I Uof A
182
Alaska Central Railroad Tunnel 01
V
Structure
Transportation, rail
ARR tunnel
NR77, L95
Mi g Seward Hwy
ARR
183
184
185
—
187
188
189
190
June 14, 1996 Appendix B5
Appendix C. Community Survey
Following is a summary of survey responses:
1. Which category best describes you? ( Note: Some cited more than one category)
Local govt 4 Non-profit agency I
State Agency 2 Private Business 15
Federal Agency 2 Private Citizen 27
Other (Borough) 3
2. Describe how you envision the growth of Seward by the year 2005.
Increased tourism 24 Rapid growth 7
Steady growth 19 Changes/impacts from ASLC 8
Growth outside city (annexation) 10
3. List what you consider significant historic resources:
Depot/Hoben Park
27
Benny Benson Memorial 7
Jesse Lee Home
23
Van Gilder Hotel 7
Downtown (14/9 general/specific Bldg.)
23
Resurrect Art 6
Millionaire's Row
13
Ballaine House 5
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
11
Navy Radio Station 5
Iditarod Trail
8
Also cited: 2 to 4 notations: small homes/cottages, Liberty Theater, Railroad Car (information
cache), cemeteries, archives, archaeological sites, railroad houses on Fourth Ave, Marathon
Mtn, waterfront, parks, library, Quonset huts, Ft Raymond.
4. Rate the impacts of the following on historic and archaeological properties in the
Seward area:
Minor a Impacts C> Major
1 2 3 4 5
Development Pressure
9
8
6
6
15
Natural Resource Development
12
11
11
7
2
Population Shifts
6
9
11
8
5
Lack of Funds
2
3
6
9
25
Inappropriate Renovations
5
6
8
12
13
Abandonment/Neglect
0
0
6
17
24
Water/Erosion
3
5
12
11
12
Road Construction
13
10
9
7
2
Tourism
7
4
10
11
10
Other
0
0
0
0
0
5. What proposed development, clean-up or other activities threaten historical and
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Appendix C 1
archaeological sites in the Seward area?
Alaska SeaLife Center: 4 Increased traffic: 3
Depot/Hoben Park status: 3 Jesse Lee Home litigation: 3
Fort Raymond (construction): 3
Also cited: flood danger, waterfront development, open space development, "overdone
archaeological concerns," lack of development, logging within view of Resurrection Bay,
archaeological sites have been lost to earthquake and erosion.
6. What programs, projects, and/or events highlight preservation in Seward?
Museum/Founder's Day, Bicentennial of Phoenix:
15
Resurrection Bay Historical Society:
9
Effort of Seniors to save Jesse Lee Home:
7
Historic Walking Tour:
6
Efforts of private property owners:
5
Iditarod (Seavey's'94 start from Seward):
5
Historic Preservation Commission:
4
4th of July Celebration/Mt. Marathon Race:
6
Efforts of Women's Club for Depot:
3
Downtown business owners efforts:
3
Library archives:
3
Also cited more than once: Kenai Fjords National Park archaeology awareness
program, cemetery plotting.
7. a. What value do you place on Seward's historic and archaeological properties?
(1=low; 5=high) 2) 1 response; 3) 9 responses; 4) 9 responses; 5) 16 responses
7. b. What value do you think the community places on these resources?
1) 4 responses 2) 11 responses 3) 11 responses 4) 4 responses 5) 4 responses
8. What opportunities exist for adaptive use of historic buildings and properties in
Seward?
19 Depot/Hoben Park (museum, gallery, performing arts, community center, native
cultural center, community hall, gateway interpretive site)
6 Jesse Lee Home (Seward Senior Citizen's proposal)
7 Heritage tourism and interpretation (signage)
4 Private investment
General comments: Need to use, not just preserve, historic sites.
9. Considering the current political and economic climate in Seward, rate historic
preservation assistance that would be most effective.
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Appendix C 2
Least
Effective
Most
Effective
1
2
3
4
5
Local Protective Legislation
7
4
12
2
14
State Protective Legislation
10
6
11
4
9
Local Economic Incentives
0
3
7
12
18
State Economic Incentives
2
3
9
10
14
Private Financial Incentives
0
1
9
10
14
Nonprofit Financial Incentives
2
1
11
12
10
Public Education
1
1
9
12
16
Other
0
0
0
0
money!
10. What historic and archaeological properties are you most interested in? Feel are most
endangered?
Jesse Lee Home: 12 Archaeological sites: 3
Depot: 11 Greenbelt: 3
Railroad Car (information cache): 6 Navy Radio Station: 3
Downtown: 4 Woodlawn Cemetery: 2
St. Peter's Episcopal Church: 4
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Appendix C 3
r
Appendix D. Town Meeting Agenda
November 15, 1995
hosted by: Seward Historic Preservation Commission
L INTRODUCTION
A. Purpose of the Meeting
B. Format
C. Introduce Commissioners/Staff
II. ROLE OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
A. Background
B. Activities
M. DOES SEWARD'S PAST HAVE A PLACE IN ITS FUTURE?
IV. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER SEWARD'S GREATEST HISTORIC TREASURES?
V. ARE ANY OF THESE SITES THREATENED? (by growth, development,
abandonment, deterioration)
VI. WHAT IS/ARE THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE HISTORIC
PROPERTIES?
VU. OPEN MIKE
VIII. WRAP UP
Seward Historic Preservation Plan
Appendix D 1
15
RAILROAD
DOCK
SMALL
BOAT
HARBOR
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li
UP
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Resurrection Bey
LEGEND
- — — - SHORELINE
PROPERTY LINE
I
Mr
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sg s
LOCATION MAP
SEWARD MARINE
INDUSTRIAL CENTER
FOURTH OF
dJLY CREEK �
VICNe i MP
Seward Historic Preservation Plan Appendix E 1
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Appendix E 3