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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12092021 Historic Preservation LAYDOWN - Facebook Report211209 HP LAYDOWN Facebook Report Facebook Page Report December 9, 2021 HPC Meeting Mary Ann Benoit Overview In November, the 3 new posts listed in the October Facebook page report were put out and the Facebook statistics were as follows. The reach was down 16%. There was a total of 41 likes and 5 comments on the 3 posts. We had 403 followers in all age ranges, mainly women. lttswi is Fac►e'}b0*4 Wage Reach 4G3 1 1b T%- Content 0 Sc+C feSUhS tE'"t Th�-rks try ta+,nmr:sraner Neavv porn u: cn ClcSatSi+v Audifoc.e Facotjrxxk Paw}V faltic na^s 403 A" S C4nd" -'- -- -sr .-.p Srxt by Rcw v Thank ycx to the peso •Te 6 Mm RM am 1 '-Im !'' 'M 1s 24 25 3.1 15-44 45.54 .-- wC'rrn M men Summary from Last Meeting The city administers the Facebook page. Previously, the Deputy City Clerk created posts from materials I submitted in these monthly Facebook page reports. After the Deputy Clerk left, the city was short- handed and some posts did not go out as scheduled, were out of order, some graphics were unreadable and public comments were not being addressed. When alerted to the situation, the solution offered was to change the process, requiring 2 additional documents per post (a text and image file with dated naming convention) in addition to the Facebook report to make it easier for city employees to do the posts. This changed the requirements for me to create 9 documents per month instead of 1. Because this would significantly increase the time needed for me to do the Facebook page, I shared that I was unable to put in the time required and offered to step down and allow someone else to take on the role. There were no volunteers. Bailey Sayer was asked if she would have time to administer the Facebook page and she agreed, but would still need these additional documents. I offered to reduce the workload of city employees by posting the already approved posts myself, which would be easy and less time consuming for me. The clerks office was going to check with the city attorney to see if I could manage the page. I said I would wait to decide if I would step down after seeing what the attorney said. Decisions to Be Made The city attorney recommended the city maintain control of the page based on "liability and other issues". I ask the commission to consider the following options or other ideas for the Facebook page. 1. 1 step down and we shut the Facebook page down. 2. 1 step down and someone else manages the page. I stay in the role and create one monthly post rather than 4 weekly posts per month. This would require me to create 3 documents per month instead of 9. This is more time consuming than what I have been doing but I am willing to make the time for one post rather than shutting the page down. It is not ideal though for maintaining public interest as I believe people prefer shorter posts. The one post could be a graphic and complete text of each sign (rather than breaking it into 4 pieces for weekly posts as we were doing). 4. Other ideas? Posts for 6 months with Option 3 Posts for the next 6 month if you choose option 3 would be: arc.. , 3'14 ] WK1 A 100 YEAR FAMILY AFFAIR- Brown & Hawkins- 209 Fourth Ave Brown & Hawkins is the oldest continuously operated business in Seward. T.W. Hawkins came to Seward in 1903 and went into partnership with Charles E. Brown, building what would become a general store, clothing store, and the Seward Commercial Club (now Sweet Darling's). They provided provisions to pioneers throughout the territory and became the and became the first bank and telegraph office in Seward and more. Brown and Hawkins were also active in other ventures. Brown operated a satellite store on a barge, the S.S. Bertha, at Ship Creek and the Brown & Hawkins store in Anchorage. Hawkins supported artist and author Rockwell Kent during his stay on Fox Island. The Brown & Hawkins store is mentioned several times in Kent's book Wilderness: A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska. Kent even painted a portrait of Hawkins' daughter Virginia which can be seen in the Seward Community Library and Museum. In 1946, ill health forced Hawkins to lease the store to his son, James. T.W. Hawkins died later that year, and James ran the store for 10 years. In the 1920s, James had taken lessons from the famous Dutch painter Jan van Empel, who painted the unique Ascension painting at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church. There are several of James' original paintings upstairs in Brown & Hawkins. James turned the store over to his sister Virginia in 1956 and left Seward for San Francisco to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Under Virginia's leadership, the buildings were recognized for their historic significance and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Virginia was instrumental in establishing the Resurrection Bay Historical Society in Seward. She hosted many high school dances upstairs in the famous ballroom and was always there for families in need of clothing, food, and money. In 1989 Virginia passed the torch to son Hugh Darling and his wife Iris, and they began a complete renovation to preserve the building and restore it to its original condition. Thanks to 100 years of family stewardship, Seward has retained a unique glimpse into the past carried on now by current artists and historians Michelle and Jeff Cobble. there for families in need of clothing, food, and money. In 1989 Virginia passed the torch to son Hugh Darling and his wife Iris, and they began a complete renovation to preserve the building and restore it to its original condition. Thanks to 100 years of family stewardship, Seward has retained a unique glimpse into the past carried on now by current artists and historians Michelle and Jeff Cobble. BUILTTO LAST- McMullen Building 222 Fourth Ave Since this building was completed in 1930, it has survived time, fire, and earthquake. The building was constructed by locally renowned craftsman Gerhard "Stucco" Johnson using locally made concrete blocks. The building served many unique functions and was an essential part of the town's social fabric like its owners, Luella and Paul (P.C.) McMullen. The top floor housed a Masonic lodge. The lower level was a grocery/ clothing/sundries shop, McMullen's Fine Staples and Groceries, specializing in fisherman's supplies and mail order provisions. Luella and P.C. McMullen were creative entrepreneurs, running many different businesses, including a grocery store, a dress shop, and even a funeral parlor (the Seward Undertaking Company). Luella Kelsey McMullen (she was a single school teacher, Luella Kelsey, when she moved to town in 1921.) She was highly involved in local affairs, active in 4H, and a director of Seward's Women's Club. She was well respected by civic leaders. After P.C. died in 1938, Luella married local contractor Ray James and continued operating the store. Luella James was also instrumental in the organization of the Resurrection Bay Historical Society and the Seward Museum. On November 23, 1941, a devastating fire tore through downtown Seward. The fire started after the Second Chance Barber Shop's proprietor on Fourth Avenue spilled fuel on his floor when trying to light his oil stove. When he lit the match, it ignited the spilled fuel and started a tragic fire that destroyed many businesses in two downtown blocks. The fire stopped at the McMullen building, possibly because the concrete walls served as a fire break. The McMullen building has stood the test of time, enduring that fire and the 1964 earthquake. It continues to provide a well-built home for numerous businesses today. GET WELL FED AND WELL READ - Seward Commercial Company- 225 Fourth Ave The Seward Commercial Company began in 1905 on the southeast end of Fourth Avenue with owner E.W. Young. He partnered with William M. Sauers and sold out to him in 1906. In 1908, Sauers built the new Seward Commercial Company in its current location. The Seward Commercial Company operated as a general merchandising store and lending library, with a meeting hall and dance hall upstairs, known as Commercial Hall. Sauers' store was a godsend for everyone, including mushers and their dog teams. He stocked just about everything you needed or wanted, and if he didn't have it, he ordered it. Sauers tried to outdo his competition at Brown & Hawkins and others in the "egg wars" with advertisements for who controlled the most chickens and how fresh and inexpensive the eggs were. Sauers' store also functioned as a community hub. In 1914, he hosted a well -attended special dance in honor of the much -needed Alaska Railroad Bill. Fights were also a source of local entertainment. According to local historian Doug Capra, one fight resulted in a broken window at Sauers' store; Sauers commented to a reporter at the time that he would not press the matter because he got "a lot of fun out of the battle." The store not only made sure you were well-fed but also well-read. The Seward Commercial Company participated as a "circulating library" along with the local paper, churches, and other businesses. This community library effort began when Seward was founded, was formalized as the Seward Community Library Association in 1930, and eventually became our community library. Over time the building served many purposes. Today it houses The Sea Bean Cafe and Sauerdough Lodging. The name Sauerdough is a tribute to the original builder, William Sauer. Come in and enjoy great coffee, food and tun -of -the -last - century apartments with clawfoot tubs and modern amenities. ., ... *, Beach Front Property- The Standard Oil Managers House- r ,rx `. 611 Adams Street In the 1920s, women got the vote, Harding won the Presidency, and Standard Oil Company of California came to town! At the time, Seward wanted to be the center of commerce in Southcentral Alaska and actively competed to attract businesses. Seeing the value of Seward's strategic location for shipping oil, Standard Oil invested in the community and built a boiler house, five oil tanks, buildings, and a dock along the existing shoreline and railroad. It brought publicity, jobs, cheap fuel, and financial flexibility to businesses in Seward. In 1928 Standard Oil bought this property for $200 and built this house for their manager, William C. Erwin, who was hired to oversee the Standard Oil operation. Local author John Paulsteiner said, "Of all the ' people I know, the Bill Erwin family is the most outstanding family Seward ever had. I had many an opportunity to speak to him whenever he had some longshore work loading and unloading the tankers. He was a good man to work for and got along with everybody." Standard Oil was a significant advantage for Seward and expanded its presence in Seward overtime. However, in 1964 the Good Friday Earthquake destroyed the entire Standard Oil facility when it caused the land on which it sat to subside into the ocean. Floating while on fire, the exploding tanks made it appear as if "Seward was burning." Amazingly, this house survived, becoming beachfront property. The Standard Oil Manager's House is now the Adams Street Bed and Breakfast. It arguably has a much prettier view of the ocean without the tanks, buildings, and other industrial development. Mobile Home Living- The Dryden House- 308 Sixth Ave ,W. s ° Alaska images from the 19th and early 20th centuries sometimes show lam ____ s;,t horses moving whole houses to new locations. People frequently moved their entire homes when the "grass was greener" somewhere -� r ° s else or after a local catastrophe such as a fire. Homes were uprooted from the foundations, loaded onto wooden -- platforms with wheels, and dragged with horses to new locations. j a ' Later, trucks replaced the horses. In Seward, buildings were frequently moved and re -purposed. In 1905 the Coleman House was moved from a block south on the lower end of Fourth Avenue, where it had initially been the Alaska Central Commercial Company. R This house was built around 1920 in the small homesteading community of Woodrow (located at Mile 7 of the Seward Highway) and was moved here around 1930. Calvin M. Brosius sold the property to William H. Dryden in 1929. Dryden was a potato farmer at Woodrow, and the house may have once been a barn. Do you think that moving a house that distance with horses sounds far-fetched? In 1928, the Malloy House, located just across the street at 313 Sixth Avenue, was moved from above Second Avenue, and shortly after World War II, the house at 317 Sixth Avenue was moved from Fort Raymond, along with many Seward homes. Houses have moved around Seward like a game of moveable chairs. What can we say, we are a resourceful bunch! If Walls Could Talk- The Malloy House- 313 Sixth Ave Named for its original owner, Bessie M. Malloy, this house had a previous life on a hill above Second Avenue. After avalanches buried some of the neighboring houses, Malloy purchased this lot for $250 and moved the house here. This house has seen a lot, including an influx of more than 3,200 soldiers in Seward during World War II, Alaska statehood in 1959, and the most exciting of all: the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. During the ism earthquake, the Anderson family (who lived in the house at the time) -J had to run for their lives, leaving the front door wide open as the Standard Oil tanks a block away exploded and the earth shook. MalloyIn 1970, the National Research Council described the devastation of that day by saying, "probably nowhere in south central Alaska on March 27, 1964, were there more hairbreadth escapes than among the 2,300 inhabitants of the seaport town of Seward...". Owner Susie Anderson White was 9 years old when she wrote, "All of a sudden everything broke loose, and we were shaking real bad. I started to scream, and my sister Sharon told me I didn't stop screaming. We saw a huge explosion. It was the Standard Oil tanks going up in flames. When we went past the boat harbor, we could see boats being lifted up by the tidal wave." Her father, Val Anderson, wrote, "We spent the night listening to the Standard Oil tanks exploding, the tidal waves coming in and watching the great red glare of the fire lighting the skies and mountainsides. We didn't think there was a chance in the world our house could survive." But the house did survive and kept adapting to changing times. Today Seward depends more on tourism, and this house offers nightly lodging to these travelers. It hears their stories, and now they hear its story. Additions from Commissioners?