Has anyone spent time in Galena? (Anchorage, Fairbanks: how much, home, school district)

[guvjim]

I spent the better part of three years in Galena back in the 50s and to be honest, I have had a desire to go back to that part of Alaska. I suppose it has changed, like every other place, but the memories I have from that time in my life are refreshing. I remember the frigid temperatures, the long nights, the Midnight sun, the mosquitoes, the rich colors and the Northern lights. Never have I seen such beauty in any place I have since traveled. We were actually 9 miles from Galena, at Campion Air Force Station, where I was an air traffic controller. I left there in 1957. I understand that Campion has become some sort of a school now and that Galena has been moved away from the Yukon River. We used to run a lottery on what day the Yukon would break up. I missed it by one day in 1956. Inside one of the chunks of ice that tumbled upon the shoreline was a bush pilot who had been missing for two years. Perfectly preserved in that chunk of ice. I had a wonderful time there, and would love to go back just to see how drastically it has all changed. I'm certain that I would never recognize any of it now, including Baker's Canyon, where we used to explore almost daily. The skiiing, the tobogganing, the ice skating. Those really were the days.

[Rance]

It must have been great to be here back then. I did'nt get up here until 1967, and it's wild how much Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula have grown over the years.

[j billings]

Originally Posted by guvjim

I spent the better part of three years in Galena back in the 50s and to be honest, I have had a desire to go back to that part of Alaska. I suppose it has changed, like every other place, but the memories I have from that time in my life are refreshing. I remember the frigid temperatures, the long nights, the Midnight sun, the mosquitoes, the rich colors and the Northern lights. Never have I seen such beauty in any place I have since traveled. We were actually 9 miles from Galena, at Campion Air Force Station, where I was an air traffic controller. I left there in 1957. I understand that Campion has become some sort of a school now and that Galena has been moved away from the Yukon River. We used to run a lottery on what day the Yukon would break up. I missed it by one day in 1956. Inside one of the chunks of ice that tumbled upon the shoreline was a bush pilot who had been missing for two years. Perfectly preserved in that chunk of ice. I had a wonderful time there, and would love to go back just to see how drastically it has all changed. I'm certain that I would never recognize any of it now, including Baker's Canyon, where we used to explore almost daily. The skiiing, the tobogganing, the ice skating. Those really were the days.

I came to galena,1 year at campion. married a girl from ruby in 1960.

[j billings]

I came to galena in 1960 1 year at campion married a girl from ruby by the name of Darlene Demoski, we have 6 kids 13 grand children 3 gratechildren.
name is john.

[guvjim]

Originally Posted by j billings

I came to galena in 1960 1 year at campion married a girl from ruby by the name of Darlene Demoski, we have 6 kids 13 grand children 3 gratechildren.
name is john.

I imagine things have changed a lot since the 50s. (57 to be exact). Back then, Galena was little more than a hunting village. A lot of lean-to's, a metal building that served as a post office and probably some general items. I remember a coffee shop being there, the lady who ran it I think her name was Mary. I understand that Campion is just a land fill now. That seems a shame. Do you still live in Galena?

[j billings]

The air force will be out of galena in sept. of 08. the city and school is in the process of taking over bldgs. for the boarding school, enrollment will be 150 for the school on base and 145 for the city school and 3800 for our home school program state wide. the girl you speak of in the coffee shop might of been mary stickman. my wife would like to know your name as she was 17 at time lived in ruby but went to campion many times to go dancing.

[guvjim]

My name is Jim Thompson. I remember our radio station from Campion was mostly country music because the guy who had the most air time was a guy we called "Country Boy Bishop". We went to Galena one night to hear a "concert" by the natives, who, when guys went to rotate back to the lower 48 would trade their guitars, banjos, etc. to the natives for parkas, muk luks (MS) or whatever, and I was completely astonished at what I witnessed. It was like attending "The Grand Ole Opry". Just by listening to the radio, these people had learned to play the instruments perfectly. I happen to have a picture of me at the time I was there taken in December of 1956. If you would care to see it. let me know.

[earls]

Wow for such a small community it is amazing that two people would respond that knew about the town. I know a missionary family that is in the process of getting settled in at Galena. A friend of mine had been there when he was in the Air Force. I was under the impression that the base was already closed and it is good to hear that the buildings are going to be used for/by the community. I have read about Ruby I have not been there but understand it is the hub for several small mining communities.

Jim/John If you would care to send me copies of your pictures I would appreciate it. I am particularly interested in any pictures along the Yukon Eagle to the mouth. Do you know anything about Horner Hot Springs.

[j billings]

Hi jim if you log on galena city schools web site it has a lot of info also kiyu.com web site or radio station and yes we would like to see pic. of you. hi earls horner hot is about 25 miles above ruby, my wife has been their many times when younger.

[Ken G. Brown]

If it weren't for the music scene in Fairbanks, I'd be living and teaching in Galena right now.

I can't think of a better place to live in Alaska. The way the school district runs the city school, the residential school (with beauty school and culinary school), and the internet school is amazing.