Any Fairbanks Old Timers Around? (Homer, Wainwright: high school, live, restaurant)

[Basse Bud]

RW,

Your observations regarding the current inhabitants of Fairbanks seems to be dead-on.
It is a pity that more of the "old timers" don't visit or comment here. Or, it may be that you and
I are the only ones left! (now there is a scary thought!)

I understand your situation with earlier generations; we all have those regrets. While there will be the
written accounts of the life and times of mid-century Fairbanks, those available to give first-hand accounts are disappearing.

"...the purpose of life is the collection of memories. "

-paraphrase, Mr. Carson, Head of Staff, Downton Abbey.

[shortstepmike]

Originally Posted by Basse Bud

RW,

Your observations regarding the current inhabitants of Fairbanks seems to be dead-on.
It is a pity that more of the "old timers" don't visit or comment here. Or, it may be that you and
I are the only ones left! (now there is a scary thought!)

I understand your situation with earlier generations; we all have those regrets. While there will be the
written accounts of the life and times of mid-century Fairbanks, those available to give first-hand accounts are disappearing.

"...the purpose of life is the collection of memories. "

-paraphrase, Mr. Carson, Head of Staff, Downton Abbey.

It's funny listening and watching the young as well as the older newcomers to Alaska this days, with an idea that Alaska Is still a Wild Frontier. And then after a while calling themselves an Alaskans (the real thing in their minds. Of the past times now gone for about 40 years) And yes, the Wild Alaska is still out there just outside their front door...but people and the times that they lived in, are just a memory of the few who are still around. I keep asking myself, why they are here ? if you wanna live in the city, work 8 to 5 jobs and live in a house straight from the 48 states ? imposing laws and regulation that have no place here, in the first place ? Alaska like all frontiers of the past, was about the live and the times that when people lived there demanded from them, and that's gone. The technology and the people who come here from the 48 to The State of Alaska, instead of a "frontier" killed it. But wouldn't be fun ? if all that modern B'S Alaskan lifestyle failed and we woken up in The Alaska of the real old timers who came up here before the 50s...at least ?...Hell yea ! It would be !

[shortstepmike]

Anyone here remembers Bill White ? Was born in Oklahoma and came up here in the 70's, after serving in the Vietnam war ? Died in 2004, was then a driver for the Executive Taxi ? Spend his final years living at the Frontier Lodge Motel & Apartments -in a room above the Frontier Club ?

[mitgreb]

Been here since 78 not leaving.I know some old timers some that where born here and are into there 7th, 8th or 9th decades. They don't have any use for the internet!

[Basse Bud]

A pity. They are exactly the ones who's memories and comments would be the most valuable!
Those that remember 2nd Ave., between Cushman and Noble, as the as the hub of nightlife
in Fairbanks would be the last of the true Sourdoughs. Head into town for a few drinks and enjoy
the live music! And then, of course, the occasional moose that would wander into town and become
an issue! Glaze Ice and panicked Moose make for exciting times!! Or, how about the time when
Fairbanks had two jets, Pan American and Alaska (with a single Convair 880) daily between Fairbanks
and Seattle. ( Alaska Airlines was a lot more fun in the early Jet age! Stand-up bar, brass rail, beer on tap
and electric candles, Barbary Coast -Bordello- red flocked wallpaper! It really was more fun!) And did I mention
the one-way $99.00 fare? The good old days!

[Basse Bud]

Sorry, Mike, that was after my time in Fairbanks. The taxi drivers of all periods
were a breed apart. On more than one occasion it was the cab driver who opened
the door, deposited the falling-down drunk soul in their house and went about picking up the next fare
...having just prevented someone from passing out on the porch at -40 ! Those drivers were folks
that saved the day on a regular basis. God bless 'em!

[tomvinson]

Well, The owner of the Cripple Creek Resort was Don Pearson, my cousin. My mother's brother's son.
Don retired to Yuma, Arizona some time ago and died last year.


I spent the summer of 1962 (I was in High School) working for Don at Cripple Creek.


What a wonderful time and Place it was. Great memories. Great guy......

[Basse Bud]

Was this the same gentleman who owned and operated the Malemute Saloon in the 60's?

[tomvinson]

Yes. He owned the Hotel, the Malemute Saloon and had an interest in the Steamer Nenana.
He recited the Service poetry at the Malemute every night for many years. I think Don moved to Fairbanks in the late '50s.

[Basse Bud]

Tom.

Yes, he was doing the poetry at the Malemute in 1961 I was unaware he had an interest in the Nenana.
I remember the paddlewheeler on the south bank of the Chena just west of Cushman. I understand it had been salvaged
and is now elsewhere.