Walk through a series of historical buildings, some cabins are now occupied by shops and restaurants during the open season of Memorial to Labor Day! Enjoy a walk around the park and take in the historical placards listed on each cabin, even in winter time.
Show Map
Walking Tour Points
1
Pioneer Hall was designed in 1966 to represent a fine 1900’s era building. It houses the Pioneer Museum and The Big Stampede Theater.
2
Cabin #2 was constructed in 1906 as the Palace Hotel and Bath House, and was originally located at 194 4th Avenue near Cushman Street. In 1957, the bathhouse was renamed the Chena Hotel, and was moved to its location at Pioneer Park in 1967.The Palace Emporium specializes in unique gifts, food, drinks, and apparel.
3
4
Cabin #4 was built in 1903 by the founder of Loomis Security, L.B. Loomis. The Little Willow, owned and operated by Gail Kennedy, specializes in beadwork, and other handmade items.
5
This cabin was moved from 653 8th Avenue and presumably built in the 1920’s. All the original records of this cabin, and many others in the park were on file prior to the 1967 flood, but the records were lost at that time. The cabin is now occupied by Oh So Wonderful, and is owned and operated by Bonnie Colelli, who specializes in Alaskan themed baskets, quilts, and more.
6
Cabin #6 was originally part of the Prostitute’s Line that was located on 4th Avenue. This Cabin now houses the Artist Chantelle Marie who specializes in fine art, custom paintings, and stickers.
7
Cabin #7 was owned by Fairbanks’ first veterinarian Doc Stearns. This cabin is now occupied by Juliana Miller, a self-taught artist from North Pole, Alaska. She provides books, charms, and Blobbify portraits.
8
Cabin #8 was built in 1908. It is believed that, in the early 1930’s, it was purchased by a pioneer miner named Nick Nagengast who had traveled to Alaska with Elam Arnish, the hero of Jack London’s book, Burning Daylight. The cabin is home to Charms by C.J., a retail jewelry store.
9
Cabins #9 and #10 were built in 1948 by Jess Moriner, and were used as motel cabins near a tiny service station south of Fairbanks in the Big Bend area.
10
The Kitty Hensley House was originally located at 932 8th Avenue, and was moved to the Park in 1967. The Pioneers of Alaska furnished it with authentic pieces of furniture from the period.
11
12
Cabin #13 is a replica of a cabin which is believed to have been part of the original homestead owned by Dr. Young, one of the first dairy farmers in Fairbanks. At that time, it was a five-room cabin, but it burned down sometime before 1942. The cabin was moved to Pioneer Park from 11th Avenue.
13
14
The white church at Pioneer Park was the first church built in the Interior of Alaska. It was constructed in 1904, on the corner of 7th Avenue and Cushman Streets. The church at Pioneer Park is open for services every Sunday by Anglican Church of the Redeemer, and can also be reserved for weddings and events.
15
Cabin #16 was owned by Skagway Jim in the early 1900’s and today is occupied by Cheechako’s Tacos, a restaurant that serves Fusion Taqueria.
16
This cabin was moved from 7th Avenue in downtown Fairbanks. Martin Nunner bought the cabin in the mid-fifties from a Russian family. Mr. Nunner was a miner from the Coal Creek-Woodchopper area. This cabin is occupied by Soulvaki, which has been family owned and operating in Pioneer Park since 1972.
17
What is now known as the Palace Theatre was, at the turn of the century, Golden’s Grocery Store. The Palace Theater produces vaudeville-style shows that are performed at 8:15 pm every evening. The shows poke fun at early Fairbanks history and the pioneering lifestyle.
Cabin #19 was once known as the Georgia Lee House. In the 1920’s, during the construction of the Alaska Railroad, it was a “house of ill repute” in the town of Nenana, 60 miles south of Fairbanks. In 1928, the building was cut into sections, barged to Fairbanks, and placed at 829 4th Avenue. Today, Cabin #19 houses the Pioneer Park Office.
Cabin #20 was the Saw Shop located at 2nd Avenue and State Street. It was owned by Bill Sherwin, who came to Alaska in 1898, at 21 years old, to try his luck at gold mining. Not finding his fortune in gold, he took up wood cutting in Fairbanks. This cabin is now used as restroom facilities for the Gold Rush Town.
18
The Lavelle Wheelhouse is the original, restored wheelhouse of the Lavelle Young, the boat that brought E.T. Barnette the founder of Fairbanks up the Chena River. It was abandoned in McGrath, Alaska in 1920, and brought to Fairbanks in pieces in 1972. The original steering wheel is now on display in the Pioneer Museum.
19
Cabin #22 belonged to E.H. Mack who was involved in real estate, and was a homesteader along College Road. The cabin is now occupied by Friends of SS Nenana who are a group that are dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the SS Nenana sternwheeler in Fairbanks, Alaska. For more information, or to donate, please visit their website.
20
Cabin #23 was the bunkhouse for drivers of Ed Orr’s Stageline, which operated between Fairbanks and Valdez; 360 miles south of Fairbanks. This Cabin is used by Beautifully Blended Creations, specializing in wooden wall art.
21
22
23
24
This cabin was originally located on Wickersham Street, and was believed to be built in the early 1900’s. Two businesses share this cabin. Powerful Creations who specializes in woven wire jewelry. Jam Boutique is an independent Ruby Ribbon representative.
25
This cabin was originally the “Torgerson Shed” located at 2nd Avenue and Cleary Street. Today, it is home to Old-time Photos. Visitors can dress in period costume for fun photo opportunities, and purchase keepsakes of their photos on site.
27
This was built in 1926 by pioneer Alex McRae whose lifelong dream to own his own home was fulfilled with this log cabin. He built this cabin when he was 55. Today, this storied cabin is occupied by Just Originals, a retailer of unique Alaskan items and gifts.
28
Cabin #31 was originally the home of Harry Karstan, a Park Ranger and Superintendent of Denali National Park. Karstan came to the Klondike in 1897 at age 17. He earned his trip by backpacking supplies for miners over the Chilkoot Pass. Karstan made the first successful, documented climb of Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley).
29
Cabin #31A was home to the Wold family from 1946 to 1969. At that time, it was located at 1229 1st Avenue. Today, Frosty Paws occupies the space, serving delicious soft serve ice cream.
30
Very little information about cabin #66 has survived, but there are plenty of rumors that it is haunted. Despite its unknown past, Cabin #66 is making a name for itself as The Folk School. They offer year-round classes and programs for all ages in traditional crafts, woodworking, outdoor skills, and hands-on, arts and sciences.
31
Cabin #69 is another historical piece that seems to have misplaced its memory. We know very little about the past of this quaint Alaskan cottage. Today, however, #69 is occupied by Gold Rush Ice Cream which serves an array of ice cream, slush puppies, and shaved ice.
32
Originally situated on the corner of 1st Avenue and Noble Street, the Wickersham House was the first house in Fairbanks built with milled lumber, and that had a white picket fence. Judge Wickersham purchased the lot in April, 1904 for $175.