National Register of Historic Places listings in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska facts for kids

Location of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska.

This article is about the amazing historic places in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska. These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps us remember and protect important buildings, sites, and objects that tell us about the past.

There are 32 places in this area that are on the National Register. Three of these are extra special and are called National Historic Landmarks. They are super important to the history of the whole country!

Exploring Fairbanks' Historic Treasures

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list of places in the United States that are important to our history. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is on this list, it means it has a unique story to tell. It could be an old building, a special park, or even a whole neighborhood. Being on the list helps protect these places so future generations can learn from them.

Important Places in Fairbanks

Fairbanks and the surrounding area have many cool historic sites. They show us what life was like during the gold rush, how the city grew, and how people lived and worked long ago.

Gold Rush History

Many places in Fairbanks are linked to the exciting gold rush days. People came from all over to find gold, and these sites show us how they did it.

• Chatanika Gold Camp: This camp was a busy place for gold miners. It's located on the Steese Highway. It shows how people lived and worked during the gold mining boom.

The historic Chatanika Gold Camp.

• Discovery Claim on Pedro Creek: This is where the first gold was found in the Fairbanks area. This discovery started the big gold rush here! It's a very important spot for the region's history.

The Discovery Claim on Pedro Creek.

• Goldstream Dredge No. 8: A dredge is a huge machine used to dig for gold. This one is a giant floating factory that scooped up gravel to find gold. It's a great example of the large-scale mining that happened here.

The massive Goldstream Dredge No. 8.

• Fairbanks Exploration Company Sites: This company was a big player in the gold mining business. They had many important buildings and machines.
  • F.E. Company Housing: These houses were built for the workers of the Fairbanks Exploration Company. They show how the company provided homes for its employees.

One of the F.E. Company houses.

• • F.E. Company Machine Shop: This is where the company repaired and built its mining equipment. It was a vital part of their operations.

The F.E. Company Machine Shop.

• • F.E. Company Manager's House: This was the home of the company's manager. It shows the living conditions of the people in charge.

The F.E. Company Manager's House.

Early Fairbanks Buildings

Many old buildings in Fairbanks tell stories about the city's growth and daily life.

• Old City Hall: This building used to be where the city government worked. It's an important part of Fairbanks' civic history.

The Old City Hall building.

• Clay Street Cemetery: This old cemetery is a quiet place that holds the history of many early Fairbanks residents.

The historic Clay Street Cemetery.

• Constitution Hall: Located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, this building played a role in Alaska's journey to becoming a state.

Constitution Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

• Mary Lee Davis House: This house belonged to Mary Lee Davis, a famous writer and photographer who wrote about Alaska.

The Mary Lee Davis House.

• Old Federal Building: This building once housed federal government offices in Fairbanks. It's a grand old structure.

The Old Federal Building.

• Immaculate Conception Church: This beautiful church has been a spiritual center for the community for many years.

Immaculate Conception Church.

• Falcon Joslin House: This house was the home of Falcon Joslin, an important person in Fairbanks' early development. He helped build the Tanana Valley Railroad.

The Falcon Joslin House.

• Lacey Street Theatre: This old theater was a place for entertainment and community gatherings. Imagine watching a show here long ago!

The Lacey Street Theatre.

• Main School: This building was once a main school for children in Fairbanks. It's now used as the City Hall.

The former Main School, now City Hall.

• Masonic Temple: This building was home to a local chapter of the Masons, a fraternal organization.

The Masonic Temple.

• Oddfellows House: Similar to the Masonic Temple, this building was used by the Oddfellows, another community group.

The Oddfellows House.

• St. Matthew's Episcopal Church: Another historic church that has served the Fairbanks community for many years.

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.

• George C. Thomas Memorial Library: This building was one of the first public libraries in Fairbanks, offering books and knowledge to the community.

The George C. Thomas Memorial Library.

Pioneer Park Highlights

Pioneer Park is a fun place in Fairbanks that has several historic items. It's like an outdoor museum!

• Harding Railroad Car: This special train car was used by President Warren G. Harding when he visited Alaska in 1923. It's a piece of presidential history!

President Harding's Railroad Car.

• NENANA (steamer): This large riverboat, the Nenana, used to carry people and goods along Alaska's rivers. It's a National Historic Landmark!

The historic steamer Nenana.

• Wickersham House: This house belonged to Judge James Wickersham, a very important figure in Alaska's history and politics.

The Wickersham House.

Military and Other Sites

Fairbanks also has sites important for military history and other unique stories.

• Ladd Field: Located at Fort Wainwright, Ladd Field was a crucial military airfield, especially during World War II. It's a National Historic Landmark!

Ladd Field during World War II.

• Hinckley–Creamer Dairy: This dairy farm was an important source of milk and other products for the growing community of Fairbanks.

The Hinckley–Creamer Dairy area.

• Rainey's Cabin: This cabin belonged to Froelich Rainey, an archaeologist who studied Alaska's past. It's on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.

Rainey's Cabin.

Protecting History for the Future

These historic places in Fairbanks North Star Borough are like windows to the past. They help us understand how people lived, worked, and built communities in Alaska. By listing them on the National Register of Historic Places, we make sure they are protected and remembered for many years to come. It's important to learn about these places so we can appreciate the history that shaped our world.

Images for kids

• Fairbanks Exploration Company Dredge No. 2.JPG

  F.E. Company Dredge No. 2 (no image in original, placeholder)

• Fairbanks Exploration Company Gold Dredge No. 5.JPG

  F.E. Company Gold Dredge No. 5 (no image in original, placeholder)

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  Illinois Street Historic District

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  Rose Building (no image in original, placeholder)