Sitka Pioneer Home facts for kids
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Sitka Pioneers' Home
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The Sitka Pioneer Home
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 Location in Downtown Sitka
Location in Alaska
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| Location | 120 Katlian Street, Sitka, Alaska |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1913 |
| Architect | Heath, Gove & Bell; Linn Argyle Forrest; Alonzo Victor Lewis |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000413 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 18, 1979 |
The Sitka Pioneer Home is a special place for older people in Alaska. It's located at 120 Katlian Street in downtown Sitka. This home helps people who need a bit of support with their daily lives.
The state of Alaska runs the Sitka Pioneer Home. It is the oldest and third-largest of six such homes in Alaska. The building was designed by a company called Heath, Gove & Bell from Tacoma.
Today, the Sitka Pioneer Home can care for 75 residents. This includes people who might have Alzheimer's disease or other memory issues. The home offers different levels of care. These levels range from "Independent" (for those who need less help) to "24-Hour Care" (for those who need constant support).
The land where the home sits, including a Totem Park across the street, became a special historic place in 1979. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Home
From Barracks to Home
The area where the Sitka Pioneer Home now stands has a long history. From 1879 to 1892, U.S. Marine Corps troops were stationed there. They lived in barracks that Russia had built in the 1800s.
When the troops left in 1912, the site was empty. It had grown to include several buildings. In August 1912, Alaska became a U.S. territory. People from Sitka then asked the Navy if they could use the site. They wanted to create a home for pioneers.
Opening and Growth
The Sitka Pioneer Home first opened its doors in September 1913. It started with a budget of $10,000. For many years, the home faced money problems.
However, in the 1930s, the government helped out. They provided about $400,000 to replace the old buildings. These buildings were falling apart and could easily catch fire. A new, bigger home was built. It could care for up to 170 men.
In 1949, the government decided to expand the home again. This time, women were also allowed to live there and receive care.
Community Fun and Festivities
The Pioneer Home is also a big part of Sitka's annual Alaska Day celebrations. This holiday marks the day Alaska officially became part of the United States.
The Alaska Day parade goes right past the home. Hundreds of people gather for a free party inside. There's often live music from groups like the New Archangel Dancers. At the same time, an annual croquet tournament happens on the home's grounds.
The Prospector Statue
A famous statue called The Prospector stands at the Sitka Pioneer Home. It was created by an artist named Alonzo Victor Lewis. This statue is the main artwork on the home's property.
The artist wanted the sculpture to look like a real pioneer. He based it on William Clark "Skagway Bill" Fonda. This man was a pioneer from Skagway.
The Prospector in Sitka is the larger of two statues Lewis made. A smaller version is in Seattle at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park.
It took a lot of work and fundraising to create the statue. It weighed over three tons! After 21 years, it finally arrived in Sitka. It was officially dedicated during the Alaska Day celebration in 1949.
