No Bad Days RVing: Day 36

Pioneer Park in Fairbanks opened in 1967 as part of the 100 year celebration of the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The park consists of 44 acres of land showcasing the history of Fairbanks. The property was given to the state of Alaska then transferred to the City of Fairbanks. Pioneer Park is open year round, 24 hours a day and has free admission.

The Harding Car was built in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois and carried passengers until 1945. It was donated to the city of Fairbanks in 1959 and moved to Pioneer Park in 1965. The Harding Car also known as the Denali Car, is the car that US President Warren G Harding rode in when he came to Alaska in 1923 to drive the Golden Spike for the Alaska Railroad. The Golden Spike signified the completion of the 500 mile long line. Harding was the first US President to visit Alaska.

As we walked around the pioneer town Susan and I wanted to try our hand at dog mushing.

The next cabin was brought to the pioneer village from 4th Avenue “Red Light District” in Fairbanks. A wood board fence at either end protected the innocent from views of debauchery.

The Loomis cabin is the oldest standing cabin in Fairbanks, it was constructed in 1903. Ike Loomis came north during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898 and drove freight and supplies by dogsled. He was never robbed even though there were famous robbers and outlaws at the time. Jenny Loomis, Ike’s wife died in this cabin during the 1918 influenza epidemic that wiped out 20% of Fairbanks population.

In 1904 Loomis came up with the idea of making a reinforced courier transport to move freight and gold. Loomis moved to Portland, Oregon in 1925. Like the rest of the lower 48, Portland was experiencing an increase in bank robberies. Ike spent $5,000 making a reinforced wagon to carry money and gold. It became known as Loomis Security. Loomis is presently one of the largest armored car security companies in the world.

Located in the center of Pioneer Park, the SS Nenana is the largest steam-powered wooden sternwheeler ever built west of the Mississippi River and one of three of its kind left in the US.

Built in 1933 for the Alaska Railroad for service on the Yukon, Nenana, and Tanana Rivers, the SS Nenana could carry up to 300 tons of freight. Retired in 1955, she was brought to Fairbanks to be preserved.

This steam operated shovel helped build the Panama Canal, worked in Hawaii, and helped dig the Davidson Ditch, the Alaskan Water Pipeline. The Davidson Ditch was dug and brought water to float and operate the huge hydraulic gold dredges in the interior of Alaska.

We were all having so much fun getting our picture taken with all the wood statues.

The Alaskan Salmon Bake offers all-you-can-eat fire grilled salmon, hand dipped beer battered cod, and slow roasted prime rib. It includes a full salad bar with roasted potatoes, cowboy baked beans, sourdough rolls, dessert, tea, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages. Each entree is $35.95 for adults. Dinner is served from 5 - 9 pm daily. So we all decided that since tomorrow night is our last night in Fairbanks we would come here to have supper. The menu looks amazing.

After an hour or more we went home to let the dogs out and relax. We made reservations for a cruise on the Riverboat Discovery at 2 pm. So after a quick turnaround we were off to our Chena River boat cruise. Sternwheelers, floatplanes, and dog mushing were once the main means of transportation in Interior Alaska.

In the 1940’s Captain Jim Binkley piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers. By the 1950’s the last of the steamboats had been retired. Noting the changes Captain Jim and his wife Mary began a river excursion business in Fairbanks in 1950. In 1955 he built the company’s first sternwheeler, a 150 passenger boat called Discovery I.

Discovery I

As the business grew, so did the fleet. In 1971, the 300 passenger Discovery II was put into service. In 1986, the 900 passenger 280 ton Discovery III was being built in Seattle Washington then shipped to Alaska in 1987. Even though Captain Jim has passed away (2003), his wife Mary remains quite active in the daily business. She is 94 years old.

Discovery II

Discovery III

We started our boat cruise meandering down the Chena River where we watched a bush pilot in his Piper Super Cub take off and land on the water.

Well that was pretty amazing. We continued down the river and paused at Trail Breaker Kennels, which is the family home of the late four time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion Susan Butcher. We finally got to see some puppies.

We also watched a team of sled dogs pull a wheeler down the road. These animals are sooooooo powerful but most of all they love to work.

After a workout they are all individually betted and allowed to go into the water to cool off.

Continuing down the river we get to the point where we have to turn around. This is where the Chena River meets and flows into the much larger Tanana River.

On the way back we stop at a replica of an Interior Alaska Native Village and fish camp. We stop for an hour giving us enough time to walk around and see things.