ARRIVED!
In early May of 1956, after two rugged weeks on the road, my parents made it. They arrived in Anchorage—two toddlers in tow, a tent rolled up in the trunk, and their new life about to begin.
Here’s how Dad remembered it:
John:
“We arrived in Anchorage the first part of May 1956. I had last been there in September 1952, and the change—even then—was quite remarkable. In looking for housing, it didn’t take long to decide on purchasing a home. We had the funds and felt that if we decided to leave, we’d be able to recoup our money. So we purchased the house on ‘R’ Street, with its diesel oil-burning range in the kitchen, which also heated the water.”
“The main source of heat was this stove upstairs, and a diesel-burning space heater in the basement. The hot water tank was in the closet in what became Melissa’s room—and it provided quite a bit of heat.”
One of my brothers later told me the house had actually been relocated from another part of town before my parents bought it. A home on the move—just like us.
“New” home
One of my favorite pictures
Anchorage 1958
I’VE ARRIVED!!!
Mom & Melissa – 1958
My first official appearance. Born in the Territory of Alaska—before statehood, but fear not, I am a U.S. citizen.
Alaska Statehood Bonfire – June 30, 1958
I wondered why Dad had this date on the slide – I googled it and the following link will explain
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2013/07/04/the-day-alaska-became-a-state/
Alaska Statehood Bonfire – June 30, 1958
U.S. Post Office July 4, 1958
Inlet View Elementary School built in 1957 and located down the hill from our house
A New Format: From Timeline to Themes
Up to this point, I’ve followed our family’s journey in mostly chronological order. But from here on out, I’m shifting gears. The next chapters will be organized by category—stories grouped by theme, not by date.
Sometimes life doesn’t unfold in a straight line. Memory certainly doesn’t.
