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Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club

De : Michael R Dougherty
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 Great memories of the Anchorage, Alaska you love

www.anchoragememoriesclub.comMichael R Dougherty Sciences sociales
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    • Anchorage First Driving Test Memories

      Anchorage First Driving Test Memories
      Jan 25 2026

      The photo above is of 1950s Anchorage

      If you were an Anchorage teen, you probably went through the exciting, but scary process of getting your Alaska driver’s license.

      Or perhaps you were an adult when you got your first Alaska Driver’s License.

      Anchorage streets are challenging. In the winter, you have to drive on ice and snow. Remember, “Pump your brakes and turn into a skid.” In the spring, there is muddy water everywhere, and roads are filled with potholes as big as moon craters.

      What are your memories?

      Did you start with a Learner’s Permit?

      Mary of Anchorage Memories shares her story:

      Mary’s Anchorage Driving Test Adventure

      “Nope. When my sister Betty went to get her Alaska driver’s license, she failed the driving test because she drove over a curb. Later, when she took the test for a second time, she passed.

      When I was 16, my stepfather Bob took me to the DMV in our 1968 Camero.

      Yep. I passed the written test. Then on to the driving test. I followed all the instructions from the DMV guy who was in the passenger seat, telling me what to do. “Turn left, turn right, cross the railroad tracks.” I was then instructed to head back to the DMV for the parallel parking test. Yep. I passed.

      As Bob drove me home, he told me that he knew the guy who gave me the driving test. And if I hadn’t passed, he was going to tell him that I was his step-daughter, and you need to give her a passing test score.

      Yep. When we got home my mom was happy that I had gotten my Alaska driver’s license because she didn’t drive, and I could be her chauffeur.”

      Yes, You Can Share This Edition

      And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you a free Lucky Wishbone burger basket every week for a year… well, it could happen.

      Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

      Mike’s Anchorage Driving Test Adventure

      “As a teen, I started with a driver’s permit. My mom and dad took turns teaching me the finer points of driving. Like how to stay on the road and off the sidewalk.

      Then came the big day when mom took me to the Anchorage Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get my Alaska driver’s license.

      After I nervously passed the written portion, I was ready for the scary part… the actual driving test.

      Remember, the Driver’s Manual plainly stated that I was not to talk to the person giving me the test.

      “Pull out into traffic. Stop here. Turn right, turn left.”

      Then I made a mistake. I pulled to a stop after passing the stop sign. Quickly, the man testing me said matter-of-factly, “Stop in front of the stop sign not behind it.” Ok, I was sure I had just failed the test.

      Moments later, he said, “Head back to the DMV.” At that moment I really got nervous because I thought the dreaded parallel parking test was coming up, and I hadn’t practiced that one.

      However, when we arrived back at the DMV, he said, “Pull up, park and turn off your engine.” Wow, I didn’t have to parallel park. Then, after scribling a few notes, he got out of the car without saying a word and went back into the DMV.

      I wondered if I had failed the test. Moments later, I was inside the DMV and a woman came over, handed me a piece of paper and said, “Go over there to get your picture taken.” I had passed my test!

      Later, I stood on the sidewalk, basking in the warm summer day and thinking to myself, “I have my Alaska Driver’s License.” I got in the car and mom drove us home.”

      Connect with Mike and Mary

      What are your memories of taking your Alaska Driver’s Test, or even taking the written Driver’s Test as an adult in Alaska?

      Do you have a comment?

      You can also reply to this email.

      Or, you can Contact Us right here.

      Until Next Time

      Mike and Mary

      The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club



      Get full access to Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club at www.anchoragememoriesclub.com/subscribe
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      5 min
    • Anchorage Double Memories

      Anchorage Double Memories
      Jan 11 2026

      You can see the Ship Creek Meat Market in the middle of the picture.

      Oscar Anderson made his way from Seattle to Seward, Alaska, then onto Ship Creek in 1915 and what would become Anchorage.

      Anderson said he was the 8th person to set foot in the rugged tent city that was located on the north shore of Ship Creek.

      His first job was cutting wood in an area that would later become known as Government Hill.

      In the weeks that followed, Anderson teamed up with a man named Jensen. The two decided to put together a cold storage business. That operation became a meat packing company, serving the entire Cook Inlet region.

      Later, Anderson headed for Seattle to purchase equipment for a cold storage plant and what would become the Ship Creek Meat Company.

      After purchasing a lot on 4th Avenue in Anchorage, where Stewart’s Photo is now located, he opened the Ship Creek Meat Market.

      Live Cattle were then shipped from Seattle and kept in corrals in Anchorage.

      The Ship Creek Meat Market became the largest fresh meat supplier in Alaska. The business closed in the 1950s.

      Yes, You Can Share This Edition

      And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on an adventurous tour of Alaska in a dog sled… well, it could happen…Mush!

      Thanks for reading and listening to the Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

      Woolworth’s in Downtown Anchorage

      Photo by Ward Wells, June 27, 1961

      Oh, the memories.

      Located on the south side of 4th Avenue and F Street, Woolworth’s was an Anchorage favorite.

      Remember the lunch counter, known as the Frontier Room? Mike of Anchorage Memories remembers when his mom, Louise Dougherty, worked there.

      And Mary remembers going into Woolworth’s to buy a large (about two feet long) bag of popcorn and some candy to take with her to see a movie at the 4th Avenue Theatre. And back in those days, the 4th Avenue Theatre was nice enough to let you do that if you asked nicely.

      The Woolworth Grand Opening

      From Mary of Anchorage Memories:

      “As I walked into Woolworth's for the first time, I saw the café on the left, makeup, and school supplies in the middle and my favorite aisle… the toy section.Woolworth's was just a few doors down from the 4th Ave Theater, and that made it a happening place to go. My entire family went to Woolworth's Grand Opening in Anchorage when I was in grade school.”

      BONUS

      Enjoy Mary’s Woolworth’s grand opening adventure.

      Take a look at Mary’s story, “Woolworth’s Grand Opening” and remember.

      From Our North Stars (that’s you)

      From our Alaska Flag story.

      Eric recalls:

      “The best Flag and the best State Song in the Union. As a child in school, we would sing it every morning. I still sing it for friends.”

      Jerry’s Daughter sang at the World Fair in Seattle:

      “At the World's Fair in Seattle in 1962, the Alaska exhibit was well attended. The announcer was describing the Alaska flag and the Alaska song that went along with it. Then asked if anyone knew the Alaska song? My two very young daughters, ten and eleven, sang it alone for the entire crowd. They received loud applause.”

      Jerry Knew Benny Benson:

      “Benny was a great friend of mine and many others in Kodiak. He was an outstanding Elk of the Kodiak Lodge, 1772. I have an Alaska flag signed by Benny.”

      Connect with Mike and Mary

      This double memories edition really brought back some great memories.

      You can share your memories by commenting below.

      You can also reply to this email.

      Or, you can Contact Us right here.

      Until Next Time

      Mike and Mary

      The Anchorage Memories Club



      Get full access to Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club at www.anchoragememoriesclub.com/subscribe
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      3 min
    • Anchorage Street Name Memories

      Anchorage Street Name Memories
      Dec 28 2025
      Pictured above is 4th Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska, in the 1940s.Have you ever wondered how a street got its name? Or who a street was named after?From around 1915, when the Alaska railroad was being constructed, many people headed to what would become Anchorage, Alaska, in search of a new life. For some, a street name has given them a permanent place in Anchorage history. A few others may have never been to Anchorage, but they were part of Alaska's history.Let’s Start with the Glenn HighwayIf you head north/northeast out of Anchorage toward Palmer and Wasilla, you find yourself on the Glenn Highway, named after U.S. Army Captain Edwin Glenn.How About the Seward HighwayOne of the most scenic highways in America, the Seward Highway takes you from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula. The Seward Highway was named after former Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867. At that time, Alaska was often called “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Ice Box.” It wasn’t Always Northern Lights BoulevardIt was named after the famed Northern Lights, but it started with a different name. Before it became Northern Lights Boulevard, it was known as KFQD Road. At that time, the road took you to the studios of KFQD radio, the first radio station in Anchorage and Alaska.Rabbit Creek RoadThe Dena’ina people gave Rabbit Creek its name. And Rabbit Creek Road is named after the creek. And How About Romig Hill?This section of Northern Lights Boulevard is sometimes called “Heart Attack Hill” because it’s so steep and challenging when covered with snow or ice.Romig Hill is named after Dr. Joseph R. Romig, who was known as the dog team doctor, not because he was a veterinarian, but because he traveled by dog team in the Alaska interior.Yes, You Can Share This EditionAnd when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will name a street after you.Thanks for reading and listening to Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club! This post is public, so feel free to share it.What About Fireweed Lane?At one time, this street was lined with those bright red Fireweed plants. In the photo above is Benny Benson.Do You Know About Benson Boulevard?This street honors Benny Benson, the school boy who designed the Alaska Flag.Let’s go to Bootlegger Cove DriveIn 1915, the Alaska Railroad Commission declared that liquor was banned in the area around Ship Creek that would become Anchorage, Alaska.BONUSWell, just around the bend and out of sight was a cove that became a popular spot for those who distilled “squirrel juice,” otherwise known as “moonshine”, to bring their banned goods to shore. The area later became known as Bootlegger’s Cove. Then There is Lake Otis ParkwayYou wouldn’t know it now, but back in 1919, a local named Otis turned a lake into an Ice Skating rink. The lake was named after him, and the Parkway was named after his lake.The View of Mountain View DriveA homesteader named Norman Lang decided to sell off part of his homestead as lots. He named his subdivision “Mountain View” because, well, it has a great view of the mountains. The road was given the same name.To Bar or Not to Bar Debarr RoadYou are welcome to take this one with a grain of salt. In Anchorage folklore, the story goes like this. An unnamed homesteader became frustrated with Army restrictions on his property. The Army was apparently barring him from doing something. So the homesteader was reportedly heard saying, “First they bar us, then they de-bar us.” Debarr Road is possibly the result of his frustration… or not.Spenard RoadIn 1916, Joe and Edith Spenard came to Anchorage from Valdez. Joe even brought the first vehicle to Anchorage.Along the way, Joe turned what would become known as Spenard Lake into a resort. But to get there, he needed a road. So he convinced some local Anchorage groups to help him build a sort of road from the new area of Anchorage to his lake. The result is now called Spenard Road.The Whitneys Have a RoadJohn and Daisy Whitney first arrived at the mouth of Ship Creek in 1911 from across Cook Inlet in Knik.Whitney Road is located just below Government Hill, not far from their homestead.BONUSAnd Talking About HomesteadersMany roads and streets in Anchorage are named after homesteaders.Muldoon and Muldoon RoadArnold Muldoon first arrived in Anchorage in 1939. He homesteaded in an area that was way out of town at that time. That area is now known as Muldoon.He also built a road of sorts that quickly became known as Muldoon’s Road.BONUSTurpin StreetNear Muldoon Road, you’ll find Turpin Street. Named after Eldrich “Dick” Turpin, who came to Anchorage in 1937, just a couple of years ahead of Arnold Muldoon. His homestead was next to the street that now bears his name.Bragaw StreetIt’s named after Robert Bragaw Jr.Klatt RoadNamed after homesteaders, Lester and Dora Klatt.DeArmoun RoadThis road was named after a homesteader named Harold ...
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      9 min
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