This Week in Alaska History: Oct. 13-19

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – This week marks several significant anniversaries in Alaska history, from the founding of a university to the territory’s purchase from Russia.

On Oct. 13, 1960 — Alaska Methodist University held its first classes on the Anchorage campus. The school, now known as Alaska Pacific University, was founded by Peter Gordon Gould, the first Alaska Native minister in the United Methodist Church.

Gould, originally from Unga, an island in the Aleutians just east of Cold Bay, attended college in Syracuse, New York, but wanted Alaskans to have a place to study closer to home. The university now partners with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and remains affiliated with the Methodist Church.

Oct. 14, 1865 — This date marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Sydney Laurence, one of Alaska’s most famous artists. Born in Brooklyn in 1865, Laurence was already established before arriving in Alaska.

He studied and exhibited in New York before marrying another artist and moving to England, where he showed his work in London and Paris. In 1904, he moved to Alaska, initially working as a prospector before returning to art. By 1920, he had become one of the territory’s most prominent artists, known for his stark pastels.

Oct. 14, 1879 — Naturalist and conservationist John Muir visited Glacier Bay with Tlingit guides. According to the National Park Service, Muir believed Yosemite Valley had been carved by glaciers, so he came to Alaska to study the rivers of ice.

Muir, often called the “father of the National Park Service,” was a fierce advocate for wilderness preservation.

Oct. 15, 2000 — A Northwest Airlines 747 cargo plane taking off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport experienced mechanical problems. The crew heard a thump, then another, and felt substantial vibration.

The pilot aborted takeoff and tried to stop, but the aircraft ended up off the runway about 500 feet from the tarmac in a cleared area. Two tires were shredded and destroyed, with eight other tires going flat. The plane sustained minor damage.

Oct. 16, 1972 — This day marked the beginning of the search for Alaska’s U.S. Rep. Nick Begich Sr., whose disappearance remains a mystery. His grandson, Rep. Nick Begich III, was born after his grandfather’s disappearance and now serves in the U.S. House.

Oct. 18, 1867 — Commemorating the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States. On that date in 1867, the United States took possession of the territory at New Archangel, now known as Sitka. Today, the day is known as “Alaska Day.”

The Russians had wanted to sell the land to the U.S. much earlier in 1859, but negotiations were stalled due to the brewing Civil War. Secretary of State William Seward agreed to purchase Alaska for $7.2 million.

Skeptics called it “Seward’s Folly” until the territory became the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush and subsequent gold rushes.

Alaska Day is observed on Oct. 17 this year.

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