The City of Anchorage.

Anchorage is a modern and vibrant city that provides a great place to stop on any Alaskan trip. Anchorage is a city located in the southern part of Alaska and a seaport on the Knik and Turnagain arms of Cook Inlet, at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Anchorage is the most populated city in the state and serves as the main center for the transportation, commercial, and communications for much of central and western Alaska.

Anchorage can lay its roots to the early 1900's. The city of Anchorage was established in 1915 as the headquarters for the construction of the Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks. Anchorage incorporated in 1920, and engineers of the U.S. Army designed the city of Anchorage in a grid during the next several years. The city was able to grow very quickly during WW II, when it became the headquarters for the U.S. Alaska Defense Command.

Anchorage is connected by Glenn Highway to the Alaska Highway, a road to Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The city is also served by Anchorage International Airport, which is an international hub for air freight and visitors to Alaska. The city’s economy and business structure is tied with Alaska’s huge amount of natural resources, particularly petroleum, natural gas, and fishing. Two military bases constructed during WW II, Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base, are important employers. Alaska tourism has become a major part of the economy.

In 1942 the Alaska Highway was constructed as part of the defense of the West Coast, connecting the region to the rest of the country. The earthquake on March 27, 1964, was responsible for many deaths and severe damage, but Anchorage rebuilt rapidly. Anchorage was allowed another economic boom when in the late 1960s, oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay and several other oil fields up North. The great Alaska Pipeline, which is used to transport oil, was constructed in the 1970's.

Places of further interest include Portage Glacier, where large ice blocks can be seen falling from the glacier’s wall. Earthquake Park, where visitors can see what it was like during the March 1964 earthquake that devastated a large part of the city. Eklutna Village Historical Park, contains exhibits about the traditions and culture of the Native Americans and Russians who have lived and occupied the Anchorage area for more than 300 years. Several events of interest include the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous in February, this event is commemorating the annual gathering in the past of trappers and miners, and the Anchorage to Nome Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race held in March.

In Anchorage, you will also find the campus of the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University. Located within an area of great beauty, the outdoor recreation in and around Anchorage is overwhelming and vast. The city is the home of several cultural mainstays. The Museums include the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, the Potter Section House Railroad Museum. The city of Anchorage is also the location of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, the Alaska Botanical Garden, and the Oscar Anderson House, a restored home built in the early 1900's.