Our Palette

This small green space is the historic center of downtown Fairbanks. It is a stone's throw from where the first trader unloaded the first riverboat. For over 100 years this place has been the beginning of the road north from downtown to the gold fields. In fact this green space was the interior's first transportation hub with river passengers and freight, rail road depot and road system all beginning and ending right at this place. It would be hard to find a place in Fairbanks that has seen more action.

1905
Photo courtesy of Candy Waugaman. Click image for larger size.

1940
Photo courtesy of Candy Waugaman. Click image for larger size.

Today this small green space is the north entrance to downtown Fairbanks and its geographic focal point. It is the riverfront center of a vibrant multi-use neighborhood. It has a diverse dynamic with a bank and a church opposing a bar with our local newspaper mediating between them. This is surrounded by government offices to the west and regional Native corporation business headquarters to the east. Until recently it was the home of an iconic historic hardware store, a long list of restaurants, a tattoo parlor and a barber shop. This is truly a dynamic and romantic neighborhood, a fascinating mix of uses that will surely continue to grow and evolve.

2009