ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Located in southcentral Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, the Municipality of Anchorage is a unique urban environment situated in the heart of the wilderness. By far the largest city in the state, its residents account for nearly 42 percent of Alaska's population.

Current Population: 270,951 (certified 2003, by DCED)

Russia was well-established in North America by the 1800s. In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward brokered a deal to purchase Alaska from debt-ridden Russia for $7.2 million, about two cents an acre. Alaska's value was not appreciated by the American press at that time, calling it "Seward's folly", "Seward's icebox", and "Walrussia". By 1888, gold was discovered along Turnagain Arm. In 1912, Alaska became a United States Territory. Anchorage was carefully laid out by city planners in 1914, originally as a railroad construction port for the Alaska Railroad, and on July 9, 1915, the first sale of town lots was held. In 1915 President Woodrow Wilson authorized funds for the construction of the Alaska Railroad. That same year the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce was formed. Ship Creek Landing in Anchorage was selected as the headquarters of this effort. Soon a "Tent City" sprang up at the mouth of Ship Creek and the population quickly swelled to more than 2,000. Would-be entrepreneurs flocked to this bustling frontier town, and they brought with them everything necessary to build a city. A popular hardware and clothing store, "The Anchorage", was actually an old dry-docked steamship named "Berth". Although the area had been known by various names, the U.S. Post Office Department formalized the use of the name "Anchorage", and despite some protests the name stuck. In 1920, the United States government relinquished its direct control over the city, and elections were held. Anchorage was incorporated on November 23, 1920.

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