Big Delta in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
A Place to Rest
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
1. A Place to Rest Marker
Miners and prospectors heading to the gold fields of Interior Alaska traveled on the Valdez to Fairbanks Trail, now called the Richardson Highway. All were welcome at Rika's Roadhouse on their 380-mile trip from Valdez to Fairbanks.
Rough and Rustic
Accommodations were rustic; one dollar would get you a spruce bough bunk, a place on the floor, or a bench or table to roll out your blanket. Another two dollars put a hot meal in your belly-perhaps sourdough pancakes or hearty rabbit stew.
Rest for the Weary
Although each roadhouse was unique, all offered a hot meal and a place to sleep for the weary traveler who came on foot, horse-drawn sled, or dog team. Most roadhouses were one-story log structures, but some were tents and hastily constructed lean-tos. Roadhouses sprang up every 15-20 miles, approximately a day's travel from each other.
Creature Comforts
The trail gradually was improved and by 1932 the trip from Valdez to Fairbanks took only two days, decreasing the need for overnight accommodations. In order to attract customers, many roadhouses offered more sophisticated housing, such as separate bedrooms.
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Peek into the Past
Rika's Roadhouse kept up with the changing times and evolved to meet the needs of travelers, trappers, traders, and prospectors who journeyed along the Richardson Highway and on the Tanana River. This roadhouse continues to serve travelers today by offering a glimpse into Alaska's past.
Background [photo]: Ferry at Big Delta, 1910 [showing across river, left to right] McCarty Station, Valdez to Fairbanks Trail, Rika's as it appeared in 1910
[Top right dog sled] Photo taken at Big Delta
[Bottom photo captions, left to right, read]
The Gulkana Roadhouse was 152 miles southeast of Rika's Roadhouse. Gulkana Roadhouse, 1908
Located near the mouth of the Little Delta River, Martin's Roadhouse was 32 miles northwest of Rika's Roadhouse. Martin's Roadhouse, "Dad in front of building, 1911-1914
Meier's Roadhouse was 106 miles southeast of Rika's Roadhouse. Meier's Roadhouse, April 1911<
The Overland Roadhouse was 41 miles northwest of Rika's Roadhouse. Overland Roadhouse, 1912-1914
Erected
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
2. A Place to Rest Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 64° 9.323′ N, 145° 50.479′ W. Marker is in Big Delta in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. It can be reached from Richardson Highway. Marker is on the Big Delta State Historical Park grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 274.5 Richardson Highway (State Hwy 2), Delta Junction AK 99737, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Athabascan Region and in Interior Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 30 Ft. Wooden River Boat (here, next to this marker); Ferry Scales (a few steps from this marker); Truckers' Rebellion (a few steps from this marker); Ferryman's Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Roadhouse (a few steps from this marker); Windmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Homestead Outbuilding (within shouting distance of this marker); Domesticating the Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Delta.
Also see . . .
1. Rikas Landing Roadhouse. (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Big Delta State Historical Park. (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Alaskan Roadhouses. (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
