Downtown in Fairbanks in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Original Site of the Fairbanks USO

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024

1. Original Site of the Fairbanks USO Marker

Inscription.
This plaque marks the original site of the Fairbanks USO organized by volunteers and chartered through USO World Headquarters in 1942. Its Mission was to serve the morale support needs of the men and women in the armed forces stationed away from home.

This property was conveyed in perpetuity by Austin E. "Cap" Lathrop to the City of Fairbanks for the use of the Fairbanks USO. In 1968 the Fairbanks USO Council consented to trade this property for another site on Gaffney Road so that Golden Heart Plaza could be developed. In December, 1986 the Fairbanks USO closed its doors for the final time.

This plaque is dedicated to the memory of the Fairbanks USO and the many volunteers, civilian and military, who so willingly gave of their time and donations during the USO's 44-year tenure.

Erected by Fairbanks USO Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, Cold • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1986.

Location. 64° 50.65′ N, 147° 43.124′ W. Marker is in Fairbanks, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is in Downtown. It is

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on 1st Avenue east of Cushman Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is near the Golden Heart Plaza southeast border. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 519 1st Avenue, Fairbanks AK 99701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor,

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: Chena River Flood (a few steps from this marker); Athabascan Circle (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairbanks (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairbanks North Star Borough (within shouting distance of this marker); University of Alaska—Fairbanks (within shouting distance of this marker); Coal: Limitless Energy (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4 and Auxiliary No. 8 (within shouting

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024

2. Original Site of the Fairbanks USO Marker

distance of this marker); Annus Mirabilis (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairbanks.

Also see . . . U.S.O. Recreation Center, Fairbanks, Drawings from Survey HABS AK-49 (Library of Congress). (Submitted on September 11, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.