The History of Pioneer Park

The History of Pioneer Park. . , 1955 , The idea that sparked the creation of Pioneer Park came from a Fairbanks Golden Days Celebration Committee meeting. Robert Sheldon of Pioneers of Alaska Fairbanks Igloo No. 4 took the idea to the Fairbanks Pioneer Igloos to build a historic attraction for tourists and residents alike., 1962 , That idea took root and grew into a 42 acre parcel of land that was leased by the State of Alaska to the Park Committee comprised of the Fairbanks Igloos of the Pioneers of Alaska and the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society, with the University of Alaska serving as trustee. Articles of Incorporation for Pioneer Memorial Park, Inc. were submitted in July 1962 with the name of the park "Pioneer Park.", 1963 , Among the first donations of historical items to Pioneer Park were the Tanana Valley Railroad Locomotive No. 1, the Harding Railcar, and the Riverboat Nenana. These items were donated prior to the April 1963 groundbreaking for the new park., 1965 , The Alaska 67-Centennial Exposition, a nonprofit, leased Pioneer Park in early 1965 since Fairbanks was designated as the official celebration site by the State's Alaska Centennial Commission. All improvements made to the park by the A-67 Committee, after the completion of the celebration year in 1967, would then become the property of Pioneer Memorial Park, Inc. Funds poured in to further develop the park for the upcoming 1967 Centennial Exposition, resulting in the addition of the Civic Center, the Railroad, the Entrance Gates, and many more buildings and attractions including a zoo., 1967 , By June 1967, negotiations were taking place between the State of Alaska, A-67 Committee, City of Fairbanks, and Pioneer Park Board to recruit another organization to run the park. The A-67 committee renamed the park "Alaskaland". On August 14, 1967, after heavy rains, there was a massive flood, with floodwaters covering the A-67 site to a depth of over 9 feet. With the park in a mess and with a lot of debt from the A-67 Expo, it was decided that the City of Fairbanks would operate "Alaskaland"., 1987 , In the early 1970s, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, with a Parks and Recreation department and commission, had been formed. On July 8 1987, title was transferred to the Fairbanks North Star Borough, and the Borough took over management of the Park., 2001 , Over the next few years, after investing in studies by consultants to improve the park, it was decided that the name "Alaskaland" gave an amusement park expectation which did not match what this historic part actually offered visitors. On October 25, 2001 the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly made the decision to change the official name of the park back to its original name of "Pioneer Park"., Over the years park attractions have changed, but the spirit of Pioneer Park remains the same. It is a place to celebrate Fairbanks' history and is enjoyed by visitors and residents alike, regardless of age., We honor the visionaries for preserving our rich heritage, and the volunteers who accomplish much of the work here at the Park., While you're here, we hope you visit the Pioneer Museum and the numerous other historic attractions in the park., The Fairbanks Igloos of the Pioneers of Alaska have a long legacy of preserving and sharing the rich history of Alaska, and you can learn more by visiting us at pioneersofalaskafairbanks.org, [Several captioned photos are not transcribed]