Fairbanks in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
SS Nenana's Three Captains
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
1. SS Nenana's Three Captains Marker
SS Nenana during its tenure.
Charles Adams
Captain Charles Adams was the first in 1933 of the three captains of the "SS Nenana" also known as "The Last Lady of the River". He remained captain until he turned 65 when the Alaska Railroad made him retire in 1942. He started his riverboat career on the Lavelle Young (the first commercial river boat on the Chena River[)].
Earl Wier
Captain Earl Weir was the second captain which lasted only one year - 1943. His logbook was full of river charts and notes.
Howard Adams
Captain Howard Adams was the final captain of the SS Nenana starting in 1944. When the woodhulled sternwheeler was retired from passenger service in 1949 and when it was retired as a cargo steamer in 1954 Captain Adams remained at the helm. He was the captain for her last and final trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. He is the nephew of Charles Adams, the first captain.
[Background image, an excerpt from an] SS Nenana Logbook
Erected by Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 64° 50.343′ N, 147° 46.333′ W. Marker is in Fairbanks, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It can be reached from Airport Way. Marker and Steamer Nenana are in Pioneer Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2300 Airport Way, 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: Steamer Nenana in World War II (here, next to this marker); Jack Williams (here, next to this marker); Practical Shipbuilding (here, next to this marker); "Last Lady of the River" (a few steps from this marker); The Steamer S. S. Nenana (a few steps from this marker); Sherwin Home (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
2. SS Nenana's Three Captains Marker
Also see . . . Friends of S.S. Nenana. (Submitted on September 12, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
3. Steamer Nenana
Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2024, by Patricia Schmidt of Fairbanks, Alaska. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 12, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
