Pike's Landing in College in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Charlie Thompson

The Californias Baseball Team

— Cabin 5 —

Charlie Thompson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 18, 2024

1. Charlie Thompson Marker

Inscription.
Baseball has always been a big deal here in Fairbanks. The famous Midnight Sun Baseball game has been played here for more than 100 years at midnight without artificial lighting. In the early days, one of the most popular teams was sponsored by the California Saloon and they were known as the Californias. These men took on any team from any camp and they played the game with gusto.

The California Saloon was owned by Charley Thompson who also sometimes played on the team. It was said that Thompson "used to be a whirlwind in the minors, and when he gets his wing working they can't touch him." Charley's California Saloon was one of the most popular watering holes in Fairbanks. It also featured a bowling alley which was a popular winter sport amongst the men of Fairbanks.

Story provided by the Fairbanks Igloos of the Pioneers of Alaska.

[Photo caption reads]
Back Row L to R: Unknown, Norman Koon, George Kennedy.
Front Row L to R: Unknown, Dave Courtemanche, Charley Thompson,
Eddie Stroecker, unknown, unknown, Jack Lindsey

Erected by Pike's Waterfront Lodge. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Sports.

Location. 64° 49.928′ N, 147° 50.861′ W. Marker is in College, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is in Pike's Landing. It can be reached from Hoselton Road. Marker is on Cabin 5 in the Pike's Waterfront Lodge complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1850 Hoselton Road, Fairbanks AK 99709, 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: John Rafliff (a few steps from this marker); "Wise Mike" Stepovich (a few steps from this marker); LeRoy Tozier (a few steps from this marker); Fannie Quigley (a few steps from this marker); McCarty Family (a few steps from

Charlie Thompson Marker on Cabin 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 18, 2024

2. Charlie Thompson Marker on Cabin 5

this marker); Mysterious Mr. Raffles (a few steps from this marker); "Mushon" Jansa & "Waterfront" Brown (a few steps from this marker); Cecil Clegg (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College.

Also see . . . Baseball in Alaska. (Submitted on September 24, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.