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

"Mushon" Jansa & "Waterfront" Brown

Betting on Elections Fairbanks Style

— Cabin 22 —

"Mushon" Jansa & "Waterfront" Brown Marker image. Click for full size.

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

1. "Mushon" Jansa & "Waterfront" Brown Marker

Inscription.
The 1910 election season in Fairbanks was noteworthy because of an eccentric wager placed by two local residents on the outcome of the election for the Territorial Delegate to Congress. The candidates were Judge James Wickersham, John O'Connor, and Ed Orr.

THE BET: Fred "Mushon" Jansa bet Richard "Waterfront" Brown that if Ed Orr was elected, that he "Mushon," would push "Waterfront" through the streets of Fairbanks, ending at McPhee's saloon, where the loser must buy fifty drinks.

THE OUTCOME: Because Ed Orr lost the election, "Waterfront" had to do the heavy work. "Mushon" was attired in a dress suit and wearing a high silk hat. He was sitting on a fancy cushion in the old wheelbarrow. "Waterfront" was said to be dressed in the costume of a blacksmith marching in a Labor Day parade. Also featured in the lineup, was Maude the mule, who unwillingly trudged along. The entire procession was followed by a large crowd of hooting men and boys to the final destination, where "Waterfront Brown" disgorged himself of $12.50 to pay for the fifty free drinks, thus fulfilling the obligation of their bet. Story provided by the Fairbanks Igloos of the Pioneers of Alaska.

Erected by Pike's

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Waterfront Lodge. (Marker Number 22.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 64° 49.931′ N, 147° 50.836′ 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 22 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,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Nellie Parsons (here, next to this marker); Whiskers (a few steps from this marker); Alphonso L'Kievicz (a few steps from this marker); John Rafliff (a few steps

"Mushon" Jansa & "Waterfront" Brown Marker on Cabin 22 image. Click for full size.

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

2. "Mushon" Jansa & "Waterfront" Brown Marker on Cabin 22

from this marker); LeRoy Tozier (a few steps from this marker); Cecil Clegg (a few steps from this marker); Charlie Thompson (a few steps from this marker); Carnation Evaporated Milk (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 25, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.