Pioneer Hall

Pioneer Hall. , Pioneer Hall, the oldest building in the Downtown Historic District, is a survivor. Most historic wood frame buildings have been lost to fire, deterioration, or replacement. It started out as the US Customs House. Its prominent site overlooked the waterfront and its 50 ft. flagpole was a beacon for early seafarers coming to Ketchikan., The customs service was relocated in 1907 and the building then served as a boarding house until becoming the home of the Pioneers of Alaska Men's Igloo 16 and Women's Igloo 7 in 1922. It has served this role for over 100 years. In the 1920s buildings like City Hall and the Gilmore Hotel grew up around it and, once so visible, it is now nearly hidden., The Pioneers of Alaska are almost as old as this building. It was first established in 1907 (in Nome, Igloo 1) as a fraternal, civic and social organization. Its purposes were to recognize and remember Alaska's early pioneers, preserve the State's history, and promote "the best interests of Alaska." Today, all persons who have lived in Alaska for over 20 years are eligible to join., Serving Alaska's pioneers and contributing to the Ketchikan community remain important work for both igloos. And both are actively working to restore this landmark building to serve members of the community for another 100+ years., [Photo captions, top to bottom, read] , . The US Customs House soon after it was built in 1900. Young Ketchikan was an assembly of wooden, clapboard-sided buildings hugging the rugged shoreline., . By 1915, Ketchikan was bustling with activity with Ketchikan Power Company in full operation in the background. The old Customs House was operating as a boarding house (visible in the center of the photo)., . This circa 1947 photo shows "pioneer women in formal gowns, with years of history on the walls behind them. The current Women Igloo 7 is leading efforts to restore this landmark building.