Downtown in Anchorage, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Pioneer School
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2012
1. Pioneer School Marker
Built in 1915, this was the first school in Anchorage. It was constructed by the Alaska Engineering Commission, the federal agency responsible for developing the railroad in Alaska.
90 students initially attended classes here but within one and one-half years the student population outgrew this facility.
Pioneers of Alaska, the organization of long-term Alaskans, took over the building in 1917 and used it as their meeting hall for almost 50 years.
The building suffered severe damage in the 8.6 earthquake of March 27, 1964. The G.F.W.C.- Anchorage Women's Club saved the structure from demolition and had it moved to this site.
The Municipality of Anchorage owns this facility today.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 1989 by Anchorage Historic Properties.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.
Location. 61° 13.196′ N, 149° 52.527′ W. Marker is in Anchorage, Alaska. It is in Downtown. It is on East 3rd Avenue west of Eagle Street, on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, in the Prince William Sound, and in Southcentral Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in 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: Anchorage Area All-American City (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anchorage Area 1950-1963 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bear Totem (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anchorage Area 1940-1949 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anchorage Area Time Line (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Anchorage Area 1940-1949 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Iditarod Sled Dog Race History (approx. half a mile away); Anchorage Area 1930-1939 (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anchorage.
Also see . . .
1. Pioneer School House.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2012
2. Pioneer School and Marker
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Submitted on May 12, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Friends of the Pioneer School House. Website homepage (Submitted on May 12, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 35 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
