Fairbanks in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Cushman Street
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
1. Cuchman Street Marker
“Instead of row after row of empty houses (Dawson), they are building new stores. The place is alive and busy-a little too crowded when we got there.” – a tourist in Fairbanks, 1928Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 64° 50.53′ N, 147° 43.223′ W. Marker is in Fairbanks, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. Marker is on Cushman Street near 4th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 Cushman Street, Fairbanks AK 99701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "The Line" (here, next to this marker); Fairbanks Public Schools (a few steps from this marker); Lacey Street Theater (1939) (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barnette's Landing (about 700 feet away); Suter House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Founding of Fairbanks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wickersham Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Immaculate Conception Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairbanks.
More about this marker. This marker is attached to a triangular shaped support with two other markers. The other markers are entitled “The Line” and Fairbanks Public Schools.
this page online
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
2. Detail from the marker
The corner of Cushman and Second Avenue in 1903. Both streets were little more than muddy trails.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
3. Cleary Creek miners arriving in Fairbanks with 1400 lbs. gold dust. May 20th 09
A packtrain crosses the Chena River at Tuner Street in 1909. Crossing the Chena River required a ferry until a wooden bridge was built. Each year the bridge had to be taken down before spring break-up, or the swollen river and ice floes would sweep the bridge away as if it were made of matchsticks. For several years the rebuilt bridge crossing alternated between Cushman Street and Turner Street.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
4. Detail from the marker
By the early 1920s only 1,155 residents made their home in the once-booming gold camp. Cushman Street appeared a tranquil lane with only the steel bridge hinting at new growth.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
5. Detail from the marker
Cushman Street businesses in the 1940s catered to Fairbanks growing population. Shops like The Sportsman sold a wide selection of hunting paraphernalia, while Gordon’s carried the latest in ladies’ fashion.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 27, 2010
6. Detail from the marker
Muddy with melting snow and ice, North Cushman Street ended abruptly at the depot of the Alaska Railroad just a few yards behind the camera in the scene below. On nearby Driveway Street, engine number 1 of the Alaska Railroad can be seen. The engine was later moved to a historical park off Airport Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 681 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 20, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
