BE A PART OF HISTORY-SAVE PIONEER HALL

 

The Ketchikan Pioneer Way Association formed in 2021.   It serves as the fund-raising arm for the Ketchikan Pioneers of Alaska to "collect, preserve and share the history of Alaska, promote the social well-being of Alaskans locally and ensure the continuation of historic properties in the community of Ketchikan". The Association is an IRS recognized 501C3.   All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Tax ID# 92-2986645.

 

The Association's first goal is to acquire the funds necessary to complete the historic preservation and restoration of U.S. Customs House/Pioneer Hall and Pioneer Way.

 

The U.S. Customs House/Pioneer Hall, the iconic landmark in downtown Ketchikan, is undergoing a major restoration and preservation.  The oldest building in the city limits, at 126 years old, is showing its age.   Urgent work is needed to address safety issues, improve access and shore up the foundation.  The goal is to return the House/Hall to its roaring 1920s grandeur. 

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O.W. (Six Shooter) Grant built the House/Hall in 1899-1900.  The building housed the U.S. Customs operation until 1907. Originally, the Customs operations were located on Mary Island, about 25 miles south of Ketchikan.  The location was less than ideal- requiring rowing to shore and steep climb to the Customs location.  A move to Ketchikan made sense as a new wharf could handle 3 ‘ordinary’ Alaska liners.

 

The building was the first stop for any vessel traversing waters into Alaska after traveling through Canadian waters.  The Customs ensured that imports and exports complied with U.S. laws and processed every traveler.  The building and its operations served as a federal presence in a remote frontier town.  Its huge U.S. flagpole and waterfront location made it a literal and symbolic gateway to U.S. territory.  The Customs operations being located in Ketchikan ensured that the community not only grew but became a true Gateway City who today relies on our ocean connection for our burgeoning /flourishing tourism and fishing industries. 

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After serving as a boarding house, the building was purchased by the Ketchikan Pioneers of Alaska in 1922. The Hall became a central gathering place for community events, social and civic, throughout the years.  The building continues to serve this function today. 

 

It is the cornerstone building to the Downtown Historic District listing on the National Register of Historic Places.   With careful restoration the House/Hall will become a centerpiece of Ketchikan’s historic preservation efforts, which is home to 4 distinct historic districts.  The City of Ketchikan Historic Commission and Historic Ketchikan, Inc endorse the project. 

 

Stressing the urgency of the restoration efforts is the selection of the House/Hall by the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation as one of the Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties in Alaska for the past 3 out of four years.

 

Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 task 1 of the 5-phase project are complete! 

    Phase 1-Planning & Development                $74,392

    Phase 2- Floor & Site Concept Design         $40,350

    Phase 3- Crawlspace Abatement                 $64,319

    Phase 4 Task 1 (Foundation Stabilization  $173,276 

 

Phase 4 is in progress with Task 1, foundation stabilization, completed.  The remainder of Phase 4 will restore the exterior of the building, including a new roof, siding and window installation.  We have raised over $300,00.00 of the $770,000.00 needed to complete this phase.​

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Phase 5 (Interior Structure).  Our goal for this phase is $1,200,000.

 

If you also value the historical and community value of Ketchikan’s oldest building please help us restore this treasured community asset!

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