Synopses & Reviews
The turbulent history of Fairbanks, Alaska is far less well-known than most urban histories. With this volume, Dermot Cole chronicles the rollicking backstory of a city that owes its beginnings to a cargo boat accident and the Klondike gold rush. Cole engagingly recounts how Fairbanks and its hardy residents survived floods, fires, harsh weather, and economic crises to see the city flourish into the prosperous transportation hub and government seat it is today. Fairbanks is ultimately a fascinating historical saga of one of the last cities to be established on the American frontier.
About the Author
Dermot Cole is a columnist for the Fairbanks Daily News-miner.
Table of Contents
ForewordMapChapter 1 - Low Water and High HopesChapter 2 - Boom Times on the Chena / Keeping Food on the TableChapter 3 - Golden Days in Fairbanks / Dots and DashesChapter 4 - Trial by Fire / The Northern Commercial CompanyChapter 5 - Town of Robinson Crusoes / Open Door Policy / A Unique OrdinanceChapter 6 - End of the Glory Days / Women's Suffrage and the Booze BuglerChapter 7 - A Ghost Town No More / Being a Good Sport / On the Silver ScreenChapter 8 - Most Air-Minded City / Farewell to Will RogersChapter 9 - Through Dust and MudChapter 10 - War on the Home Front / The Wild Blue Yonder / The Famous Flock to Fairbanks / Until the Cows Come Home / The Key for Alaska's RichesChapter 11 - Red Star Over Fairbanks / The Long Journey of Francis HarperChapter 12 - The End of the Line / Winter WonderlandChapter 13 - A Town Transformed / Playing on the Frozen Tundra / A Bridge to the FutureChapter 14 - Celebrating Statehood / Symphony of Sounds / New Era for Alaska NativesChapter 15 - A River Runs Through It / Eva McGownChapter 16 - The Oil Years in Alaska EpilogueBibliographyIndexAbout the Author