The Towns Along the Way: Fairbanks -- Pioneer Park

The main place we went in Fairbanks was Pioneer Park. This park was built to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Alaska purchase by the US from Russia. I don't know how many acres it encompasses, but it is a HUGE place, and we could have spent much more time there. As it was we were there for most of the morning. It stays open year round, but most of the museums and the little shops on the town Main Street close on Labor Day - and we were there 2 days after :( It's probably a good thing....! The following pictures are just a sample of what is in the park.
The gardens at the entrance -- everywhere you go in Alaska (and BC and the Yukon), there are LOTS of bright flowers and beautiful gardens.

This sign isn't easy to read, but it tells that this is the "Denali", the train car that President Warren Harding rode in on his trip to Alaska to drive in the golden spike for the Alaska railroad.
The inside is obviously used at times, because there was a podium and chairs and tables stacked on one side. The door was locked, so this picture was taken through the window - that's why the reflection in the center of the picture...

"The Valley" area has lots of pieces of old machinery, cabins and some old mining equipment, etc. These are just a few of the pictures...



This plane was outside the Air museum (which was closed)--
This is a wonderful old time merry-go-round--
There was a lot of fun looking things for kids to do, including a really nice playground.

This sign will tell you how far it is to most anywhere in the world :)

There is a "town" with shops, a hotel, cabins, etc. which have been moved from their original locations, mostly in Fairbanks, to the park and set up with signs telling the history of the buildings. I'll put in a few of them....

The church--
A house beside the church - it's a museum during the open season--
Roger, checking out the Kitty Hensley house--
These two cabins were the only gift shops still open -
Mom, checking out the shops and houses on "Main Street"--
The train station--
The Palace Hotel--
Some cabins--

This sternwheeler, the Nenana, ran the Yukon River delivering supplies and travelers to the early towns and settlements along the river. Inside the lower area (which was still open to visitors) there was lots of interesting information, and a model display which showed the river with places where the boat would stop. It was behind glass, and ran around the edge of the outside walls and down the middle. There were signs and information about each little display area telling its name and a little bit about the place. It was hard to get pictures, because of the reflection off the glass, but you can get the general idea.