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Anchorage Land Auction, 1915
“Anchorage Land Auction, 1915” is a reproduction print produced from a watercolor original by Byron Birdsall. Published by Artique, Ltd. Publishing in 2000; it is an edition of 500, signed by the artist. The image size is 14.25 inches high by 20 inches wide.
An excerpt from the book ANCHORAGE: All-America City by Evangeline Atwood:
In June of that year (1915), an executive order from the President arrived authorizing the laying out of a townsite (of Anchorage). The plateau north of the flats, now known as Government Hill, was set aside for permanent employees homes. On the south bluff, a townsite of 347 acres was cleared and layed out into 50 foot by 140 foot lots. One hundred lots were reserved for federal and municipal purposes, schools and parks.
July 10, 1915 was a gala day in the Ship Creek camp as town lots were to be sold at auction. Over two thousand people assembled in front of a temporary platform on which stood Andrew Christiansen, auctioneer and superintendent of sales. Folks were restless and tense as they waited for the sale to get underway. They argued about the permanency of the town and questioned one another about the meaning of the conditions governing the sale.
For instance, each lot had been given an appraised valuation, ranging from $255 to $400. An ingenious payment plan had been worked out. Deeds included a clause of forfeiture in the event the property was used for immoral purposes or if the owner was convicted of selling liquor.
At 2 oclock, Mr. Christiansen mounted the platform and addressed the gathering. He gave assurances of great plans which the federal government had for Anchorage amounting to an expenditure of millions of dollars. These words went far toward dissipating doubts about the towns future stability and lively bidding ensued. Competitive bidding continued for two days bringing $148,000 for 655 lots.
An excerpt from the book ANCHORAGE: All-America City by Evangeline Atwood:
In June of that year (1915), an executive order from the President arrived authorizing the laying out of a townsite (of Anchorage). The plateau north of the flats, now known as Government Hill, was set aside for permanent employees homes. On the south bluff, a townsite of 347 acres was cleared and layed out into 50 foot by 140 foot lots. One hundred lots were reserved for federal and municipal purposes, schools and parks.
July 10, 1915 was a gala day in the Ship Creek camp as town lots were to be sold at auction. Over two thousand people assembled in front of a temporary platform on which stood Andrew Christiansen, auctioneer and superintendent of sales. Folks were restless and tense as they waited for the sale to get underway. They argued about the permanency of the town and questioned one another about the meaning of the conditions governing the sale.
For instance, each lot had been given an appraised valuation, ranging from $255 to $400. An ingenious payment plan had been worked out. Deeds included a clause of forfeiture in the event the property was used for immoral purposes or if the owner was convicted of selling liquor.
At 2 oclock, Mr. Christiansen mounted the platform and addressed the gathering. He gave assurances of great plans which the federal government had for Anchorage amounting to an expenditure of millions of dollars. These words went far toward dissipating doubts about the towns future stability and lively bidding ensued. Competitive bidding continued for two days bringing $148,000 for 655 lots.