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Story
March 30, 1959
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
A group of 37 Michigan '59ers, modern pioneers, arrives in Anchorage, Alaska, after a 5,000-mile trek from Detroit. Welcomed warmly by the city, they plan to homestead cooperatively on the Kenai Peninsula, pooling resources for a new life.
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Anchorage Rolls Out Red Carpet For Jubilant, Travel-Weary Michigan 59ers
ANCHORAGE, (P) -- This booming city, Alaska's largest, was in complete surrender to a road-weary, happy band of modern pioneers who call themselves the Michigan '59ers.
They rolled into town Friday - 37 men, women and children who left the Detroit area days ago in a 5,000-mile trek to a new life on this spanking new state's Kenai Peninsula.
With the 59ers were seven dogs no other pets - and five strangers they picked up along the way.
Their 17 cars and trucks, 6 house trailers and two cargo trailers were packed to overflowing with all of their worldly possessions, including tools with which to carve a living from the wilderness.
Fun-loving, boisterous Anchorage gave them a welcome they'll probably not soon forget.
There was a noisy escort from the outskirts of Anchorage to City Hall, where the '59ers stepped up a red carpet to a greeting by Mayor Hewitt Lounsbury and other civic dignitaries.
There was a wonderful repast at a modern Anchorage restaurant.
And there was friendship all around them.
Ronald Jacobowitz, leader of the caravan, said the weekend would be devoted to rest and to acceptance of only a few of the many offers of hospitality the '59ers have had.
"It's a wonderful group of people we're with, and it's a wonderful group of people we have met," Jacobowitz said.
"The way our people have worked together getting here, don't think we will have too much trouble on the Peninsula."
Jacobowitz said that when federal offices open Monday the group will start the process of homesteading land on the Kenai Peninsula. He said a small advance group would probably be sent to the Peninsula to look over the area and then report back to the rest.
The homesteaders will remain together in a cooperative venture on the Kenai. They will pool all of their resources: their tools, their labor and their yield.
Jacobowitz' eyes took on a far-away look as he told of the plans of the '59ers. but not too faraway.
After traveling for some 4,800 miles, the 224 miles to the homestead area was just a step away.
ANCHORAGE, (P) -- This booming city, Alaska's largest, was in complete surrender to a road-weary, happy band of modern pioneers who call themselves the Michigan '59ers.
They rolled into town Friday - 37 men, women and children who left the Detroit area days ago in a 5,000-mile trek to a new life on this spanking new state's Kenai Peninsula.
With the 59ers were seven dogs no other pets - and five strangers they picked up along the way.
Their 17 cars and trucks, 6 house trailers and two cargo trailers were packed to overflowing with all of their worldly possessions, including tools with which to carve a living from the wilderness.
Fun-loving, boisterous Anchorage gave them a welcome they'll probably not soon forget.
There was a noisy escort from the outskirts of Anchorage to City Hall, where the '59ers stepped up a red carpet to a greeting by Mayor Hewitt Lounsbury and other civic dignitaries.
There was a wonderful repast at a modern Anchorage restaurant.
And there was friendship all around them.
Ronald Jacobowitz, leader of the caravan, said the weekend would be devoted to rest and to acceptance of only a few of the many offers of hospitality the '59ers have had.
"It's a wonderful group of people we're with, and it's a wonderful group of people we have met," Jacobowitz said.
"The way our people have worked together getting here, don't think we will have too much trouble on the Peninsula."
Jacobowitz said that when federal offices open Monday the group will start the process of homesteading land on the Kenai Peninsula. He said a small advance group would probably be sent to the Peninsula to look over the area and then report back to the rest.
The homesteaders will remain together in a cooperative venture on the Kenai. They will pool all of their resources: their tools, their labor and their yield.
Jacobowitz' eyes took on a far-away look as he told of the plans of the '59ers. but not too faraway.
After traveling for some 4,800 miles, the 224 miles to the homestead area was just a step away.
What sub-type of article is it?
Journey
Adventure
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Exploration
Family
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Michigan 59ers
Alaska Pioneers
Kenai Peninsula
Homesteading
Caravan Trek
Anchorage Welcome
What entities or persons were involved?
Ronald Jacobowitz
Mayor Hewitt Lounsbury
Michigan '59ers
Where did it happen?
Anchorage, Alaska; Kenai Peninsula
Story Details
Key Persons
Ronald Jacobowitz
Mayor Hewitt Lounsbury
Michigan '59ers
Location
Anchorage, Alaska; Kenai Peninsula
Event Date
1959
Story Details
The Michigan '59ers, a group of 37 pioneers led by Ronald Jacobowitz, complete a 5,000-mile journey from Detroit to Anchorage, welcomed by the city. They plan cooperative homesteading on the Kenai Peninsula, pooling resources after resting.