Anchorage, Alaska

:Note: an anchorage is a place where a ship lies at anchor. An Anchorage is also the residence of an Anchoret, a hermit sometimes called an anchorite. Anchorage redirects here. See also: Anchorage, Kentucky.

History

Anchorage was carefully laid out by city planners in 1914, originally as a railroad construction port for the Alaska Railroad, and in 1915, the first sales of town lots were held. In 1920, the United States government relinquished its direct control over the city, and elections were held. Anchorage was incorporated on August 15 1938. Growth began in the 1940s, with the construction of Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, which made Anchorage a major defense center. After Alaska became a state, Anchorage faced a severe housing shortage, which was solved partially by suburban expansion.

Related Topics:
Railroad - Construction - Port - Alaska Railroad - 1915 - Town lot - 1920 - August 15 - 1938 - 1940s - Suburban expansion

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On March 27, 1964, Anchorage was hit by the Good Friday Earthquake, which registered 9.2 moment magnitude and caused tremendous destruction. The continued threat of earthquakes has prompted a limit on the height of buildings in the city; the tallest buildings are 21 stories high. The city has an attractive skyline nonetheless, particularly with the Chugach Mountains, Cook Inlet, or the oft-visible Mount McKinley (also known as Denali) as a backdrop. From Government Hill, one can have the best view of Mount McKinley. Though space is limited in the "Anchorage bowl," as locals call the peninsula on which the city is located, many parks, greenbelts, and other undeveloped areas can be found within the city itself, making it particularly attractive to nature lovers (to say nothing of the attractions available just a short distance outside the city). Over the past thirty years, however, many of these undeveloped areas have filled in with houses, strip malls, and other development. Nonetheless, there is an enormous amount of land under the Anchorage municipal control: some 1,955 square miles (5063 km²) about the size of Delaware. The vast majority of this land is located within the Chugach mountains to the east of the city, which also comprises Chugach State Park.

Related Topics:
March 27 - 1964 - Good Friday Earthquake - Moment magnitude - Chugach Mountains - Cook Inlet - Mount McKinley - Denali - Delaware - Chugach State Park

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