Historic Knik Museum celebrates 101 years

KNIK — Long before Anchorage, Palmer and Wasilla the bustling community of Knik was the gateway to the Interior goldfields and mines.

On the west side of Knik Arm, it was a mini-metropolis, a happening place.

Miners heading for Alaska’s gold and coal fields used Knik as a jumping-off place. Goods were shipped by boat to Fire Island, then offloaded to smaller skiffs and delivered to Knik’s four deep-draft cargo docks on the mud flats when tides allowed.

In its heyday, Knik’s population exceeded 1,500 and included medical, food, lodging, schools, postal and transportation services. The advent of the Alaska Railroad and development of Anchorage left it an abandoned town in less than two decades.

The old pool hall, now the Knik Museum and Mushers’ Hall of Fame, is one of the original Knik settlement buildings, now supported by the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society,

This year the society is celebrating the museum’s 101st birthday with its annual potluck picnic beginning at 1 p.m., Sunday at the museum at Mile 13.9 Knik-Goose Bay Road. A dog team will deliver the mail at 3 p.m., and those attending can get letters hand-canceled with a Knik Museum postmark or buy a commemorative envelope.

An archeological dig is at 4 p.m., and drawings for the many wonderful raffle items will take place throughout the picnic, with the final drawing at 4:30 p.m.

Raffle items include an Alaska Railroad round trip for two, Anchorage to Seward; Tri-Rivers Charters — Clear Creek fishing trip; replica stuffed animal of the Dogyard Cat; original Alaska Railroad print; original art; gift certificates and more.

Bring a dish to share and come visit with your friends and neighbors.

For more information, call 376-7755.