Supports local history

To the editor:

Thank you to state Rep. Mark Neuman and his staffers, Rex and Morgan, for helping obtain the funding needed to replace the old furnace at the Knik Museum.

Knik Museum, located at Mile 13.9, Knik-Goose Bay Road, houses countless artifacts, photographs and mementos of the old town of Knik. Many local folks may not realize that years before Anchorage existed, Knik was the major port in upper Cook Inlet.

The year 1915 was the peak for Knik. The population, well over 500 people, supported four general stores, four hotels, three saloons, a fuel company, a movie house, barber shop, pool room and a newspaper, The Knik News. Around 1917, when the railroad decided to bypass Knik and go through what is now Wasilla, many businesses in Knik were moved to Wasilla and Anchorage.

Knik Town Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1973. Neuman’s effort in preserving this part of our local history is just another example of his service to our local community.

Diane Williams

Curator-Knik Museum