1917 – For the first time a Coast Guard cutter has been detailed to the northern fishing banks in the winter and the big new cutter Unalga has arrived from the south for the service. She will serve as a hospital and aid ship for the halibut fleet fishing in the Gulf of Alaska. The Unalga was in Alaska waters last summer but did not call at Juneau. She is in command of Frederick G. Dodge and has a crew of 75. Gastineau Bygones – 10/27/1978
1954 – Juneau has been removed as a participant in the All American Soap Box Derby, due to lack of required number of participants (50) in previous seasons’ events. The Juneau Rotary Club, which had sponsored the local race for more than a decade, answered the national organization’s letter to say that the reason for low numbers of race entrants was not lack of interest, but lack of population, but to no avail. [note: a local version has been resurrected as part of Douglas’ traditional Fourth of July community events] Daily Alaska Empire – 01/22/1954
1967 – This last weekend saw one of the busiest days for Juneau’s municipal airport with scores of planes landing for the Inaugural festivities. The one that attracted the most interest, however, was a huge Air Force C-141 jet that made an emergency fuel stop here on a flight from the states to Vietnam with troops and cargo. En route from McCord AF base in Washington state to Elmendorf base in Anchorage, weather conditions elsewhere forced the plane to request a stop here for refueling. Loading up with 12,141 gallons of fuel – all the city could spare – it took off again using only 4,500 feet of runway. It was the largest plane ever to use the facility. Juneau Alaska Empire – 01/22/1967
1976 – The City Assembly passed a resolution formally changing the name of the Juneau Municipal Airport to “JUNEAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT”. https://chstm2y9cx63tv84u2p8shc3-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/JuneauAirportHistory12-13-16Alt.pdf
Back to This Day in Juneau History