Seward, AK
Home MenuThe Seward Historic Preservation Commission, with a grant from the Alaska State Historic Preservation Office, worked with partners and the public to create a historic walking tour with 26 signs, 46 sites, a map, and web page. Now that you are here, you have become part of our story. Let's take a quick tour of our 26 signs. When you take the tour in person, you can start wherever you choose. Pick up a map at the Seward Community Library & Museum and discover all the details of Seward’s amazing history for yourself.
Thank you to all our partners, donors, contributors, and especially the property owners willing to share Seward's history with others.
Find out what the Historical Walking Tour is all about in this short informative video.
Walking Tour Map
With this map, you can start wherever you like to enjoy the Seward Historical Walking Tour. Pick up a map at the Seward Community Library & Museum or download one here. Learn the details of the historic sites by visiting the sites and reading the signs. Sites without a sign have more detail on the back of the map. We encourage you to visit these buildings to see them and read their interpretive panels (if they have one), but only go into those buildings that are active businesses or public facilities. Please respect private property owner’s privacy.
Download your walking tour map here.
Learn More about all the historic sites on the walking tour.
Download additional information here.
Thank You to Our Partners, Contributors and Donors
This project is supported in part through the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior, and by the State of Alaska, Office of History and Archaeology.
Sources, References, Credits
Books
Barry, Mary J. 1986. Seward Alaska: A History of the Gateway City Vol I: Prehistory to 1914.
Barry, Mary J. 1993. Seward Alaska: A History of the Gateway City. Vol. II: 1914 – 1923 The Railroad Construction Years.
Barry, Mary J. 1995. Seward Alaska: A History of the Gateway City. Vol. III: 1924-1993 Growth, Tragedy, Recovery, Adaptation.
Capra, Doug. 2014. The Spaces Between- Stories form the Kenai Mountains to The Kenai Fjords. A Kenai Mountains Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area Publication. Seward, Alaska.
Capra, Doug. 1996. Something to Be Remembered: Stories from Seward History. A Yankee-Sourdough Publication. Seward, Alaska.
Family After All: Alaska’s Jesse Lee Home, 2007. Vol. I compiled by Raymond L. Hudson. Vol. I, Unalaska, 1889-1925 Vol. II by Jacquelin Pels. Seward, 1925-1965. Vol. II by Jacquelin Pels. Seward, 1925-1965.
Lund, Robert. 1955. The Alaskan. Bantam Books.
Mow, Amy. 2018. , Snapshots of Seward: A History in Photos. Seward, AK: Seward Community Library Association, 2010, 102 pp.
Paulsteiner, John. 1975. Seward, Alaska: The Sinful Town on Resurrection Bay.
Williams, Patricia Ray. 2014. There’s a Freedom Here: My 100 years in Alaska.
Historical Records
Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Historical Books online. Seward District, General Index and Deed Books.
Magazines or Journals
Standard Oil Bulletin. January 1924.
Online Publications, Reports, Journals, and Resources
Bateman, Annaliese Jacobs. 2002. Regulated Vice: A History of Seward’s Red Light District, 1914-1954. Report prepared for the Seward Visitor Center Compliance Project, National Park Service, Alaska Support Office.
Capra, D. 2020.- Standard Oil Comes to Seward. Seward Journal.
Capra, D. 2018- Chicago West. Seward Journal.
Capra, D. 2017. Coffee, dogs and crusty old-timers. The Resurrect Art Coffee House Gallery. A presentation for the 100 year anniversary.
Mason, Rachel. (2021). RED LIGHT DISTRICT ETHNOHISTORY IN SEWARD, ALASKA.
Mork, Kelsey A., 2017. Historical atlas of Seward, Alaska : Seward's downtown district through historical images and maps.
Seward Historic Preservation Commission, webpage.
Seward Community Library Association, Alaska’s Digital Archives
Local Publications and Organizations
1984 Seward Visitors Guide.
Resurrection Bay Historical Society. General Information. http://www.resbayhistorical.org/general-information/
Seward Community Library and Museum. General information.