Situated in the heart of downtown Anchorage, the Historic Anchorage Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is Anchorage's only historic hotel property. Anchorage was in its infancy when the original Anchorage Hotel structure, located on the corner of 3rd Avenue and E Street, was built. By 1936 the city of Anchorage was growing so rapidly that the Anchorage Hotel needed to expand. Our current building, the Anchorage Hotel Annex, was built across the alleyway on 3rd Avenue and a sky bridge was constructed connecting the two buildings. For many years the Anchorage Hotel served as Anchorage's primary meeting and gathering place. At one time, it was the only place in the new city where you could enjoy a meal served on fine china with linen and silver. For dignitaries and celebrities traveling to the new territory of Alaska, the Anchorage Hotel was the premier place to stay. Will Rogers and Wiley Post stayed at the Anchorage Hotel just two days before their fateful flight to Barrow. Famous mountain man Bob Marshall stayed here as well. Perhaps the most notable guest of the Anchorage Hotel, however, was famous artist Sydney Laurence. Many of Mr. Laurence's years in Alaska were spent painting in his studio, located in the hotel lobby, while he lived in an upstairs apartment. Mr. Laurence is most remembered for his beautiful paintings of Mt. McKinley and Alaska's scenery.

Over time, the original Anchorage Hotel structure was sold and eventually torn down. The Annex building continued to operate, but for many years it was neglected and allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. For awhile it even operated under different names. In 1989, however, under new ownership, the building was brought back to life and stands today to represent an important part of Anchorage's heritage and a strong part of her future. SHOW MAP