Smyrna times., 1937-06-03
JUNEAU IS IN
CONSTANT FEAR
Capital of Alaska is Being
Menaced by Landslides
Down Mountain
FREQUENT DAMAGES

Washington, D. C.-Landslides are
not new to Juneau, capital of the
Territory Of Alaska. The city, how
ever. is unaccustomed to such
avalanches Of mud and rocks as
recently caused several deaths and
scores of injuries to its citizens.
In recent years landsides of minor
proportions have frequently DAM
aged the city.
Normally. Juneau appears to be
nesting in protected spot" says
the National Geographic society
Snug and beautiful are the adjec-
tives used by the approaching Wis.,
itor from the steamer rail, in de-
scribing the city; but the lofty for
ested mountains at it's back door,
that call forth such descriptive
words, are at the same time,
menace that keeps Juneau citizens
apprehensive, especially during a
rainy season.
Situated on the mainland Of
Alaska's panhandle, facing deep
well-protected harbor. Juneau is
built on terraces from the waters
edge to the base of the mountains
which, in many places, are pock-
marked with holes bored by op-
timistic seekers for gold" contin-
ues the bulletin. Some of these
holes yielded metal and diggers be-
came rich; others were abandoned
when pay dirt failed to appear.
Built on Rocks.
1.-THE city's first terrace is the
dock area. Here is the district
where is heard the yarn-spinning of
fishermen of small fishing feet
that makes Juneau its home port,
and the babble of citizens who greet
the thousands Of tourists who visit
this port annually. Within earshot
of the docks where the large Seattle
Alaska ships berth, one hears the
whir of saw mills preparing lum-
ber for local use and for export,
and the din of sheet metal works
and machine shops that largely
make up Juneau's world of heavy
industry. Smaller industries are
spread throughout the city.
The second terrace is occupied
largely by business and govern
ment buildings and some residences
that flank the streets crossing at
right angles. This terrace slopes
rather gently to the third. which,
with the exception Of shop here
and there, is entirely residential.
It is this latter part Of the city
that is nearly overhung by the
mountains and is in the way Of
slides from the steep slopes above.
Juneau itself is built on rock
and yards and gardens are almost
unknown. A natural grass-covered
plot much larger than a hall bed
room is a luxury. Most garden soil
Is hauled to the home sites. But
once planted. these little plots
produce ample crops of amazingly
huge vegetables and flowers.
Juneau owed its early growth
to gold discovered ON and near the
site 1t occupies. Then business men
visioned profits from the vast near
by forests. Before the World war,
census takers counted more than
5000 people within the city's boun-
daries. The World war took many
of its men, some Of whom never
returned. Others left when some
gold mines petered out and there
was little possibility of the return
Of the boom days that brought them.
BY 1880 the population had dwindled
to about 1000. but recently the city
has taken a new lease on life with
renewed activities In mining, lun-
bering and shipping. Again the
streets are abustle with lumber
Jacks, miners and business men in
spired by an upturn in trade and
industry.
Progressive City.
Despite Jneau's economic ups
and downs. the visitor who saw the
city some twenty years ago and
who returns today will discover
many improvements. Not many
years ago all the buildings Of Ju-
neau were Of frame construction
and fanked plank roadways. Today
the government buildings and many
of the larger business buildings and
apartment houses are Of concrete
or stone. The planking has been
removed from the streets and re-
placed with concrete and macadam.
Automobiles are increasing in num-
bers and horse-drawn vehicles are
more Of a traffic problem than
necessity among the city's trans
portation facilities. New depart
ment stores and reconditioned old
ones, hotels, daily newspapers, in
creasing bank accounts, and some
pzA ~