| The Lowell family was the first family to live on what is today's Seward.
The Russians had a settlement here at one time and the first ship ever
built in Alaska was built at Cains Head. Captain Frank Lowell of Bath Main,
and his wife Mary arrived at Resurrection Bay in 1884. He was a trader
sailing the coastal waters in his schooner. He and his wife made their
home here and raised a family.
In 1893 gold was found on Resurrection Creek near the present day town
site of Hope. Many of the gold seeker landed at Resurrection Bay and headed
overland to the gold fields. The steamers would drop off the mail with
the Lowells, for the men and women in the gold fields. From here it was
taking by horse in summer and dog sled in winter to the Sunrise and Hope
camps.
In 1903 two brother arrived at the Lowells homestead. They were Frank
L Ballaine and John E Ballaine who were here with a scheme to build a railroad
to the ore rich interior of Alaska. The Ballaine brothers purchased the
Lowells homestead, and received one more parcel of land of 160 acres, under
a civil war veterans act using credit called Soldiers Additional Homestead
Scrip. This was to become the town site of Seward. They sold the lots to
finance the start of the railroad. They had orginized a company and sold
stock to build what was callled the Alaska Central Railroad. The railroad
was to go to the interior of Alaska. They had suveyor and laid out the
town and begain selling lots to people who begain to arrive. August 28,
1903
Sourses
"Alaska a History of the 49th State" Claus M Naske and Herman E Slotnick
"History of the Gateway City" Mary J Barry
|
