Alaska - Road Trip - Part III - Ester & World Famous Malemute Saloon

[@robertpaulfavreau4337]

Thank You! I was a patron of Malemute Saloon in 1973 and 1974. We had hoot and hollering good times. We were there when Fairbanks was the get away town from working on the slope up near Barrow on the Alaska Pipeline. Second Street was filled with action every night from 4pm until 5am. The main location was the Chena Bar almost to Noble Street on 2nd Street. The Savoy... Chilkoot Charlies... The Elbow Room... and several other places. The natives would come in from all over Northern Alaska... and we would have a GREAT time every single night... Yes, thank you. You awaken many memories!

[@llp7753]

I'm so glad you made that sojourn to your grandmothers cabin and gazebo. Very special! Those are the sorts of trips that stick with you for a lifetime. Beautiful trip... beautiful pictures.... and me thinks..... you are a beautiful soul. Certainly have an amazing eye for photos and finding the good light. Well done!

[@lindsayhenry5636]

Really appreciated Part 3 'Ester & the Malemute Saloon' of your Alaska Road Trip video. Having worked in the Malemute Saloon, and the Cripple Creek Hotel Restaurant 43 years ago, if certainly brought back some great 1977 memories. Certainly hope it all comes alive again one day, complete with sawdust floor, Robert Service Poems, the honky tonk piano and the corny on stage skits, it all made for a wonderful recreation of Saloon life, in days long gone by.

[@seaborneful]

Hi, Lindsay. Glad you enjoyed the video. My grandmother played piano at The Malemute Saloon. Eleanor “Ida Lane”Clausen. Did you work with her?

[@lindsayhenry5636]

@@seaborneful Hi Lane, no, I didn't get the chance to meet Ida, although everyone spoke highly of her, especially Don Pearson. The summer of '77, when I worked there, a young girl by the name of Christie played the piano for Don, and being the only lady amongst the boys who tendered bar, she was rather popular. I think Ida may have still been living in Ester at the time.

[@markallen4369]

@@lindsayhenry5636 Hi Lindsay! I rode my motorcycle up to Alaska in 2010 to visit my son stationed at Ft. Wainwright. We drove out to the saloon and and lo and behold, there was a wedding reception being held for one of the guys niece, Don. I don't remember his last name, but he lived down the street in a trailer. Long hair and beard. We called you from his home one night!! Marty and Thelma were there, along with Christie's brother JD. He said that Christie was now a doctor, married with three kids and living in New Zealand. It was really great seeing everyone again. Brought back those great memories for sure. Ida used to come into the bar everyday and order her Jim Beam Rye. I do remember that.