VirtualGlobetrotting: United States: Fairbanks

VirtualGlobetrotting Live View

Northernmost Denny's in the World
AlbinoFlea (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: AlbinoFlea.
Read more...
Some pics at www.virtualtourist.com.

Golden Heart Plaza
AlbinoFlea (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: AlbinoFlea.
Read more...
From www.acsyellowpages.com:
The idea of this downtown plaza stemmed from a celebration of the silver anniversary of Alaska's Statehood. Construction was competed in 1987 and funded by donations from Fairbanks' citizens, families, businesses and associations. Golden Heart Plaza, filled with flowers in the summer and strung with twinkling lights in the winter, plays a central roll in any downtown Fairbanks celebration. The clock tower was donated by the Fairbanks Rotary Club. A time capsule, to be opened January 3rd 2059, is buried behind the Plaza on the riverbank. The statue is Malcom Alexander's "Unknown First Family" which is "dedicated to all Families past, present and future, and to the indomitable spirit of the people of Alaska's Interior.

1993-1996 Toyota Supra A80 Coupe
Carrera (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Carrera.
Read more...
The A80 Toyota Supra is revered by many as the best generation of the grand tourer, being extremely popular among the tuner community. Prototypes initially built in 1991 and 1992 eventually became the 1993 Supra that replaced the A70, entering production in April of that year. While a naturally-aspirated 2JZ I6 engine was available, more attention is paid to the twin-turbocharged version of that same engine, in which with it, it has been praised for its handling, performance, and even the sound of its turbos. With the twin-turbocharged 2JZ, 60 miles per hour was attained in 4.6 seconds, and while it has been limited to a speed of 155 miles per hour, many say it can at least reach 180 without a governor. The turbochargers operated in sequential mode, in which the exhaust is directed to the first turbine, which reduces turbo lag and allows it to go under effect at RPMs as low as 1800. Once at 3500 RPM, in which it had already made 300 lb-ft of torque, a "pre-boost mode" is achieved as the second turbine takes in exhaust too, in which after 500 RPM increase, the output of that turbocharger goes under effect. The Supra stopped being exported into the Canadian market in 1996, and followed by the U.S. market in 1998 (1997 was the last model year for Turbos in states following CARB emissions regulations), in which production finally ended worldwide in 2002. A Toyota Supra of this generation (1995 model year in this case) was used by the late Paul Walker in the original Fast and the Furious film. The Supra nameplate is expected to return as a G29 BMW Z4-based coupe that only comes with an automatic transmission.
Image date: July 2011

Alaska-Siberia WWII Lend-Lease monument
daggerwell (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: daggerwell.
On August 27, 2006, the official opening of the WW2 Lend-Lease Monument took place in Fairbanks, Alaska.
During the years 1942 – 1945, Fairbanks was the point of transfer of 7926 airplanes from US factories to the Soviet Union. American pilots brought airplanes from Great Falls, Montan to Fairbanks, Alaska, where Soviet representatives accepted and ferried them along the Soviet leg of the route to Krasnoyarsk and then to the battle fronts.
To commemorate the spirit of friendship and cooperation of the allies during WWII, a decision was made in 2001 to erect a monument.
The Juneau-based Alaska-Siberia Research Center (http://www.aksrc.org) (Chairman Alexander Dolitsky, Director William Ruddy) coordinated and managed the project, and renowned sculptor Richard T. Wallen designed and created this masterpiece. The project was funded by the Alaska State Legislature and the US Congress.

Northernmost Denny's in the World
kkeps (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kkeps.

Milepost Circle, Northern Terminus of the Alaskan Highway
AlbinoFlea (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: AlbinoFlea.
From www.acsyellowpages.com:
When you enter the circle there is a plaque celebrating 25 years of Alaska Statehood. The milepost welcomes visitors to Alaska's Golden Heart City and proclaims it the official end of the Alaska Highway. The distance between Fairbanks and cities around the world are listed. When possible distances are in "road miles"; others are in "air miles." Beyond the milepost is a small monument presented by the American & Canadian Societies of Civil Engineers proclaiming the end of the Alaskan Highway, an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Alaska State Courthouse, Fourth Judicial District

SS Nenana at Alaskaland
kjfitz (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kjfitz.
The Nenana ran Alaska's rivers from 1933 to 1952 bringing supplies, news, employment and transportation to each of its stops. It now rests in state at Alaskaland.

Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
From www.dot.state.ak.us:
Early aviators in the Alaskan Territory frequently made do without prepared landing strips, putting their airplane down wherever air transportation was required. Aviation service in the Fairbanks area was initiated at an airfield known as Weeks Field, or Weeks Ball Park, in 1923. This multi-use facility gained importance in the community and throughout the Alaska aviation system from the time that Carl Ben Eielson first flew into Fairbanks in 1923 to start Alaskan Airways. A majority of the area's general aviation and commercial air traffic was accommodated here through mid-century, though air carrier aircraft used Ladd Air Force Base, today referred to as Fort Wainwright. Plans coalesced in 1948 for development of a new facility - Fairbanks International Airport. Construction was authorized by Congress that year. Operations were shifted to the new airport in 1951, though minimal facilities and no terminal building were then available. Air carriers used temporary structures until completion of the passenger terminal building in 1954.
This site, still held today, is located approximately four miles west from the urban center of Fairbanks, just north of the confluence of the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Weeks Field is now a residential area.
The airport was under the charge of the federal government from its opening until Alaska was granted statehood in 1959. Ownership and responsibility for operation were then transferred to the State of Alaska, Department of Public Works, then to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, under whose charge the facility remains today.
Development at the airport in past decades has been commensurate with growth in the community. Two notable traffic increases has occurred. First, a surge in passenger and enplaned cargo volumes and corresponding aircraft operations occurred in the years 1974 through 1977, the time when the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was under construction. Second, traffic at the airport changed in character as international air cargo flights began refueling at Fairbanks in 1979. Japan Airlines and Korean Airlines began service stops on cargo flights in May of that year. Fairbanks became an attractive option because of fuel availability. Use of Boeing 747, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and McDonnell Douglas DC-8 all-cargo aircraft by these carriers changed the nature of operations at the airport. These larger, heavier aircraft place a greater demand on the infrastructure of the airport. Scheduled international service was discontinued in the spring of 1984, but regularly scheduled service resumed in September of 1990 with the introduction of Lufthansa Cargo to the airport.
Notable facility developments have occurred on the air side and land side in the last three decades. The greatest capacity improvements came with the construction in 1971 of a general aviation (GA) runway, 1R-19L, parallel to the air carrier runway, and a major passenger terminal expansion in 1984. More recently, in 1996 and 1997 the main air carrier runway was lengthened to 11,800 feet to allow wide body freighter aircraft to takeoff from FAI with unrestricted payloads during virtually all weather conditions. In 2002 the GA runway was lengthened to 6,500 feet and widened to 100 feet to accommodate larger aircraft, and the float pond expanded to add 45 new slips.

Seaplanes at Fairbanks International Airport Float Pond

Robert Mitchell Memorial Raceway
From www.mitchellraceway.com:
The Greater Fairbanks Racing Association is a not for profit organization founded expressly to preserve and promote safe and fun dirt track stock car racing in Fairbanks, Alaska. GFRA currently owns and operates the Robert Mitchell Memorial Raceway, located on South Peger Road.
Mitchell Raceway events include weekend racing in four classes, or divisions: Mini Modifieds, Dollar Stocks, Modified, and Sprints. Additional events can include Invitationals for out-of-town Alaskan racers, a Demolition Derby, Mudbog Racing, Car Jumping, and Extreme Sports shows.

Northernmost Girl Scout Council
kkeps (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kkeps.

Bag on the Camera
kkeps (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kkeps.

Douglas DC-6 fuselage on the roof of a building
kjfitz (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kjfitz.
Former "Cloudmaster" now partially preserved on top of "Pike's Aviator Greenhouse and Sweets".
The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1959. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range transport market. More than 700 were built, and many still fly today in cargo, military, and wildfire control roles.
The DC-6 was known as the C-118 Liftmaster in United States Air Force service, and as the R6D in United States Navy service.

Carlile Transportation
alfjon (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: alfjon.
Also known from Ice Road Truckers season 3.

Growden Memorial Park
kjfitz (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: kjfitz.
Growden Memorial Park is an outdoor baseball park in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. It is used for summer collegiate and high school baseball, and has been the home field for the Alaska Baseball League's Alaska Goldpanners since 1960. It's also home to the Athletes in Action Fire. It was also home to the defunct North Pole Nicks, before the Nicks relocated to Newby Field. Famous players who played there include: Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Rick Monday, Terry Francona, Bob Boone, Bret Boone, Jason Giambi and numerous others.
It also has played host to the Alaska School Activities Association state baseball championships over the last few years.
It has an artificial turf infield and a natural grass outfield. It contains several dozen box seats salvaged from Seattle's Sick's Stadium. The Carlson Center is located nearby.
The ballpark holds 3,500 people and has the distinction as the northern-most baseball park in the world and the unique summer Midnight Sun Game.

Robert Dingeman's house
Champion3 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Champion3.
Robert D. Dingeman is an orthopedic surgeon.

Gold Stars
mlc1us (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: mlc1us.
In the pattern of the Alaska State Flag.

BMX track
adrbr (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: adrbr.

'Artic Sonata' by Keith Appel
pmoore66 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: pmoore66.

Gold Stars
adrbr (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: adrbr.

Cornerstone Plaza at University of Alaska
neotrix (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: neotrix.

Flying over Fairbanks
gamma (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: gamma.

Curtiss C-46D Commando
Rene73 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Rene73.

Geist Building (UA Museum of the North)
neotrix (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: neotrix.
The University of Alaska Musuem opened in 1929 displaying Otto Geist's collection of artificats and the University's small painting collection. In 1980 the current museum opened and early phases of expanding the museum began. The expansion of the musuem was completed and opened in 2005. The Museum has become the main repository for artifacts that have been collected all over the state of Alaska, displaying the natural and cultural history of Alaska.

Reichardt Building
neotrix (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: neotrix.
The three-story builiding completed construction in 1994 and was originally named the Natural Sciences Facility. The Natural Sciences Facility was the first new classroom building built on the Fairbanks campus since 1971. The building is home to the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, clasrooms, laboratories, and the Pearl Berry Boyd Hall. The building was named in honor of provost emeritus Paul Reichardt.

Bunnell Building
The Charles Bunnell Building was built in 1959 as the central administrative building of the university system.
Today the building houses the Druska Carr Schaible Auditorium, the main offices for the School of Management and classroom, lab and office space.
Charles Bunnell was one of seven original faculty members at the university when it opened in 1922, and served as its first president.

UAF Wood Center
Wood Center's mission is to develop the whole student by creating connections to UAF and the surrounding communities through a variety of programs, services & opportunities.

Douglas DC-6 Nose
LancelotLink (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: LancelotLink.

'Elysian' by Linda Howard
pmoore66 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: pmoore66.
1986, part of the Cathedral Series
on the Univ of AK campus

George C. Thomas Memorial Library
Fab (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Fab.
George C. Thomas Memorial Library, also known as the former North Star Borough Library or AHRS FAI-004, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978.
According to the National Park Service, "This log structure was the site of a 1915 meeting between U.S. Government officials and native Alaskans to settle land and compensation claims. The meeting started a dispute that was not resolved until passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971."

Charles Bunnell Statue

1974-1978 Jeep Cherokee SJ
Carrera (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Carrera.
Named for the Cherokee Native American tribes, the Wagoneer-inspired full-size SUV first appeared in the dealerships in 1974. The term "Sport Utility Vehicle" was coined from a sales brochure promoting the Cherokee in its debut model year. Power came from AMC-sourced 110 hp, 4.6 liter I6 and V8 (5.9 liter 175 hp, and 6.6 liter, 195 hp) engines, and a diesel engine developed by Peugeot was offered too, but it is rare. Cherokees equipped with the 6.6 liter V8 house what remains the largest engine ever put into a production Jeep.
Image date: September 2007

Golden Days Jail Trailer
Carrera (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Carrera.
This is a trailer made for the Golden Days Celebration in Fairbanks to honor the city's and Alaska during the Gold Rush. This festival is celebrated with parades, games, and more.
Image date: July 2011

Two Lane Blacktop Dragstrip
Matheus_ (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Matheus_.

Ford Bronco (5th Generation)
Updated for 1992, this Ford Bronco generation, more aerodynamic than its predecessor, would be its last until the 2020 model year. It is a full-size 3-door SUV assembled in Valencia, Venezuela and came with either an inline-6 engine or two types of V8s. It was the center of worldwide attention as a 1993 white model driven by Al Cowlings with O.J. Simpson after a murder, was involved in a televised low-speed chase in which they were attempting to flee from the Los Angeles Police Department. The event was seen by 95 million people around the world.
Image date: July 2011

Small plane departing Fairbanks International
WacoKidd110 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: WacoKidd110.

Fairbanks Correctional Center
Matheus_ (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Matheus_.
Fairbanks correctional center in Alaska houses both male and female inmates of varying custody levels. Inmates have access to a variety of programs including basic computing courses, general education classes that enable an inmate to earn a GED, and even some college classes.

Douglas C-118A Liftmaster
Rene73 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Rene73.

'Totem' by Bernard Hosey
pmoore66 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: pmoore66.

'Looking for Love Again' by Candy Chang
2011
project to draw attention to a derelict historic building downtown.
She asked for the public's input on chalkboards around the base.

'Chartreuse Jim' by Lyman Kipp
1984
on the U of A campus

Elmer E. Rasmuson & BioSciences Libraries

Signers' Hall
The building was known as the old museum and used as a storage facility until 1983 when a state legislative appropriation allowed major renovations that converted it into office space with a link to the adjacent Eielson Building, which helped make both buildings more accessible. In addition, the building was named Signers’ Hall, acknowledging its history. It now houses the Office of the Chancellor and other administrative offices, including admissions and the registrar’s office.

'Migration' by Ron Senungetuk and Mark Fejes
2008

Museum of the North
Matheus_ (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: Matheus_.
The University of Alaska Museum of the North is housed on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus.

'Denali' by Cristiane Martens

Waterplane Landing
SpiderX22 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: SpiderX22.

Bed and Breakfast in a railroad train
Fairbanks, Alaska boasts its own quirky railroad car bed and breakfast. The Aurora Express B&B features four historic railroad cars as sleeping chambers and one dining car. The cars were purchased from the Denali State Park Hotel for $1 each, with the agreement that the Wilson family would pay to transport them to their property. Today, the cars sit on 700 feet of private railroad track overlooking Fairbanks and the Tanana Valley.

Radar Site
KRL (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: KRL.
Murphy Dome; a Long Range Radar (LRR) operated by the US Air Force.

'Elysian' by Linda Howard

Alaskan moose
tallturtle82 (VirtualGlobetrotting)
By: tallturtle82.
I wanted to find an Alaskan moose and I had to laugh because this is the first moose I stumbled upon.

'Open Skies' by David Black
at Hutchison Institute (old High School)

Yukon–Charley Rivers National Preserve

Aurora Energy LLC Chena Power Plant

Ben J. Atkinson Power Plant University of Alaska Fairbanks