Photos: Anchorage's humble beginnings lead to growth

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Ship Creek, the tent city, early summer 1915

Twenty-five years ago, in honor of Anchorage's 75th birthday, a team that included an artist, architect, engineers and a writer (me), along with a score of historical advisers, was asked to research, write, illustrate, design and build a walking tour of "historic Anchorage." Tony Knowles was mayor then. It would, we hoped, be a fun glimpse into our beginnings as a city, framed in a bit of Alaska culture and history.

You will see the blue, three-sided kiosks all over downtown Anchorage, from Elderberry Park to the Alaska Railroad Station along First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth avenues. There are 34 panels full of stories and old photos, with a map on each one to guide you. Start at the old log cabin on Fourth Avenue and F Street.

READ MORE: Anchorage Centennial -- How well do you know Alaska's largest city?