Adventures with the other side

History   In 1901 newly graduated mining engineer student Stephen Birch traveled to Alaska through some of the harshest wilderness there was in search of mining opportunities. He has heard rumors that rich copper ore had been found in the Wrangell Mountains. Once he arrived armed with financial backing from the Guggenheim family and J.P. Morgan, Stephen Birch   bought the mine claims from the original prospectors and work began to determine how to mine the copper and then transport it out of the remote Alaskan Mountains. Abandoned Railway A town and railroad had to be built in one of the most secluded areas one could find. This is a place where in the winter the sun only shines a few hours and temperatures can easily reach 60 below 0. Equipment had to be brought in on dog sleds and in 1907; construction on the Copper River & Northwestern Railways began.    The 196-mile railroad stretched from Cordova to Kennecott and included over 40...

The ghosts of Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle is said to be home to many ghosts, they make themselves known in a variety of ways, perhaps by the sound of drumming or bagpipes, perhaps by a chill in the air or a whisper in your ear, perhaps they will tug on your shirt sleeve or maybe even appear in front of you when you least expect to see them. The headless drummer boy made his first appearance at Edinburgh Castle in 1650 the same year that Oliver Cromwell marched into Edinburgh, executed Charles I, and sieged the castle. It is said that a phantom headless drummer boy was seen wandering around the castle grounds playing his drum, warning of an attack. Legend says this boy makes his appearance when the castle is going to be attacked; perhaps this is true since it has been many years since the boy has been seen or heard. There are labyrinths of tunnels that lie beneath Edinburgh Castle and lead all the way down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse house. It is said t...

Edinburgh Scotland is my favorite place to travel; I just love the history there and would  love to return over and over. In fact, if I could figure out how, I would live there part time. Castle History Edinburgh   is said to be the most haunted city in Europe, perhaps that is why I love it so. Edinburgh Castle is listed as one of the most haunted places in the city, it sits on top of Castle Rock an imposing formation formed from a volcano. Records indicate that this impressive ancient fortress has been in existence and occupied by humans since the Iron age. There has been a castle here since the reign of David I who built the castle in 1130. Today Saint Margaret’s Chapel, built in the 12 th century and   located on the castle grounds is believed to be the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh.  Built by David I who was the 4 th son of Saint Margaret of Scotland, also known as Margaret of Wessex. Margaret was an English Princess and a Scottish Q...

A couple of years ago Richard and I decided to spend out anniversary at the Historic Anchorage Hotel, Anchorages “haunted hotel”. In the morning we were talking about what to spend the day doing and we decided why not take a drive out to Whittier. One might think that taking a drive to a small town about 60 miles away would be an easy task, but Alaska is not an easy place to get around. Much of our state is off the road system, meaning it cannot be accessed by car. Now Whitter can be driven to but there is a catch, in order to get to the small town you must drive through a one-way train tunnel. Whittier History Whittier Alaska is located on the west side of Prince William Sound, it sits in an area that was traveled for many years by Native Alaskans, gold miners, traders and then the U.S. military. As relations between Japan and the United States began to decline in the late 1930’s the United States began to see, that Alaska was strategically important being lo...

The Pittock mansion is nestled in the hills just outside of Portland. A beautiful 16000 square foot French chateau-style mansion. The mansion sits on 46 acres overlooking the city. Built as a retirement home in 1914 by Henry and Georgiana Pittock, the mansion boasted a central vacuum system, an elevator, a walk in refrigerator and an intercom system as part of its luxuries. Henry was born in England immigrated to Pennsylvania and then travel the Oregon Trail at age 19. He arrived in Portland with very little money took a job at the Oregonian newspaper, later he was able to buy the newspaper and begin to build his fortune. Georgiana had also come across the Oregon Trail from Missouri as a young woman, the couple married and had 6 children. Both Henry and Georgiana were pillars of the community helping others throughout their lives. The Pittocks lived most of their lives in Portland before deciding to build their retirement home, sadly they were only able to enjoy their new home f...

In April of 1866 John Nicholas left Loveston, Penhokshire South Wales and Annie Affleck Title left Newcastle, Tyne England journeying to Liverpool England and on to America. Both traveled with young sons, Annie was a widow, John’s wife Mary died enroute to Liverpool also leaving him widowed.   Both John and Annie had converted to the Mormon Church and were traveling to join Saints already in Utah. John’s family was so distraught about his decision to change religions and move to America that he had no further contact with them once he left Wales. John and Annie along with their sons traveled onboard a ship to America where they boarded a train and then made the final leg of their journey by wagon; the two of them were married in Utah three weeks after arriving in Ogden Utah.   John and Annie bought a small house located between Grant and Lincoln on the north side of 25 th street, it was here that their first child together John Nicholas Jr was born on 8 February 1868...