Places that Hold our Stories
Exploring family connections in Alaska
🗺️ My 50th State
Visiting Alaska checked off a major milestone — my 50th U.S. state — and delivered more than I could have imagined. Between breathtaking wildlife, unforgettable adventures, and unexpected twists with my own family history, it became a trip I’ll never forget.
Stunning views. Wildlife everywhere. Whales, eagles, bears, otters, seals, and even moose made appearances. We snorkeled, jet boated, rafted, and kayaked our way through the trip — an exhilarating mix of adrenaline and awe. And of course, I couldn’t resist sneaking in a bit of family history. 🙂
🪑 Eckmann’s Furniture Store
One of the family stories I knew going into the trip was about my second great-granduncle, Chris Eckmann.
He was an early settler in Anchorage who wore many hats — furniture store owner, railroad worker, city council member, and eventually mayor. There’s even a full write-up about him on alaskahistory.org.
We reviewed the write-up while enjoying dinner at 49th State Brewing. At the end, it mentions that Eckmann’s Furniture Store — once located just a few blocks away — was sold in 1962 and became Nerland’s Home Furnishings.
My mom looked up and said, “Your dad worked for the Nerlands.”
Wait… what?
⚾ Summer Baseball in Fairbanks
Back in 1968, my dad played summer baseball for the Alaska Goldpanners in Fairbanks. Players lived with local families and took on jobs during the day. As it turns out, his job was at Nerland’s Fairbanks location — the very company that had purchased the Anchorage furniture store once owned by my mom’s great-great-uncle, Chris Eckmann.
Without even knowing it, he had walked into a piece of our family’s past.
🧬 Bonus Twist – Another Connection
The next day, my husband texted me from across the ship. He’d been chatting with his dad — who also happened to be working in Fairbanks in 1968.
So, in one serendipitous sweep, this trip connected multiple generations and families — in the most unexpected way.
Learn More
- Anchorage daily times and Cook Inlet pioneer. (Anchorage, AK) 28 Aug. 1916, p. 6. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/2019271005/1916-08-28/ed-1/.
- Chris Eckmann – AlaskaHistory.org
- Alaska Goldpanners baseball