Willow Alaska,Then & Now
Willow Alaska started as a tent city
when gold was discovered on Willow
Creek in 1897.
A 25 mile road was constructed to access
a mine and is what is now Willow Fishook Rd.
The Talkeetna trail was established
going North to Talkeetna which
was the early version of the George Parks
Highway we have today.
The size and scope of the Willow Airport
is from WW2 as an alternate airfield
in case Anchorage came under Japanese
bombardment or invasion.
In 1976 Alaskans voted to move the State
Capital to Willow which caused many to
speculate on land but in 1982 funding
ran dry to a lost election.
The first post office was established
in 1948 and the original building still
stands on Willow Station road..
Willow is now the Official Restart
for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
which draws thousands of people and
the big open field is a parking lot.
Willow residents and I myself
just take a snowmachine or Sled
as we call it to the restart.
I dont attend anymore....too many people.
Willow has the Winter Carnival
the last weekend of January and the
first weekend of Februaury and many
crafters get booths and I used to sell
my handmade beeswax candles as
a vendor.
Finally The Pie Auction.....Man i used
to buy pies and cakes and clear my
table and just give it away a slice a
person....before Cancer in 2004 took
my pie money...
I will say in 2005 i still had candles to
sell and the cancer survivors came to
my table and each one introduced
themselves,told me their story and
each man shook my hand and said,
Welcome to Willow,I was really
honored and humbled by that day.
Willow come May 12 2024 will have
been my home for 30 years.
Ive come a long way.
As for ammenities,Willow has a lot
for a small community.
We have a couple lodges,Post Office
Credit Union,Bed & Breakfasts,two gas
stations with one being a mini mart,
the other you can fill your water jugs
at and they are on the hill.
A brand new library and once again
remodeled Community Center,
A hardware store with General Store
in which i bought my first cast iron
fry pan which i love and will use no
other.
We now have an Equipment Rental
and Thrift Shop & also various small
businesses including crafters,artists
and hobbyists.
Willow has grown in the many years
Ive lived here and has recreational
and hunting opportunities.
We also have a small transit system
Sunshine Transit and a health clinic,
Sunshine Community Health Center
which has the finest Doctors and staff
Ive been treated to & they do diabetic
footcare.
In closing I would like to say,Im sure
glad I didnt move elsewhere,Ive been
a long time resident and as we all know
there are ups and downs with any
small community but Im moving
nowhere,although i do run away from
home on occaision,I always come back.
Peace, BigT
