Artifact of the Month: March 2017

Frank and Virginia Steiner opened the 49'er Bar on December 1, 1958, making it one of the longest continually operated bars in Ketchikan. At the time, bars had to be opened for one month before they could acquire a liquor license. Frank named the bar to commemorate Alaska becoming the 49th state in January 1959. By all accounts, the bar was a family business. Virginia opened in the morning, usually working an 8-hour shift and Frank managed the bar until the last call. Virginia prepared sandwiches for customers and regularly brought the bar towels home to be washed. Every other Sunday, the Steiner's three daughters, Susan, Marlene, and Marie, helped clean.

This month's featured artifact is a hand truck from the 49'er made by The American Pulley Company in Philadelphia. The body of the hand truck is steel painted bright red with wooden handles painted turquoise. Donor Marlene Steiner remembered her mother using it to move cases of beer and liquor. Marlene and her sisters have fond memories from of growing up in the bar, spending most of their time in the stock room and helping their parents with chores. When the bar was not crowded, the kids were allowed to play with the juke box, a bowling game, and pin ball.

The 49'er Bar was originally located at 1448 Tongass Avenue, where the Elks Lodge is today. In 1967, the bar moved down the road to 1426 Tongass. The next year, the Steiners sold the bar to Carl and Rita McBride. For years, the bar was operated in conjunction with a steak house. Other owners included Herb and Barbara Chambers and Steve Turner. The bar has been in its current location at 1010 Water Street since 1995.

Ketchikan Museums, KM 2016.2.28.1