Day 4 started with a short walk down the Fairbanks Riverwalk to check out some of the historical markers. . .
The Fairbanks Riverwalk Centennial Bridge (aka, William Wood Centennial Bridge) crossing the Chena River. . .
. . .the Centennial Bridge from a different angle. I *think* this anchor is a memorial to the USS Alaska, but i dont remember for sure. I'll have to go back to find out. . .
. . .this is the WWII Alaska-Siberia memorial (aka, the Lend-Lease Monument), dedicated to the American and Russian pilots who flew nearly 8,000 planes from Fairbanks to Siberia to combat the Nazis. . .
. . .the 'Unknown First Family'. Created by Malcolm Alexander, this 18 foot bronze statue is 'dedicated to all families past, present and future, and to the indomitable spirit of the people of Alaska's interior'. . .
. . .at the base of the statue, memorial plaques are laid for historical events that contributed to the city of Fairbanks. This one marks the city's creation and how it all started with the gold rush. . .
. . .this marker speaks of the Fairbanks North Star Borough, which is nearly the size of New Jersey (but only has a population of around 80,000). . .
. . .this marker speaks of the how the vastness of the state has dramaticly impacted normal telephone communications -- and how the state relies on primarily microwave and satellite links. . .
. . .this marker speaks of the various mineral resources found throughout the state. . .
. . .including coal, which is aparently cleaner than the types found in the lower 48. . .
. . .this marker speaks of the life of the Athabascan Indians, the first people believed to inhabit the area. . .
. . .this marker apeaks of the history of transporation in Interior Alaska, which has been primarly by boats and air -- with some limited rail and roads. . .
. . .this marker speaks of the construction of the Alyeska/Trans Alaska Pipeline in the 1970's. . .
. . .and how the pipeline construction has impacted Fairbanks. . .
. . .and the further oil development on the North Slope. . .
. . .this marker speaks of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner newspaper. . .
. . .this 'redecorated' monument marks the Parks Highway AK-3, which ends in Fairbanks. . .
. . . a marker for E.T. Barnette's accidental landing on/near this spot on the Chena River, founding the city of Fairbanks in 1901. He later left in 1911 after being accused of embezzling nearly 1 million dollars from a local bank. . .
. . .a marker for the Alyeska Pipeline, which passes NE of town. . .
. . .at Milepost Circle, an official marker declaring the end of the Alaska Highway (similar to the one in Delta Junction).
