Curious Juneau

In this Curious Juneau, we look back at why the city put a massive bronze whale so far from the center of downtown.

Mark Whitman has an annual tradition on May 18, the day a prominent Juneau man died. He goes down to Evergreen Cemetery, finds a specific grave marker, and smokes a cigar. He’ s remembering how the generosity of a person known as China Joe had such a huge impact over our early city.

A street in Juneau is a popular locale for residents and tourists alike. South Franklin Street particularly is home to several bars, shops and a rich history. But some wonder how that street got its name.

Ashwin Kiran was visiting Juneau in February when he noticed something was missing from the local entertainment scene. “Why are there no strip clubs in Juneau?” he wondered aloud.

Alaska’s Department of Transportation operates a howitzer to protect Thane, a community of about 60 houses 5 miles south of downtown Juneau.

Anchorage artist Will Kozloff the Alaska State Council of the Arts and the Alaska Humanities Forum to do the set pieces for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in January. The mural outside of the JACC is his.