Alaska Joins the Union – From Russian Rule to the American Dream
Alaska wasn’t always America’s—before it flew the Stars and Stripes, it flew the Russian flag. In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Folks called it “Seward’s Folly,” mocking Secretary of State William H. Seward for buying what they thought was just ice and bears. But Seward saw something they didn’t: potential.
For years, Alaska stayed a frontier—remote, rugged, and untamed. But in 1896, gold was discovered in the Klondike, and suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of the frozen fortune. Prospectors poured in, braving icy waters and deadly trails for their shot at riches. Towns like Nome and Skagway boomed overnight, and the legend of Alaska—the wild, the dangerous, the free—was born.
But Alaska wasn’t just a land of gold; it was a land of grit. Settlers, soldiers, and native peoples endured harsh winters and isolation. It wasn’t until January 3, 1959, that Alaska became the 49th state, and by then, everyone knew—Seward’s Folly had become America’s treasure.
Alaska, “The Last Frontier”
Names carry stories, and Alaska’s story is as vast as its wilderness. The word Alaska comes from the Aleut word Alyeska, meaning “great land.” Fitting, isn’t it? Because everything in Alaska is great—great mountains, great rivers, and great adventures.
But if Alaska has a title that sticks, it’s “The Last Frontier”. It’s not just a slogan; it’s a promise. A promise of open spaces, untamed wilderness, and a life carved from ice and stone. In Alaska, the roads don’t always go where you want, the sun doesn’t always set (or rise), and survival means something real. Yet, that’s what makes it irresistible.
And then there’s the state motto—“North to the Future”. Chosen during the Alaska Purchase Centennial, it’s a reminder that Alaska isn’t just about the past; it’s about possibility. Here, where glaciers meet oceans and mountains scrape the sky, the future feels wide open.
Juneau – A Capital Built on Gold and Grit
Alaska’s capital, Juneau, doesn’t follow the rules—there are no roads leading in or out. To get there, you fly or you float. It’s a capital that says, “Earn your visit.”
Founded in 1880, Juneau started with a rumor of gold and the ambition of two prospectors—Richard Harris and Joe Juneau. They struck it rich in Gold Creek, and what was once a campsite became a boomtown. When it came time to name the city, the miners voted. Harris campaigned hard, but it was Joe Juneau who got the honor—proof that in Alaska, fortune favors the bold.
But Juneau is more than gold mines and glaciers. It became Alaska’s capital in 1906, chosen for its deep port and strategic spot near the Panhandle. Today, it’s a city of contrasts—where government buildings stand in the shadow of towering peaks and eagles soar over salmon-filled streams.
And Juneau wears its title without fanfare, because here, nature always has the last word.
Alaska isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for the bold, the brave, and the seekers of something wilder. At United Grit, we bring that frontier spirit into every hand-drawn design. Because when you wear Alaska, you wear adventure.
