National Register of Historic Places in The City and Borough of Juneau

National Register #78000527: Alaska Steam Laundry
The Alaska Steam Laundry building includes both the tan building with the witch's cap tower and the adjoining structure with the blue awning.
20 May 2011
(Click Photo To Zoom)
National Register #78000527
Alaska Steam Laundry
174 South Franklin Street
Juneau
Built 1901

The following narrative is paraphrased from the National Register Nomination for the Alaska Steam Laundry.

In 1894, Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Jaeger of Tacoma, Washington, flipped a coin to determine whether they should move to Hawaii or Alaska.

Alaska won.

Having chosen Juneau as the most promising business location in the Alaskan Territory, Jaeger arrived there in 1895. A large population of unmarried miners and millworkers made laundry and cleaning lucrative enterprises. After leasing the Juneau Steam Laundry, located in log cabin on a hillside, Jaeger sent for his wife who sailed on the maiden voyage of the new flagship of the leading Alaska line, Willapa.

The couple lived for several years in a cabin adjoining the laundry then moved with their young daughter to a larger building on Front Street.

Around 1900, Jaeger decided to build a showcase operation with outlets in Apollo, Valdez, Sitka, Ketchikan and Wrangell. He named his enterprise Alaska Steam Laundry to indicate its scope.

The Victorian building which survives today is essentially unchanged.

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