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Fairbanks History, Alaska

Fairbanks History is around 100 years old and since then the city has faced many changes. This Fairbanks History guide will summarize some of the facts that were responsible for the development of the city.

Fairbanks History - The Formation

In 1901 the foundation of this city was laid by E.T. Barnette. He had plans of setting up a trading post in the Tanacross region but on his way to this region he messed up his boat. He was somehow able to take his boat down the River Tanana. Soon the water started to turn shallow and E.T. Barnette was on a piece of land which he named Fairbanks. This happened in the month of August, 1901.

E.T. Barnette met few miners in this area and this was the time when he understood the importance of this land. He was quick to start a trading post and named the place Fairbanks to honor Charles Fairbanks who was a famous republican senator from Indiana. It was this trading post which became the reason for the slow and steady progress of Fairbanks.

Fairbanks History - Discovery of Gold

Later in 1902 huge amounts of gold was discovered in this city and this resulted in huge number of businessmen heading towards Fairbanks. Soon this newly formed city had gained all sorts of promotion on the national level which became the reason for its economical growth.

Fairbanks History - Entry of U.S. Army

It was after the year 1925 when the U.S. army started to create its base in this region and the Cold War made the U.S. Army spend more time in the state of Alaska.

Fairbanks History - Fairbanks Gets Flooded

In 1967 the city of Fairbanks was badly flooded by water coming from River Chena. Great governmental help poured into the city due to this flood and it finally turned to be a huge help for the growth of the city. Soon the locals of the city had homes of much better quality when compared to what they initially had.

During the 1980s the oil boom helped the city grow immensely and it got a revenue of around $26 billion between 1980 and 1986.

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