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A visit to the Hanson's House

Macy has been feeling lots better, so we've been doing some exploring close to the house. We've driven by this turn off on Fairview several times and we've seen cars parked next to the road. Wondering why, we stopped and found it to be a Alaska State Parks Recreation Site.
It's seems the Hanson's, Henry and Ester, moved here in 1939 with $6 in Henry's pocket.
 They started off with a surplus government Quonset hut and in time developed it into this two story home.
 Macy wanted to go in, but no one was home. The Hanson's have long passed away, Henry in 1987 and Ester in 1990. However, they donated the 30 acres to Alaska State Parks. Henry said "By doing this, we'll be remembered after we're gone".
 For the time, they had a beautiful green house. They're also bird houses every where's.
 The facilities were modern for the time.
 But at one time, this was the way to get water.
 Macy and I enjoyed the small pond that the house overlooks. A neighbor and her niece came along and we talked for a while. What a nice peaceful place. It overlooks the Chugach Mountains and the Matanuska River and the Palmer Hay Flats.
I didn't put any links, you won't find much. The state hasn't taken good care of the property, but Henry and Ester did a good job. It's still standing. Walking around you can imagine their life there, some of the hardships because of weather and such. But a beautiful property with a beautiful view.
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Billy Blue Eyes said…
Looks a nice place to visit and walk around, hope the state does not sell it off
October 29, 2015 at 1:36 AM
Anonymous said…
What a wonderful place to visit. Henry and Ester were right, they will be remembered. This is such a great gift. Really glad to know Macy was up for this adventure.
October 29, 2015 at 7:31 AM
Grand niece Handson said…
Thank you for your blog. I am the grand niece of Henry Handson. I spent my chilhood summers and holidays there. Picked busshels of vegetables from the garden, picked 4 leaf clovers in the yard and laughed when Henry wiggled his ears and asked me to pass the butter in Norwigen. My father would land his plane in the feild at the bottom of the hill along Fairview Loop Rd. Long before traffic was an issue. Always buzzing the house to give warning to Henry to start the Checker to pick us up.My head is still filled with the stories of the two day journey to Wasilla along what is now the Hanson trail for supplies from Telands store.I don't feel the state is caring for the property as well as my uncle intended.The park isn't listed on the state's parks website. Saddens me to see it it weather away. Thanks again for sharing and giving this place of history the attention it deserves.
November 3, 2017 at 5:59 PM
Grand niece Handson said…
It breaks my heart to see my uncle Henrys place in such disrepair. I think he and aunt Ester would have regret leaving the homestead they loved so much to the state of Alaska. Henry wanted his legacy to be enjoyed by as many as possible. People who could appreciate his labors to build a home in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness in a time without a road to Wasilla or electricity. I can't imagine how cold the winters must have been. The wood on the inside is hand bent to conform to the shape of the quonset hut.All the cabinets were made by his hands. I have told my children the stories Henry shared with me of the two day walk to Telands store.One day along a moose trail pulling a sled in the winter ( now named the Hanson trail) spending the night with the Telands before returning home the next day along the same path. When I was a child my father would land his plane along what is now Fairview Loop Road. Henry would get a buzz by before our landing giving him time to start the old Checker and be at the bottom of the hill by the time we tied the plane down. So many memories that bring me joy and now sometimes sadness knowing the home is falling in disrepair. I can't find where the state even registered it as state park. I feel the state has failed to up hold the deal he made with them.
November 19, 2017 at 6:39 PM
Grand niece Handson said…
It breaks my heart to see my uncle Henrys place in such disrepair. I think he and aunt Ester would have regret leaving the homestead they loved so much to the state of Alaska. Henry wanted his legacy to be enjoyed by as many as possible. People who could appreciate his labors to build a home in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness in a time without a road to Wasilla or electricity. I can't imagine how cold the winters must have been. The wood on the inside is hand bent to conform to the shape of the quonset hut.All the cabinets were made by his hands. I have told my children the stories Henry shared with me of the two day walk to Telands store.One day along a moose trail pulling a sled in the winter ( now named the Hanson trail) spending the night with the Telands before returning home the next day along the same path. When I was a child my father would land his plane along what is now Fairview Loop Road. Henry would get a buzz by before our landing giving him time to start the old Checker and be at the bottom of the hill by the time we tied the plane down. So many memories that bring me joy and now sometimes sadness knowing the home is falling in disrepair. I can't find where the state even registered it as state park. I feel the state has failed to up hold the deal he made with them.
November 19, 2017 at 6:39 PM
Grand niece Handson said…
They better not. My uncle would be so angry at the lack of care the state given to his home.
November 23, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Grand niece Handson said…
Please anyone contact me. This my uncles place., I am heart broken at what is happening to the property.
I no longer in Alaska but would like to do something to save the house and turn it into what my Uncle and Aunt intended the state to do with it.

Jerrilee Kunzmann.
jerri.kunzmann@gmail.com
July 14, 2019 at 2:51 PM
Grand niece Handson said…
Please help, I am the niece of Henry and saddened at the lack of care the state has given to the property.
I would like to start a GoFundMe to save the home and make it what Henry and Ester intended it to be. I no
longer live in Alaska but will be planning a trip next summer
. If someone could email me current pictures I would be forever grateful.

Jerrilee

Jerri.kunzmann@gmail.com
July 14, 2019 at 3:04 PM
Unknown said…
We live close by of fairview looper appreciate the history you mentioned about your uncle. We stopped by the other day and were so excited to finally check put the history unfortunately when we got to the top the house was gone along with the garage and green house. They flattened it. The place feels like there is so much history there you can tell someone put alot of sweat and time there. What a wonderful place sorry for the bad news
July 10, 2022 at 3:48 PM
Crbnunit said…
Just discovered the place today. If you want to see it, better hurry. Looks like the state is taking bids to remove the structures. http://notice.alaska.gov/206351
July 23, 2022 at 11:22 PM
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