Researching my recent book on the history of the Iditarod Trail included revisiting the many roadhouses which lined the route between Seward and Nome, from mere tents in the wilderness to expansive log roadhouses which still serve travelers today. The names of many of the roadhouses were new to me, signaling a need to revise my 2016 book, Alaskan Roadhouses, which will be a research project for this summer, with revising next fall and winter, and publication in the spring or summer of 2027.
The first edition is still a terrific book, as the history is well-researched, documented, and valid, but there are so many roadhouses which should be included that the 284-page book will nearly double in size with this revision. In addition to the three dozen roadhouses on the Iditarod Trail, there were many on the Richardson Trail which were not included in the first edition, and very few from remote parts of Alaska such as the southeastern panhandle, the Aleutians, and the far North. The new edition will include all of those and more.
Alaskan roadhouses are a colorful reminder of the state’s past, and many are still an important part of Alaska’s transportation network. Alaskan Roadhouses: Shelter, Food and Lodging, by Helen Hegener, shares the history, photographs, and other information about these iconic Alaskan structures. It’s a great book to have on hand when traveling around Alaska this summer!
Northern Light Media 