A Historic Alaskan Landmark Demolished

The building has been abandoned since 1964, when the famous Good Friday Earthquake in Alaska rendered it uninhabitable. Since then, it sadly sagged and sunk as the elements battered away at it. Finally in November of 2020, the demolition began. 

The historic Jesse Lee Home was opened in 1926 as a residential school for children. Some of the children housed there were orphans. The school stayed opened until 1964 when the earthquake hit. 

The school was famous for housing Benny Benson, the seventh grader that designed the Alaska state flag. 

The city of Seward, near where the building is located, is planning on taking the former site and turning it into a park and memorial. 

Picture Credit: Alaska Public Media/Casey Grove

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