Fireweed Station Inn
Fireweed Station Inn Talkeetna Alaska
P.O.Box 200
15113 E. Sunshine Rd
Talkeetna, AK 99676
ph: 907-733-1457
fax: 907-733-1456
info
History
Our History
Built in 1946 when the only way to get here was on the Alaska Railroad, we are now road accessible yet tucked in the forest providing the authentic feel of frontier Alaska.
The original construction was done by John Vernon Kirsch and his sons; Andrew, Jim, Ernie and David.
Into the 50’s the Kirsch family rented rooms to hunters and fishermen from Anchorage. Even today local roads follow the routes the Kirsches made to fishing grounds.
Photo courtesy of Eugene Smith - guest at the Lodge circa 1956
After John Kirsch died in 1959, the place was acquired by a homesteading family who raised 9 children here leaving in the early 70’s. The lodge lay in wait until the present owner found it in 1988.
Restoration began in 1993, when the building was moved and a full basement built on the original location and then returned.
Every effort was made to re-use the original construction materials. The interior of the lodge had become literally black with smoke from kerosene lamps and woodstoves. Every knot-free Douglas Fir wall and ceiling board was taken down, planed, sanded and replaced after plumbing, wiring, sound deadening and fireproofing was installed. The boards inside the walls were also Douglas Fir and many have been re-worked into furniture grade appointments throughout the building. One 2x4 was found to have 89 growth rings across it’s 3 ½ inch width!
Despite the luxurious accommodation Fireweed Station has become today, it is simply not possible to visit here without feeling the sense you are on the frontier of 1940’s Alaska.
"Brought back old memories from my childhood days when I lived at Sunshine - the son of the Section Forman. Great job of restoring the old Kirsch Lodge"
Merle Frank - Wasilla, AK
Fireweed Station Inn Talkeetna Alaska
P.O.Box 200
15113 E. Sunshine Rd
Talkeetna, AK 99676
ph: 907-733-1457
fax: 907-733-1456
info
