Having recovered from the trip to the Arctic Circle I spent the next day exploring Fairbanks.  First I drove up to the University which is on high ground offering a fine view of the area.

My travels took me past Fairbanks airport which contains a number of hulks, some are fairly complete while others have been stripped of various components.  I assume that the cost of getting anything to Alaska, together with the low population, means that things are just left incase they come in handy.

A bit further around the airport I reached the operational area, just about every type of aircraft from single engined light planes to a twin jet Boeing 737 seem to operate along side each other as this photo shows. 

I then went to the the 44 acre  Pioneer Park which was built for the Alaska 1967 Centennial Exposition. It was renamed Alaskaland in 1968, a name it held until October 2001 when it reverted to Pioneer Park.  More information on the park can be found on this website.  At the park I had the familiar problem that resulted from being so early in the season, except for the park grounds nothing was open!

In the centre of the park is the riverboat S.S. Nenana which once sailed Alaska's rivers.  It is now permanently docked at the park and includes a diorama of the points of call in its heyday.  The SS Nenana is the largest stern-wheeler ever built west of the Mississippi and the second largest wooden vessel in existence (the photographs below give some indication of its size).

Another exhibit in the park is the railroad car used by President Warren G. Harding when he visited the territory of Alaska in 1923.

Also in the park is the Interior and Arctic Alaska Aeronautical Foundation operated historical aviation museum.  The museum, which is housed in the Gold Dome, features aircraft and memorabilia relating to Alaska air adventures of yesteryear.  Outside the museum is this Beech twin which once flew with a local operator.

When the park was established a total of 29 cabins were moved to the site from various locations to form Gold Rush Town.  The cabins form a unique walk through Fairbanks' history.  They include the Kitty Hensley House, Doc Stearn's cabin, Judge Wickersham's House, and the original First Presbyterian Church. 

Georgia Lee's house (below) is thought to have once been an establishment of ill repute.  Today it is the park headquarters and office.

The other cabins have also been refurbished as close as possible to their original condition and are occupied by local merchants offering an assortment of gifts, refreshments and Alaskana.  The photograph below shows three of the cabins, all were closed when I was there.