History of the Park

In late 1960/early 1961, the Pioneers of Alaska requested public land from the State of Alaska.  The plan for the land was to create a tourist attraction that showed historical Alaska exhibits.  The Pioneers of Alaska formed a non-profit, Pioneer Memorial Park, Inc. for the purpose of pursuing the Park project.

In 1965, the Alaska 67, or A-67, committee requested that the Park be used for the 100th year celebration of Alaska's purchase from Russia.  

A-67 requested federal funding to develop the Pioneer Memorial State Historical Park. 

A-67 subleased the Park from Pioneer Memorial Park Inc. and the Park was opened as "Alaska 67 Centennial Exposition".  

In 1968 Pioneer Memorial Park Inc. quitclaimed the Park to the State of Alaska.  That same day the State of Alaska quitclaimed the Park to the City of Fairbanks.

On May 1, 1968, City of Fairbanks Mayor, Red Boucher signed a letter to the Prime Minister of Ottawa, Canada, stating that "Alaskaland" was the new name for the 40-acre Exposition resulting from the A-67 Centennial site in Fairbanks.

Click Here to see the A-67 Brochure 

In July, 1987 the City of Fairbanks quitclaimed Alaskaland to the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

In 2001, the name of the Park was changed to Pioneer Park to more accurately reflect the historical importance of the Park and reduce the expectation of a theme park.