Construction Info

The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, just a two-hour drive north of Anchorage, is located at mile 12.5 of the Talkeetna Spur Road resting on a bluff above the town of Talkeetna. A truly Alaskan town filled with history and local charm, Talkeetna has long been the staging area for climbers of Mt. McKinley. Optional activities include flight seeing adventures, jet boat excursions, fishing trips, river rafting, horseback riding and nature trails.

The following is information on the lodge construction.

Phase One of the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge was completed in May of 1999. At that time, the lodge opened with 98 deluxe rooms, a full-service restaurant and lounge, shuttle service, hot tub and tour desk.

Phase Two of the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge was completed in May of 2001 bringing the total room count up to 200. An outdoor pavilion, expanded restaurant, more conference space, an elevator and more public sitting areas were also completed by May of 2001.

Contractor: Howdie Construction, Palmer, Alaska Architect: Kumin & Associates, Anchorage, Alaska Structural Engineer: PND Peratrovich, Notthingham & Drage Inc. Owner: Cook Inlet Regional Incorporated Land Site: Total site acres - 640 acres Cleared for Lodge - 35 acres

Rock Fireplace: 56' High (To the top of the Chimney) 46' High from floor to ceiling It took 5 workers nine weeks to complete the project. They built the foundation under a tent at 40 degrees below zero. The rocks are from the Matanuska River. The Colony High School football team in exchange for help with new uniforms collected the first load of rocks. Each rock was washing individually before placing it in the fireplace. A total of approximately 160 tons of rock was used in the lodge. One of the construction workers from Hawaii used the rocks to create various designs of animals in the pillars at the entrance of the lodge.

Interior Construction: The logs are from beetle killed spruce trees from the Ninilchik area. The trim is birch from the Trapper Creek area. The ceiling is knotty pine. The railing is white spruce from the Matanuska Valley.

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