History :

One August day in 1901, Felix Pedro, an Italian immigrant from Fanano, Italy (See Sister Cities), was searching for gold in the hills of the Tanana Valley, and he spotted the smoke of a steam boat unloading on the banks of the Chena River. Hoping to purchase supplies, he headed in the direction of the boat.

Meanwhile, Mr. E.T. Barnette had argued with the captain of the riverboat on which he was traveling. He had hired the captain to take him up the Tanana River to the present day site of Tanacross. However, the Tanana River could not be passed and the Chena River also proved too shallow. So, the captain had put Barnette and his large stock of trade goods ashore near the present site of First Avenue and Cushman in August of 1901.

E.T. Barnette was quite disgruntled with the prospect of establishing his trading post so far from the existing gold fields. He had left the area to re-supply, and when he returned in 1902, Felix Pedro had found gold in the area in July of that year. Barnette changed his mind. He figured money could be made with gold fields this close.

Mr. Barnette, strong in personality, convinced early settlers to name Fairbanks in honor of Charles W. Fairbanks, an Indiana senator. Charles Fairbanks later became the Vice President of the United States under Theodore Roosevelt.

On November 10, 1903, an election was held to decide whether Fairbanks should be incorporated. The residents believed that Fairbanks was sufficiently established and that they should be given the responsibility to provide for their own daily community functions. By a 75% majority vote, Fairbanks was incorporated on November 10, 1903. At the same election, the people also chose a mayor, council members, and school board members.