'TELEPHONE HILL - City and Borough of Juneau

ENGSTROM
BUILDING
The Engstrom Building, 111-113 West Third Street, faces north and sits on
the steep, northeast slope of Telephone Hill. The commercial building,
constructed in 1951 by long-time Juneau residents and brothers Elton and Allan
Engstrom, housed the Alaska Public Works Department from 1951 to 1973. Today
the insurance company offices of Corroon &Black/Dawson &Company occupy a major
portion of the building. The two-story structure also contains other business
offices and apartments.
Many people associated with Juneau history claimed and owned this site. In
March 1881 Ed DeGroff staked claim to Lots 6 and 7. He came to Harrisburgh,
later renamed Juneau, to represent the Northwest Trading Company. In June 1881
DeGroff became the fi rst postmaster of Ha rri sburgh. In additi on to hi s
. postmaster and store clerk responsibilities, DeGroff also served as deputy to
the District Recorder, "Colonel ll Richard Dixon (DeArmond 1967).
C.W. Young, a Juneau contractor and hardware store owner, owned the
property duri ng the early 1900s. John and Lena Kron Ma rsha11, 1ong-t ime Juneau
res i dents, owned both lots for many years but res; ded on West Sixth Street
(Daily Alaskan Empire 1940).
The Engstrom Building, a two-story structure, has a one-story extension
attached to its east facade. The main structure is 27'x35' with a floor area of
945 square feet. The one-story extension is 22 Ix41', encompassing' 902 square
feet. The extension entry is on the north facade.
Five sets of double-hung sash windows with four windows to a set are placed
symmetrically on this facade. The entrance door is multi-panel wood and reached
-91-