Homesteads on Fort Richardson, Alaska - The USARAK Home Page ...

homesteads on Fort Richardson, and can be attributed to its desirable lake frontlocation. Thompson moved into town on 15 th and East after his homestead wasacquired. 78 He passed away in 1951 at the Sitka Pioneer Home. He was there forless than a year.7.2.2 1920 – 1929Only three men, William H. Weaver, Fred Zinis, and John Hoglund, applied forhomesteads in the 1920s. James R. Campbell purchased a homestead from JamesWilson. Little information is known about these four people. All were likely quiteelderly when their land was acquired by the government in the 1940s. All exceptfor James R. Campbell were bachelors.William H WeaverNothing is known about William Weaver other than the dates of his homesteadentry and patent. He applied for entry in 1920 and received patent in 1931. Weaverwas still living on the land when it was acquired by the government in 1943. Hewas paid $2,200 for the homestead.Fred ZinisFred Zinis filed for homestead entry in 1920. He was granted patent in 1923. Littlepersonal information about Zinis is known. His homestead was located near EagleRiver. He built a 12' x 18' log house with a root cellar and a 16' x 20' barn with a 16'x 20' shed attached to it. All the buildings were in poor condition by 1942. The1942 property appraisal conducted by the War Department stated that the housewas “on a beautiful lake at the foothills of the mountains.” The Loop Road was twoand a half miles from the cabin. The area was accessed by a narrow trail – on footor on dog sled. Cars were not drivable. Zinis was a bachelor while living on thehomestead.Zinis abandoned the homestead a few years before the government acquired it. Hisreasons for doing so are unknown. The United States issued a Declaration of Takingto acquire the land in 1943. When proceedings were initiated, Zinis could notbe located and was presumed dead. No heirs or family members were found.Administratix Mary E. Fasnacht handled all court proceedings and the sale of hisestate. The government paid $1,050 for the homestead in 1943. This was one of thelowest prices paid for a patented homestead.In 1945, it was discovered that Fred was alive after all. He was living in Portland,Oregon, and had apparently sold the land to a Gust Nelson. The deed was recordedin the Deed Records of Anchorage Precinct on June 4, 1945. Gust attempted toinitiate proceedings voiding the government’s purchase of the homestead. He wasunsuccessful in this attempt. Gust was advised to contact the administratix of theestate to attempt recovering the $1,050 paid for the land. It is unknown whether he,or Fred Zinis, recovered any money for the homestead.78Anchorage City Directory, 1950.28<strong>Homesteads</strong> on Fort RichardsonAlaska