The gold-rush history and central location of the city have come to uniquely define Fairbanks, Alaska, as the “Golden Heart City.” This identity has been cultivated in a direct manner at Golden Heart Plaza, which features a large open space for community gatherings as well as multiple landmarks that respresent the history and culture of the city. Doing so has allowed it to become a hub of activity for the entire community that resonates with both residents and visitors.
Connected to the Origins of Fairbanks
What would become known as the Fairbanks Gold Rush took place in the early 1900s when gold was discovered north of what would eventually be the city of Fairbanks. A trading post that had been set up on the banks of the Chena River became the center of this gold-rush activity. Completed in 1986, Golden Heart Plaza is located where that fort once resided.
The statue in the center of Golden Heart Plaza is Malcolm Alexander’s “Unknown First Family,” which portrays a family that represents all of mankind but also one specifically associated with Fairbanks. It symbolizes a family from the Fairbanks region that is connected to the pride and dignity of the land. The monument is just one of the many features that compels attention from audiences of all types though.
The plaza boasts more than 70 bronze plaques that act as a permanent register of the names of Interior Alaska families, organizations, and institutions, along with historical vignettes. The clock tower, donated by the Fairbanks Rotary Club in 1990, commemorates the organization’s first fifty years of service to Fairbanks and the Interior of Alaska.
Created as a commemoration of the silver anniversary of Alaska’s statehood, other features in Golden Heart Plaza like a time capsule and anchor that was presented to the citizens of Fairbanks have helped further cultivate it as a place where people can connect with the history and culture of the city and region.
Celebrating Alaskan Events and Culture
Residents and visitors have come together at Golden Heart Plaza to celebrate holidays, festivals, and various other Alaskan events. Sponsorships associated with these events and even with the monuments in the space represent an important source of revenue for stakeholders.
In the summer, Golden Heart Plaza is filled with flowers of all colors. In the winter, the park is strung with twinkling white lights. Year-round it plays a central role in every downtown Fairbanks celebration. Events that have taken place at Golden Heart Plaza include the 25th Anniversary of Statehood Celebration, Concerts in the Plaza, Golden Days, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, the winter fireworks and the “Tired Iron” antique snowmobile race, just to name a few.
A central feature of maps and guides to the city, “Unknown First Family” has become an icon that provides an identity for many different activities like walking tours and other initiatives all across Fairbanks. Additionally, Golden Heart Plaza is considered the center of the six community parks and almost 100 acres of parklands that line the Chena River.
All of these developments have ensured that Golden Heart Plaza has become a destination that attracts residents and visitors, ensuring it will continue to serve as an essential part of the community in the present and future.
A “Great Place in America”
Serving as a community venue for many popular events, Golden Heart Plaza is directly connected to the history of Fairbanks as well as the modern community. This activity along with the many monuments, markers and pieces of history have allowed it to be designated as one of the “Great Places in America,” highlighting what it can look like for what might otherwise be an unremarkable space come to serve as an essential element in the present and future of an entire city.
