You’ll find Curry’s ghost town remains at Mile 248.5 on the Alaska Railroad, where a luxurious wilderness resort once thrived. Established in 1922 and named after Congressman Charles F. Curry, it grew from a railroad stop into Alaska’s premier destination with 75 rooms and upscale amenities. A devastating fire in 1957 destroyed the hotel in under an hour, claiming three lives. Today, you can explore the meadow-covered site and discover scattered remnants of this once-bustling paradise.
Key Takeaways
- Curry was a luxury railroad resort town established in 1922, featuring a 75-room hotel and winter sports facilities until 1957.
- A devastating fire on April 9, 1957, destroyed the hotel within an hour, killing three people and leading to the town’s abandonment.
- Located 22 miles north of Talkeetna, Curry is only accessible via the Alaska Railroad’s Hurricane Turn train service.
- The site now features crumbling ruins, interpretive signs, and an old railroad waiting area amid an expansive meadow.
- The ghost town remains an important historical landmark, preserving memories of Alaska’s golden age of rail travel.
The Rise of a Railroad Resort Paradise
When the Alaska Railroad sought to establish a strategic rest stop between Seward and Fairbanks in 1922, they created Curry, naming it after Congressman Charles F.
Just as spice trade networks helped connect distant regions as early as 5000 BCE, the railroad expansion transformed a simple maintenance station into a luxurious destination that you’d never expect to find in the Alaskan wilderness. The addition of a suspension footbridge in 1924 made the hotel even more appealing to adventurous travelers.
Life at the Curry Hotel’s Peak
During its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, the Curry Hotel stood as Alaska’s premier wilderness resort, offering guests an unexpected blend of luxury and outdoor adventure.
The hotel originally opened in 1923 as a railroad refueling station before evolving into an upscale destination.
You’d find yourself amid 75 well-appointed rooms, enjoying luxury amenities like black-tie dining and cocktails in the sophisticated lounge added in 1945.
Winter visitors could experience thrilling snow sports on the newly built rope tow, installed in 1947 behind the hotel.
Notable Guests and Celebrity Visits
Unlike many luxury resorts of its era, the Curry Hotel didn’t attract Hollywood celebrities or political dignitaries, but instead drew a steady stream of affluent tourists, railroad crews, and outdoor enthusiasts.
While celebrity sightings weren’t part of Curry’s claim to fame, visitor experiences were rich with adventure and luxury. The town’s namesake, Charles F. Curry, Chairman of the House Committee on Territories, represented the most notable connection to the property, though he wasn’t documented as a guest. Guests were treated to meals featuring Indian-inspired dishes, reflecting the growing popularity of curry in Western cuisine during that era.
- The Nordic Ski Club of Anchorage made annual pilgrimages for ski trips.
- Railroad officials and crews frequently stayed during their routes between Seward and Fairbanks.
- Wealthy travelers enjoyed the hotel’s swimming pool, golf course, and ski facilities.
You’ll find that Curry’s appeal centered on its wilderness retreat atmosphere and stunning views of Mount Denali. After a major expansion in 1935, the hotel attracted even more visitors seeking luxury accommodations in the Alaskan wilderness.
Transportation Hub and Railway Operations
As a critical midpoint on the Alaska Railroad‘s 656-mile route between Seward and Fairbanks, Curry emerged as an essential transportation hub at Mile 248.5 in 1923.
The railroad logistics centered around a hotel complex that served both passengers and crew members during the two-day journey across Alaska.
Prior to the tragic 1957 fire, the Curry Hotel was considered one of the finest structures along the railroad line, hosting distinguished guests including President Warren G. Harding.
You’ll find that Curry’s transportation significance extended beyond passenger comfort – it housed important facilities including a ticket office, baggage room, post office, and the Alaska Communication System repeater station.
Modern digital asset management helps preserve historical records of this once-bustling railway stop.
Even after the hotel’s destruction by fire in 1957, Curry maintained its operational importance through converted facilities and temporary structures.
The site continued supporting maintenance crews, providing flagstop service via the Hawaii Turn train, and serving as a critical communication relay point along the coastal-interior line.
The Devastating Fire and Abandonment
While Curry thrived as a bustling railway resort through the early 20th century, a series of disasters foreshadowed its eventual downfall. You’ll find that fires plagued the town repeatedly, with devastating incidents in 1926, 1933, and 1946.
However, it was the catastrophic fire of April 9, 1957, that sealed Curry’s fate.
The fire aftermath was swift and devastating:
- The 75-room wooden hotel burned to the ground in under an hour
- Three lives were lost, including two young children
- Only chimneys and pipes remained standing
The community decline followed immediately. You won’t find any attempts to rebuild – the railroad removed remaining structures, citing safety concerns. Located 22 miles north of Talkeetna, the abandoned town remains a somber reminder of a once-prosperous era.
Today, you’ll discover only a meadow, rusted generators, and old rail cars where this once-proud “wilderness palace” stood, marking Curry’s transformation into a true ghost town.
What Remains Today: A Ghost Town Tour
When you visit Curry today, you’ll find an expansive meadow where buildings once stood, with only scattered remnants of machinery, rusty generators, and decaying rail cars marking the ghost town’s footprint.
You can reach this remote site exclusively via the Alaska Railroad’s Hurricane Turn train, which provides flagstop service Thursday through Sunday during summer months.
Like many historical sites that reveal Alaska’s geological history, these abandoned places provide valuable insights into past seismic activity and structural impacts.
Your exploration will be self-guided through the open landscape, where interpretive signs help piece together the story of this abandoned railroad resort town.
Structures Still Standing
The once-bustling town of Curry has largely vanished into an open meadow, with only scattered industrial relics marking its former existence.
Today, you’ll find no standing buildings of architectural remnants from its heyday as a railroad resort town of historical significance. The landscape has been reclaimed by nature, with just a few visible traces of human occupation:
- A partially crumbling railroad waiting area stands as the only semi-intact structure
- Rusty generators and abandoned railroad cars dot the meadow landscape
- Interpretive signs help you understand the site’s past importance
You can only access this ghost town by rail, where you’ll discover a stark transformation from what was once a thriving community with a luxury hotel, school, and various civic buildings – all now returned to wilderness.
Current Access Methods
Today, adventurous travelers can reach Curry ghost town primarily through Alaska Railroad’s seasonal flagstop service, operating Thursday through Sunday during summer months.
You’ll need to request a stop on the Hurricane Turn train route, which travels along the historic line between Seward and Fairbanks.
If you’re seeking a more rugged approach, you can attempt to reach Curry through undeveloped hiking trails, though you’ll need advanced navigation skills and wilderness preparation.
There’s no public road access, and the surrounding terrain is challenging.
Whatever method you choose, you’ll need to be self-sufficient, as there are no amenities or services on-site.
Remember to coordinate your visit with the Alaska Railroad or local land managers, and always inform others of your plans due to the site’s remote location.
Preserving Curry’s Historical Legacy
Despite its remote location along the Alaska Railroad, Curry’s historical legacy endures through preserved remnants, interpretive signage, and cultural memory initiatives.
You’ll find physical traces of this once-bustling railroad town through:
- Rusty generators, old rail cars, and a crumbling train waiting area that mark the ghost town’s footprint
- Historical markers and interpretive signs maintained for Hurricane Turn train visitors
- Annual ski train events hosted by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
The preservation of Curry’s historical significance continues through local museums and historical societies in Talkeetna, which showcase archival photos and exhibits.
While most original structures were lost to fires, including the landmark hotel in 1957, cultural memory lives on through oral histories and autobiographical accounts that document this essential piece of Alaska’s railroad heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Average Winter Temperature in Curry During Its Peak Years?
You’d have experienced average temperatures between -10°F to 10°F (-23°C to -12°C) during winter conditions, with nighttime lows dropping even further below zero from December through March.
Did Any Indigenous Communities Live in the Curry Area Before Settlement?
You’ll find the Dena’ina Athabascan people called this area home for thousands of years, though specific indigenous history in Curry itself isn’t well-documented. Their cultural significance shaped the region’s early landscape.
How Much Did It Cost to Stay at the Curry Hotel?
You would’ve paid premium rates at Curry Hotel, though exact historical accommodation rates aren’t documented. Based on its luxury “wilderness palace” status and upscale amenities, it likely commanded top dollar for 1920s Alaska.
Were There Any Reported Paranormal Activities in Curry’s Abandoned Buildings?
You won’t find documented ghost sightings or haunted buildings in Curry’s remains. Unlike other Alaskan ghost towns with rich paranormal histories, there aren’t any verified reports of supernatural activity here.
What Wildlife Species Commonly Roamed Through the Curry Settlement?
Like nature’s grand parade, you’d spot moose, black bears, and caribou around town, while bald eagles soared overhead. The wildlife sightings included wolves, river otters, and diverse small mammals.
References
- https://www.alaskarails.org/historical/curry/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry
- https://vilda.alaska.edu/digital/collection/cdmg13/id/15831/
- https://www.alsap.org/Curry/Curry.htm
- https://alaskarails.org/stories/ARR-Curry-hotel.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry_Lookout
- https://vilda.alaska.edu/digital/collection/cdmg11/id/7568/
- https://www.talkeetnamuseum.org/history-and-museum/
- https://www.alaskarails.org/historical2/regalvista/index.html
- https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/beb82ee3-e32c-4315-beec-571a811d9456
