Ester Gold Camp -
The Malemute Saloon
"A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malemute saloon; The
kid that handles the music-box was hitting a jag-time tune..."
--From "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," by Robert Service
At the
Malemute
Saloon, where Alaska poet Robert Service wrote some of
his most famous poems, tourists can swig dark Alaska ale, watch comic skits of yesteryear
and toss peanut shells right on the sawdust floor.
NOTE, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SALOON IS CLOSED, THOUGH THERE
APPEARED TO BE SOME WORK BEING DONE ON IT. IF YOU GO AND THEY ARE OPEN,
PLEASE LET US KNOW - WE WOULD LOVE TO UPDATE THIS PAGE.
[Photo courtesy of Julie Coghill.]
"Service With a Smile," a collection of
musical comic sketches (with songs and dances authentic from the era) and Robert Service
poetry, played at 9 p.m. daily through the summer season. The show
celebrated gold rush lore surrounding the old Ester, Eva and Cripple
Creek settlements. Additional shows ran at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays
through Saturdays in July. The cost was $15 for adults and $7.50 for
children 3-12 (must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian).
As another show option, visitors can watch a slide show of
the northern lights put to symphony music. LeRoy Zimmerman's "The Crown of
Light" plays at the nearby Firehouse Theater daily at 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., with a
third show at 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in July. Prices are $8 for adults and
$4
for children.
Ester is six miles west
of Fairbanks on the Parks Highway. Take the Parks Highway west six miles, turn right on
the Old Nenana Highway, right on Village Road, and left at the intersection. A right at
the intersection will take you to the Golden Eagle Saloon, a casual locals' bar with
photographs of old-time area mining operations and $1 drafts. Central office for this and
the Salmon Bake, etc.:(907) 452-7274.
For more on the community of Ester and other things to see there,
visit our Ester Community page.
