he Story of the Sitka Pioneers' Home:

A contingent of the U.S. marines was stationed in Sitka in 1879, and until 1892 the men were quartered in a log barracks built by the Russians. In 1892 a frame barracks was built and other buildings, including a dwelling for the commanding officer, were added in subsequent years. The base was closed in March 1912 and the buildings stood idle. The people of Sitka were anxious to have them put to use and proposed using them as a home for pioneer prospectors and others who were no longer able to care for themselves.

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Alaska became a Territory in August 1912 and when the first legislature met the following March, a bill was introduced by Sitka's Representative, Arthur G. Shoup, to appropriate $10,000 and establish the Alaska Pioneers' Home at Sitka. The Navy Department gave permission to use the buildings for that purpose and the Home opened in September 1913. Arthur G. Shoup was appointed the first superintendent and, because funds were so scarce, served the first two years without pay.

Only indigent men were admitted to the Home in the early years. By the early 1930s, in addition to being something of a fire trap, the buildings were becoming dilapidated and expensive to maintain. Congress enacted a law granting the former Navel Reserve to the Territory of Alaska. The present concrete building was then constructed, partly with a federal grant and partly with funds appropriated by the Territorial Legislature. It was completed in December 1934 at he cost of $341,687.62. The following year the Manager's Residence, a home for nurses and a garage were built and the grounds were landscaped, all paid for by a Public Works Administration grant of $98,308.88.

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The new building housed 170 men but there were no facilities for women. The 1949 Legislature provided funds for a women's Home, and a former church, adjoining the Pioneers' Home, was purchased for that purpose. The arrangement was not wholly satisfactory and in 1956 the new North Wing was added to the main building. It housed women and married couples at first, and later was occupied by single men and women, as well. The building has since undergone remodeling and renovations. The most recent renovation was to the North Wing to provide a living space to care for residents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia.

The Sitka Pioneers' Home has a capacity of 96 men and women and provides care at five different levels: Coordinated Services, Basic Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia and Comprehensive Care.

The Sitka Pioneers' Home expects to soon be a Eden Alternative® Registered Home. The Sitka Pioneers' Home is committed to providing compassionate care to residents, staff, family and community in a home that nurtures the human body, mind and spirit while preserving the dignity and individuality of residents.