Alaska’s mountains are tall, commanding, and majestic.

But mount Gordon Lyon in the Chugach mountains, overlooking Alaska’s largest city, has become special to the citizens of Anchorage.

Illuminated during those long winter nights, the “Site Summit Star” was a gift to Anchorage from the soldiers at Site Summit.

Nike Site Summit

The U.S. Army established a Nike Hercules missile installation on Mount Gordon Lyon in 1958 to help protect the U.S. during the Cold War.

Site Summit in Action

In the photo above, the Site Summit Army post, tests a Nike-Hercules missile

Mike of Alaska Stories was a student at Clark Junior High in Anchorage. One day, the students were escorted to the front of the school to watch the first test launch of a Nike-Hercules missile from Site Summit. Like the picture above, it was an impressive site.

How the Gift of the Star came About

In 1958, Battery Commander, Captain Douglas Evert, had an idea.

At nearly 4,000 feet up the mountain, Evert wanted to set up a 15 foot illuminated star on the Site Summit gate house as a holiday symbol that would be seen and enjoyed by all of Anchorage.

But the first star was too small.

So, a 117-foot star replaced the original in 1960.

Oops!

An avalanche destroyed the star in 1989.

Later, the damaged star was replaced by a 300-foot wide star.

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Now That’s a Lot of Bulbs

Photo by Crystal A. Jenkins, US Air Force

Can you guess?

How many bulbs do you think it used to take to light up a 300-foot star?

The Answer is:

There were around 350 bulbs that require year round maintenance. Yes, those light sockets froze and the movement of snow caused damage as well.

The Site Summit Star Today

Modern technology has caught up with the star.

Light bulbs have been replaced with LED lights.

The star is 300 feet wide. Compare that to the length of a football field, which is 360 feet.

When Can You See the Star?

According to a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson publication, the star is lit every year on Thanksgiving and remains on until the last Iditarod dog sled musher crosses the finish line in Nome – sometime in March.

The Beauty of the Star

Water color courtesy of Alaskan artist Cindy Pendleton

Sit back and enjoy the beautiful vision of the Site Summit Star that is captured so well by Alaskan artist, Cindy Pendleton in the water color image above. Our thanks to Cindy for sharing her art with Alaska Stories.

BONUS

To learn more, visit Friends of Site Summit and discover.

Visit Anchorage Memories.com

You’ll discover a treasure chest of memories, including stories, pictures, and videos.

Take a look at Anchorage Memories and enjoy.

Connect with Mike and Mary

This is one of those great Alaska Stories that warm your heart.

If you live in Anchorage, or visited during the holidays, what was your reaction, the first time you saw the Site Summit Star?

Send us your comment by replying to this email, or you can Contact Us right now to say, “I love the Site Summit Star”.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Alaska Stories