The former Rika's Roadhouse is now a museum on the Big Delta State Historical Park property. Open daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the park is not as crowded with visitors as other parts of Alaska.
A (usually) wonderful occupational hazard of travel writer life is setting out to explore Alaska's lesser-known sights. I've just returned from a four-night journey to do just that, swinging around the loop from Anchorage to Fairbanks and back along the Glenn, Richardson and Parks Highways, tracing Last Frontier history, culture and recreation as a solo 50-something roadtripper.
I camped by turn in my favorite backpacking tent and a selection of Alaska State Parks public use cabins, and all were great. But my favorite? Oh yes, my favorite has to be the Big Delta State Historical Park.
Located eight miles north of Delta Junction in Alaska's Interior region, "Big Delta" is part living museum, part roadhouse and all hospitality. Once a cornerstone of the Valdez-Fairbanks Trail system, this 10-acre historical site is the perfect place for anyone looking to dive deep into the challenges, and rewards, of Alaska life before modern convenience.
Part of the Alaska State Parks day use and overnight facilities tracing nearly the entire length of the Richardson Highway, Big Delta's treasured artifacts are managed by the Delta Historical Society, some of which date back to 1900, when the area was a hub for travelers transiting north and south between Fairbanks and Valdez to mine gold. It also provided one of the only telegraph links around the then-territory and the rest of the United States, with the Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS) headquartered near the roadhouse.
Plan to spend at least a few hours exploring Big Delta, starting at the main parking lot (and campground) and winding your way through the property. Rika Wallen was proprietress of much of this land throughout the early 1900s, hosting traveler upon traveler at "Rika's Roadhouse" in between acting as storekeeper, postmistress and farmer. The Delta Historical Society has done an admirable job of keeping pristine the buildings and items, including equipment used by those settling in the area. Look for blacksmith tools, horse tack, photos and many pieces of furniture and kitchen supplies from that era. I wandered for hours, taking photos and reading old newspaper clippings
and stories penned by those living and working along the Richardson Highway back then.
A standout aspect of Big Delta is also the remodeled cafe, managed by park concessionaires who also take care of reservations for the cozy Ferryman's Cabin on the property. Inside the cafe, look for homemade soups, pies and fresh coffee and tea in addition to all the other accoutrements of a roadside stop, including the welcoming smiles upon arrival. Open daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the cafe is a great place to take a break and share stories from the road.
When the park closes its doors at the end of the day, nearly everyone departs. Everyone, of course, except the lucky few overnighting in the Ferryman's Cabin. This historic log structure sits along the banks of the Tanana River and was, as its name suggests, the place to secure passage to the other side with the help of a small ferry. Now an Alaska State Park public use cabin, the structure is a charming way to complete your journey into Alaska's past. The cabin has electricity and heat, but no water (hosts do provide a five-gallon jug of water for guests). Bring your sleeping bag, camp stove, food and some chairs to sit out front and watch the river-borne activity, and pat yourself on the back for being there.
For more information about Big Delta State Historical Park, and other Alaska State Parks historical sites, visit http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/parks.
Erin Kirkland is an Alaska freelance journalist and author.
