Aunt Phil's Trunk
Family gatherings like this in the remote Alaska wilderness were made more comfortable with an outhouse stationed nearby.
A giant pill bottle. A fighter jet. A Queen Elizabeth look-alike holding a corgi. What do these things have in common? They are all quirky ideas for an equally quirky event held each February during the Fur Rendezvous: Outhouse races down Fourth Avenue in Anchorage.
Alaska's history with outhouses is as rich and colorful as the outhouses in this annual event. From essential facilities in undeveloped areas to the Fur Rendezvous races, outhouses have played a significant role in Alaskan culture.
Back in the day, outhouses were a necessity for most Alaska residents. With no running water or indoor plumbing, these simple structures provided a practical solution for human waste disposal. Pioneers, prospectors and homesteaders alike had to brave the elements and venture outside to answer nature's call, often in subzero temperatures and biting winds.
The construction of these outhouses was a true test of ingenuity and resourcefulness. Logs, driftwood and even discarded materials were repurposed to create these humble structures. Some were adorned with intricate carvings or whimsical designs, reflecting the creativity and humor of their builders.
This author remembers relatives telling her that after her mother and identical twin were born in the Anchorage Railroad Hospital in 1921, miners in Hope welcomed the girls home with a covered walkway they had built from the cabin to the outhouse so the babies wouldn't get wet from rain or snow when the need arose for a trip to the "facilities."
As Alaska transitioned into the modern era, outhouses gradually became obsolete, replaced by indoor plumbing and modern sanitation systems. However, these humble structures have not been forgotten; instead, they have been embraced as a symbol of Alaska's pioneering spirit and resilience, especially in areas where permafrost and remoteness necessitate their continued use.
The persistence of outhouses eventually gave way to the unique cultural phenomenon of outhouse races, which blend Alaskans' frontier spirit, sense of humor and love of outdoor winter activities. The Fur Rendezvous competition began in 2006 as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, organized by the University of Alaska's Architecture and Engineering Club. The rules are simple.
Traditional outhouses must have a minimum base of 30x30 inches and three walls. Unlimited outhouses can be larger, up to 8 feet wide, 12 feet long, and 8 feet tall. Creativity of design has been a highlight of the event, as evidenced one year when Alaska Colorectal Surgery Clinic presented an outhouse painted Pepto-Bismol pink, complete with balloon "polyps."
Each race team, which pays a $100 entry fee, must build its own outhouse on skis. Each outhouse must have a toilet seat and a roll of toilet paper. One team member must be seated in the outhouse while teammates push or pull the structure on a two-lane course where two teams race each other down and back around a pylon. Hitting a pylon incurs a $10 penalty.
The goal? To claim the championship trophy, which doubles as a toilet paper holder, and become king or queen of the throne – not to be number two in the race to the finish.
Speed isn't the only measure of success, however. Awards also are given for categories like Best Theme, Most Realistic, Best Engineered, and Cleanest. And as in the great Iditarod Race, a Red Lantern award is given to the slowest team.
This yearly event can serve as a reminder of Alaska's not-so-distant past when outhouses were a common feature of daily life. And as long as Alaskans maintain their frontier spirit and sense of humor, it's likely that outhouses-both functional and racing varieties -will remain a quirky yet cherished part of the state's cultural landscape.
This column features tidbits found while researching Alaska's colorful past for Aunt Phil's Trunk, a five-book Alaska history series written by Laurel Downing Bill and her late aunt, Phyllis Downing Carlson. The books are available at bookstores and gift shops throughout Alaska, as well as online at http://www.auntphilstrunk.com.
