Frozen Ground filmmakers in Anchorage are temporarily transforming parts of the city to resemble its seedy ’70s -’80s past. There’s a decent slide show, too.
Seeing the photos reminds me of my visits to Anchorage in the early ’80s, when my co-author Walter Gilmour gave me the grand tour. At the time, I recall being somewhat amazed at the much more laissez faire attitude toward prostitution in Alaska.
Then there was Walter’s matter-of-fact revelations on how the trade worked. The ladies of the night, he told me, were generally tolerated on First Avenue. Not content with that corner of sleaze, they gradually worked their way up toward Fifth Avenue and the fancy hotels where the wealthier tricks congregated. When their business reached that far, though, it was time for a round of arrests. Streetwalkers weren’t tolerated on Fifth Avenue.
When the women got out of jail, the entire cycle started again. On First Avenue.
Of course Anchorage, like many cities (my own city of Seattle included), has cleaned up considerably since those wild and wooly days. But if you want to see some actual photographs from the era (it’s not all sleaze, BTW), check out these excellent images of Anchorage in the 1970’s, from Stephen Cysewski’s site. More photos here.
By the way, it’s worth scrolling through his site to see actual photos of the Kit Kat Club from back in the day. I have included one of them here, but really, go to Stephen’s site. It’s that good incredible.
(Stephen Cysewski)