We are going to go through the historical buildings and sites I captured in downtown Seward. We will also look at the many murals they have on buildings in town.

There is a historical walking tour map that you can get online or at the Museum and Library. I never had time to do the full official tour but I think I hit most of them on my own. 

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is #3 on the walking tour. Opening in 1906, It’s the oldest surviving Protestant Church building on the Kenai Peninsula. 

This next group of buildings is going to be on Fourth Avenue which is the main street in Seward.

Skipping down to #14  is Brown & Hawkins. Built in 1904, it’s the oldest business in Seward. You will find quite a few artifacts from there at the Seward Museum.

Moving on to #15 is Urbachs. This is another place you’ll find artifacts from in the museum. This store has been owned by the Urbach family since 1915.

Here is a little information from the museum.

Next up is #16 The Orlander Building which was originally a women’s clothing store.

At #17 we arrive at the McMullen Building. The front of this one has changed over the years. This building survived a 1941 downtown fire. It actually may have prevented the rest of downtown from burning down. Many of the buildings east of here burned. The fire stopped right here due to that concrete wall.

Next we come to Seward Commercial Company which was a competitor of Brown & Hawkins. Seward Commercial Company is actually the white building to the left of this one.

This one is the Sexton House.

Osbo Building didn’t make the cut but it’s also on Fourth Avenue. This is where the Airbnb I originally booked was located.

#20 is Kawabi Park/Fourth Avenue Business District.

Moving over to Fifth Avenue is #23 the Hotel Seward which was built in 1905. I actually considered staying there but for about the price I paid at Hotel Edgewater, I could get a room a Hotel Seward but it was going to come with a shared bathroom. It would’ve cost an additional $100 for a room with a private bathroom. I was happy with Hotel Edgewater.

Moving over to Sixth Avenue is the Seward Library and Museum. I spent some time here.

Skipping down to #32 is a place that seems to have some history, the Van Gilder Hotel.

I’m kind of surprised the Liberty Theater isn’t on the list. It’s right next to the Van Gilder. It closed in 2013 after the owner passed away. I read it operated as a hotel in it’s later years.

#33 says Centennial year Sitka Spruce with the address of the Department of Public Safety. I’m guessing we’re talking about the tree on the side of the building.

Skipping down to #40 is Hoben Park.

Next is the original Railroad Depot which now hosts a cafe and a wine bar.

Founder’s Site and Fourth Avenue Wharf.

At #43 is Old Solly’s.

#44 is Lowell Canyon Road which leads to the start of the Mount Marathon race. I didn’t make it over there but this is Mount Marathon.

Let’s move on to the murals. It doesn’t look like I found all of them. According to the Mural Society there are 19 murals. 

And we’ll finish out with this bust of William Henry Seward.