From Dairy Farm to Neighborhood [1]
The Casey Shattuck Neighborhood was in effect Juneau's first suburb. W. W. Casey and brothers Henry and Allen Shattuck created a subdivision of approximately 200 lots in an area considered "out of town" on the road to Evergreen Cemetery. The neighborhood catered to the working class families of the community during a time of rapid growth. The buildings in the area were modest in size and architectural style but cohesiveness of the neighborhood provided a pleasant place for families to prosper and grow. The neighborhood remains today a very desirable location to live. The historic buildings and their relationship to the rest of downtown Juneau significantly enhance the character of the neighborhood.
The development of the Casey Shattuck subdivision was a direct response to the housing needs of a growing community. The Treadwell and Alaska Gastineau gold mines were well under way and growing. The Alaska Juneau gold mine was preparing to construct its giant mill and more than double its workforce. The AJ committed to the business community of Juneau not to develop its own company town. They only provided housing for their single workers thus the market was strong for family housing. There was also a significant fishing fleet in Juneau at that time and fishermen were looking for land based locations to raise their families.
William Casey and brothers, Henry and Allen Shattuck, responded to the town's need for developable land with what was a subdivision targeted to the working class. The lots were moderate in size, most being 40 feet by 90 feet. The land was level thus development costs were lower than in other areas of town. And, the sales brokers offered "easy terms" to make the properties affordable to the townspeople.
A headline in the Alaska Daily Empire (August 8, 1913) stated, "Casey Shattuck Lots Go Like Hot Cakes." The article claimed that 15 lots were sold on the first day of offering and the sellers expected to have sold the entire subdivision within two weeks. The article went on to say "most of the lots sold to residents, though several of the excursionists that were on the Spokane secured good lots in the tract."
Although the lots didn't quite go as fast as the sellers anticipated, in less than four weeks nearly half had been sold and twelve new buildings were started. Some owners looking forward to constructing their homes found the lack of building materials available in town slowed their starting date. Clearly the Casey Shattuck subdivision started a building boom that perpetuated for some time. This boom offered numerous opportunities for those in the design and construction industry. H.B. Foss Company, Architects and later Foss and Malcom Architects designed many homes in the neighborhood. Contractors were kept busy and some made their debut and long-standing career in Casey Shattuck. They included Hans Berg, Walt Stutte, and Cliff Berg. Jimmy Larsen was the most prolific builder in the subdivision.
The historic buildings of the Casey Shattuck survey area are primarily single family or duplex residential properties. Some have been converted to commercial or office uses but retains a residential character. There is one building which features commercial space on the first level and apartments on the upper floor. The architectural style of the buildings in the neighborhood follow the trends of building design found in the lower 48 states.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Street Names
10th Street West • 11th Street West • 12th Street West • 8th Street West • 9th Street West • A Street • B Street • C Street • Capitol Avenue • D Street • Distin Avenue • Glacier Avenue • Indian Street • Irwin Street