Leopold David House, Anchorage

The Leopold David House, located on West Second Avenue in Anchorage, is an enduring symbol of early Anchorage architecture and civic history. Constructed around 1917, this 1½-story bungalow exemplifies the Craftsman style popular during that era, featuring a front-gable roof, dormers, and a wooden frame. Its design includes deep eaves adorned with Craftsman brackets, a gabled porch supported by box columns, and a semihexagonal bay window—all set within a symmetrical yet distinctly bungalow layout.

Leopold David, an immigrant from Germany who would become Anchorage’s first mayor in 1920, commissioned this larger-than-average home after purchasing land during the 1915 Anchorage land auction. Though it remains uncertain if he used a building kit or commissioned custom plans, the home’s size distinguished it from neighboring residences. Only government-commissioned cottages built for high-ranking Alaska Engineering Commission officials approached its scale.

Now painted blue and gray with white trim, the house has undergone a few modifications, including a renovated basement that expanded its footprint to 2,500 square feet. Originally a private residence, the house today serves as a law offices, marking its shift from personal to professional use. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, it stands as a well-preserved example of Anchorage’s early bungalow architecture.

David’s legacy as Anchorage’s inaugural mayor reflected his deep commitment to his adopted city. Serving three terms, he guided Anchorage through its transition from federal oversight to a locally governed community. His impact on Anchorage’s civic development remains as significant as the house he once called home, preserving the pioneering spirit of one of Anchorage’s most respected early residents.