Wendler Building, Anchorage

The Wendler Building, nestled on D Street in Anchorage holds a special place in the city's historical and architectural narrative. Built in 1915 by A.J. Wendler, this two-story, wood-framed structure served as Anchorage's first general merchandising store, operated by the Larson-Wendler Company. While many buildings have come and gone, the Wendler Building remains Anchorage’s oldest commercial edifice, its turret proudly standing as the only one of its kind in the city.

Initially, the building's design featured a canted entrance below the turret, flanked by a large storefront window on one side and a smaller one on the other. The first floor hosted the grocery store, with Wendler and his family residing on the second floor. Over time, the building adapted to the city's needs and evolving social landscape. In the mid-1930s, it was converted into apartments, prompting modifications to the façade, including the removal of the original store windows and the iconic corner entrance.

In 1948, Wendler's daughter, Myrtle Stalnaker, launched Club 25, an exclusive women’s social club that eventually became a beloved local establishment for all. The building's intricate ornamentation below the second-floor windows—featuring cut-out designs—perhaps even influenced the neon accents on Anchorage's Performing Arts Center.

Originally located at Fourth and I Streets, the Wendler Building narrowly avoided demolition in 1983. Relocated to D Street, it stands today as a gift shop. Adding to its cultural significance, a bronze dog statue marks the building as the starting point of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska’s iconic annual event. Recognized for its historical importance, the Wendler Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, ensuring its place as a cherished piece of Anchorage’s architectural and social heritage.