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Northpole
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The City of North Pole
was first incorporated as a city in 1953. The original plan in selecting the
name "North Pole" was to attract the toy industry to manufacture
articles from the "North Pole". This endeavor failed to blossom. But
North Pole continued to grow. North Pole became the focal point for the military
bases and established schools and churches. |
In 1975 the North Pole Refinery, MAPCO, became one major industry in the area.
Since then, a second refinery, Petro Star, has been constructed. The refineries
gave North Pole a large tax base and the area underwent a period of rapid growth, unprecedented even in Alaska. The city has one of the highest assessed
evaluations per capita in Alaska. Government is of the "Home Rule"
type with residents electing a mayor and six council members. |
History of the Christmas Gift Shop
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When Con and Nellie
Miller arrived in Fairbanks in 1949, they had $1.40 in cash and two hungry kids.
Determined to carve out a living in the new territory of Alaska, Con soon became
a
merchant and fur buyer in the surrounding villages.
Donning an old red Santa suit, Mr. Miller earned celebrity status as Santa Claus
in the eyes of village children - the first St. Nick many had ever seen. |
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By 1952 the Millers had decided to build a trading post thirteen miles from
Fairbanks,
in an area newly dubbed "North Pole." One day, while hard at work on
the new store,
a young Alaskan boy recognized Con and asked, "Hello, Santa Claus. Are you
building a new house?"
Inspiration clicked ... the new store would be called "Santa Claus
House!" |
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Since 1952, both the Santa Claus House and the Miller family have experienced
many changes.
Santa Claus House has received international recognition and publicity from
writers
and newspapers the world over. The family tradition continues as the next
generation of Millers
builds on the past - and looks forward to the future. |
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If you should happen to be one of the thousands who visit Santa Claus House
each year, you just might catch a glimpse of the Millers as they dash
about performing their endless duties. But whether sending letters to
boys and girls around the world,or greeting visitors to their Santa Claus House,
you know that when they wish you a "Merry Christmas!" they know what
they're talking about! |
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