Our History
The Corrington’s began business in Alaska in 1970 with the Arctic Trading Post and Eskimo Museum in Nome, Alaska. In 1974 they purchased land in Skagway and began construction of the log cabin portion of Corrington’s Alaskan Ivory (CAI) at 5th Ave and Broadway. Corrington’s Alaskan Ivory has always dealt specifically with Alaskan Native Art. This appreciation of native artwork led to the creation of Corrington’s Museum of Alaskan History in 1986, which is currently housed within the Golden North Hotel retail store. This unique museum traces the history of Alaska on scrimshawed walrus tusks.
With an eye on the growing tourist market, the Skagway Outlet Store (SOS) was opened in 1995. The Skagway Outlet Store was expanded in 1997 to its current size with the addition of the Skagway Outlet Apparel Store.
Also in 1997, Dennis and Nancy fulfilled a long-time dream by purchasing the Golden North Hotel, Alaska’s oldest operating hotel. In 1999 the Skagway Brewing Company Gifts was built, as an extension to the Golden North Hotel.
In 2004 the decision was made to close the Golden North Hotel, along with several other businesses operating inside the hotel complex including a restaurant, bar, brewery and e-mail cafe. The Brewing Company was sold in 2007, but is still fully operational today in a new location. The former brewery building now is home to Corrington's Alaskan Ivory II and Museum of Alaskan History. The first floor of the hotel was converted to a retail store and eventually further converted into three rental units and leased to other tenants. In 2010 the 2nd floor of the Annex was converted into apartments.
In 1998 the Corrington’s purchased property on Broadway between 5th and 6th Avenues and in 2004 built the Skagway Bazaar on this property. Since 2005 the Skagway Bazaar Passage (SBP) has operated in this building and later the Sarah Palin Store / Alaska BOGO Store were added.
In 2006, with the idea of enriching the tourist’s experience of Alaska, the Corrington’s began construction of the Skagway Old Town (SOT) building at the corner of Broadway and 7th Ave. In 2011 the corner store, which had been called Skagway Old Town Store was re-themed and renamed the Alaska Knife and Ulu Store.
The Corrington’s distinctive style, attention to detail and continual effort to improve the visitor’s experience in Skagway is evident in each of their endeavors.
