CHARLES H. ANWAY. A HAINES ALASKAN PIONEER, MINER AND HORTICULTURIST. 1857 -1949
In 1988, NAFEX member Robert Henderson of Haines submitted an article about Charles Anway to the Newsletter. At that time, Robert told me he was going to write a book about Anway, and he successfully completed that project in 1990. This well-researched book is filled with interesting facts about one of Alaska’s, earliest horticulturists. Robert complied information about Anway from his birth in Michigan in 1857, through his early years in Colorado; his journey North with the gold seekers in 1898; and his experiences growing tree fruits and small fruits in Haines. Anway was truly a pioneer fruit explorer. He was an amateur plant breeder and developed the award-winning ‘Anway’ strawberry. He developed the first commercial apple orchard and sweet cherry orchard in Alaska. He won a special award in 1915 from the Skagway Horticultural Society for producing the first mature apple in Alaska. His horticultural triumphs are just part of an interesting look at life and people in Haines from the turn of the century. For fruit growers there is valuable information, on fruit varieties, growing conditions, and cultural problems Anway encountered and solved over the years. It is also well-stocked with historical photos of Anway, his gardens, and other notable citizens of Haines. I found the book to be easy to read, well-researched, and very informative. I recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about early Alaska and fruit growing in the Far North. Congratulations. Robert, for an excellent book! An order form is enclosed for any NAFEX member who would like to purchase a copy of this book.
—P. Holloway