Kenai Fjords A Stern and Rock-Bound Coast: Historic Resource Study

Frank Lowell: Hunter, Trader, and Station Manager

Small independent hunters and traders often acted as intermediaries between Native hunters and the established trading stations operated by the Alaska Commercial and the Western Fur and Trading companies on the Kenai Peninsula, on Kodiak Island and at Nuchek. Similar practices supported Native hunters on Cook Inlet and throughout the Dena'ina region of southwestern Alaska. [22] Porter reported in the 1890 census that "the scattered white traders were lavishly supported with ‘outfits', comfortable houses, and native hunting parties, all on long credit, in order to secure their trade and custom." [23] On the outer coast of the Kenai Peninsula, Frank Lowell maintained a local hunting and trading network that was for many years affiliated with the Alaska Commercial Company's English Bay station. In 1911 Benjamin L. Johnson, a USGS surveyor, mentioned a second independent trader, a man he only referred to as Kimball, who "handled furs for the Natives..." and "had several trading stores here." [24] Lowell and his extensive family traded and sold furs on the coast for approximately fifteen years.

Frank Lowell was born in Maine and homesteaded on the Kenai Peninsula with his wife, Mary Lowell, a Native of English Bay. In 1906, an article in the Seward Weekly Gateway reported that in 1883, the couple moved to the site near the head of Resurrection Bay. [25] Frank Lowell apparently left his wife and family in 1893 but Mary Lowell, who was of both Russian and Native ancestry, remained on the homestead until after the turn of the century. [26] Mary Lowell died on May 20, 1906. Soon afterward, the Seward Weekly Gateway ran the following obituary.

Mrs. Lowell was born at English Bay near Seldovia, on the seaward side of the peninsula. She came to the present site of Seward with her husband 23 years ago and had lived here ever since. Her husband left here around 13 years ago but Mrs. Lowell continued to reside on the old homestead with her children [27].

Mary Lowell (second from left) and her children wre part of the only family settled at the head of Resurrection Bay before Seward townsite was founded in 1903. Courtesy Resurrection Bay Historical Society.

In 1898 Walter Mendenhall, the USGS geologist mentioned in Chapter 1, met a group of Natives at the head of Resurrection Bay who were planting potatoes and other vegetables. These people were probably members of the Lowell family. Mendenhall noted four or five houses along the bay. The Lowells provided Mendenhall with a small boat to reach the head of the bay, approximately four miles north of where they docked a steamer ship. [28]

Frank Lowell kept business contacts in English Bay until at least 1895. Benjamin Johnson, the USGS surveyor, suggested that he supported other families of his own who also lived along the coast. [29] Census taker Robert Porter, however, stated in 1890 that Frank and Mary Lowell and their children comprised the only residents of the coast.

The only settlement on this whole coast, extending for 120 miles from Cape Puget to Cape Elizabeth is the place of residence chosen by a native of Maine upon the shore of Resurrection Bay, or Blying sounds. This man who is one of the American pioneers of Alaska, entered the territory almost immediately after its purchase by the U.S., and has never left it. He has named his home Lowell, after himself, and having married a creole wife, has reared a large family of stalwart boys, expert hunters and sailors, who assist their father in his hunting expeditions in a small schooner owned by the family. [30]

Before Seward was founded, "Lowell Bay Landing" appeared as shown. Courtesy Resurrection Bay Historical Society.

Frank Lowell worked as an independent trader and as an Alaska Commercial Company agent. He maintained a long-term relationship with the ACC's English Bay Station. He also worked with Charles Smith at the Western Fur and Trading Company. From 1877 to 1895 if not longer, Lowell kept both personal and business accounts at the English Bay Station. His private accounts reflected a need for a wide range of household supplies in addition to luxury and personal items. These purchases give a glimpse into Lowell's personal life and of the products available on the coast in the late 1800s. Lowell regularly bought silk, guitar strings, children's shoes, cakes of fancy soap, needles, smoking tobacco, tea, sugar, lead, and powder. He also purchased a chinchilla cap, a gold ring, cologne, lace brocade, and teapots.

The Lowell cabin, around which Seward townsite sprang up in 1903. Courtesy of Resurrection Bay Historical Society.

Lowell also maintained an account for his hunting crew at the English Bay station. Although Native hunters kept individual accounts for both furs sold and goods, Lowell subsidized some crewmembers. He regularly helped hunters who were no longer able to pay their debts, and he often traded on their behalf. Lowell's crew hunted and set up winter camps at many points along the coast between English and Resurrection bays, including Yalik, Nuka, and Aialik bays. [31] The principal furs hunted and traded were black bear, gray fox, black fox, marten, and mink, along with sea and land otter skins. Another trader named Smith, perhaps the Charles Smith who shared an account with Lowell at the Western Fur and Trading Company, also had Native hunters in his employ with Alaska Commercial Company at English Bay. [32]

Frank Lowell, English Bay Company Store Account, 1885. Archives, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. ACC Records, Box 8, Folder 104, Accounts-Outstanding, 1872-1897.

Frank Lowell, English Bay Company Store Records, 1885. Archives, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. ACC Records, Box 8, Folder 94, Accounts-Outstanding, 1873-1884, 1 of 2.

English Bay Outstanding Accounts, 1875. Archives, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

English Bay Station, Outstanding Accounts, 1893. Archives, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. ACC Records, Box 8, Folder 104, Accounts-Outstanding, 1872-1897.