Pioneers of Alaska

1926- Anthony J. Dimond

Anthony Joseph Dimond was born November 30, 1881 in New York. In Alaska his birthday is celebrated as “Anthony Dimond Day.”

Dimond was a Democrat who was Alaska’s Territorial the Delegate to the US House of Representatives from 1933-1945. He was an early champion of statehood.

Dimond taught school in New York from 1900-1903. He worked in Alaska as prospector/miner from 1904-1912, then studied law and practiced in Valdez in 1913.

Dimond's political experience includes: US Commissioner in Chisana (1913-1914); Special Assistant US Attorney for the 3rd Judicial Division of Alaska in Valdez (1917); Mayor of Valdez (1920-1922, 1925-1932); Alaska Territorial Senate (1923–1926, 1929–1932); and District Judge for the 3rd Division of Alaska (1945–1953).

He also served as a Delegate to the 1936 and 1940 Democratic National Conventions. Dimond was also a member of the Moose, Eagles, and Elks.

In 1940, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt was considering making Alaska an international Jewish homeland, Dimond was the main force behind defeating the effort. Some Alaskan papers have attributed this to anti-Semitism on the part of Dimond and others, although the charge was challenged by historians who claimed that Dimond was mostly concerned about the finances.

He died May 28, 1953 in Anchorage. Anchorage’s Dimond High School and Dimond Blvd are named after him.