On August 28, 1903, the first settlers arrived at Resurrection Bay to found the City of Seward. 

City Founder, Pioneer John E. Ballaine wrote an interesting article in the Seward Daily Gateway on How Seward was founded.

Almost ten years later to the day, on August 19, 1913, Seward Igloo No. 9 was chartered.  They held their first dance in the upper story of Brown & Hawkins in 1913.

The Charter was signed by Grand Igloo President Joseph K. Matthews and Grand Igloo Secretary C.W. Thornton.

Other signers include names that are familiar in Seward today, including:

John Noon, Cal Brosius, Mayor Charles Crawford, Carl Orlander, Leon Urbach, Charles E. Brown, T.W. Hawkins, H.E. Ellsworth, Seward’s founder John Ballaine, Frank Ballaine, H.E. Revelle, Harry Hoben, Don Carlos Brownell, Pete Ogle, Charles Hubbard, George Sexton, Alaska Engineering Commission surgeon Dr. J.H.. Romig, Judge W.H. Whittlesey, Attorney L.V. Ray, E.AS. Thede, Dr. Sleen, Lars Olsen, Joseph Wilson and John Gilpatrick.

1919 Judge S.O. Morford was President.  In 1920, President H.L. Smith, Vice President W.E. Root, Chaplain Thomas Towle, and Secretary-Treasurer Cal M. Brosius, Sergeant Robert Guest. Trustees were Harry Hoban, J.C. Gilpatrick and J.M. Sloan.

Following presidents include Dick Beissner, Harold Davis, Ben Faust, Val Anderson, Ed Ground, G.O. Nelson, Charles Karges, Bill McDonald, and John Broztowski.

In the years that followed, interest in the Pioneers gradually died off.  After storing the records around town in various places, they were boxed up and “sent to Juneau.”  Efforts to find them have been in vain, so, except for the original charter everything prior to 1954 has vanished.

The Women’s group was organized, and the Men’s re-instated on September 12, 1954.  Grand Igloo President Ernest B. Collins and Grand Secretary Dora M. Sweeney signed the Women’s Charter along with 23 members.

Amy Hitt was the first president, followed by include Barbara Shea, Carrie Beissner, Winnie Leirer, Beverly     Karges, Donna Kowalski, and  Millie Sorenson.

Chris & Millie Sorenson’s kids (l. to r.) Jackie, Dale, Dona, Chris, Darlene

Membership 1920