The Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska began as a tent city that sprang up around a construction port and supply depot for the Alaska Railroad. Located near the Port of Anchorage at the mouth of the Ship Creek River, the community grew into a bustling frontier town. As work on the railroad progressed, settlers began flocking into the area, lured by the prospects of jobs or adventure. The settlement was known by a variety of names, but it was the U.S. Post Office that finally formalized the name "Anchorage". The city grew steadily over the decades and by 1950 it had surpassed Juneau as the largest city in Alaska.

Winters in Anchorage can be unpredictable. One year may bring bitter cold weather and several feet of snow, while the next features mild temperatures and frequent thaws. Because of the high latitude, winter days are extremely short. On the other hand, summers can be remarkably pleasant, with daytime highs in the 60s and nearly 20 hours of daylight on the summer solstice.