Eva McGown
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eva McGown (June 23, 1883 - February 22, 1972) was born in Antrim, Belfast County, Northern Ireland. She arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska from Ireland, in February 26, 1914 to marry Arthur Louis McGown.
In 1930 Arthur McGown died from a bone tumor. Soon after, Eva left her cabin and moved into Room 207 in the Nordale Hotel for the rest of her life. She supported herself by selling magazines and taking odd jobs until the years of World War II, when the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce put Eva on the payroll as Fairbanks' official hostess. She helped many newcomers find friends and housing and later became Alaska's official state hostess.
Eva was a joyful, charming, charismatic lady. She was affiliated with many organizations and received many honors. She belonged to the Women Pioneers, Eastern Star, Salvation Army, Soroptomists, Fort Wainwright and Eielson Officers' Women's Clubs.
One of Eva's many interests was music. Before she left Ireland she conducted a choir in Belfast. While in Fairbanks Eva became a member of St. Matthews Episcopal Church where she played the organ and led the choir. She continued to play the organ until she developed arthritis in her hands, but continued to sing with her strong soprano voice.
In 1971 the University of Alaska Fairbanks dedicated a music rehearsal hall to her in her honor. The Eva McGown Music Room is located in the Fine Arts Complex, and is specifically designed for choral practice and is equipped with risers for group rehearsal.
On February 22, 1972, the Nordale Hotel caught fire. Eva McGown, age 88, was trapped in her room and died in the flames that destroyed the hotel. Found in the charred rubble was the hotel safe which contained a small box belonging to Eva. Inside was a clump of soil and several pieces of dried Irish moss, a small piece of Ireland that Eva kept close with her in her new home.
