Unique, historic farmhouse nestled on the shores of Lake Wasilla with spectacular views of the lake and Talkeetna mountains. Newly renovated with local white spruce throughout and incorporating many features and furnishings from the original house, including Alaskan and Scandinavian art and memorabilia. Rest and relax with friends and family and let the space renew and inspire you. So much to enjoy in this 1.5 acre oasis within a 5-minute walk of a major grocery store and other shopping and conveniences.
Your first experience of the house is in a white spruce paneled arctic entry where you can store your shoes/boots/coats and any other outdoor items.
From the arctic entryway, you'll enter a narrow hallway from which you access two bathrooms, one with a walk in blue porcelain tiled shower, and the other with a soaking tub and gorgeous vanity. A stacked washer/dryer and laundry area is located right outside the larger bathroom.
The hallway opens to the incredible living area with huge windows facing an awe inspiring view of the lake and mountains. Turn on the gas Jotul wood stove and watch the world outside the windows. Binoculars and bird books are at the ready for watching the amazing variety of birds that also call the lake home. If you want to turn your attention to something beyond what's outside the windows, the space has a 55" Roku television, a turntable and CD player with an eclectic collection of LPs and jazz CDs, a 1952 Kimball piano with stacks of old music, and a low cottonwood bookshelf that is full of games, puzzles, and beautiful coffee table books.
Spectacular views continue from the large kitchen where you can gather around the huge central island for conversation and meal preparation. Brand new appliances throughout, except for "Colonel Mustard," the vintage Sears range with the adorable side oven to bake a batch of brownies should you choose. Make a bowl of popcorn with our stovetop popcorn popper or get familiar with "Miss Scarlet," the ice cream maker. Please note there is NO garbage disposal.
A modern round table with four chairs is situated at one end of the kitchen for morning coffee or an improvised work station. Exit the glass door at the other end of the kitchen to access a deck with a patio set overlooking the lake.
Four lake view bedrooms are upstairs and decorated with simple, clean, Scandinavian features with white spruce ceilings throughout. Premium sheets and bedding from Brooklinen, Quince, and Silk and Snow are on each of the three queen Caspar mattresses. Each bedroom has a dresser and closet, extra blanket, and fan. Roll down blinds block most of the light in the summer months; these operate by a beaded pull string, so children should be supervised in the rooms. The other bedroom is reserved for private relaxation with a couch and 43" Roku tv. For longer stays, we could arrange some type of work space in that area, if needed. One powder room is available on the second floor with a toilet and vanity, and a linen closet holds beach towels, towels for cleaning up mud or dirt, and blankets for outside warmth around the fire.
While the house has been newly renovated and designed with the assistance of Nordic achitect firm Degrees North, it has areas that are not to current code including the stairs and upstairs railing/stairwell. Regretfully, we were unable to make it ADA accessible.
The side yard offers yard furniture with views of the lake, and in front of the lake, a charcoal barbecue and fire pit are ready for you to enjoy. (Please note, an old Ford bus/camper is parked in front of the garage, and a trailer may be parked in the area during the winter months).
A vintage aluminum Sears rowboat is tied to the dock, a slow, quiet way to enjoy the lake in keeping with the vibe of the house.
This historic home is one of the oldest homes in Wasilla, built in 1942 by Martin and Edith Olson, the first librarian in Wasilla who described early Wasilla, the library, and the building of the house in her book, THE LIBRARY AND I (available to read on site).
The house was purchased in 1963 by my parents, Jim and Katie Hurley—pioneer Alaskans who made extraordinary contributions to the State of Alaska, including their roles as delegate and Chief Clerk of the Alaska Constitutional Convention. This is where I grew up, where my husband and I met, where our children spent holidays and summer and winter fun, and where my mom lived well into her 90s.
It is hard to overstate what the lake and the house and its surrounding flora and fauna mean to us. While the house remains our family retreat, we are happy to be sharing its beauty and history with you.
All areas of the house are yours to access, EXCEPT for the basement, garage, and several cupboards/closets/chests holding personal items. These are locked. We have left my mother's wonderful music collection and many of her books for you to enjoy. Please return items to proper shelves.
Because of the age of the house, many features are not to current code including the stairs up to the bedrooms and the railing on the upstairs landing. Young children should be especially careful in this area. Be cautious around the pitched dormers upstairs.
This portion of the lake is shallow and is primarily a nesting ground for water fowl. Jumping or diving off the dock is not permitted. Swimming and use of the rowboat is at your own risk. Use of the rowboat is limited by weight and other factors. See Policies and Rules for more details on use of the boat. Children should be supervised at all times due to the proximity of the lake.
While unlikely, moose might walk across the property. If you see a moose, do not approach it. They can be aggressive. Should you dine outside, be sure all food waste is disposed of to prevent attracting wildlife.
