One year anniversary of the last ski lodge burning down ... January 29, 2009.
"I wanted a place where families could be together
and build family memories in a very safe
and fun environment.
No one need worry about their children."
Megan quoting Dad's vision for why he built
Cleary Summit Ski Area ...
January 31, 2008
Bob McCann and Customer - 1960's
Cleary Summit existed from the winter of 1950
till 2008 according to the unfortunate burning down of the last lodge - #4 - a lovely 'A' frame.
It was 58 years from inception to destruction.
It was one-half century-plus of service to the Fairbanks community of the best little ski area in Alaska - with Mom &
Pop service.
I hope you enjoy this tour of Cleary Summit Ski
Area ... we all miss it's glory years ...
This is a website which has two primary contributors, Megan and Bevinne - daughters of Bob and Sylvia McCann.
Dad died February 28th 1996 in Washington State after a long battle with prostate cancer that had spread to other parts
of his body - he was 72 years old.
Don't miss the Photo Albums on these pages as there are more photos in them for your enjoyment.
I hope you enjoy the memories on these pages . . .
1970's
Dad racing down Sun Valley Ski School Race
Dad in his HAPPY PLACE on his boat! 1994+/-
Dad was born in 1924 in Pennsylvania. He died in Washington State on
February 28, 1996. He was the second born boy.
He was named after his uncle and had the middle name of his mother's maiden name.
He went to school at Greensburg High School and graduated in 1942. He went into
the army and was admitted to Ohio State University in 1943. He worked hard in his studies - but did not enjoy college.
In 1943, he went over to Germany to clean up at the end of the war. He did not
see alot of combat, but felt he really helped out and was very proud of his army works in the war effort.
Dad then came home from war duties and was honorably discharged. He came home
to Pennsylvania and was told he would work for Westinghouse - his father and brother worked for the factory. I still
have his acceptance letter to the factory.
He left for Alaska shortly after and attended the University of Alaska - Fairbanks which
was the ONLY U of A!
He studied Civil Engineering and would've received a degree except he couldn't pass
French - he was just short of graduating.
On July 2, 1949, Dad married Mom and they lived happily ever after. :)
He met Link and they started the ski area because they LOVED skiing so much. His
greatest legacy was the ski area and he just loved working up there and developing it.
Bob McCann was:
not in any particular order:
Political Conservative
TV actor
Business Owner
Ski Lodge Builder/Developer
Entrepreneur
Chef and Short Order Cook
Baker
Skier
Civil Engineer
Contractor
Architect
Sign Painter
Marketer
Salesman
Boat builder
Boat owner
Salmon Fisherman
Rental Property Owner
Catholic
Member of the Lions Club
Ullr is the patron Saint of Skiers. He is from Norway
or is it Sweden or Finland - anyway, he is a good luck charm to a large extent. I will add some photos of some pins
we have of him.
This website is dedicated to Bob and Sylvia McCann & Link Imeson
founders of Cleary Summit Ski Area of Fairbanks, Alaska. It was in operation from 1949 till approximately the mid 90's, when
it went out of business.
It was founded & operated by Bob & Sylvia McCann with the silent
partner Lincoln Imeson. It went through many changes and had some great and some difficult years. In 1949 it was
founded and not until the summer of 1950 was a lift erected - it was a rope tow and it was on the upper hill from the Steese
Highway to the Big Rock. Then in following years they put in another rope tow from Steese Highway to the top of the
upper hill. This was a longer tow.
They built four ski lodges, mainly because three of them burnt down.
The first lodge in May 1952 burned down in very suspicious circumstances in that the electricity was not turned on at the
time and when Bob and Link left it after a days working at it there was seemingly no way it could catch fire as there was
no fire in the fireplace.
The second lodge burned down accidently - Bob was pouring a linoleum
floor and didn't know that the fumes could catch on fire. There was a huge fire in the fireplace to heat the place as
there was no other source of heat. This was very devastating to them as they also almost didn't get the two young boys
out of the lodge before it burned down.
The third burned down because of an errant cigarette that was in an overstuffed
couch in front of the fire place. Never again was overstuffed furniture allowed in the ski lodge.
Some in Fairbanks reported and said that my father or others were burning down the
ski lodges to get insurance money. How insane is that? This couldn't be true because my father always rebuilt
and why would he destroy that which he built with his own hands. For some reason the third fire was the last after moving
the lodge to a location below the Steese Highway. I know that these fires were devastating to my father and made his
life hell. He was very upset that these fires continued to happen.
Subsequently, after the last ski lodge burned down they decided that Link would
live up at the last lodge and keep a close eye on things. He would make a sweep each night and look for hazards that
may cause problems. I do believe he found a few hazards over the years.
The three lodges that burned down were above the Steese Highway and when
the fourth was built it was located below the Steese.
When they built the third one below the Steese they went with the 'A'
Frame look - it was three stories and rather magnificent looking.
Bevinne & Peabody & the New Lodge!
The Lodge looking from #9 Lift Tower
This picture of me is 1971, I got
my cast off on Friday and that is a picture on Sunday - That is why I am in the homemade flowers, becuz that was the last
minute thing Mom could put together! :)
Megan in costume - in 1971
Standing next to the bunnies - Lois and Darrellyn
Bevinne & Thea Killian and Friends
on the steps outside the old ski lodge
WooHooHeeHeeHooooo
Getting Big Air - Robin
Bob on Bob-o-Link 1950's
Tommy in the picture below in the hat - is the one
who eventually took over the Ski area and the shop downtown.
Sylvia holding clip board and Little Tommy in hat
Bob at bottom of beer slalom 60's
Lost his head Bunny Man Late 50's
Thanks for dropping by and taking a look at our photos.
Please get in touch with any comments or suggestions!
Farthest North Ski Area in America
All photos and all text are the
property of Bevinne McCann Morse and no photos or text may be taken/copied without written permission of Bevinne McCann Morse. The exception is if it's for personal
use.
