Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series on businesses that will be inducted into the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame on Monday at the Blair County Convention Center.

Little did the Don Beaver Sr. and Perry Haupt families realize their summer vacation trip to Alaska in 1969 would lead to the creation of a popular Altoona business.

Ironically, while in Alaska the two families went their separate ways but both visited Bun’s Ice Cream Parlor in Anchorage.

“You had to see it to believe it. We had never seen anything like it before. It was just a real eye opener,” said Haupt, who along with Beaver and Jim Young, opened Alaskaland in the Weis Markets Shopping Center in December 1970.

Alaskaland will be one of five businesses inducted into the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame on Monday at the Blair County Convention Center.

Alaskaland will be inducted in the Heritage Category, which recognizes fromer businesses that have been out of business for at least 25 years to be considered.

When Beaver and Haupt returned home they couldn’t stop talking about the ice cream parlor – the name of which was later changed to Alaskaland Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor.

“We thought it would be wonderful to have one in Altoona. It was good wholesome family entertainment,” Haupt said. “It was bright with white and red decor. Antiques lined the walls. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in vests with long black trousers and skirts. They wore straw hats indicative of early America. There was singing, laughter and excitement. It was a marvelous atmosphere.”

Beaver talked to the owners, Ken and Bobbi Haynes, who thought it would be nice to open a franchise in the east. They thought it would be best to locate in a mall with lots of foot traffic, Haupt said.

The partners were accepted by Food Fair Properties in their Colonial Park Plaza Mall in Harrisburg and opened there in May 1970. That original location closed in 1973.

After a few months of success, the partners were contacted by Weis Markets about locating in Altoona.

The construction team led by Beaver and Young began work, and Alaskaland – which became an immediate hit – opened in Altoona in December.

“With Alaskaland, we were ahead of our time in Altoona,” Haupt said.

“We could not believe the reception,” Haupt said. “We had lines that would stretch across the front. It was an overnight success.”

Alaskaland became the place for children’s celebrations and birthday parties.

“The fond memories I personally have of Alaskaland go back to my grade school and high school days. We always looked forward to the fun, energetic atmosphere, as well as the great ice cream treats,” said Hall of Fame Committee Chairwoman Lisa Michelone of Reliance Bank.

The Aleutian Volcano – an ice cream fountain with a fire on top – and Mount McKinley – a gigantic banana split tower – were popular treats.

“The Aleutian Volcano was a novelty, about 8 inches in diameter and 6 to 8 inches high with all of the toppings,” Haupt said. “We had a big announcement at special events. The waiters and waitresses would take the lead and announce, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, could we have your attention, please. We are presenting the Aleutian Volcano. Raise it up and light it up.’ They ran through the aisles with it.”

The walls were decorated with animal furs, antiques and other items. The Haynes’ sent Alaskaland a totem pole, which was on display. The parlor also featured a nickelodeon.

“Everything was first class. We had silver dishes. It was top-notch food products. We did everything first class. There was no cutting corners,” Haupt said.

Beaver had returned to the banking business, and Young to his cabinet making business. Haupt was involved with several other businesses, so he decided to sell Alaskaland – selling it in 1977 to Clyde Lynn and Cliff Cashman.

“We felt very comfortable with them,” Haupt said.

Tom Schneider joined the business in the early 1980s as manager, and then as a partner.

He remembers Alaskaland fondly.

“It was a fun, family atmosphere. We got to know most of the customers. We had a lot of good employees,” Schneider said. “The focus had been on the ice cream business. We changed the focus to more on the food, with ice cream secondary. We served a variety of steaks and seafood.”

But Alaskaland had to close its doors Aug, 31, 1988.

Weis Markets, which owned the center wanted to expand. After the state Department of Environmental Resources would not approve their expansion plans because of a nearby creek, Weis decided to take the space leased by Alaskaland and two other businesses to expand.

“It was tough. Business was good at the time. We enjoyed it,” Schneider said

Both Haupt and Schneider are pleased to see Alaskaland join the hall of fame.

“It is absolutely fantastic, when you consider it started 45 years ago and people still talk about Alaskaland. They remember the details about it, everything. It is a true honor, a great recognition of a business closed that long ago,” Haupt said.

“It is exciting. It was a unique restaurant. It was something people here grew up with, and it had a lot of history,” Schneider said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.