My dad’s mom, Evelyn Tweet, or “Little Gramma” was born in Teller in 1929, and lived there until she moved to Anchorage in 1974. Growing up, she sometimes mentioned her uncles who were gold miners or the store her family owned. Otherwise, she didn’t talk about her life there very much. Teller always seemed to be a mysterious, far away place.
When I had the opportunity to cover the Cultural Festival, I asked my dad and my brothers, Jake and Vance, if they would like to join me. It’d be the first time my siblings and I were able to visit Teller.
Teller is connected to Nome by a 70-mile-long highway full of some of the largest potholes I’ve ever seen. It took us nearly three hours to get there, driving through the vast, beautiful landscape of the tundra.
The community has changed a lot since Little Gramma left more than 50 years ago. During the turn of the century, the family owned a store and a movie theatre in Teller. Her mother was a postmaster.
Today, most of the buildings she lived and worked in have long burned down or been lost to our harsh winters. But still, it was a really special feeling to be in the same place where she spent time. It brought me joy and a sense of comfort to be able to finally visit the place I’ve only ever heard about.
I am so grateful to the community of Teller for being so welcoming and generous to us during our visit. I’m sure my adventures will bring me back here one day!
