The John Peterson House at 203 West Third Street appears in 1898 panoramas of Juneau. The rectangular, single-story structure was built by a miner and Charter Member of the Juneau Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska, John G. Peterson and Marie Jensen Peterson. Records indicate Peterson purchased Lots 5 and 6 in 1891.
Peterson arrived in Juneau in April, 1888, and bought a small shop where he operated a tin, stove, and hardware store for thirteen years while devoting his spare time to prospecting.
He established 11 mining claims in the Eagle River District and owned a tin-metal shop on Front Street from 1915 to 1916. Tax rolls from 1901 to 1917 list Peterson as owner of the lots and a building.
Peterson sold his store to devote all of his time to mining. His principal lode claim was half a mile east of the lake and was first reached by trail from Tee Harbor. Later Peterson built his home at Pearl Harbor and hewed out a wagon road from there to the mine, where he installed a three-stamp mill.
Their two daughters, Irma Peterson and Margaret Peterson. After John's death on August 20, 1916, his wife owned the property until 1944.
William and Dorothy Johnson gained possession in 1944 and retained ownership for the next twenty years. The building was scheduled to be destroyed in 1946, according to city tax records. Two years later tax assessor notes said the building was greatly improved.
During that period the Johnsons upgraded the original 20'x24' structure and began building an addition which gave the house an L-shape. William, a Frigidaire dealer, and Dorothy, a teacher, continued the extensive alterations until they sold the house in 1965.
Joe and Aletha Henri owned the house from 1965 to 1971. Joe Henri first served as Juneau's city attorney and later as city manager. Henri was also Commissioner of Administration under Governor Egan from 1971 to 1974. Aletha Henri worked at home providing child care for handicapped students. They later moved to Anchorage.
The Henris extended the L-shaped portion of the building in 1968 to its current size, 26' x68'. Records indicate the child care center was housed in the basement.
The Peterson House's eclectic appearance is caused by numerous additions to the original structure. The northern portion of the residence encloses John Peterson's original building. This portion displays a hip roof intersecting with the gable roof of a later addition. A shake roof covers the entire structure; shakes cover the main level of the building.
The south facade of the northern portion has a picture window with sidelites which allow a sweeping view of Gastineau Channel. Two double-hung sash windows are located on all three facades of the original structure. Poured concrete stairs lead to the apartment entry. The wooden front door has a porthole window, and an original door remains on the small porch on the north facade.
Building additions are not compatible with the original design. The shingled gable roof of the main addition has shed-style dormers facing east and west. Poured concrete steps lead up to a glassed-in porch on the east facade. The wooden door and yellow, fixed-pane window to the left of the porch were made pre-1984. Windows on the addition are a mixture of double-hung sash, casement and fixed single-pane.
A deck was constructed on the west facade which is accessible from the main floor, and a brick chimney extends the full 1½-story height of the west facade. Wood siding covers the main level to the roofline, and plywood siding covers the addition's poured concrete basement. The three basement entrances are located on the east, south and west facades.
Additional buildings on the property include a rectangular, single-story garage with shingle siding and a flat roof, and a fiberglass greenhouse. Both buildings are visible in 1970 tax record photographs.