Primary Name: Spickett, John T.
Filed as: Spickett, John T.
Also known as: John T. Spickett
Occupation / Association: Theatrical producer and performer; hotel proprietor; theater operator; postmaster of Juneau; charter member and president, Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men’s Igloo; Grand President, Pioneers of Alaska Grand Igloo
Associated places: Bristol, England; Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Sacramento, California; Juneau, Alaska
Keywords: John T Spickett, Juneau Men’s Igloo charter member, Pioneers of Alaska Grand President, Franklin Hotel Juneau, Orpheum Theater Juneau, early Juneau theater history, Juneau postmaster 1908, Elks Lodge 420 Juneau
Biography
John T. Spickett was a charter member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Juneau Men’s Igloo, and served as its president in 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1930. He also served two years as Grand President of the Grand Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska.
Spickett was born in Bristol, England on January 4, 1858. He came to the United States with his parents in 1870, and when he was six years old, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan.
In his youth, Spickett was drawn to the theatrical profession and became both a performer and manager-producer. He made two trips to England as a member of Haverly’s Minstrels. In 1891, he operated an amusement concession at the Chicago World’s Fair.
In 1896, Spickett organized a touring company that performed at the Juneau Opera House. After leaving Alaska, he toured California for two years.
While in California, he married Josephine Charlotte Clark in Sacramento. The couple returned to Juneau in 1898 to make their home.
Spickett’s first major business venture in Juneau was the purchase of the Franklin Hotel in 1899, also known as the Occidental Annex at Front and Main Streets, which he operated until 1905. He later opened a liquor and cigar stand across the street.
A staunch Republican, Spickett was appointed postmaster of Juneau in 1908 and served until 1912. During that period, he and his wife also operated a newsstand and music store in connection with the post office. After leaving the position, he sold the newsstand to James Barragar and entered the moving picture business.
Spickett opened the Orpheum Theater at Main Street and Willoughby Avenue, which at the time was considered the finest theater in Alaska. After securing films and establishing his show house, he also served as an agent for the Canadian National Railways for several years.
Later, he operated additional theaters, including the Dream and the Palace, eventually selling the Palace to Lawrence Kubley. After a long and successful theatrical career, he retired from active business life.
In politics, Spickett remained active as a Republican and served as Chairman of the Republican Territorial Committee.
Spickett was also deeply involved in fraternal organizations. He was the first member initiated into Juneau Lodge No. 420, B.P.O. Elks, where he served as an early secretary and helped sustain the lodge in its formative years. For many years, he organized the Elks’ minstrel shows, and the last of those productions was dedicated to him.
John T. Spickett died in Juneau, Alaska, on July 31, 1932.
Sources
Biographies of Alaska-Yukon Pioneers 1850–1950, Volume 2, pp. 302–304, Ed Ferrell