Primary Name: Lyche, Martha Malin

Filed as: Lyche, Martha Malin

Also known as: Martha MacKinnon; Martha Malin MacKinnon

Occupation / Association: Charter Member, Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Women's Auxiliary No. 6; hotel operator

Associated places: Juneau, Alaska; Tacoma, Washington; Norway

Keywords: Martha Malin Lyche Juneau Alaska, Martha MacKinnon Juneau Alaska, Lockie MacKinnon family Juneau, Juneau Hotel Main Street history, MacKinnon Apartments Juneau, Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Women's Auxiliary charter members, early Juneau hotel operators

Biography

Martha Malin Lyche was a Charter Member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Juneau Women’s Auxiliary No. 6.

She was born in Norway in May of 1873 and immigrated to the United States in 1887. In 1892, she came to Alaska from Tacoma, Washington.

Lockie MacKinnon traveled to Seattle in June to hire maids for the Circle City Hotel in Juneau. Martha and a Scandinavian friend were hired and traveled north to Juneau.

Martha later recalled that “two weeks later, I foolishly married the man.” Their first son, James Simpson MacKinnon, was born in Juneau in March 1897. Twin sons, John Neil Donald MacKinnon and Thron Rudolf MacKinnon, were born in 1901.

Lockie and Martha operated the Zynda Hotel, later renamed the Juneau Hotel, on Main Street. In 1926, the couple built the MacKinnon Apartments at Third and Franklin Streets in downtown Juneau.

Martha Malin Lyche MacKinnon died on October 12, 1948.

Sources

1900 U.S. Federal Census, Juneau, Alaska.

1910 U.S. Federal Census, Tacoma, Washington.

Alaska Gold Rush Pioneers of Juneau Douglas Area 1880-1921, p. 49.

Martha Malin Lyche Martha Lyche Martha MacKinnon Martha Malin MacKinnon Martha M MacKinnon M M Lyche Lyche MacKinnon Mackinnon McKinnon

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Major additions and renovations were completed in 1962 which compromised the architectural integrity of the building. It does not intrude on the overall character of the neighborhood. At this time of this writing in 2023, these changes may now be considered historic.

Torvinin House was constructed at around 1910 at 242 Seventh Street. This residence is a non-contributing member of the Chicken Ridge Historic District.

The rectangular building (42.5' x 30') is one story with no basement. Exterior walls are clad with horizontal wood beveled clapboard siding. The side gabled roof system is covered with composition shingles. The structural system consists of wood balloon frame and concrete block foundation.

Major additions and renovations were completed in 1938, 1962 and 1964 which compromised the architectural integrity of the building, although at this writing in 2023, those changes may now be considered historic.

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Hermann House was constructed around 1907 at 214 Eighth Street Style.This residence is a non-contributing member of the Chicken Ridge Historic District.

Mildred R. Hermann, one of the signers of the Alaska State Constitution reportedly is associated with this house.

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Johnstone-Radelet House was constructed around 1910 at 835 Dixon Street. This Craftsman Bungalow residence is a non-contributing member of the Chicken Ridge Historic District and was designated on the National Register of Historic Places on 12 October 1995.

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