Anchorage Times -- 1971:
Anchorage Daily News -- February 9, 2003:
Beautifying Alaska: Agnes (Walker) Burns
The beauty suppliers were always astounded that I ordered so much hair color.
Interview by Sharon Bushell
I was born in O'Dell, Oregon, and grew up in Aberdeen, Washington. I married as soon as I graduated from high school, in 1933. I attended beauty school at DeWitts Beauty College in Aberdeen, then Molers School of Beauty in Seattle. I also attended the University of Washington. Our son, Tommy, was born in 1938. My husband worked for the Internal Revenue department and was transferred to Alaska in 1942. We had quite a time when we first arrived, with the housing shortage. We stayed at the Westward Hotel for three months. Then some friends helped us get into the old Johnson home on Fourth and East B. We lived in that house for several years. It was a wonderful place with a big garden.
During our first months, I didn't know Anchorage very well, and at that time it was wide open for everything, including houses of ill repute. One day I noticed there was a line, which I thought was for the movie. I got in line, and after a while I realized that most of the people were soldiers. Finally one of them turned to me and asked what I was doing there. I said I was going to the show. He said, "Lady, you don't want to go to this show." Boy, did I get out of there in a hurry!We were very lucky; we found a nice house on Sixth and M. We were some of the first people to move into that area. Once when Tommy was on his way home from Sunday school, walking along Fourth Avenue, he stopped at one of the bars to get a Coca-Cola. When he didn't arrive home at the regular time, we were frantic, but then a man called and asked if we had a little boy named Tommy. He added, "He's here at our bar having a drink with us."
Almost as soon as we arrived in Anchorage, I went down to the beauty shop in the Anchorage Hotel to get my hair done. When Alice Correllie, the owner, found out I was a beauty operator, she said, "If you'll work for me while I'm gone, you can keep everything you bring in." So of course I grabbed it. That was the Cinderella Beauty Shop on B Street, and eventually Alice and I became partners.
I used to go to Seattle occasionally to take haircutting lessons from a Mr. Pesola. One time when I was there he offered to take me on his route, and since I had some free time, I accompanied him. By then I had had the Cinderella for several years, and I couldn't imagine working for someone when you could own your own shop. Mr. Pesola was a wonderful hairdresser and hairstylist, so I asked him why he didn't own his own shop. He said "Honey, I wouldn't own anything except a big shop. If you want to buy me one, I know where there's one for sale."
Of course, I wasn't about to do that, but I was curious about the shop he mentioned. One morning I got all dressed up; I even wore my furs. I walked into the place, calmly took off my gloves and said, "I understand this place is for sale. Who should I talk to?" I was just pretending; I had no intention of doing anything except looking around.
Here was this gorgeous three-story building, and I couldn't believe the price; it was incredibly cheap compared to Alaska prices. The man who owned it had become allergic to the supplies, and he wanted out as quickly as possible. Coincidentally, my mother-in-law, the world's most wonderful person, worked next door in Nordstrom's shoe store as a hostess. Her husband was an unemployed shingle layer.
I had saved some money and I thought. "This would be a wonderful place for Mom and Pop to have." I made the financial arrangements and stayed in Seattle for three months to train Mom and help get her on her feet. I told Mr. Pesola I'd give him 10 percent more than he was getting at Frederick and Nelson's if he would manage the place; he was quite pleased with that. It was a big operation: 11 male hairstylists and 18 female stylists. Mom managed the desk, Pop did the cleaning, and their lives became a whole lot easier. I always felt that it was just plain luck that I stumbled into that situation.
My second Anchorage beauty shop was Walker's House of Beauty on Government Hill. I also bought Lois's Beauty Shop on Fourth Avenue, above Gillman's Bakery, with Kay Shepherd. I had another small salon in Anchorage called the Beauty Cache, in the Blue Room of Club 25.
When the Anchorage Hotel and the Westward Hotel were combined, Kay Shepherd and I started the Westward Beauty Salon. We had wonderful help; a lot of wives of servicemen worked for us. In fact, we wouldn't take anyone with less than five years of experience.
In 1955, Kay and I started a school of beauty. At that time there were no laws governing such schools in Alaska, so we had to go to Juneau to get the laws put through. It took us three years, and for that I give Kay all the credit because she did all the legwork; she was marvelous with the Legislature.
We did an amazing amount of business in hair coloring. The beauty suppliers were always astounded that I ordered so much hair color. When they asked me why, I said, "I don't really know for sure, but it might just be that when people get to Alaska, their wild streak comes out." And I really believe that's true.
Thanks to my work, I can honestly say I had my finger on the pulse of Anchorage.
Exchanging information is what people do in a beauty shop; they talk about how their children are doing, they talk about politics, they talk about everything. It's a very interesting life. I was sorry when I had to leave it, but the nerves in my legs gave out, and I retired in 1975.
During my career, I was elected president of the Alaska Hairdressers Association and was also named Hairdresser of the Year in recognition of the most outstanding service to the profession of cosmetology.
From my home on M Street, I came to the Pioneers' Home, and I love it here. It's the nicest place to live, with so many interesting people and things to do. I'm the president of the resident council, and I also take care of the little gift shop on the first floor. The council job, particularly, is a big responsibility, but I enjoy it.
When our son Tommy was 20 years old, surprise! My husband and I were blessed with a daughter. Things like that so rarely happen, but to us it did. My children, despite their age difference, are very close. After attaining the rank of colonel in the Air Force, Tom retired in 1989 as vice commander of the Alaskan Air Command. His sister, Toby, has five children, and all are following musical careers.
Tom lives nearby and comes to the Pioneers' Home faithfully twice a week to play bridge. He and I belong to a bridge club and go to Las Vegas three times a year for bridge tournaments. Even though I'm almost 89, there's still some life in the old girl yet!
Sharon Bushell lives and writes in Homer. Her book "We Alaskans" features her stories about Alaska pioneers that have appeared in the Daily News. For more information, visit her Web site at www.wealaskans.com.
Illustration: Photo 1: agnusburns_020903.jpg
Photo courtesy of Agnes Burns
Copyright (c) 2003, Anchorage Daily News