Alaska State Library – Historical Collections Finding Aids

Scope and Contents

The papers contain deeds, legal notices, naturalization papers and ownership documents of Gustav Messerschmidt and family members.

Dates

1894-1950

Biographical / Historical

The Messerschmidt family represents one of Juneau’s pioneer families. Gustav Messerschmidt was born in Wurnberg, Germany, in 1872 and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1888. He came to Juneau from San Francisco in November 1898 and founded the San Francisco Bakery in 1899. He and his wife, Gertrude Rosina, had seven children, including George Gustave and Heinrich (Henry) Theodore who eventually took over the business. The bakery was renamed Purity Bakery during the 1940’s. The Messerschmidt Building which housed the bakery at Second and Seward Streets in Juneau, Alaska, was sold in the early 1980’s and currently operates as a restaurant and inn.

Extent

1.27 Linear Feet : 1 folder (24 items)

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding aid for the Messerschmidt Family Papers, 1894-1950
Status: In Progress
Author: Processed by: India Spartz October 1989 ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston
Date: 2019 May
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: English