A Historic Journey
Hello, we’re Brent and Erin Howell. Our multi-use building was originally built in 1951 by the Horton family as both their home and a store selling hardware, guns and ammunition, and fishing gear.
Maybelle Horton, the family matriarch, even started Auke Bay’s first (and possibly only) library inside the building. In the 1960s, the property was expanded with a large warehouse addition, and in the late 1970s a second floor was built, adding motel units and two one-bedroom apartments—one for Dave Horton (the original owner) and another for the caretaker. Back then, Auke Bay was little more than a small stop on Juneau’s road system.
Since those early days, Auke Bay has grown into a lively hub, with shops, salons, restaurants, a bar, a brewery, and a bustling harbor. Several years ago, we purchased the property from Brent’s father, determined to preserve its history while giving it new life.
