40 years later, John McPhee’s book still brings fans to Eagle, Alaska

Post Office building in Eagle during spring ice break-up. John Borg was the postmaster and mayor of Eagle when author John McPhee came through in 1976. (Photo courtesy of Brad Snow & Lilly Allen Collection. Alaska and Polar Regions Collections, University of Alaska Fairbanks)

John Borg was the mayor and postmaster of Eagle, Alaska, in the late 1970s when author John McPhee came through to research for his best-selling book “Coming into the Country.” For 40 years now, readers come into Eagle every summer without fail asking about the characters they met in the book. John Borg shared his thoughts with Alaska’s Energy Desk about what it’s like to host these literary tourists.

Jennifer Pemberton

Managing Editor, KTOO

I bring stories from the community into the KTOO newsroom so that all of our reporting matters. I want to hear my community’s struggles and its wins reflected in our coverage. Does our reporting reflect your experience in Juneau?

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications