This
is more architectural whimsy than pure architecture.
In 1888, Joske Brothers Clothing and Dry Goods Merchants
wanted to expand its store near Alamo Plaza. The problem
was that Saint Joseph's Catholic Church was in the
way. The Church wouldn't sell, and wouldn't move,
so Joske Brothers built their store right around the
church, as you can see in the photograph. Some locals
still call it "Saint Joske's" as a joke. When the
store opened, it was promoted as the "biggest store
in the biggest state." Later, when Alaska gained statehood,
it became the "greatest store in the greatest state."
The store is now owned by the Dillard's department
store chain. Still, after all these years, the church
hasn't budged, and has become an architectural oddity.
With the Dillard's garage next door, we can assume
there's plenty of parking for Sunday services.
