Carl Carlson, blacksmith, built the first dwelling house on the west side of the river in the late fall of 1896 near the lake shore between Second and Third Street. When a group of men from Bemidji decided to go to Alaska to try their luck during the Gold Rush, he was part of the group. They left on May 3, 1900, and a large portion of the town were at the depot to bid them goodbye and wish them good luck. The company included Frank Snyder, E. Carson, C. J. Carlson, Thos. Herlihy and Wm. Ferguson. He returned that fall and stopped to see friends in Washington on his way home. The next spring in 1901, burglars entered his home and seized about $10 in silver and some clothing. The visitor entered through an open window and was evidently in search of any Klondike gold.
C. J. Carlson ran for the office of constable in 1903 but was not elected.
Carl Carlson died unexpectedly in April 1904 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.