Two Cultural Districts were designated by mayoral proclamations in 2018 and 2019, the Anchorage Museum Design District and the 4th Avenue Mushing District respectively. The two proposed historic district areas were evaluated in 2010, by the Municipality of Anchorage and were found to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2019, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz issued a proclamation designating 4th Avenue as the Anchorage Mushing District.

“In recognition of an important destination where thousands of people gather in late February and early March every year to witness the ceremonial start of the Iditarod and World Championship sled dog races, and where throughout the year thousands more honor an important part of Anchorage’s history and heritage.”

The Anchorage Mushing District encompasses 4th Avenue between A and G Street and includes information and interpretive signage creating a walking museum that describes the history of sled dog use in Alaska.

The focal point of the Anchorage Mushing District is a steel truss arch with the silhouette of a dog team and musher racing across the arch. This is significant as both the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Open World Championship Sled Dog Race both begin their races on 4th Avenue.

In early Anchorage, sled dog teams hauled freight and people from the Iditarod trail to the young city. The Anchorage Hotel featured a kennel for teams staying there. Today, visitors can learned about the history of Anchorage and the famous races that still run under the Arch.