Dr. Elizabeth A. Tower embarked on a second career in 1986 after over 20 years as a physician with the Alaska Division of Public Health -- during which she traveled extensively throughout Alaska. Retirement provided continued travel opportunities along with time to find out more about the fascinating history of places such as the abandoned Kennecott copper mine, the Million Dollar Bridge, and the White Pass and Yukon Railway. Dr. Tower's books provide lively, readable biographies of the men responsible for these early twentieth century industrial developments in Alaska so that other travelers can benefit from her research.
In her spare time Dr. Tower is active in the Cook Inlet Historical Society, the State Historical Commission, and the Gold Rush Task Force. The Alaska State Historical Society recognized her as 1996 Historian of the year for her book, Icebound Empire.