Atwood moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1935.
With the help of his father-in-law, he purchased the struggling Anchorage Daily Times.
Under his guidance, it became Alaska's largest daily newspaper.

In 1949, the Alaska Territorial Legislature formed the Alaska Statehood Committee, appointing Atwood as Chairman.
His pro-statehood lobbying efforts included visits to Washington, D.C. and a steady stream of articles in his newspaper, such as a 1955 editorial where he argued that whereas commonwealth status was "wonderful" for Puerto Rico, "it wouldn't give Alaskans self-government, control of resources, tax exemptions or any of a number of benefits claimed by its supporters here."

In 1954, Atwood partnered with brother-in-law Elmer E. Rasmuson to invest in the lease of potential oil fields on the Kenai Peninsula.
The investment generated a fortune after Richfield Oil Corporation discovered oil in 1957 near the Swanson River.

On June 30, 1958, the United States Senate passed the Alaska Statehood Act.
Atwood's Anchorage Daily Times celebrated with a headline in six-inch type: “WE’RE IN.”

On January 3, 1959, Atwood was present (along with Senator Bob Bartlett and Ernest Gruening, Representative Ralph Julian Rivers and Territorial Governor Waino Hendrickson and Mike Stepovich) in the Cabinet Room when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation that made Alaska the 49th state admitted into the United States.
Atwood moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1935. With the help of his father-in-law, he purchased the struggling Anchorage Daily Times. Under his guidance, it became Alaska's largest daily newspaper.
In 1949, the Alaska Territorial Legislature formed the Alaska Statehood Committee, appointing Atwood as Chairman. His pro-statehood lobbying efforts included visits to Washington, D.C. and a steady stream of articles in his newspaper, such as a 1955 editorial where he argued that whereas commonwealth status was "wonderful" for Puerto Rico, "it wouldn't give Alaskans self-government, control of resources, tax exemptions or any of a number of benefits claimed by its supporters here."
In 1954, Atwood partnered with brother-in-law Elmer E. Rasmuson to invest in the lease of potential oil fields on the Kenai Peninsula. The investment generated a fortune after Richfield Oil Corporation discovered oil in 1957 near the Swanson River.
On June 30, 1958, the United States Senate passed the Alaska Statehood Act. Atwood's Anchorage Daily Times celebrated with a headline in six-inch type: “WE’RE IN.” 
On January 3, 1959, Atwood was present (along with Senator Bob Bartlett and Ernest Gruening, Representative Ralph Julian Rivers and Territorial Governor Waino Hendrickson and Mike Stepovich) in the Cabinet Room when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation that made Alaska the 49th state admitted into the United States.
Bob Atwood