Hewitt's Photo Shop

Estelle Collection

c. 1936

This photo shows the very early stages of establishing a Matanuska Colony farmstead in the forest south of Bodenburg Butte, visible in background at left. In near middle ground at left is the family's new house. Next to it at right is the tent the family had been living in from the time they arrived in Palmer until they finally were able to move into their new house. The foreground shows results of clearing the forest of trees in order to establish a farm field. Shown are the high stumps remaining from cutting the trees with ax and hand saw. The high stumps allowed improved leverage when later pulling the stumps. Smoke is visible at right from a pile of burning limbs and small logs. Larger logs are yet to be used for fence rails, small building construction or firewood. In middle ground behind the house can be seen the thick forest from which additional farm clearings must be carved.

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Digital File

Farm@12x-Est