AP Wirephoto

Wimmer Collection

1935

This is a press photo issued to newspapers back in the States from the early days of the Matanuska Colony project. Information sent along with the photo is attached at left, and reads: “ PALMER, ALASKA, MAY 24—MATANUSKA’S FIRST LOG CABIN—Typical of the farm homes that will house the hundreds of government colonists in Matanuska Valley is this first log cabin built on the project. The settlers, emigrants from the Midwest, are living in a tent city temporarily.” More typical than the future Colonist’s homes, (these are actually a long-established homesteader’s cabins located in what would become downtown Palmer) is the misinformation this text represents that was so often received by folks “back home”.

Palmer, Alaska

Digital File, Black & White

Homestead@1x-Wim