Bob Munford operated a barber shop in the Neal Wright building in downtown Palmer for several years through the 1960's. He took photos of many of his patrons, especially young children after he cut their hair. He also photographed many of the local citizens of note who stopped by for a haircut or to just socialize. The collection is composed of approximately 636 black & white 35mm negatives.
Bill Nelson 1
Bob Munford
“Wild Bill” Nelson
Image is of “Wild Bill” Nelson at Bob’s Barber Shop in Palmer. Nelson grew up near Wasilla, Alaska and lived most of his life in the Valley. He was a heavy equipment operator and contractor. He was a very out-spoken and loudly opinionated character, known throughout the area for his low regard for attorneys and for his piloting stunts in small aircraft. Many long-term Valley residents have “Wild Bill” Nelson stories they love to share.
Palmer, Alaska
Bob's Barber Shop 1
Unknown
Bob Munford Giving Barney Anderson a Haircut
Image is of Bob Munford giving Barney Anderson a haircut in Bob’s Barbershop.
Palmer, Alaska
Bob's Barber Shop 2
Unknown
Bob Munford Giving one of the Ingalls boys a Haircut
Image is of Bob Munford giving one of the Ingalls boys, thought to be David, a haircut in Bob’s Barbershop.
Palmer, Alaska
Bob's Barber Shop 3
Bob Munford
Johnny Reed is giving Al Ose a haircut in Bob’s Barber Shop.
Johnny Reed appears to be giving Al Ose a haircut in Bob’s Barber Shop
Palmer, Alaska
Bob's Barber Shop 4
Bob Munford
Marvin Slaughter awaits his turn in the barber chair as “Barber Bob” is seen in the mirror taking the picture
Marvin Slaughter sits reading a newspaper as he awaits his turn in the barber chair for a haircut. Bob Munford can be seen in the mirror above taking this picture.
Palmer, Alaska
Bob's Barber Shop 5
Unknown
“Barber Bob” Munford is seen giving a haircut to local young man, Don Benson
“Barber Bob” Munford is seen giving a haircut to local young man, Don Benson, in Bob’s Barber shop. The cash register shows a value of $2.50 rung up with the last transaction which might give an indication of the price of a haircut at the time.
Palmer, Alaska
Buddy Woods 1
Bob Munford
Warren “Buddy” Woods sits for a haircut in Bob’s Barber Shop
Image is of Warren “Buddy” Woods sitting for a haircut in Bob’s Barber Shop. Buddy was a well-known local bush pilot flying out of Palmer. The Palmer airport is named in his honor.
Palmer, Alaska
Cabbages 3
Bob Munford
A truckload of giant cabbages grown by Colonist Ray Rebarchek sits on display in downtown Palmer
Image is a summer view of a pickup loaded with giant cabbages parked in downtown Palmer. Location is at the corner of S. Alaska St. and W. Dogwood Ave. in front of a sign indicating occupants of the building out of sight to the left. The cabbages were grown by Colonist Ray Rebarchek on his farm south of Palmer. For several years Rebarchek and Max Sherrod competed actively to see who could grow the biggest cabbage for display at the Valley Fair in September.
Palmer, Alaska
Deb Anderson 1
Bob Munford
Delbert (Deb) Anderson taking a coffee break at the drugstore soda fountain
Image is of Delbert (Deb) Anderson, manager of the pharmacy in Bert’s Drugstore in Palmer. He is seen here taking a coffee break at the Drugstore soda fountain/lunch counter. “Lunch” service generally focused on the “Campbell’s Soup Counter Top Kitchen” visible over Deb’s shoulder. The customer would select from a variety of Campbell soups available and the can would be emptied into a stainless steel mug with electric heating coils in its walls. The heating element projecting from the side of the mug would be plugged into the counter-top cabinet seen here, the timer would be set, and in due course hot soup would be served for lunch.
Palmer, Alaska
Deb Anderson 2
Bob Munford
Delbert (Deb) Anderson working in the pharmacy in Bert’s Drugstore
Image is of Delbert (Deb) Anderson, manager of the pharmacy in Bert’s Drugstore in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Ed Ueeck 7
Bob Munford
Ed Ueeck in Bob Munford’s barbershop
Image is of local old-time sourdough, dog musher and trapper Ed Ueeck. Ed lived for many years in Palmer and trapped around Sheep Mountain and the head of Matanuska River drainage. In years when Ed sported a full beard he was voted “Mr. Fur Face” at the Anchorage winter Fur Rendezvous and also served as a model for some of painter Fred Machetanz’s well-known paintings. (1898-1990)
Palmer, Alaska
Frenchy 1
Bob Munford
George “Frenchy” Bellefontaine
Image is of old-time sourdough “Frenchy” Bellefontaine. (Sept. 8, 1882-Dec. 24, 1967)
Palmer, Alaska
Glen Cope 1
Bob Munford
Glen Cope sits in the barber chair of Bob’s Barber Shop
Image is of Glen Cope sitting in the barber chair of Bob’s Barber Shop awaiting a haircut and shave.
Palmer, Alaska
Horse Show 1
Bob Munford
An equestrian event at the state fairgrounds has a horse and rider jumping a hurdle bar
Image is of a horse and rider jumping over a hurdle bar at the State Fairgrounds in Palmer. Other horses and riders are behind in middle ground. Lazy Mountain, capped with snow, is in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Horse Show 2
Bob Munford
An equestrian event at the state fairgrounds has a horse and rider jumping a hurdle bar
Image is of a horse and rider jumping over a hurdle bar at the State Fairgrounds in Palmer. Talkeetna Mountains, capped with snow, are in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Horse Show 3
Bob Munford
An equestrian event at the state fairgrounds has horses with two riders in the arena
Image is of horses with two riders in the arena at the State Fairgrounds in Palmer. People, horses and vehicles are evident outside the arena fence. Chugach Mountains, capped with snow, are in background. Rider facing forward on the horse at left is identified as Deana Benson.
Palmer, Alaska
Horse Show 4
Bob Munford
An equestrian event at the state fairgrounds has a horse with two riders in the arena.
Image is of a horse and two riders in the arena at the State Fairgrounds in Palmer. People, horses and vehicles are evident outside the arena fence. Chugach Mountains, capped with snow, are in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Horse Show 5
Bob Munford
An equestrian event at the state fairgrounds has a horse and rider jumping a hurdle
Image is of a horse and rider jumping a hurdle in the arena at the State Fairgrounds in Palmer. People, horses and vehicles are evident outside the arena fence. Chugach Mountains, capped with snow, are in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer Street 40
Bob Munford
Center Theater & Palmer Laundry Center
Image is a summer street view of the entrance to Center Theater and the Palmer Laundry Center. A pickup truck with a MEA logo on the door is in front of the buildings. "The Center" and "Palmer Laundry Center" signs are evident.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer Street 41
Bob Munford
Bob’s Barber Shop
Image is a summer street view of the entrance to Bob’s Barber Shop located in the Wright Building facing W. Elmwood Ave. The shop sign is painted on the window and an electric barber pole is evident. The Center Theater and Palmer Laundry across the street are reflected in the window.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer Street 42
Bob Munford
North View on S. Bailey Street showing the Severns Building and others
Image is a summer street view on South Bailey Street looking north from the Post Office at the Severns Building in middle ground, the First Baptist Church in far middle ground, and snow-capped mountains in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer Street 43
Bob Munford
North View on S. Colony Way showing the sidewalk, parked cars, the depot and Talkeetna Mts.
Image is a summer street view on South Colony Way looking north from the sidewalk in front of the Matanuska Valley Bank. The bank clock is apparent in foreground and other business signs are evident. Cars are parked at the curb, people are on the sidewalk in middle ground. The depot is visible and Talkeetns Mountains form the background.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer Street 44
Bob Munford
Easterly view from South Colony Way showing the Visitor Center, School, Dorm, Houses and Mountains beyond
Image is a summer street view on South Colony Way looking to the east. The view includes the Palmer Visitor Center, School, Dorm, MEA Building, and Houses, with Mountains in background. Automobiles are parked in foreground.
Palmer, Alaska
Snider 2
Unknown
Gerrit “Heinie” Snider in Bob’s Barber shop
Image is of Gerrit “Heinie” Snider seated in Bob’s Barber Shop in the Wright building in Palmer. Bob Munford is seen in a mirror on the wall as he cuts the hair of a patron. An ad posted on the shop door advertises an up-coming basketball game of the “Harlem Clowns”.
Palmer, Alaska
Snider 3
Unknown
Gerrit “Heinie” Snider in Bob’s Barber shop
Image is of Gerrit “Heinie” Snider seated in Bob’s Barber Shop in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Snider 4
Unknown
Gerrit “Heinie” Snider in Bob’s Barber shop
Image is of Gerrit “Heinie” Snider seated in Bob’s Barber Shop in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Steve Vonwagoner 1
Bob Munford
Steve Vonwagoner, pharmacist at Bert’s Drugstore, working in the pharmacy
Image is of Steve Vonwagoner, pharmacist at Bert’s Drugstore, working at the counter in the pharmacy. Visible through the doorway behind, an unidentified woman walks past the drugstore soda counter.
Palmer, Alaska
Vern Betts 1
Bob Munford
Vern Betts, pharmacist at Bert’s Drugstore, taking a coffee break at the drugstore soda counter
Image is of Vern Betts, pharmacist at Bert’s Drugstore, taking a coffee break at the drugstore soda counter. The hallway behind leads to the front door on S. Colony Way past shelves and display counters filled to overflowing with about anything a Valley resident might be tempted to buy.
Palmer, Alaska
