Title

ARRC House 1

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

The photo shows part of the bedroom arrangement and modern furnishings.

Description

Image is an interior view of an ARRC Staff house bedroom showing a dressing table with nine drawers and a stool. A large mirror is on the table. A corner of the bedstead is visible, a metal folding chair is partially visible. A closet door and room entry door occupy the wall on either side of the table. A portion of the floor is visible at lower right showing bare wood boards.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Alice Mikami & Beatrice McNally 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Alice & Beatrice stand for their picture to be taken in a vacant area of Palmer's "Tent City".

Description

Alice Mikami and Beatrice McNally stand together in a low grass field for their picture to be taken. Alice is dressed in a black dress with a black & white checked over-dress and a full length light brown coat over her shoulders. Beatrice is in a full-length black coat. Temporary "Tent City" frame buildings are partially visible behind, as are piles of material for the Colony project. Heavy forest forms the backdrop with mountains faintly visible in the distance.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Alice Mikami 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Alice Mikami is standing at the entry of a Colony tent

Description

Miss Alice Mikami, stenographer in the ARRC main office, stands in a black dress in front of a white Colony tent.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Baseball 4

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A crowd stands on the Palmer community center quad watching a baseball game.

Description

A crowd is gathered on the Palmer community center quad to watch a baseball game.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Baseball 6

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A man stands on the pitcher's mound and uses a megaphone to make announcements to the crowd.

Description

A man stands on the pitcher's mound of the ball field in Palmer's community center quad and is using a megaphone to make announcements to the crowd. Community center buildings, trees and mountains are behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Baseball 7

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A baseball game is in progress with the pitcher throwing a pitch from the mound.

Description

A view of the infield shows a pitcher pitching on the mound and other players behind. Community center buildings, trees and mountains are beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Baseball 9

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A croud stands watching a baseball game on Palmer's community center quad.

Description

A crowd stands watching a baseball game on the Palmer community center quad with community center buildings in the background. A young boy sits on a timber on the ground in foreground. Mountains are visible in far background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Beatrice McNally 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Beatrice McNally, stenographer in the ARRC accounting department, stands for her photograph.

Description

Beatrice stands in this summer scene for her photo in a vacant area of "Tent City" dressed in a white shirt, short black jacket, black high-cuff pants and a black hat. Behind her several colony tents are partially visible and an automobile. Heavy forest forms the backdrop.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Butte Community Hall 1

Creator

Don Irwin

Subject

Community hall near Bodenburg Butte

Description

Image shows the front and south side of the log community hall constructed soon afer the Matanuska Colonists settled the area around the Bodenburg Butte. A portion of the Butte is visible behind the building as is one of the typical colony tents.

Location

Beside Bodenburg Butte Lp near Bodenburg Butte in the Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Butte Community Hall 2

Creator

Hewitt's Photo Shop - Anchorage, Alaska

Subject

Log Community Hall near Bodenburg Butte

Description

Image shows the front and south side of the log community hall constructed soon after the Matanuska Colonists settled the area around the Bodenburg Butte. Two concrete chimneys are in evidence. A portion of the Butte is visible behind the building. This image is on a commercial post card.

Location

Beside Bodenburg Butte Loop road near Bodenburg Butte in the Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Butte Community Hall 3

Creator

Ruth Estelle

Subject

Building

Description

Image shows the north side of the log Butte Community Hall with lumber and clearing debris in foreground and Pioneer Peak in background.

Location

Bodenburg Butte Area of Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Bygone Barn 1

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a winter view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract#157 near Bodenburg Butte and having originally belonged to Colonists Lawrence and Grace Dreghorn. The barn exhibits evidence of early stages of collapse. A smaller structure, possibly a chicken coop, is apparent at left and a pick-up truck is parked in foreground. Pioneer Peak is the backdrop.

Location

Bodenburg Butte, Matanuska Valley

Title

Bygone Barn 2

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a summer view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract #134 north of Palmer, having originally belonged to Colonists Oscar and Elvi Kerttula. The barn exhibits significance evidence of advanced stages of collapse and came down in 2006. A smaller attached structure, perhaps a milking parlor, is at right and a concrete upright silo is behind at left.

Location

North of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Bygone Barn 3

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a summer view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract #134 north of Palmer, having originally belonged to Colonists Oscar and Elvi Kerttula. The barn exhibits significance evidence of advanced stages of collapse and came down in 2006. A smaller attached structure, perhaps a milking parlor, is at right, Talkeetna Mountains evident in background.

Location

North of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Bygone Barn 4

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a summer view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract #134 north of Palmer, having originally belonged to Colonists Oscar and Elvi Kerttula. The barn exhibits significance evidence of advanced stages of collapse and came down in 2006. A smaller attached structure, perhaps a milking parlor, is at right, part of another smaller log structure, perhaps a chicken coop, is at left, and a concrete upright silo is behind at left.

Location

North of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Bygone Barn 5

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a fall view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract #194 near Bodenburg Butte, having originally belonged to Colonists Lloyd and Dorothy Bell. The barn exhibits significance evidence of advanced stages of collapse. Portions of other buildings are evident adjacent and nearby, Beyers Peak is in background. This farm, located at the corner of Bodenburg Loop Road and Doc. McKinley Ave., was later owned by dentist Lee McKinley prior to the later demise of the barn. This photo is number one of three documenting the collapse of this barn.

Location

Near Bodenburg Butte, Alaska

Title

Bygone Barn 6

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a summer view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract #194 near Bodenburg Butte, having originally belonged to Colonists Lloyd and Dorothy Bell. The barn exhibits significance evidence of advanced stages of collapse. A portion of an attached concrete block building is evident at left. Bodenburg Butte is behind. This farm, located at the corner of Bodenburg Loop Road and Doc. McKinley Ave., was later owned by dentist Lee McKinley prior to the later demise of the barn. This photo is number two in a series of three documenting the collapse of this barn.

Location

Near Bodenburg Butte, Alaska

Title

Bygone Barn 7

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

Colony barn in state of collapse

Description

Image is a summer view of a Colony Barn, identified as located on Tract #194 near Bodenburg Butte, having originally belonged to Colonists Lloyd and Dorothy Bell. The barn is in final stages of collapse. A portion of an attached concrete block building is evident at left and Chugach Mountains are in background. This farm, located at the corner of Bodenburg Loop Road and Doc. McKinley Ave., was later owned by dentist Lee McKinley prior to the later demise of the barn. This photo is number three in a series of three documenting the collapse of this barn.

Location

Near Bodenburg Butte, Alaska

Title

Cabinet Shop 1

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Five men pause in their work in the colony cabinet shop where they are constructing cabinetry for the new buildings of the colon.

Description

Five men pose in the Colony Cabinet Shop among many tools used to construct the cabinetry for the colony homes and other new buildings. Some cabinets under construction are visible.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 7

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Tents of Temporary Camp 7 & Homestead Barn on Tract #157

Description

Image shows six white Colony tents in a row at Camp #7. Camp 7 was located on Tract #157 drawn by Albert Fredericks along the Fishhook Road north of Palmer, Alaska. This tract was located on what had apparently previously been part of a homestead with buildings and some land already cleared as apparent in this photo.

Location

Tract #157 North of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 7 Tents

Creator

Ruth Bailey

Subject

Tents of Temporary Camp 7

Description

Image shows six white Colony tents in a row at Camp #7. A small child stands in the path at right. Camp 7 was located on Tract #157 drawn by Albert Fredericks along the Fishhook Road north of Palmer, Alaska. This tract was located on what had apparently previously been part of a homestead with buildings and some land already cleared.

Location

North of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 7 Wash Day

Creator

Neil Miller

Subject

Clothes washing at tent #1, Camp 7

Description

Image shows a woman, identified as Margret Miller, hand-washing clothes in wash tubs set up in front of their tent at Colonist Camp 7. Two young girls, identified as Mardie and Janell Miller, sit nearby. An outhouse and clothesline are evident at right

Location

Camp 7 north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 8 Air View

Creator

Nichols

Subject

Colonist's Camp 8

Description

Image is an aerial view of Colony tents forming Camp 8 located within a large expanse of heavy forest with the Matanuska River visible in background. Portions of the airplane’s wing and struts are obvious in foreground.

Location

Matanuska Valley south of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 9 Logging 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Bill Ising skids firewood logs to the tents of Camp 9.

Description

Image is of Colonist Bill Ising skidding firewood logs to Camp 9 tents for firewood with his two-horse team.

Location

Camp 9 south of Palmer

Title

Camp 9 Logging2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Colonist Allen Frederick skids a log of firewood to the tents of Camp 9

Description

Allen Frederick skidding firewood logs to Colony Camp 9 with his horse

Location

Camp 9 south of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 9 Tents

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Colonist's tents at Camp #9 while waiting for their houses to be built.

Description

Image shows the Colonist's tents at Camp #9 with Pioneer Pk. in the background. Initials or names of the occupants have been noted by each tent along with a quote that accompanied the photo.

Location

Tract # 82

Title

Carpentry Shop 1

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Some of the tools in the carpentry shop await the builders of the colony buildings

Description

Image shows some of the tools in the carpentry shop used by builders of the colony buildings

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 11

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A crown is gathering near the speakers platform on the quad as two parade floats arrive

Description

A crown is gathered on the quad in front of the speaker's platform as two floats from the Palmer 4th-of July parade arrive. Men of the local fire department are prominent in foreground, the Teachers Dorm is in middle ground behind the crowd.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 12

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Don Irwin addresses the 4th-of-July crowd gathered on the community center quad in Palmer in 1936.

Description

Don Irwin speaks to the crowd gathered for the 1936 Fourth-of July celebration on the Palmer community center quad in front of the new school building. An open window on the top floor of the school revels a photographer taking photos of events below and responsible for some of the related images in this collection.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 13

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A crowd gathers at the speaker's platform on the quad during 4th-of-July celebrations in Palmer.

Description

People gather at the speaker's platform on the community center quad during celebration of the 4th-of-July in 1936. Musicians and speakers are on the platform, two cars are parked next to the "Teacher's Dorm" behind the crowd, and the flag pole is erected but without the large concrete slab yet at the base. The photo appears to have been taken from the upper floor window of the school.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 15

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A crowd is watching some unknown activity within a street-side booth advertising "KING DODO" during the Palmer 4th-of-JUly celebration.

Description

A crowd is gathered at a booth with a sign advertising "KING DODO" and appear to be watching some unidentified activity in the booth.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 17

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Children are dancing on the quad during "Palmer Day" celebrations.

Description

A group of children dance holding hands on the community center quad as they celebrate "Palmer Day", May 15-1937.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 18

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Children are dancing on the community center quad

Description

Children are holding hands and dancing on the quad in front of the Trading Post as adults look on.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 19

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Girls get ready to do the May Pole dance as part of the "Palmer Day" celebration.

Description

Girls prepare to do the May Pole dance on the quad. Part of the Trading Post and other community center buildings are beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 20

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Children are dancing around the May Pole during "Palmer Day" celebrations

Description

Children are dancing around the May Pole on the quad with adults looking on behind and the gym in background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 21

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Young boys are preparing to run foot races during "Palmer Day" celebrations.

Description

Young boys are gathered on the ball field east of the school building in preparation for foot races to be held as part of "Palmer Day" celebrations. Adults look on from behind and the east side of the school building and other building to the south form the background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 22

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A crowd is gathered around the "Palmer Day" queen and king next to the school and flag pole. A piano and pianist are also present suggesting songs were sung.

Description

Children and adults are gathered at the flag pole on the west side of the school. At center is the "Palmer Day" queen on her high-backed "throne". Next to her is the presumed king in front of a piano.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 25

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A band marches up "Market Street" between parked cars on both sides of the street and pased the Creamery in Palmer.

Description

Image shows a band marching up "Market Street" (now Dahlia Ave.) in Palmer with cars parked in foreground and the Creamery building in middle ground beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Celebration 26

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

The American flag is being raised on the community flagpole in Palmer on the 4th-of-July, 1936.

Description

A Navy and Army color guard stand by as two other men begin to raise the American flag on the community flagpole as part of the fourth-of-July celebration in 1936. Two mounted riders, a small boy with a decorated bicycle and other spectators watch from beyond. A parade float vehicle and the Community Gym form the backdrop.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Protestant Church in Palmer

Description

Image shows the north side of the Palmer Protestant Church in winter with trees in the foreground and background and with snow all over. A power pole and power lines are in the foreground. This photo is printed on a postcard, but has no attribution to a photographer.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 11

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Interior of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer

Description

Image is a view of the interior sanctuary of the log St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer as it appeared not long after it was construction in 1937. Statues, pictures and other religious objects are apparent.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 16

Creator

Harry Wolfe, Architect

Subject

Architect’s rendering of the new Catholic Church to be built in Palmer.

Description

Image is of the architect’s rendering of the new St. Michael’s Catholic Church to be built in Palmer, Alaska to serve the increase in population associated with the Matanuska Colony project.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 3

Creator

Elsie Havens Blue

Subject

Log Church Building

Description

Image shows the front of the Lutheran church in Palmer surrounded by trees. Two cars are parked in front of the church.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 4

Creator

Unknown, possibly Irv Plitt

Subject

Palmer Lutheran Church

Description

Image is of the front (west side) of the log Lutheran church with grass expanse in front and birch trees beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 5

Creator

Unknown, possibly Irv Plitt

Subject

Palmer Lutheran Church

Description

Image is of the front (west side) of the Palmer Lutheran log church with birch trees in foreground and a mountain beyond. A sign is visible in the left foreground and a plaque is visible on the church wall.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 6

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska

Description

Summer view of north and west side of the Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 7

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska

Description

Summer view of west and south sides of the Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska. Construction appears to be complete but grounds are not yet fully cleaned up.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 8

Creator

Jackson

Subject

Church, Building

Description

Image shows the north side of a log church, identified as the Protestant Church, also commonly referred to as the Community (Presbyterian) Church or the "Church of a Thousand Trees", in Palmer, Alaska. Trees are evident in front and beyond and power lines overhead.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church 9

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Funeral setting in Palmer Protest Church

Description

Image is of the interior of the Palmer Protestant Church, unoccupied pews in foreground, a closed casket in front with floral bouquets prominent.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church Construction 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Church, Building

Description

Image shows a man standing on a log wall beside several peeled log rafters with log walls behind and below. Various boards lean against the rafters and a power cord with a light bulb hangs from one rafter. The structure under construction is identified as the Community (Presbyterian) Church of Palmer. There is evidence of light snow cover and the man is warmly dressed. Tress form the backdrop.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Church Construction 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

United Protestant Church under construction in Palmer

Description

Image is a winter view of the United Protestant Church in Palmer under construction. Several men are visible applying roof boards on the log structure. Birch trees are in foreground with snow on the ground.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Clarence Sjodin

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Clarence Sjodin stands in front of his barn and chicken house on his Colony farm.

Description

Image is of Clarence Sjodin standing in front of his barn and chicken house on his Colony farm.

Location

Title

Co-op Creamery 1

Creator

Jackson

Subject

Matanuska Colony (Co-op) Creamery and Cannery

Description

Image is a summer view of the Matanuska Colony (Co-op) creamery and cannery building. The water tower and powerhouse smoke stack are visible behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Creamery 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Matanuska Valley Co-op Creamery Building with ARRC Car in front and Water Tower behind.

Description

Image is a summer view of the Matanuska Valley Farmer’s Co-op Creamery building in Palmer with exterior construction essentially complete but with foundation work still under way. The water tower is visible behind and an ARRC car is in front. A man is visible working on a retaining wall.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Creamery 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Matanuska Valley Co-op Creamery Building

Description

Image is a summer view of the Matanuska Valley Farmer’s Co-op Creamery building in Palmer with three vehicles in front. The water tower is visible behind and the powerhouse is partially visible at left.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Creamery 4

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A man in police or army uniform stands at the open door of the Co-op Creamery loading dock apparently talking with someone inside.

Description

A summer view of the Co-op Creamery loading dock area with a man in uniform, possibly Palmer policeman Bill Bouwens, standing on the ground gesturing and apparently talking with someone inside the open door. Numerous milk delivery cans are stacked on the dock, likely empty ones awaiting return to the dairy farmers to be re-filled. A partial view of a late 1940's era car is visible parked at right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Garage 1

Creator

Louis Odsather

Subject

Community Center Garage & Automobiles, Building

Description

Image shows the large garage building in middle ground with an automobile parked in front of one of the bay doors. In foreground are two automobiles on soft ground, on with a rear wheel missing. Powerhouse smokestack producing smoke is in middle ground as is the roof of the warehouse. Lazy Mountain is seen in the far background.

Location

Community Center, Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Garage 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Co-op Garage

Description

Image shows a large single story building, identified as the Co-op garage, in middle ground with a gravel street and many water puddles in foreground, a variety of automobiles parked in front of the building, and the Palmer water tower above it. Fuel tanks are visible at the left behind the building. Gas pumps are apparent at the right of the building, the smokestack from the powerhouse is visible at right and Lazy Mountain is apparent at the far right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Garage 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Community Center garage, to become known as the Co-op Garage, is nearing exterior completion

Description

Palmer Community Center garage nearing exterior completion showing west side and south end

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Garage 4

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Co-op Garage as it evolved into the 1940's. Several automobiles are parked adjacent, signs are evident, and the water tower is prominent.

Description

The Co-op Garage as it evolved into the 1940's, including a gas station, signage and parking. Several automobiles are present as is the water tower evident behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Store 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

The hard goods department of the co-op store thought to be as it was established in the vacated warehouse and moved from the Trading Post across the street.

Description

Image shows the dry goods section of the Co-op Store thought to occupy the vacated warehouse and moved from the Trading Post across the street. Nick Nichols stands at left. A clerk and two other women are also visible. Stairs are seen at left leading to the upper floor. Decorative streamers are strung from the overhead lights, possibly indicating celebration of the recent move.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Store 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Christmas-time business is being conducted in the drygoods department of the Co-op Store.

Description

This image is an interior view of the Co-op store drygoods department after the store moved into the vacated warehouse building from the Trading Post in 1940. Four women are visible, two shoppers and two employees, including Colonist Irene Benson, Manager, at far right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Store 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

People crowd the recently opened Co-op Store in its new location of the old warehouse as they prepare for Christmas.

Description

Christmas ornaments decorate the Drygoods department of the Co-op Store while several men and women and a child shop and two clerks check out the purchases and wrap the presents.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Warehouse 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A man pushes a dolly with five sacks of feed to the warehouse loading dock as a rail car stands next to the warehouse deck.

Description

The image is of the front door and deck of the new warehouse showing notices posted on the front door, the decking along the side, the post and rail at the top of the steps leading up to the deck and front door, and a man bringing a dolly loaded with sacks feed forward to the loading dock. A rail car is visible next to the deck at right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Warehouse 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Storage space (empty) and construction details of the Co-op Warehouse are evident.

Description

This view shows the storage area (empty) in the attic of the warehouse and construction details of the building.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Warehouse 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

This image shows some of the now empty pipe storage bins after the Co-op Warehouse was closed.

Description

This image is of some of the long (deep) wooden storage bins in the Co-op Warehouse used to hold the stock of pipes and other long items.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Co-op Warehouse 4

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A large array of wooden parts bins sits empty following closure of the Co-op Warehouse

Description

The image is of an array of empty wooden bins of various sizes in the Co-op Warehouse used to hold small items and parts.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Barn Under Construction 3

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A typical Matanuska Colony barn is under construction and almost complete. Scaffolding is still in place and roofing paper is yet to be applied.

Description

Image is a front and left side view of a typical Matanuska Colony barn under construction and almost completed. Scaffolding is still in place and roofing paper is yet to be applied.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Barns 1

Creator

Unknown press photo

Subject

Two Colony barns on a dairy farm.

Description

Press photo image shows several dairy cows gathered in front of a typical Colony chicken house and another building. Two Colony barns are prominent behind the other buildings. Heavy forest and Lazy Mountain are visible beyond under a partly cloudy sky.

Location

Matanuska Valley south of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Barns 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

View of the front of the Sjodin Colony barn with the Dutch door open and the lower hay mow door open.

Description

A brown-tinted image of the front of the typical Colony barn on the Sjodin farm.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Barns 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Colonist's Allen & Leonora's barn and two cows

Description

Image is of the barn of Colonists Allen & Leanora Frederick and their two cows.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Barns 4

Creator

Richard Estelle

Subject

A Colony barn stands on the Estelle family farm with several young cows penned close by and stacks of hay visible.

Description

Image is of the Colony barn on tract #152, original to Ferber Bailey and then Howard Estelle. Shown on its final location after having been moved to allow highway construction through Bailey Hill. Several young cows are evident penned near the barn and hay stacks are seen at left of the barn for winter feed.

Location

Palmer Alaska

Title

Colony Barns 5

Creator

Alaska Road Commission

Subject

A Colony barn shows loss of roofing paper to strong winter winds.

Description

Image is a winter view across a vacant field at a typical Colony barn in middle ground right. The barn exhibits considerable missing roofing paper resulting from strong winter winds. Thick birch/spruce forest stands beyond the barn at far middle ground and the eastern mountains of the valley are faintly visible in left background. Ground is mostly clear of snow with small, scattered patches apparent. Location of the farm is unidentified.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Buildings 1

Creator

Ruth Bailey

Subject

Colony Pump House, Garage & Barn of Ferber & Ruth Bailey

Description

Image is a winter, easterly view, of the barn, garage and pump house of Colonists Ferber & Ruth Bailey, located on Tract # 152. A two-story hexagonal tower at the back of the pump house is identified as the water tank enclosure. The barn is at its original location before it was moved to make way for the highway construction cut straitening the Glen Highway up Bailey Hill.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Buildings 2

Creator

Ruth Bailey

Subject

Colony Pump House & Barn of Ferber & Ruth Bailey

Description

Image is a winter scene of a small white, single story building in foreground, identified as the pump house of Colonists Ferber & Ruth Bailey, located on Tract # 152. A two-story hexagonal tower at the back of the pump house is identified as the water tank enclosure. Part of the barn is visible behind the pump house at its original location before it was moved to make way for the highway construction cut straitening the Glen Highway up Bailey Hill.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Construction Headquarters 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Matanuska Colony construction headquarters building

Description

Image shows the first log building constructed by the transient workers employed to build the new buildings associated with the Matanuska Colony. The building was thought to have been disassembled and reassembled as a training exercise for the workers, and then served as the headquarters for the rest of the construction activities. A bus is apparent in foreground with two passengers visible inside, two other men are nearby. A power pole is in foreground and the American flag flies on a tall pole over the building. Tents are partially visible. Heavy forest forms a backdrop behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Construction Headquarters 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Matanuska Colony construction headquarters building

Description

Image shows the first log building constructed by the transient workers employed to build the new buildings associated with the Matanuska Colony. The building was thought to have been disassembled and reassembled as a training exercise for the workers, and then served as the headquarters for the rest of the construction activities. The American flag flies on a tall pole over the building. A low log fence encloses the yard. Tents are apparent on both sides of the building. Heavy forest forms a backdrop behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Construction Headquarters 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Matanuska Colony construction headquarters building

Description

Image shows the first log building constructed by the transient workers employed to build the new buildings associated with the Matanuska Colony. The building was thought to have been disassembled and reassembled as a training exercise for the workers, and then served as the headquarters for the rest of the construction activities. A low log fence encloses the front yard. A tent is partially visible at right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Construction Headquarters 4

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Matanuska Colony construction headquarters building

Description

Image shows the first log building constructed by the transient workers employed to build the new buildings associated with the Matanuska Colony. The building was thought to have been disassembled and reassembled as a training exercise for the workers, and then served as the headquarters for the rest of the construction activities. The American flag flies above the building on a high mast. A tent is partially visible at left and a man is standing nearby.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Family 1

Creator

Associated Press

Subject

Colonists Vernon & Pearl Olmstead and their two children at their new log home.

Description

Image is of Colonists Vernon and Pearl Olmstead with their children Jane and Gerald, and the family dog, in front of their new log home located on tract #28 near the Matanuska Experiment Farm. They were reported to be the first Colonists to move from their tents into their new home in 1935. The squared logs used in construction were milled at a sawmill set up not far away near Camp 2.

Location

Matanuska, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 10

Creator

Thomas Kodagraph

Subject

Pippel Colony Farm

Description

Image is a late summer view of a colony barn, well house and house with heavy cottonwood and birch forest beyond. A field of vegetables is at right with evidence that some crops have been harvested. The front of a truck is visible next to the barn. A horse is lying on the ground at right foreground. The farmstead is identified as that of Colonists Walt and Melva Pippel on tract #106 near Palmer, Alaska.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 12

Creator

Neil Miller

Subject

Neil & Margaret's first Colony farmstead

Description

Image is a winter scene of Neil & Margaret Miller's first Colony farm on tract #155 along the Fishhook Road north of Palmer, Alaska. A typical Colony barn is apparent, a very atypical colonist house is visible, and an automobile is evident in the driveway.

Location

Tract #155 north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 15

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Matanuska Colony farmstead

Description

Image shows a Colony farmstead of house, barn and outbuildings in middle ground framed by trees and brush in foreground. Talkeetna mountains form the background. Note on the reverse indicates the location is 25 miles west of Palmer. The name "Mrs. Amos Landis" is also written on the back.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 16

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Colony farm of Joe & Blanche Puhl

Description

Image is a late summer view of a Colony log home, a barn under construction, and harvested hay stacked on stakes to dry in foreground. Scattered birch and cottonwood trees are in foreground and middle ground with heavy forest as the backdrop.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 18

Creator

Thomas Kodagraph

Subject

A Colony farmstead house, barn and outbuildings with haystacks and fence in foreground

Description

Image is of a Colony farmstead showing the house, barn and outbuildings in middle ground with a fence and numerous haystacks in foreground. Birch and spruce forest forms the backdrop.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 19

Creator

Hewitts

Subject

Colony home and outbuildings of Walt & Melva Pippel

Description

Image is of Colonists Walt and Melva Pippel’s frame house and two outbuildings. Row crops are in foreground and beyond the buildings. A wood pile is apparent. A road is visible beyond the house, this being the Fishhook Road leading at left to Hatcher Pass and the gold mines. Beyond the road is a heavily forested ridge formed of wind-blown soil from the Matanuska River unseen just beyond. The Glenn Highway was later located on this ridge.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 20

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Colony farm and fields of harvested grain in shocks at the base of Bodenburg Butte

Description

Image is a fall view across fields of harvested and shocked grain to a Colony farmstead, identified as belonging to Colonists Ingolf and Agnes Sandvik. Bodenbutg Butte rises prominently to the left and other mountains to the right.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 21

Creator

Ruth Bailey

Subject

View of Chris Anderson’s Colony farmstead and snow plow clearing the highway on Bailey Hill north of Palmer

Description

Image is a winter scene of the Chris Anderson Colony farmstead, tract #113, as viewed from the Bailey farmstead, tract #152. A snow plow is visibly clearing snow from the main road leading north from Palmer as it crests Bailey Hill and passes between the two farms.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 22

Creator

A. Eide

Subject

Farmstead of Colonists Ferber & Ruth Bailey, Tract 152

Description

Image is a summer view of a Matanuska Colony house, barn and outbuildings, identified as belonging to Colonists Ferber and Ruth Bailey on tract #152 located on the northern outskirts of Palmer. The foreground is a harvested grain field partially disked. The barn would later be moved forward past the house to allow the Glenn Highway to be straightened by cutting through “Bailey Hill” at the location where the barn is shown in this photo.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 23

Creator

Unknown

Subject

View of Sandvik’s Colony farm near Bodenburg Butte with Pioneer Peak beyond

Description

Image is a low oblique summer view of Ingolf and Agnes Sandvik’s Colony farmstead at the base of Bodenburg Butte south of Palmer. People are visible in the yard. Pioneer Peak, with remnant snow at elevation, forms the backdrop.

Location

Matanuska Valley near Bodenburg Butte, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 24

Creator

Mel Anderson

Subject

Colony farm along Palmer Fishhook Road north of Palmer

Description

Image is an easterly view of a red barn and other outbuildings of a Matanuska Colony farmstead located on tract #169 along the Palmer Fishhook Road north of Palmer. Snow-clad mountains form the prominent background

Location

Near of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 25

Creator

Union Oil Company

Subject

View of the Arvid & Edith Johnson Colony farm on Palmer Fishhook Road

Description

Image is a late summer easterly view of a green hay field in foreground with an orange Colony barn and other farm buildings on Colony tract #169 in middle ground. Another Colony barn on tract #112 is visible beyond. Patches of uncut forest are apparent. Lazy Mountain and Beyers Peak, dusted with new snow, are in background with clouds overhead.

Location

Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 26

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Ray & Edna Rebarchek’s Colony Farm on Tract #52

Description

Image is a summer view of the Colony barn and outbuildings of Ray & Edna Rebarchek on Tract #52 south of Palmer. Included are two smaller log structures and two concrete silos are visible. A gas pump is in foreground. A Ford pickup, two tractors and a hay baler are evident.

Location

South of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 27

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Rebarchek farmstead house, barn and farm equipment.

Description

Image shows the Rebarchek farmstead including the house, barn, outbuildings, two tractors, mower, tedder and hay bailer.

Location

On Rebarchek Road south of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 28

Creator

Clarence Sjodin

Subject

"Jr." Sjodin and his dog stand in the snow on the Sjodin farmstead with the Colony barn and chicken coop behind.

Description

Image shows "Jr." Sjodin and his dog in a winter scene in the Sjodin farmstead with the barn and chicken coop behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 29

Creator

Clarence Sjodin

Subject

A single-story log house is in foreground with a typical Colony barn beyond. An automobile is partly visible parked behind the house.

Description

Image shows a log Colony house in foreground and typical Colony barn behind. A four-door sedan is partly visible parked behind the house.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 30

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Winter view of a Colony farmstead

Description

Winter view is of a colony farmstead, identified as that of the Allen Frederick family, including a colony house, barn and several outbuildings, with a backdrop of snow-clad mountains and trees. Snow on the ground.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 31

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Frederick family house and barn are built and land clearing has begun in earnest

Description

Image shows the Frederick house and barn are built and land clearing has begun in earnest

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 32

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Some cleared land and buildings developed on his farm before Allen Frederick left the Matanuska Colony

Description

Image shows the barn and some other buildings plus some of the cleared land illustrating some of the work accomplished by Allen Frederick before he left the farm in 1940

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Colony Farm 33

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Summer view of the Pippel Colony farmstead including the house, wellhouse and barn

Description

View is of the Colony farmstead of Walt & Melva Pippel showing the house, wellhouse, barn and part of a field.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Galleries

Explore the Rich History of the Matanuska Valley

This project is made possible by