"Brill Car"
Ruth Estelle
Railroad Car
Image shows the McKeen Motorized Rail Car, locally called the "Brill car" or "Brill Train", on the Palmer siding. This car ran daily between Palmer and Anchorage for several years, hauling passengers and freight.
Palmer, Alaska
"Brill Car" 2
Louis Odsather
Motorized Rail Car
Image shows the McKeen Motorized Rail Car, locally called the "Brill Car" or "Brill Train", on the Palmer siding. Ron Pasco, station freight agent, stands in front and another man stands in the car's doorway. This car ran daily between Palmer and Anchorage for several years, hauling passengers and freight.
Palmer, Alaska
"Storkmobile" 1
Elsie Havens Blue
Palmer Hospital Nurse's July 4th parade float
Image shows the Palmer Hospital's "Nurses Car" and community ambulance decorated for the Palmer 1937 4th-of-July parade. On the front is a white stork figure holding a baby basket in its beak. The car's back panel is covered with a white sheet with lettering proclaiming "When Bigger & Better Babies are had, Your Hospital Will Have Them!! See Dr. Albrecht!!!?" The vehicle has ARRC 31 printed in white on the side of the door. The rear of the hospital is behind the vehicle with garbage cans in evidence. A woman (probably a nurse) walks behind the vehicle.
Palmer, Alaska
4-H Club Float 1
Hewitt's Photo Shop, Anchorage
4-H People
Image shows a side view of a pickup truck with several children standing in the back facing the camera. One girl holds a large paper star. A sign on the side of the truck shows the 4-H clover leaf symbol and text: "4H CLUBS-IN-VALLEYS: 5, ENROLLMENT: 85". A spare tire is prominently mounted on the side of the truck. The driver, identified as Howard Estelle, and passenger, identified as Ruth DeArmond, are visible in the truck cab.
Palmer, Alaska
4-H Club Float 2
Hewitts
Children riding in the back of a pick-up truck with a 4-H banner in the July 4th parade
Image shows a group of children in the back of a pick-up truck. A banner on the side of the truck indicates it is a 4-H entry in the July 4th parade.
Palmer, Alaska
ARRC Bus at Independence Mine
Louis Odsather
Bus, Automobile
Image shows an ARRC Bus parked with open door at the Independence Gold Mine, partial buildings are visible behind the bus. Mountains are in background.
Independence Mine in Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
ARRC Car 1
Unknown
The photo documents that there apparently was an "Official" ARRC car as proclaimed by the small sign. What was happening in relation to the empty whisky bottle is anybody's guess.
A close-up view of the front of a car designated for use by ARRC officials. Shown are the front left tire, fender, headlight, part of the bumper and part of the grill. Mounted below the headlight is a small sign: "A.R.R.C. OFFICIAL", tucked behind which is an apparently empty whisky bottle.
Palmer, Alaska
Airplane 1
Unknown
The "Flying Bull" cargo plane sits parked at an unidentified location.
The image is of a two-engine cargo plane, number N67931, parked on the ground. On the nose is painted an image of a winged bull in flight with partially legible words under it identifying the name of the plane as the "Flying Bull". On the side of the plane neat the tail are the words "Palmer Cold Storage" "Palmer, Alaska". The plane was used during the 1950's to haul beef carcasses from Chirikof Island near Kodiak to Palmer Cold Storage for processing.
Unknown
Alaska Road Commission Trucks
Louis Odsather
Automobiles
Image shows a group of Alaska Road Commission dump trucks on what was then called the "Werner Cut-off" road (now the Palmer-Fishhook Road). Location is at Colonist Camp #5 per notes on a similar photo in the Nichols Collection.
On Palmer-Fishhook Road North of Palmer, Alaska
Alcan 007
Unknown
U.S. soldiers with an army truck are stopped at the general store in Charlie Lake, B.C. during construction of the Alcan Highway.
An army stake-bed truck is parked in front of a store with a high false front and an overhead sign reading "R.C. SOMAN, CHARLIE LAKE GENERAL STORE". The truck has tire chains on the front set of duel rear tires and the ground has water puddles. There appear to be snow patches and leafless trees in background indicating either late spring or early fall.
British Columbia, Canada
Alcan 011
Unknown
A soldier, assumed to be associated with the Alcan Highway construction, lounges on a Canadian car.
A U.S. Soldier is leaning on the front fender of a car with a Canadian license plate in foreground. Two wood-sided buildings form the middle ground behind and tree tops are visible beyond. The car is missing its right front tire.
British Columbia, Canada
Alcan 017
Unknown
A soldier stands beside an Army truck next to a Quonset Hut identified by a sign as the DISPATCHER OFFICE in this winter scene.
A winter scene with snow on the ground. A soldier stands in front of an army truck with a large white wooden box structure on the back. At right is a portion of a Quonset Hut with a large window. Between the truck and hut is a signpost with sign identifying the hut as the DISPATCHER OFFICE. A second truck is partially visible beyond. At left a number of fuel barrels are evident. Snow-covered trees form the backdrop.
Unknown
Alcan 019
Unknown
The context of this photo with others of the Alcan Highway construction suggests it may show part of the Army winter encampment associated with maintenance of that road.
Winter view with snow covering several trucks and a cat tractor in a lot next to a small building with snow-covered trees behind.
Unknown
Anchorage Area 001-Aviation Field
Alaska Road Commission
A cat tractor and scraper level the ground of Anchorage's first real airport.
This image shows a cat tractor in foreground pulling a low grader machine over flat ground to level the surface of the new "Aviation Field" near Anchorage. One man sits on the cat and another stands behind the machinery. A low line of trees and brush stands on the far side of the field in background and a water tower is visible in far background over the standing man's shoulder. This area, identified as Anchorage's "first true airport", was later named "Merrill Field".
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Area 002-Aviation Field
Alaska Road Commission
A cat tractor and scraper level the ground of Anchorage's first real airport.
Image shows a cat tractor pulling a low grader machine across a flat field in foreground. One man is driving the cat and a second man stands on the grader. The field, identified as Anchorage's "Aviation Field", extends beyond the machinery to a low line of trees and brush in background. A water tower is visible in far background.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Area 004-Depot
Alaska Road Commission
Anchorage residents welcome arriving Matanuska Colonists to the area.
This image shows a large collection of automobiles parked in foreground at the Anchorage train depot, several rail cars in middle ground beyond them, and a large group of people in between. Several people are evident near the depot building at far left with one man on the roof. Several men are standing on the roof of a bus parked among the cars. A dilapidated boardwalk is obvious at the near left and a single auto is parked facing the viewer in near foreground. The occasion is identified as residents of Anchorage welcoming newly arriving Matanuska Colonists on their way to Palmer.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Road 007
Alaska Road Commission
This appears to be the excavation activity on the hill providing material used to fill the swamp below shown in photo "Anchorage Road 006"
This image shows an excavator shovel, at right foreground, dumping a load of fine textured gravel and soil into the bed of a dump truck at left. The pit appears to be a through cut with banks developing on both sides. Heavy mixed timber is on both sides of the pit. Two men are visible, one standing next to the shovel and the other next to the truck.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Road 008
Alaska Road Commission
A cat tractor is spreading fill material on the new Spenard Road under construction.
Image shows a cat tractor, facing the camera in foreground, spreading fill material on a new roadway under construction. A man stands watching at left. Sparce trees are on both sides of the cleared right of way.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Road 009
Alaska Road Commission
A cat tractor spreads fill to even the road grade.
A young man operates a small cat tractor in foreground pulling a rotary scraper to fill low spots on the road grade. Root wads and slash are evident on the far edge of the wide cleared roadway. Thin spruce forest forms the backdrop in middle ground.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage Road 010
Alaska Road Commission
A man is loading his dump truck with gravel from the gravel trap.
Image shows a man loading his dump truck in foreground with fine-grained fill material from a "gravel trap". The trap allows stockpiling gravel at an elevation that provides it to be gravity-fed down a chute to a truck as needed.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage-Spenard Canal 001
Alaska Road Commission
A canal is being excavated between Spenard Lake and Lake Hood to provide a takeoff lane and taxiway for floatplanes.
Image shows a large pond of muddy water in immediate foreground with a dragline excavator machine on the pond's high bank above at right. The excavator's large bucket is suspended from its long boom as it is being dumped on shore to empty soil scooped from the pond. A small cat tractor sits beside the excavator. At far left middle ground another cat is visible, apparently dragging away the excavated soil with a scraper machine as indicated by the photo caption. Snow-covered flat ground is visible in middle ground beyond the excavation and a brush-covered bluff is faintly visible in background.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage-Spenard Canal 002
Alaska Road Commission
A canal is being excavated between Spenard Lake and Lake Hood to provide a takeoff lane and taxiway for floatplanes.
This image shows a large pond of very muddy water in immediate foreground with a dragline excavator siting on the high bank above. A small cat tractor sits next to the excavator at far right. The excavator's boom is swung to the left of the image and the large bucket hangs suspended as it dumps a load of muskeg soil dredged from the pond onto the shore. A mix of disturbed ground and snow cover is visible in middle ground with vegetated bench ground indistinct in background.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage-Spenard Canal 003
Alaska Road Commission
A canal is being excavated between Spenard Lake and Lake Hood to provide a takeoff lane and taxiway for floatplanes.
The partially enclosed cab of a shovel excavator occupies the immediate foreground of this image with its bucket arm swung to the right. The operator is apparent as he sits at the control levers in the cab. At left middle ground is a large muddy pond. Excavated soil is piled in a high berm sloping away from the pond across the image in middle ground with a thin line of forest visible in background. Thin snow covers undisturbed soil.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage-Spenard Canal 004
Alaska Road Commission
A canal is being excavated between Spenard Lake and Lake Hood to provide a takeoff lane and taxiway for floatplanes.
This wide view shows a man standing at left foreground looking toward two small cat tractors parked in center, near middle ground, and a shovel excavator partially visible at right. The large, excavated pond is partially visible in middle ground, its edge marked on the photo with an ink line, and the excavated soil piled beyond. The caption identifies this as the completed south side of the canal. A thin layer of snow covers the foreground and middle ground. A thin line of background forest is apparent and far background mountains are faintly visible.
Anchorage, Alaska
Arnold Newman 1
Unknown
Arnold Newman, with hands on the handlebars of a bicycle, stands ready to go for a ride.
Arnold Newman, dressed in leather coat, gloves and aviator cap, and with his large right pants cuff tied in place to keep it out of the chain, stands ready to ride the bicycle he holds at the ready. Parts of log buildings are visible behind him, identified as part of Jim Felton's place in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Big Wheel 1
Unknown
An army “Big Wheel” overland train parked beside the railroad track in downtown Palmer
Image is of an Army “Big Wheel” overland train parked beside the railroad track in downtown Palmer. An Army truck is backed up to the cab of the train. The date is yet to be determined.
Palmer, Alaska
Big Wheel 2
Unknown
An army “Big Wheel” overland train parked beside the railroad track in downtown Palmer
Image is of an Army “Big Wheel” overland train parked beside the railroad track in downtown Palmer. A fork lift is in front of the vehicle’s cab and appears to be lifting a man up to clean the cab’s windows. The date is yet to be determined.
Palmer, Alaska
Big Wheel 3
Unknown
An army “Big Wheel” overland train parked beside the railroad track in downtown Palmer
Image is of an Army “Big Wheel” overland train parked beside the railroad track in downtown Palmer. The theater building is visible beyond the railroad tracks to the right. Date of the photo is yet to be determined.
Palmer, Alaska
Boarding the ARRC Bus
Louis Odsather
Bus
Image shows men approaching an ARRC bus. The bus door is open, driver and other riders are visible inside. A tent is partially visible beyond. Since private vehicles were scarce in early days of the colony, the Corporation busses offered a way for people to travel between camps and home sites as they, and the roads, developed.
Palmer, Alaska
Bridge 1
Unknown
The road leading from Anchorage and the Butte approaches the bridge crossing the Matanuska River near Palmer
Image shows the highway leading from Anchorage and the Butte approaching the Matanuska River steel bridge sometime after it was constructed in 1934. A car is visible approaching the bridge on the gravel road. Trees and brush are prominent on both sides of the road. The river is partially visible through the latticework of the bridge.
Palmer, Alaska
Bridge 5
Hewitts Photo Shop
A car approaches the south end of Knik River bridge to cross the temporary cribbed planking to reach the bridge itself. A summer view, the water level in the river is moderate.
View of the south end of the Knik River bridge looking north. The temporary plank approach is still in place. A car is in the foreground approaching the bridge. Bodenburg Butte and Lazy Mountain are visible in background.
Knik River, Alaska
Bridge-Eklutna 005
Alaska Road Commission
The "Traveler" sits poised at the north side of the river to begin placing steel for the north end of the bridge.
Image is a river level view of the north shore cliff face location of the north end of the bridge. The temporary foot bridge over the river is partially visible in foreground leading to two concrete piers with steel connecting brackets in place hard against the cliff face ready for steel bridge members to connect. Directly above, on top of the rock bluff, is a wood post and beam bridge approach structure atop which sits the "Traveler"--the traveling erector machine, ready to set steel in place for the north half of the bridge.
Near Eklutna Village, Alaska
Bridge-Eklutna 008
Alaska Road Commission
The "Traveler" is placing steel on the south half of the bridge.
This image is of four men operating the "Traveler"--the machine used to place the steel and heavy timbers--on the south half of the bridge. As construction progresses it "travels" by pulling itself forward, sliding on temporary decking. It appears that this machine is hand operated by manipulating a series of gears, mostly obscured by the men, that control the operating cables.
Near Eklutna Village, Alaska
Bridge-Eklutna 009
Alaska Road Commission
The north and south sections of the steel arch have been connected.
Image is a ground-level view of the downstream side of the bridge seen from the north side of the river. The "Traveler" sits atop the south section near the center of the bridge. The steel arch members have been joined at the center into what the caption calls a "3 hinge arch." The decking is not yet complete between both north and south sections. Portions of the river are visible below the river in middle ground and mountains are apparent in background.
Near Eklutna Village, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 003
Alaska Road Commission
Men, "cats" and the construction derrick are placing falsework for the bridge north approach.
Several men, two cat tractors and the derrick are seen installing temporary "falsework" pilings and decking on the bridge north approach. Gravel riverbed forms the foreground with heavy forest in background.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 004
Alaska Road Commission
Falsework for the bridge north approach is being placed by several men using a cat tractor and derrick.
Three men are working on a cat tractor on the temporary approach deck to operate the derrick at left to drive "falsework" pilings. Two other men stand below on the riverbed. A pile of deck timbers is visible on the riverbed on the far side of the structure.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 007
Alaska Road Commission
Steel sheet pilings are being placed to begin construction of pier #1 at the north end of the steel bridge.
Image is of a steam powered derrick positioned on the north approach to the bridge where it is setting steel sheet pilings for construction of the concrete pier #1.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 008
Alaska Road Commission
Sheet pilings are being placed as footings for pier #1.
Image shows the steam-powered derrick setting steel sheet pilings to form footings for the concrete pier #1 at the north end of the steel bridge.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 009
Alaska Road Commission
Steel sheet piling is viewed close at hand being driven into the riverbed among wooden bridge support pilings.
Image is of steel sheet pilings being driven into the riverbed next to wooden pilings of the bridge. The view is from below standing on the riverbed. A cloud of steam is apparent escaping from the driving head.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 010
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver and crew are poised to continue driving "falsework" pilings into the riverbed.
Image shows the piledriver in position to continue driving "falsework" pilings into the riverbed below the water level. Seven men are visible on or near the machine. The boiler and engine are not yet enclosed. A skiff with outboard motor is at the shoreline at left with two of the men standing on shore nearby. River water is apparent in foreground and a portion of a forested mountain forms the near background.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 011
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver crew prepares to drive sheet pilings for pier #1.
Image is of the piledriver over the river gravel bar at the hole excavated in preparation to drive sheet pilings for footings of concrete pier #1. A pile of gravel from the hole is in foreground next to the bridge pilings supporting the machine. Two men are building the enclosure of the boiler and machine works at right. Two other men are visible at the derrick.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 012
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver continues to set "falsework" pilings in the river.
Image is an oblique view of the downstream side of the "falsework" in the river. The piledriver is visible on the falsework deck through a white cloud of steam. Logs to be used for pilings are apparent on the gravel bar in foreground. Two men are at left at the end of the logs. The river is apparent across the middle ground with the forested mountainside forming the close background.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 013
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver derrick collapsed while excavating.
Image is of the collapsed piledriver derrick that failed while excavating for pier footing construction. The derrick timbers are visible collapsed to the gravel below the deck with the guide wheel on the deck. The clamshell bucket is lying on the gravel below. Two men are visible inside the machinery house partly visible at upper left, two are on the deck near the steel guide wheel, and one is astraddle the broken beam below the wheel. Lumber and scattered boards are apparent in foreground.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 014
Alaska Road Commission
Men are repairing the collapsed derrick on the temporary bridge deck.
Four men in foreground are working on the collapsed derrick on the bridge deck. The steel wheel is prominent at left. Three other men are visible inside the machine shed beyond.
Near Palmer, Alaskaa
Bridge-Knik 015
Alaska Road Commission
Two men assess the damage to the collapsed derrick.
Two men assess the damage of the collapsed derrick from the "falsework" deck. The steel wheel is prominent as are the heavy deck beams in foreground. Two other men are visible at far right on the ground. Gravel of the river bar below the deck appears to be much disturbed by a cat tractor.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 017
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver excavates for the pier #2 footing.
Viewed from downriver, the piledriver is seen operating a clamshell bucket atop the "falsework" and is excavating a hole for concrete pier #2. Two men stand on the deck to the right watching the action. At left, men are visible working around the pier #1 location.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 018
Alaska Road Commission
The derrick excavates the hole for construction of pier #2.
Image is of the derrick excavating the hole for pier #2 as viewed from the gravel riverbed below. The derrick is using a clamshell bucket, seen ready to drop a load of gravel on the pile beside the pilings below. Two men are visible, one at ground level near the excavation and the other up on the deck at the derrick. The piledriver is visible on the deck behind the derrick. The expanse of river gravel in foreground holds scattered lumber, a gas barrel and logs.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 021
Alaska Road Commission
A crew with concrete-making equipment is pouring the footing for pier #1.
Image shows a crew and equipment on the bridge deck pouring the concrete footing for pier #1. The view is from ground level on the downriver side. A man on a cat tractor at left controls the cable that raises and lowers the concrete bucket seen at right. Behind the cat is a dump truck bringing, sand, gravel and bags of cement to the men and concrete mixer at center right. The mixed concrete is poured into the bucket and released down the tube to the target form.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 022
Alaska Road Commission
Men are adjusting the concrete bucket and tube for pouring the concrete footings of pier #1.
Image is of a crew on the temporary bridge setting up the concrete bucket and tube for pouring the footing for pier #1. The view is from ground level below the activity. Two men are on the deck while three others are on scaffolding below adjusting the bucket and tube. The concrete mixer is visible at upper left as well as the chute for carrying the concrete over to the bucket.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 023
Alaska Road Commission
The piledrive is ready to be moved along a road on "go-devil" sleds.
Image is an oblique view of the piledriver in middle ground preparing to be moved along a road by skidding it on "go-devil" sleds. Several short logs and small rustic tables are in foreground. At left is the driver "house" with a man standing in the rear opening. To the right is the derrick with two cat tractors farther to the right in front. A man is walking toward them. Heavy spruce forest forms the background beyond the road.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 024
Alaska Road Commission
Concrete is being poured to create pier #1.
Image shows a crew mixing and pouring concrete to form pier #1. The pier form is wrapped in canvas and a "heating unit" appears to be installed above to keep the concrete from freezing while it cures. Two trucks are on the deck delivering sand and gravel, sacks of cement are visible stacked on the deck and empty, discarded sacks are seen on the ground below. Gravel piles and logs are visible in foreground.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 025
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver drives bearing pilings to support pier #4.
Image is a side view from upstream showing the piledriver setting "bearing pilings" for the footing of pier #4. Three men are visible attending the pilings being driven and black smoke escapes the driver as it hammers the pilings down.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 026
Alaska Road Commission
A pile of sand and gravel aggregate awaits use in concrete work on the bridge.
Image shows a pile of sand and gravel, partially covered with a tarp, in middle ground on the gravel riverbed. Adjacent, to the left, are two steam heating unites apparently used to keep the aggregate pile from freezing. A covering of frost or light snow is over the foreground gravel and background trees.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 027
Alaska Road Commission
Aggregate is being kept warm and available for use in the concrete work on the bridge.
This view shows a power shovel at right poised at the edge of the aggregate pile, which has been opened and is steaming in the cold air. Material has obviously been previously removed. At left is the heating unit keeping the partially covered aggregate from freezing. A man is visible beside the heater and smoke rises from the stack. Light snow covers the ground.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 032
Alaska Road Commission
A dump truck hauls aggregate through overflow river water from the gravel pile to the bridge for mixing concrete.
Image is of a dump truck standing in ice-covered water with a load of gravel and a man visible in the bed. At right the pile of aggregate from which the truck is hauling is partially visible. The water is overflow from the river covering the gravel bar below the bridge where much of the staging work was taking place prior to the flooding.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 033
Alaska Road Commission
Trucks are hauling aggregate across river ice to the bridge site.
Image shows two dump trucks in middle ground on the river ice hauling sand and gravel to the bridge site. In background the bridge is visible with sections of the final steel structure under construction at left. Snow-covered mountains are in far background.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 034
Alaska Road Commission
Men are working to free a cat tractor from where it broke through overflow ice on the river below the Knik River bridge under construction.
Image shows two men working to free a cat tractor in foreground which has broken through overflow ice. Behind is a west side view of the north approach of the bridge and a portion of the falsework for the future steel bridge structure. A dump truck is visible atop the bridge at right.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 035
Alaska Road Commission
Men work to free a cat tractor from where it has broken through river ice.
Image shows four men in the foreground working to free a cat tractor from where it has broken through river ice in this view upstream from the bridge site. The cat is submerged to well over its tracks. Another tractor is visible on the ice beyond and a towing cable is faintly visible between the two vehicles. Several wooden planks lie on the ice at left. A crosscut saw is visible leaning on the sunken cat. Faint sections of gravel and forested riverbank are visible in background.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 040
Alaska Road Commission
Concrete is being mixed and poured into forms for bridge pier #5.
Image is on top of the bridge deck showing two trucks side by side, two small buildings, and a smokestack emitting dark smoke. The setting appears to be a temporary widening of the deck to accommodate the two trucks and building across its width. One truck is also elevated on a ramp. The smokestack is likely associated with heating and mixing the concrete. A light covering of snow is apparent.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 041
Alaska Road Commission
Image shows work near the south end of the bridge continuing at night.
Image is a winter night view from the future roadway at the south end of the bridge showing the down-stream side of the completed "Falsework". The derrick sits at the near end of the deck with work lights along the length of the bridge showing as bright starbursts. Snow is apparent and a tree trunk stands at left in foreground. Bodenburg Butte and Lazy Mountain are evident in background.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 046
Alaska Road Commission
Maen are preparing concrete and pouring it to form the south end bridge abutment.
Image shows a considerable amount of post, beam and lumber construction supporting a concrete making effort to pour the south bridge footing. A dump truck is on a raised platform at right in the process of dumping aggregate down to the concrete mixing machine at center. Several men are visible in this area. Two other men are seen at left. Part of wooden structure appears to be covered with canvas at left, apparently to contain heat in the concrete while it cures.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 062
Alaska Road Commission
Traffic was using the bridge prior to the official opening on September 4, 1936.
This image shows the completed approach to the Knik River bridge as seen from the upstream side. Foreground shows flood water with a bush, a stump, and part of a gravel pile showing above the water. The bridge approach crosses the image at middle ground with the gravel embanked section at right leading to the piling-supported open wooden section at left. A bus and a car are apparent on the gravel section proceeding north toward Palmer. The steep forested mountainside is in background with early morning sun highlighting rugged ridges and a valley slide path.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 065
Alaska Road Commission
Two men prepare to load rocks onto a dump truck in a rock quarry.
This image shows a Ford dump truck parked in a rock quarry while two men standing at the rear of the truck prepare to load rocks into it. Rocks of all sizes are scattered around in the photo with larger ones in place on the hill behind the truck. The apparent nature of the rock source suggest it may be the bottom of a landslide on the mountain near the bridge. The large rocks will be hauled to the Knik River bridge and placed to provide protection for the concrete bridge piers.
Knik River area near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 066
Alaska Road Commission
A boulder is being suspended by cables and chains for loading onto a truck.
This image shows a large boulder being lifted for loading onto the bed of a truck. A chain is visible around the rock and attached to an overhead pully on a suspended cable. The rear of the truck is apparent at left with the light-colored boulder suspended behind it. A long-handled hand shovel is visible at right with gravel and angular rock close in front and back of the truck. Broken tree limbs and debris on the rock pile in middle ground suggest this rock source is a landslide on Pioneer Peak near the Knik River bridge.
Knik River bridge near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 067
Alaska Road Commission
A large boulder is being loaded onto a truck for transport to the Knik bridge site.
This image is of a dump truck parked at the location of many large boulders and rocky debris. A large boulder, suspended from a cable, is being loaded onto the bed of the truck. Smaller fractured rock and woody debris is visible in foreground and heavy forest is on the steep slope closely behind the truck.
Knik Bridge near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 068
Alaska Road Commission
The driver of a dump truck appears ready to haul a load of large rocks.
This image is a near driver's side view of a Ford dump truck with boulders and large rocks in the bed. The door to the cab is removed and the driver is visible inside and appears ready to haul his load to the new Knik River bridge.
Knik River Bridge near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 069
Alaska Road Commission
A dump truck is dumping two boulders at the north bridge approach.
Despite the caption "Loading Rock", this image is in fact a ground-level view up to the deck of the north bridge approach showing a dump truck loaded with two large boulders in the process of tipping the dump bed to deposit the rocks onto the rock pile below. This shows the beginning of the rock fill portion of the north approach where it connected with the wooden bridge portion.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 072
Alaska Road Commission
Gravel is being loaded on dump trucks to be hauled to the bridge site or connecting roads.
Image shows a mechanical shovel and two dump trucks in foreground at a location on the river bar from which they are hauling gravel, likely for fill to finish the approaches to the bridge. Heavy forest is just beyond in middle ground and up the mountain slope in background.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 073
Alaska Road Commission
A cat tractor is spreading fill at the south approach to the bridge.
Image shows a cat tractor in foreground spreading rock fill at the base of a steep forested hill side at right. The caption indicates this activity is preparing the road connection and approach to the south end of the bridge.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 074
Alaska Road Commission
Armor rock is being loaded on a dump truck using a novel loading technique.
Image is of two men in center foreground loading rock into the bed of a dump truck. A crane, in near foreground, has lifted a heavy wooden platform topped with several medium-sized rocks as the men guide it over the truck bed. Previously the platform was set on the ground and loaded by hand with rocks from the pile partially visible at right. The platform was then lifted over the side of the truck bed as seen here. and lowered down to the sideboard. The platform is attached to the crane with permanent cables on the right side and removable chains on the left. When the platform is settled on the edge of the truck, the chains will be unhooked and the right-side cables will be lifted to tip the rocks off into the truck bed. An empty dump truck is visible further down the road at right.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 075
Alaska Road Commission
Armor rock is being loaded on a truck to be transferred to the bridge support piers.
Image is of armor rocks being loaded onto a dump truck by a crane partially visible at right foreground. The open truck bed is facing the camera at center and large angular rocks are being dumped into it from a wooden platform at right used by the crane to transport them from the ground. A man stands at left watching the action. The south approach and part of the steel bridge are visible at far left.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 076
Alaska Road Commission
Rock is being dumped from the bridge to be used as protection around one of the concrete piers below.
This image shows a dump truck in foreground, parked crosswise on the completed bridge, backed up to the upstream-side rail and, with its raised bed, dumping armor rock over the side.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 077
Alaska Road Commission
Armor rock is being dumped from the bridge to protect footings of one of the concrete piers below.
This is a vertical image taken from river-bed level showing a frozen pool and gravel in near foreground and one of the concrete piers with armor rock piled around and near the footing. Atop the pier a section of the bridge deck is visible with a dump truck poised between the girders to dump its load of rock over the side to add to the accumulation below. A man is visible standing next to the truck.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Matanuska 033
Alaska Road Commission
Loading the piledriver onto a rail flatcar.
Image shows the piledriver being loaded onto a rail flatcar following its use in constructing the Matanuska River bridge.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Matanuska 034
Alaska Road Commission
The piledriver is being moved near the rail line.
Image is of several men moving the piledriver used to construct the Matanuska River bridge.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Matanuska 035
Alaska Road Commission
Two cat tractors are sledding a large boiler along a snow-covered road.
Image shows two cat tractors in-line pulling a boiler on a sled along a snow-covered road. The boiler was apparently used in association with construction of the Matanuska River bridge.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Matanuska 036
Alaska Road Commission
Two in-line cat tractors are sledding a large boiler on a snow-covered road.
Image shows a man standing on the front of a large boiler as it pauses in being pulled by sled with two cat tractors on a snow-covered road. The boiler was apparently associated with construction of the Matanuska River bridge.
Near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Miscellaneous 005
Alaska Road Commission
Men are preparing to use the derrick to place heavy beams and planks on the installed piles and cross beams over Ship Creek.
This ground-level oblique view of the up-stream side of Ship Creek bridge under construction shows the pilings, bracing and cross beams in place across the fast- flowing stream. The derrick, or "traveler", sits on the cross beams in foreground ready to place additional heavy beams and planks. Two men are visible working on the deck while a third man works under the derrick in front of the engine that powers the machine. A truck and cat tractor are visible at far right. A thin forest of cottonwood and spruce trees form the middle ground backdrop.
Anchorage, Alaska
Buses 1
Hewitts Photo Shop
Eight buses of the Palmer school bus fleet are parked in a row in front of the Co-op creamery in Palmer.
Image is of the Palmer school bus fleet of eight buses parked in front of the creamery building across the street from the Palmer school. Part of the creamery building, the post office and the powerhouse smoke stack are visible behind. Two men stand near the far bus and children are visible in the near bus.
Palmer, Alaska
Calvin Culp 1
Unknown
Calvin Culp, dressed in his work coveralls, stands behind the Co-op blacksmith shop where farm machinery is stored.
A man, identified as Calvin Culp, dressed in work coveralls, stands in front of a buck rake with a portion of a building and smokestack behind.
Palmer, Alaska
Carnival 1
Unknown
“Miss Matanuska”, Virginia Berg, on a parade float at the Fairbanks Winter Carnival
Image is of a parade float at the 1937 Fairbanks Winter Carnival. Children are walking in the foreground, several women are riding on the float, several automobiles are evident, flags are flying and the Fairview Hotel is identified. Miss Virginia Berg of Palmer is riding on the float as the “Miss Matanuska” entry in the festival Queen contest, seated in the center front.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Carpentry Shop 1
Hewitts Photo Shop
Some of the tools in the carpentry shop await the builders of the colony buildings
Image shows some of the tools in the carpentry shop used by builders of the colony buildings
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 10
Hewitts Photo Shop
Young "Colony Kid" Darlene Higginbotham waits with the busses for the 1936 4th-of-July parade in Palmer to begin.
A young girl, identified as Darlene Higginbotham, waits with the parked busses in front of the creamery for the Palmer 4th-of-July parade to begin.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 11
Hewitts Photo Shop
A crown is gathering near the speakers platform on the quad as two parade floats arrive
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.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 13
Hewitts Photo Shop
A crowd gathers at the speaker's platform on the quad during 4th-of-July celebrations in Palmer.
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.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 16
Hewitts Photo Shop
People are gathered at a booth advertising "KING DODO" at the corner of what are now Evergreen Ave. and Alaska Street in Palmer during the 4th-of-July celebration in 1936. Several buildings are evident and people and cars are on the street.
People are gathering at the corner of what is now Alaska Street and Evergreen Ave. in Palmer during the 1936 Fourth-of-July celebration. Some people are walking on the gravel streets, a decorated car is on Alaska Street in front of the buildings. Many of the people appear to be watching some activity in a booth with a sign advertising "KING DODO" at the north end of the building along Evergreen Ave. A water tower structure is evident behind the corner building.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 25
Unknown
A band marches up "Market Street" between parked cars on both sides of the street and pased the Creamery in Palmer.
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.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 28
Hewitts Photo Shop
Koslosky's store float participates in the Palmer 4th-of-July parade.
This image is of a 4th-of-July parade float consisting of a small flat-bed truck decked out with bunting and with five children visible on the back bed, two of whom are young maidens in bathing suits holding American flags. A banner arching overhead says "KOSLOSKY'S". Two unidentified people are in the truck cab.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 4
Hewitts Photo Shop
Four men ride on the back of a decorated truck while they play musical instruments, including a tuba, trombone, accordion and drum set, as a float in Palmer's Fourth-of-July parade.
Four men sit on the decorated bed of a truck playing various musical instruments as a float in Palmer's 1936 Fourth-of-July parade.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 5
Hewitts Photo Shop
A decorated pick up truck, with three people in the back and one on the running board, serves as a float in Palmer's 1936 Fourth-of-July parade.
A pickup truck, decorated with bunting as an entry in Palmer's 1936 Fourth-of-July parade, has three people riding in the bed and a young boy riding on the running board. One man in the back is holding a surveyor's stadia rod while the other two are wrapped in a costume. Flags are visible beyond the hood of the truck
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 6
Hewitts Photo Shop
A pick up truck, festooned with bunting, carries the pretty "Matanuska Maid" in the 1936 Fourth-of-July parade in Palmer, Alaska.
A pick up truck, decorated with bunting, holds a throne-like chair in back upon which is seated a pretty young girl. A sign over her head says "Matanuska Maid". Two people are evident in the cab of this float in Palmer's 1936 Fourth-of-July parade.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 7
Hewitts Photo Shop
A pick up truck, wrapped in ribbon, carries a young girl on a throne-like chair as a float in the 1936 Fourth-of-July parade in Palmer.
A pick up truck, wrapped in bunting, carries a young girl seated on a throne-like chair in the back. Two people are visible in the cab, one, a young boy at the wheel guiding this float in the 1936 Fourth-of-July parade in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 8
Hewitts Photo Shop
A decorated late model care, followed by a bus, is float in a Fourth-of-July parade in Palmer.
A late model car, festooned with flags and ribbon and followed by a bus, takes its place in Palmer's 1936 Fourth-of-July parade. A member of the local fire department is apparent on the sideline along with other men.
Palmer, Alaska
Celebration 9
Hewitts Photo Shop
A girl in a clown suit and holding an American flag, gets ready to join the 1936 4th-of-July parade in Palmer.
A young girl dressed in a simple clown suit and holding a small American flag, stands ready to join the Fourth-of-July parade in Palmer. A pickup truck is partially visible behind.
Palmer, Alaska
Changing a Flat Tire
Louis Odsather
Changing a Flat Car Tire
Image shows a man squatting beside the rear wheel of an old car while three young men look on. Two of the men lean on a wood beam as a lever to raise the car so the tire can be changed. A spare tire is attached to the back of the car. Part of a wooden building and two tents and another small building are visible behind the car with trees beyond. The man in the light sweater is identified as Louis Odsather.
Palmer, Alaska
Classy Car
Unknown
Nick Nichols Poses in a Classy Car
Image is of Nick Nichols posing in a “Classy Car”. Contemporary photos in our collection support the assumption that this photo was made on a group outing to the Goose Bay area, and the car may have belonged to Grace Bagoy of Anchorage.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Co-op Creamery 2
Unknown
Matanuska Valley Co-op Creamery Building with ARRC Car in front and Water Tower behind.
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.
Palmer, Alaska
Co-op Creamery 3
Unknown
Matanuska Valley Co-op Creamery Building
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.
Palmer, Alaska
Co-op Creamery 4
Unknown
A man in police or army uniform stands at the open door of the Co-op Creamery loading dock apparently talking with someone inside.
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.
Palmer, Alaska
Co-op Garage 1
Louis Odsather
Community Center Garage & Automobiles, Building
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.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
