Alaska Road Commission

Cookman Collection

February 1936

This winter image shows the process of "corduroying" the road; laying down a mat of spruce trees and boughs over wet muskeg in order to support the gravel road surface. The easterly view appears to be on the Eklutna Flats near the village of Eklutna. Location of "Reed" referenced in the caption is unidentified but may have been a section house on the nearby railroad. Three men are seen working on the corduroy section with two others at near left by a partially visible cat tractor. In middle ground, a dump truck loaded with gravel is parked near a smoking bonfire at left and another vehicle is visible at center apparently parked on the end of the gravel road section on the other side of the muskeg. The lower portion of a sparsely forested mountain is obvious in background at right and a Butte is vaguely visible in background at left. Snow is present overall with vegetation showing through.

Near Eklutna, Alaska

Black & White Paper Print, 3-1/4" x 5-3/4"

Road-75L#15x-Coo