Creator
Unknown Soldier
Time Period
1942
Entries
19

Alcan Highway Collection

Richard Estelle
Palmer Museum of History and Art
Open Finding Aid
About the​​​ 
Alcan Highway Collection

The Alcan Highway Collection is composed of 24 black & white 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" negatives. We know little about this collection as the negatives were reportedly found and given to the Museum by an unidentified donor with no knowledge of their content. The only information we have about them comes from what can be read or inferred from the images themselves. Signs in the photos indicate they were taken by a U.S. Soldier associated with construction of the Alcan Highway through Canada to Alaska, likely on the 360-mile portion of the road from Fort St. John to Fort Nelson in British Columbia. Location of one photo is identified as Charlie Lake northwest of Fort St. John. Summer images appear to be of construction activities while the winter images may be associated with winter encampment after initial construction was complete. Construction of the 1,700-mile military highway, extending from Dawson Creek, B.C. to Delta Junction, Alaska began March 8, 1942 and was completed October 28, 1942. Its purpose was to provide overland access to Alaska in response to the Japanese invasion there. The road was opened to civilian traffic in 1948. While some may wonder about the relevance of these particular historical photos to the goals of our Museum collection, there is little question about the impact the Alcan Highway has had on our region of Alaska. With its ultimate connection to the Glenn Highway, which runs directly through Palmer, it has supported a military presence but also the importation of all manner of material into the Valley as well as provided a route for residents to access Canada and the States as well.

Image is a summer view of a soldier standing beside a wooden sign proclaiming the location of the beginning of construction of a section of the Alcan Highway.  A smaller sign to the right shows 0.0, assumed to be the beginning mileage.
Image is of a Caterpillar tractor, apparently mired in mud as it was clearing evergreen trees from the highway right-of-way.  Heavy spruce forest is behind the tractor and the forest continues over hills in the background.
Several U.S. Soldiers look on as a Cat tractor pulls a large earth-moving machine along a pioneer dirt road.  The large tires on the machine are prominent.  The road surface appears muddy.  Heavy spruce forest at the edge of the road forms the background.
A large earth mover, or "scraper", lies tipped on its side in the ditch during early construction of the Alcan Highway.  A Cat tractor is attached in front, two soldiers are evident looking on, and an Army truck is visible on the pioneer road in middle ground.  Heavy spruce forest is obvious on both sides of the road and on a hill in background.
A large earth-moving machine lies tipped on its side in the ditch during early construction of the Alcan Highway.  A cat tractor is attached to it by a cable and a soldier looks on.
Photo is a near image of the front of an Army truck with an open stake bed behind  with two soldiers standing in it.  Heavy forest of tall spruce trees is in foreground on both sides and in back.
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.
A temporary Army bridge on pontoon boats across a body of water is viewed from a hill up above.  The cleared road right-of- way is visible on the far side.  Spruce trees are silhouetted in foreground and heavy broadleaf forest covers the hills in middle and background.
Four U.S. Soldiers associated with construction of the Alcan Highway take a break beside the right-of-way clearing.  Slashed trees and root wads are behind them with standing spruce trees beyond.
U.S. Soldiers pose in front of a log trappers cabin located among large evergreen trees close at hand.  The sod-roofed cabin is brightly sunlit within the shadowed forest.
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.
Two U.S. Soldiers, assumed to be associated with the Alcan Highway construction, stand in front of the Pomeroy Hotel in Fort St. John, BC, Canada.  One man is dressed in his dress uniform and holding a small travel bag and is assumed to be leaving or has just arrived.  Other two-story buildings are near the hotel.  Three trucks are parked in front of the hotel and several men are standing near the hotel entrance.
A summer view of a U.S. Soldier standing behind a sign next to a road at left seen disappearing into the forest in background.  Lettering on the sign reads," CANADIAN-ALASKAN, MILITARY HIGHWAY, FORT NELSON 360 MILES".  This sign stands in approximately the same location as another sign seen in a different photo in the collection indicating the start of construction on the Ft. St. James to Ft. St. John section of the Alcan Highway.
A winter scene of a soldier standing in the snow next to a sign stating "ALCAN HIGHWAY, STOP, CONTROL STATION, MILE 53".  It's assumed this is early winter somewhere north of Fort St. John, Canada.
A winter scene with a soldier standing in the middle of a wide, plowed highway.  Snow-covered broadleaf trees line both sides of the road and dominate a low hill that forms the backdrop.  Obviously not part of the recent Alcan construction, it is possibly the established Richardson Highway near where the completed Alcan joins at Delta Junction.
A winter scene of a soldier standing in front of a Quonset hut with a sign on it saying: "MAIL TODAY, CO. B-P.X., HOURS, 7:30 to 8 am, 12 to 1pm, 5 to 10pm, by ORDER OF COMMANDING OFFICER".  The soldier has packages in his arm.  Snow covers the ground and another building is visible at right and spruce trees form the backdrop.  This may be part of the winter quarters of the shoulders who built and maintained a portion of the Alcan.
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.
A winter view of several soldiers working on a sawmill with one man walking toward the camera, two men at right handling boards and others visible in the shed beyond.  Slabs from the logs are visible piled at left.  Snow-covered trees form the backdrop.  It is assumed this is part of the winter quarters of the Army unit associated with construction & maintenance of the Alcan Highway.
Winter view with snow covering several trucks and a cat tractor in a lot next to a small building with snow-covered trees behind.
No items found.
No items found.
Image is a summer view of a soldier standing beside a wooden sign proclaiming the location of the beginning of construction of a section of the Alcan Highway.  A smaller sign to the right shows 0.0, assumed to be the beginning mileage.
Title

Alcan 001

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A soldier poses next to a sign at the beginning of construction of a section of the Alcan highway.

Description

Image is a summer view of a soldier standing beside a wooden sign proclaiming the location of the beginning of construction of a section of the Alcan Highway. A smaller sign to the right shows 0.0, assumed to be the beginning mileage.

Location

B.C. Canada

Image is of a Caterpillar tractor, apparently mired in mud as it was clearing evergreen trees from the highway right-of-way.  Heavy spruce forest is behind the tractor and the forest continues over hills in the background.
Title

Alcan 002

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A Caterpillar tractor is stopped in its activity of clearing the heavy spruce forest for construction of the Alcan Highwat through Canada. The operator is not in sight, the tracks are clogged with mud, and the tractor may well be stuck.

Description

Image is of a Caterpillar tractor, apparently mired in mud as it was clearing evergreen trees from the highway right-of-way. Heavy spruce forest is behind the tractor and the forest continues over hills in the background.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

Several U.S. Soldiers look on as a Cat tractor pulls a large earth-moving machine along a pioneer dirt road.  The large tires on the machine are prominent.  The road surface appears muddy.  Heavy spruce forest at the edge of the road forms the background.
Title

Alcan 003

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A Cat tractor pulls a large earth-moving machine, sometimes called a "Scraper", along a dirt pioneer roadway. Several soldiers look on.

Description

Several U.S. Soldiers look on as a Cat tractor pulls a large earth-moving machine along a pioneer dirt road. The large tires on the machine are prominent. The road surface appears muddy. Heavy spruce forest at the edge of the road forms the background.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

A large earth mover, or "scraper", lies tipped on its side in the ditch during early construction of the Alcan Highway.  A Cat tractor is attached in front, two soldiers are evident looking on, and an Army truck is visible on the pioneer road in middle ground.  Heavy spruce forest is obvious on both sides of the road and on a hill in background.
Title

Alcan 004

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Soldiers consider their next move as a large earth moving machine lies tipped on its side in the ditch during construction of the Alcan Highway through Canadian wilderness.

Description

A large earth mover, or "scraper", lies tipped on its side in the ditch during early construction of the Alcan Highway. A Cat tractor is attached in front, two soldiers are evident looking on, and an Army truck is visible on the pioneer road in middle ground. Heavy spruce forest is obvious on both sides of the road and on a hill in background.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

A large earth-moving machine lies tipped on its side in the ditch during early construction of the Alcan Highway.  A cat tractor is attached to it by a cable and a soldier looks on.
Title

Alcan 005

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A large earth-moving machine is tipped on its side at the edge of the road under construction. A cat tractor that was pulling the machine sits idle while a soldier looks on.

Description

A large earth-moving machine lies tipped on its side in the ditch during early construction of the Alcan Highway. A cat tractor is attached to it by a cable and a soldier looks on.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

Photo is a near image of the front of an Army truck with an open stake bed behind  with two soldiers standing in it.  Heavy forest of tall spruce trees is in foreground on both sides and in back.
Title

Alcan 006

Creator

Unknown

Subject

An Army truck, probably used to haul men and material along the developing Alcan Highway, is seen on a section of the road through heavy spruce forest with two soldiers in back.

Description

Photo is a near image of the front of an Army truck with an open stake bed behind with two soldiers standing in it. Heavy forest of tall spruce trees is in foreground on both sides and in back.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

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.
Title

Alcan 007

Creator

Unknown

Subject

U.S. soldiers with an army truck are stopped at the general store in Charlie Lake, B.C. during construction of the Alcan Highway.

Description

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.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

A temporary Army bridge on pontoon boats across a body of water is viewed from a hill up above.  The cleared road right-of- way is visible on the far side.  Spruce trees are silhouetted in foreground and heavy broadleaf forest covers the hills in middle and background.
Title

Alcan 008

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A temporary bridge on pontoon boats across a body of water is viewed from the hill above the road.

Description

A temporary Army bridge on pontoon boats across a body of water is viewed from a hill up above. The cleared road right-of- way is visible on the far side. Spruce trees are silhouetted in foreground and heavy broadleaf forest covers the hills in middle and background.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

Four U.S. Soldiers associated with construction of the Alcan Highway take a break beside the right-of-way clearing.  Slashed trees and root wads are behind them with standing spruce trees beyond.
Title

Alcan 009

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Soldiers take a break from work on the Alcan Highway construction.

Description

Four U.S. Soldiers associated with construction of the Alcan Highway take a break beside the right-of-way clearing. Slashed trees and root wads are behind them with standing spruce trees beyond.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

U.S. Soldiers pose in front of a log trappers cabin located among large evergreen trees close at hand.  The sod-roofed cabin is brightly sunlit within the shadowed forest.
Title

Alcan 010

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Soldiers take a break in front of a log trappers cabin.

Description

U.S. Soldiers pose in front of a log trappers cabin located among large evergreen trees close at hand. The sod-roofed cabin is brightly sunlit within the shadowed forest.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

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.
Title

Alcan 011

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A soldier, assumed to be associated with the Alcan Highway construction, lounges on a Canadian car.

Description

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.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

Two U.S. Soldiers, assumed to be associated with the Alcan Highway construction, stand in front of the Pomeroy Hotel in Fort St. John, BC, Canada.  One man is dressed in his dress uniform and holding a small travel bag and is assumed to be leaving or has just arrived.  Other two-story buildings are near the hotel.  Three trucks are parked in front of the hotel and several men are standing near the hotel entrance.
Title

Alcan 012

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Two soldiers stand in front of the Pomeroy Hotel. One is dressed in his dress uniform and holding a small travel bag and may be waiting for a ride to leave.

Description

Two U.S. Soldiers, assumed to be associated with the Alcan Highway construction, stand in front of the Pomeroy Hotel in Fort St. John, BC, Canada. One man is dressed in his dress uniform and holding a small travel bag and is assumed to be leaving or has just arrived. Other two-story buildings are near the hotel. Three trucks are parked in front of the hotel and several men are standing near the hotel entrance.

Location

St. John, BC, Canada

A summer view of a U.S. Soldier standing behind a sign next to a road at left seen disappearing into the forest in background.  Lettering on the sign reads," CANADIAN-ALASKAN, MILITARY HIGHWAY, FORT NELSON 360 MILES".  This sign stands in approximately the same location as another sign seen in a different photo in the collection indicating the start of construction on the Ft. St. James to Ft. St. John section of the Alcan Highway.
Title

Alcan 013

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A U.S. Soldier stands behind a sign indicating the section of the Alcan Highway to Fort St. John is apparently completed.

Description

A summer view of a U.S. Soldier standing behind a sign next to a road at left seen disappearing into the forest in background. Lettering on the sign reads," CANADIAN-ALASKAN, MILITARY HIGHWAY, FORT NELSON 360 MILES". This sign stands in approximately the same location as another sign seen in a different photo in the collection indicating the start of construction on the Ft. St. James to Ft. St. John section of the Alcan Highway.

Location

British Columbia, Canada

A winter scene of a soldier standing in the snow next to a sign stating "ALCAN HIGHWAY, STOP, CONTROL STATION, MILE 53".  It's assumed this is early winter somewhere north of Fort St. John, Canada.
Title

Alcan 014

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A soldier is standing in the snow next to a traffic control station on the Alcan Highway.

Description

A winter scene of a soldier standing in the snow next to a sign stating "ALCAN HIGHWAY, STOP, CONTROL STATION, MILE 53". It's assumed this is early winter somewhere north of Fort St. John, Canada.

Location

B.C., Canada

A winter scene with a soldier standing in the middle of a wide, plowed highway.  Snow-covered broadleaf trees line both sides of the road and dominate a low hill that forms the backdrop.  Obviously not part of the recent Alcan construction, it is possibly the established Richardson Highway near where the completed Alcan joins at Delta Junction.
Title

Alcan 015

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A soldier stands on a wide highway, possibly the Richardson Highway near the north end of the Alcan.

Description

A winter scene with a soldier standing in the middle of a wide, plowed highway. Snow-covered broadleaf trees line both sides of the road and dominate a low hill that forms the backdrop. Obviously not part of the recent Alcan construction, it is possibly the established Richardson Highway near where the completed Alcan joins at Delta Junction.

Location

Unknown

A winter scene of a soldier standing in front of a Quonset hut with a sign on it saying: "MAIL TODAY, CO. B-P.X., HOURS, 7:30 to 8 am, 12 to 1pm, 5 to 10pm, by ORDER OF COMMANDING OFFICER".  The soldier has packages in his arm.  Snow covers the ground and another building is visible at right and spruce trees form the backdrop.  This may be part of the winter quarters of the shoulders who built and maintained a portion of the Alcan.
Title

Alcan 016

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A soldier stands in front of the winter quarters PX with his recent purchases and mail.

Description

A winter scene of a soldier standing in front of a Quonset hut with a sign on it saying: "MAIL TODAY, CO. B-P.X., HOURS, 7:30 to 8 am, 12 to 1pm, 5 to 10pm, by ORDER OF COMMANDING OFFICER". The soldier has packages in his arm. Snow covers the ground and another building is visible at right and spruce trees form the backdrop. This may be part of the winter quarters of the shoulders who built and maintained a portion of the Alcan.

Location

Unknown

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.
Title

Alcan 017

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A soldier stands beside an Army truck next to a Quonset Hut identified by a sign as the DISPATCHER OFFICE in this winter scene.

Description

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.

Location

Unknown

A winter view of several soldiers working on a sawmill with one man walking toward the camera, two men at right handling boards and others visible in the shed beyond.  Slabs from the logs are visible piled at left.  Snow-covered trees form the backdrop.  It is assumed this is part of the winter quarters of the Army unit associated with construction & maintenance of the Alcan Highway.
Title

Alcan 018

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Soldiers are working in a sawmill sawing lumber.

Description

A winter view of several soldiers working on a sawmill with one man walking toward the camera, two men at right handling boards and others visible in the shed beyond. Slabs from the logs are visible piled at left. Snow-covered trees form the backdrop. It is assumed this is part of the winter quarters of the Army unit associated with construction & maintenance of the Alcan Highway.

Location

Unknown

Winter view with snow covering several trucks and a cat tractor in a lot next to a small building with snow-covered trees behind.
Title

Alcan 019

Creator

Unknown

Subject

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.

Description

Winter view with snow covering several trucks and a cat tractor in a lot next to a small building with snow-covered trees behind.

Location

Unknown

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