Howard Doster was an army photographer stationed at Fort Richardson near Anchorage in 1945. He made at least two trips up to the Matanuska Valley where he photographed the natural environment, scenes of Palmer, local farmsteads, the Experiment Farm and Independence Mine buildings. This photo collection of 64 images given to the Museum by his family also documents activities of an army search and rescue group in winter training.
"Eklutna Lake Dam"
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Dam
Image shows the lower side of Eklutna Lake Dam spillway with numerous wooden pilings standing in water in the foreground and mountains beyond. Water flowing through the spillway is evident providing the standing water in foreground. Head gate controls on the spillway are evident and numerous pilings exhibit metal bars protruding from their tops. Early season snow is evident on mountain tops.
Eklutna Lake between Palmer & Anchorage, Alaska
"Eklutna Lake Dam" 2
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Dam
Image shows the lower side of Eklutna Lake Dam with the lake and mountains beyond. The spillway is evident with water flowing into the outlet river. A wooden pole tower is visible at the right extent of the dam near a small shed. A second horizontal structure on pilings is visible in the lake behind the dam.
Eklutna Lake between Palmer & Anchorage, Alaska
Colony Farm 13
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Farm
Image shows a Colony log house and typical Colony barn, a cow in foreground behind a barbed wire fence, two cars next to the house, trees and Pioneer Peak in background.
Matanuska Valley South of Palmer, Alaska
Colony Farm 17
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Matanuska Colony Farmstead
Image is of a log house in the middle ground with a typical Colony barn partially visible behind. In foreground is a fence with a log arch and rails adjacent to a gravel road. Bodenburg Butte is visible in the background as is Pioneer Peak with adjacent clouds.
On Springer Road System South of Palmer, Alaska
Farm 3
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Farm
Image shows an early fall scene of a field of several rows of potatoes with grain field beside it. Some of the grain had been cut, bundled and shocked. Buildings are visible at the far end of the field with dense forest surrounding all. High mountains are in background with early snow on top and white clouds above.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Mine 1, Independence
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Mine
Image is a major portion of the large print showing tailing dumps, buildings, covered stairways and corridors, and other structures on the Independence Gold Mine facility as it appeared in 1945.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 2, Independence
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Mine
Image is a major portion of the larger print showing tailing dumps, buildings, covered stairways and corridors, and other structures of the Independence Gold Mine facility in its rugged mountainous environment as it appeared in 1945.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Palmer View From Bugge's Hill 1
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Palmer
Image is an easterly view of a gravel road in foreground, identified as the Palmer-Wasilla Road, beside an open field and buildings on the left, identified as John Bugge's homestead. Buildings of the town of Palmer are evident in middle ground with many identifiable, including the water tower. Snow-capped mountains are in background with clouds above.
Palmer, Alaska
