Louis Odsather came to the Matanuska Colony project soon after the Colonists arrived at Palmer. He became the manager of the community Trading Post and was very active in the social life among the single corporation employees, teachers, nurses and others. The Odsather collection contains almost 500 images Louis recorded, with emphasis on the people of the area during those first five years of the Colony activity.
"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
"Lucky Shot" Mine
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of large buildings in a summer alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with mountains in background. An ARRC bus is in foreground with people standing in front and others visible inside.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Aerial Tram
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a building in a summer setting, identified as part of the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with a large collection of steel barrels and lumber in the foreground, wires and an aerial tram car overhead, and mountains in background.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Alpine View
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of buildings in an alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with power poles, electric lines, and a roadway in the foreground. Alpine vegetation is visible in foreground and rounded mountains in background.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Buildings
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a rugged mountainside with large tailing piles spilling down and buildings, covered stairways and tramways adjacent. Identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, (Upper Lucky Shot above and Lower Lucky Shot below). A wooden tower and power poles are visible, and alpine vegetation is in foreground.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Buildings 2
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of buildings in a summer alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with mountains in background.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Buildings 3
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of buildings in an alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with mountains in background. A bus (probably an ARRC bus) and an automobile are visible near the buildings.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine from a Distance
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows an alpine valley a with a rugged mountainside and large tailing piles spilling down its side. Buildings are visible above the tailings and in the valley below. Identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, (Upper Lucky Shot above and Lower Lucky Shot below). Alpine vegetation is in foreground.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, 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
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
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
Card Game 1
Louis Odsather
Four Men Playing Cards
Image shows four men, identified from left as, unidentified, Norbert Nathe, Louis Odsather, and Cliff Lillethun, playing cards at a table covered with an Indian blanket. The men were employees of the ARRC. The home is identified as that of "Nick" and Fran Nichols in Palmer, also ARRC employees.
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
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
Colonist's Cows Arrive 1
Louis Odsather
Unloading Cows from the Train
Image is a view from atop a rail car and shows a group of men standing in the street, with their waiting trucks, as cows descend a chute from a railroad car. Three trucks with stock racks are in view, as is a pickup truck. Railroad depot buildings, the Post Office and a log storage building are visible beyond.
Palmer, Alaska
Colonist's Cows Arrive 2
Louis Odsather
Unloading Cows from the Train
Image is a view from atop a rail car and shows a group of men standing in the street with their trucks, waiting for cows to descend a chute from a railroad car. Two trucks with stock racks are in view, as is a pickup truck. A two-horse team and wagon are across the street, as is one cow and a boy with a bicycle. The Post Office and a log storage building are visible beyond with a clearing and forest in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Colony Kids 1
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a group of children gathered around a game of marbles in the dirt street between Colony tents. Another child stands at the entry to one of the tents. A rail car is visible on the tracks in the background with forest beyond, This appears to be in the original "Tent City" or Camp #1 in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Colony Warehouse & Powerhouse
Louis Odsather
Building, Railroad Tracks
Image shows railroad tracks leading to the northwest aspects of the Powerhouse and the Warehouse. A fuel tank stands next to the tracks. Lumber, poles and gravel are piled on the right-of-way. Trees frame the clearing and mountains are visible in background.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
Commissary Delivery Truck Driver
Louis Odsather
Commissary Truck & Driver
Image shows a man, identified as Bill Curtis, standing beside what is identified as the delivery truck for the Colony Commissary. An unidentified woman looks through the far window of the truck. Another woman is seen walking away to the right. The truck is parked in front of the Commissary building in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Corporation Men
Louis Odsather
Men
Image shows four men, identified from left as Harry Fredrickson, Willie (Bill) Odsather, and Louis Odsather. The men were employees of the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation which managed the Matanuska Colony Project. They are standing in front of a train engine and parked trucks, probably in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Dinner with the Reitans
Louis Odsather
Colonist Family Dinner
Image shows three men at the dinner table with the Colonist Reitan family, presumably in the Reitan home. Individuals are identified from left as Bill odsather, Alice Reitan, Reitan Daughter, Bernard Reitan, Deana Reitan, Louis Odsather, unidentified.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Eugene Carr's Car
Louis Odsather
Automobile, People
Image shows a four-door sedan with a male driver visible. The driver is identified as Eugene Carr, ARRC Supply Purchasing Agent, per identifying note on a similar photo in the Nichols Collection. Another person is slightly visible in the passenger seat. Tents are visible behind the car with forest beyond.
Palmer, Alaska
Fishermen 1
Louis Odsather
Fishing
Image shows two men, identified asLouis Odsather and "Nick" Nichols, standing in the water of Cottonwood Creek, each holding a long-handled dip net with a salmon in it. Lilly pad plants are seen in foreground with meadow vegetation and trees on the far side of the creek.
Cottonwood Creek, Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Fishermen 2
Louis Odsather
Fishing
Image shows two men, identified as Louis Odsather and Mac McHenry, dip netting at Cottonwood Creek. Louis Odsather is standing in the water of Cottonwood Creek in his shorts holding up a salmon in one hand and supporting a pole-and-chicken-wire dip net with a salmon in it. "Mac" McHenry is seated on the stream bank with one hand supporting the dip net basket. Lilly pad plants and logs are seen in foreground with meadow vegetation and trees on the far side of the creek.
Cottonwood Creek, Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Fishermen 3
Louis Odsather
Fishing
Image shows two men, identified as Nick Nichols and Mac McHenry, Dip netting in Cottonwood Creek. "Nick" Nichols is standing in the water of Cottonwood Creek in his shorts holding up a salmon in one hand and supporting a pole-and-chicken-wire dip net with a salmon in it. "Mac" McHenry is seated on the stream bank with one hand supporting the dip net basket. Lilly pad plants and logs are seen in foreground with meadow vegetation and trees on the far side of the creek.
Cottonwood Creek, Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Fishermen 4
Louis Odsather
Fishing
Image shows three men, identified as "Mac" McHenry, "Nick" Nichols and Louis Odsather, standing behind a wooden rail from which hang three strings of salmon. Directly behind them can be seen a cleaning table and Cottonwood Creek, with meadow vegetation and trees behind.
Cottonwood Creek, Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Fishermen 5
Louis Odsather
Fishing
Image shows four people standing on the bank of Cottonwood Creek facing the camera and one man seated facing away. Standing on the left is Louis Odsather holding a string of Salmon. Next is a young native girl identified as Myrtle McNeil. Next is "Mac" McHenry holding a string of salmon, and to his left is an unidentified older native woman. A native man sits on a wooden keg at the right of the photo. A fish cleaning table and wooden pole racks are nearby. Cottonwood Creek is evident behind the people with meadow vegetation and trees on the far side of the creek and mountains in the far background.
Cottonwood Creek, Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Fishhook Inn 1
Louis Odsather
Fishhook Inn
Image shows the end view of a large two story wooden building with peaked roof and smaller shed roofed building adjacent. A bus is parked adjacent to the large building. Mountains are evident in the near background.
On Fishhook Road in Hatcher Pass area of Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Girl & Pet Bear
Louis Odsather
A girl feeding her pet black bear cub
Image depicts a young girl in a white dress hand feeding a small black bear cub. Bear is tethered by a chain and collar. Girl is identified as Deana Reitan, daughter of Bernard & Alice Reitan, Matanuska Colonists from Wisconsin.
Palmer, Alaska
Gravel Excavation Equipment
Hewitt's Photo Shop, Anchorage, Alaska
Automobiles
Image shows a power shovel excavating gravel from within a gravel pit. An empty dump truck is parked next to the shovel. A man stands next to the power shovel and another man can be seen in the cab operating the machine. Sand and gravel seams are visible in the pit bank behind the equipment and forest trees are beyond the pit. Hewitt's inscription is visible on the front of the image.
Matanuska Valley near Palmer, Alaska
Homesteader and visitor
Louis Odsather
Homesteader
Image shows two men, identified from left as "Mac" McHenry and Louis Odsather, standing in front of Mac's homestead cabin. Mac's homestead was south of Wasilla in vicinity of Fairview Loop. Louis Odsather was Trading Post manager for the ARRC.
Near Wasilla, Alaska
Homesteader at His Well
Louis Odsather
Ty Wilson, Homesteader
Image shows a man, identified as homesteader Ty Wilson, standing by his well. His log cabin is behind him with trees beyond. A small dog is nearby. Wilson's homestead was on Fairview Loop south of Wasilla.
Fairview Loop Road near Wasilla, Alaska
Homesteaders & Friends 2
Louis Odsather
People by a Cabin
Image shows four men and a woman, identified from left as Louis Odsather, Mac McHenry, Nick Nichols, Ty Wilson, and Ann Wilson. They are standing in front of Wilson's homestead cabin.
On Fairview Loop South of Wasilla, Alaska
Homesteaders 1
Louis Odsather
Three People and Homestead Cabin
Image shows a man and two women, identified from left as Myrtle McNeil, Earl (Mac) McHenry, and Ann Wilson. They are standing in front of the Wilson homestead cabin. The women hold jars of preserves. A rain trough and water barrel are visible by the front door. The Wilson and McHenry homesteads were located nearby in the Fairview area south of Wasilla.
South of Wasilla, Alaska
Knik River Bridge
Louis Odsather
Automobile and People at Kink River Bridge
Image shows a four-door sedan parked on the gravel roadside with two men standing nearby. The new bridge over Knik River is prominent behind them. A portion of Bodenburg Butte is visible in the background.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Making Ice Cream at the Puhl Home
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a man, identified as Norbert Nathe, sitting in a fancy wood chair and turning the handle of an ice cream churn while two children, identified as Lloyd Puhl holding a broom, and Ray Puhl looking on and assisting. They are at the front of the Puhl's house. A tent is visible in background.
Tract #99 North of Palmer, Alaska
McHenry's Homestead
Louis Odsather
Two Men at a Homestead Fence
Image shows two men, identified from left as "Mac" McHenry and Louis Odsather, standing at a rail fence looking over Mac's homestead grain field. A wood Plank Gate is at right. Beyond the field is unbroken forest.
South of Wasilla, Alaska
Music Time
Louis Odsather
Four Men and an Accordion
Image shows four men, identified from left as Jimmy McCann, Louis Odsather, Skip Cowden and unidentified. Three are sitting on wooden boxes and one lies on the ground while Odsather is playing an accordion. Tents are visible in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Nurse 1
Louis Odsather
Nurse
Image is of a woman in nurses' attire, identified as Mary Bagoy, the Palmer hospital isolation nurse. She is standing in the doorway of what is likely the hospital isolation facility.
Palmer, Alaska
Palmer Street 1
Louis Odsather
Buildings
Image is a north view of Palmer main street with people on the street front. Identified is "Koslosky's General Store", "Toyland" and Horton's buildings. A gas pump is visible in front of Koslosky's. Children's sleds are visible as is a bicycle.
Palmer, Alaska
People 1
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a group of young men and women associated with supporting the Matanuska Colony Project. Most were employees of the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC) which managed the project. The occasion was a party at the Nichols' house.
Palmer, Alaska
People 18
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a group of young men and women gathered and relaxing in one of the tents associated with the Matanuska Colony Project. Most were employees of the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC) which managed the project.
Palmer, Alaska
People 24
Unknown
A group of men gathered at the transient construction camp said to be watching a boxing match
Image is of a group of men gathered at the Matanuska Colony construction camp, said to be watching a boxing match off camera. Tents of the camp are visible in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Powerhouse 2
Louis Odsather
Building
Image shows the southeast view of the community Powerhouse, exterior construction complete with smokestack installed. The railroad depot under construction is visible beyond, as are tents across the tracks. The southwest corner of the warehouse is visible.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
Pretty Girl, Fancy Car
Louis Odsather
Girl with Car
Image is of a young woman, identified as Grace Bagoy of Anchorage, sitting on the bumper of an unidentified make of automobile. A water body is visible in background with a small open boat on the shore next to a building that appears to be a smokehouse. Contemporary photos in the collection support the assumption that this photo was made on a group outing to the Goose Bay area.
Identified as probably Goose Bay of Cook Inlet, Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Produce for the Commissary
Louis Odsather
Men Showing Produce
Image shows two men, Louis Odsather on left, the other identified only as Phil, hold vegetables likely destined for sale at the Commissary. Colony equipment and supplies are piled behind the men.
Palmer, Alaska
Rail Car School 1
Louis Odsather
School Children
Image shows a group of young children and a woman assembled on steps up to the doorway of a railroad car. This is a class of students and their teacher attending school in the temporary facility of the rail car while the permanent Palmer school building was being built.
Palmer, Alaska
Rail Car School 2
Louis Odsather
School Children
Image shows a group of young children and two women assembled on steps up to the doorway of a railroad car. This is a class of students and their teachers attending school in the temporary facility of the rail car while permanent Palmer school building was being built.
Palmer, Alaska
Rail Car School 3
Louis Odsather
School Children
Image shows a group of young children and two women assembled on steps up to the doorway of a railroad car. This is a class of students and their teachers attending school in the temporary facility of the rail car while the permanent Palmer school building was being built. A typical colony tent is visible in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Railroad Freight Office 1
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a man, identified as Ronald Pasco, railroad freight agent for Palmer, in the Railroad freight office in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Railroad Freight Office 2
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a woman and man, identified as Mrs, Fross and Ronald Pasco, in the Railroad freight office in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Shop Building 1
Louis Odsather
Building
Image shows the west side of the building that initially housed the craft shop, barber and beauty shop, and the shoe repair shop, with exterior construction near completion. A man working in one doorway is visible. The shop spaces would go on to house other functions over the years.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
Supplies for the Colonists 1
Louis Odsather
Supplies
Image shows lumber stacked alongside both sides of a street with rail cars behind stacks to the right. A power pole supports power lines paralleling the rail cars. Tents are visible in near background with mountains beyond.
Palmer, Alaska
Supplies for the Colonists 2
Louis Odsather
Supplies
Image is a view from atop a railroad car looking along the train at several empty flatcars with unloaded lumber stacked alongside. Several trucks and men are visible on the street parallel to the lumber stacks preparing to load and haul the lumber away. A vacant set of railroad tracks is on the left. Power poles and lines are evident along the street. Tents and other buildings are visible in middle ground to the right.
Palmer, Alaska
Supplies for the Colonists 3
Louis Odsather
Supplies
Image is an easterly view including many rolls of wire and steel barrels stacked in the foreground, stacks of lumber behind with two men visible moving boards. Heavy forest is beyond with mountains in the background.
Palmer, Alaska
Supplies for the Colonists 4
Louis Odsather
Supplies
Image is a low oblique view looking across a yard containing various farm equipment, horses and people with a line of railroad boxcars behind. Numerous tents and tarp-covered crates are evident. Heavy forest forms the backdrop with a mountain beyond.
Palmer, Alaska
Supplies for the Colonists 5
Louis Odsather
Supplies
Image is a low oblique view looking across a yard containing various farm equipment and supplies. Several men are visible and various small buildings. Heavy forest forms the backdrop with a mountain beyond.
Palmer, Alaska
Trading Post & Powerhouse Construction
Louis Odsather
Building
Image shows Powerhouse basement form framing in the foreground and the Trading Post building with framing largely complete in the background. A saw shed is visible in front of the Trading post and construction materials are scattered about. Trees form the backdrop behind the Trading Post.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
Trading Post 1
Louis Odsather
Building
Image shows the north side of the new Trading Post building under construction with framing largely in place. Piles of dirt are in foreground, trees behind the building.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
Trading Post 2
Louis Odsather
Building
Image shows the north side of the new Trading Post building with exterior construction largely complete. A saw shed with a man working in it is seen in front of the building. Lumber and other building materials are nearby. Soft ground is in foreground, trees beyond.
Community Center, Palmer, Alaska
Train Engine & Freight Cars
Louis Odsather
Railroad
Image shows two open rail freight cars on one set of tracks with a train engine on tracks behind the cars. Location is at the Palmer siding, the empty cars having delivered material to the Matanuska Colony project. Lazy Mountains is visible in background.
Palmer, Alaska
Visiting the Puhl's
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows six people, identified from left as Bill Odsather, Norbert Nathe, Joseph Puhl, Blanch Puhl, Lloyd Puhl, and Ray Puhl, standing in front of the Puhl Colony home. The house is of logs with their ends painted white. A pickup truck is visible in background.
Tract #99 North of Palmer, Alaska
Waffle Party 1
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a group of young men and women in the basement of the Colony "Dorm" enjoying a meal including waffles and coffee.
Palmer, Alaska
Waffle Party 2
Louis Odsather
People
Image shows a group of young men and women in the basement of the Colony "Dorm" enjoying a meal including waffles and coffee. Most of the people were ARRC employees.
Palmer, Alaska
Woodcutters
Louis Odsather
Men
Image shows two men, identified as Thorvald (Smoky) Ohnstead on the left and Johnnie Long on the right, cutting firewood with a stationary buzz saw. Logs to be cut are stacked on the right. They are holding a log in the cradle, pushing it into the circular saw blade at left. The belt turning the blade is visible at the far left.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
