Title

Adam Werner 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Homesteader Adam Werner holding shocks of grain

Description

Image shows Homesteader Adam Werner standing in his field holding two shocks of grain. A pole with insulators attached stands beside him and a small log building is partially visible behind. Lazy mountain is in background.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam Werner at his first home site

Description

Image shows homesteader Adam Werner in his strawberry patch in front of his cabin located at its first location on his homestead “down the hill”. Cleared land surrounds the cabin with heavy forest beyond.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner's Homestead 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Werner’s First Cabin Site on His Homestead

Description

Image shows a wood slat fence in foreground, a strawberry patch, a log house, well, and two other log buildings in a large clearing with partly cleared forest on hills beyond. Note on the reverse: “Adams first house, 1914, when he homesteaded, where his cat could open the door. There were more small wild animals around then up until about 1925. He moved up here [to the present home location] because the wind blew to much down his chimney & snow drifty to much getting out to the road or trail he made. Eventually became a strawberry patch. Torn down 1931, some [logs and other material] brought up here.”

Location

Matanuska Valley near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner's Homestead 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam Werner’s permanent house and barn on his homestead

Description

Image shows Adam Werner’s permanent log house and barn on his homestead “up the hill” from his first cabin site location. A cleared field is in foreground with the house and barn in middle ground and forest behind. Mr. Werner and two horses are visible behind a fence to the right. Note on reverse: “Adam Werner. Palmer, 1917. House & barn took 4 years to finish inside and out of the house. Windows would not be shipped from Seattle. Cornelius grandad windows & 120 sheets of mettle for barn by barge. Montgomery say it is a foreign country.”

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner's Homestead 4

Creator

Adam Werner

Subject

Adam Werner’s homestead barn and cows

Description

Image shows five cows standing in front of Adam Werner’s homestead barn. This was the barn he built on higher ground of the homestead when he moved from a lower area where he had initially constructed a house and other structures. This barn still stands solid ninety years after it was built.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner's Homestead 5

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam and Fanny Werner’s House

Description

Image shows the permanent log house Adam Werner built “up the hill” from his first cabin site. It took four years to build while developing other aspects of the homestead. Seen here with maturing landscape shrubs and flowers under the care of Adam’s wife, Fanny.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner’s Homestead 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam Werner’s Homestead

Description

Image shows a tilled field in foreground, a log house, barn, chicken house, fox pens, a hay stack and another small building in middle ground with heavy forest behind.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Adam Werner’s Homestead 6

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam Werner's Homestead house and field

Description

Image is a color summer color view of Adam Werner’s house with tilled field in front.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Cabin 1

Creator

Jackson

Subject

Log cabin

Description

Image is a summer view of a log cabin with sod roof, high grass surrounds it with a pile of wood on the left, heavy birch forest is behind. This cabin was located east of Palmer past the Matanuska River bridge on the north side of the highway.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Cabin 2

Creator

Jackson

Subject

Log Cabin

Description

Image is a winter view of a log cabin with sod roof, a pile of logs and wood are beside the cabin, birch trees behind and snow-clad mountains are behind. The prominent mountain in the view has been variously called “the Matterhorn”, Buyer’s Peak, Pilot Peak and Matanuska Peak.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Cabin 3

Creator

Neil Miller

Subject

Log cabin and garden

Description

Image shows a sod-roofed log cabin atop a slight hill with garden crops on the hillside in foreground. Heavy forest forms the backdrop behind the cabin.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Cabin 5

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Ed Zorne’s homestead cabin and outhouse at the base of Lazy Mountain near Palmer

Description

Image is of a log cabin and outhouse, identified as originally belonging to homesteader Ed Zorn. Location is on the lower slopes of Lazy Mountain east of Palmer, land later owned by Frank Clark.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Cabin 6

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Trapper’s log cabin near Palmer

Description

Image is a summer view of a log trapper’s cabin located on the north side of Matanuska River east of Palmer. The mountain beyond has been known variously as “The Matterhorn”, “Beyers Peak”, and “Matanuska Peak”. The cabin is thought to have belonged at one time to Eugene Marsh.

Location

Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Camp 7

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Tents of Temporary Camp 7 & Homestead Barn on Tract #157

Description

Image shows six white Colony tents in a row at Camp #7. Camp 7 was located on Tract #157 drawn by Albert Fredericks along the Fishhook Road north of Palmer, Alaska. This tract was located on what had apparently previously been part of a homestead with buildings and some land already cleared as apparent in this photo.

Location

Tract #157 North of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Community Center 13

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

An easterly view from the water tower shows some temporary buildings of the Palmer community center and homestead clearings in the trees beyond.

Description

Image is an easterly view from the water tower showing some of the temporary buildings of the Palmer community center, the end of the rail spur, and homestead clearings beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Community Center 14

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

View from the Palmer water tower looking south over buildings of the community center and homestead clearings beyond.

Description

Image is a southerly view from the water tower with the powerhouse smokestack in foreground, several buildings in middle ground and the future Chugach Street clearing through homestead fields and trees in background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Community Center 2

Creator

Anton Anderson

Subject

Southeasterly view over the Co-op warehouse and creamery, including the new schoolhouse and gym. Preparations for celebrating the first Matanuska Valley Fair are evident with streetside booths, a baseball field and livestock barns visible.

Description

Oblique view looking southeast over the Co-op warehouse, creamery, the schoolhouse and gym. Preparations for celebrating the first Matanuska Valley Fair are evident with streetside booths, baseball field and livestock barns erected across the road at left. Homestead clearing and hay field in background.

Location

Palmer, Alasaka

Title

Community Center 9

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Homestead clearing to soon be occupied by Matanuska Colony Community Center buildings

Description

View of the homestead brush field that would soon be occupied by Matanuska Colony Community Center buildings.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Ed Duncklee 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Portrait of Edward A. Duncklee, Palmer area homesteader

Description

Image is a portrait of Edward Albert Duncklee, (1872-1943) Palmer-area homesteader, taken in 1924 per note on the back. He was known to be in the Matanuska Valley in 1915, he applied for his 319 acre homestead about 1916 and received the patent on 10/9/1919. He sold his homestead land to the government for inclusion in the Matanuska Colony project of 1935.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Formal color portrait of Fanny Werner

Description

Image is a formal color portrait of Fanny Werner in her Hospital uniform. Following the death of her husband, Adam, Fanny continued to operate their dairy farm for a time and then took employment as a housekeeper at the Valley Hospital. She took great pride in her work at the Hospital, as she did in maintaining her Homestead.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner 2

Creator

"Creaveg"

Subject

Portrait of Fanny (Eaton) Werner

Description

Image is a portrait of Fanny Eaton taken in England, probably shortly before she came to Alaska in 1929 and subsequently married Adam Werner in 1930.

Location

England

Title

Fanny Werner 3

Creator

Adam Werner

Subject

Fanny Werner In Her Homestead Garden

Description

Image is of Fanny Werner in her garden at the Werner Homestead. The house is partially visible at left. On the photo margin is lettered “My Little Sweetheart Farmer, Adam”.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner 4

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Fanny Werner mowing grass in her Homestead flower garden

Description

Image is of Fanny Werner pushing a lawnmower on her Homestead with flowers and shrubs behind. A portion of chicken wire fence and a log building are also visible behind her.

Location

Matanuska Valley Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner 5

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Fanny Werner and buildings on her Homestead

Description

Image is of Fanny Werner standing on a portion of her Homestead farm with a log barn building and sheds behind her

Location

Matanuska Valley Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner 6

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Fanny Werner and buildings on her Homestead

Description

Image is of Fanny Werner standing on a field of her Homestead farm with log barn buildings, flowers and trees behind her.

Location

Matanuska Valley Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner 7

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Fanny Werner with her Mother & her Mother’s latest husband, Mr. Findlay

Description

Image is of Fanny Werner on the right with her Mother, Eliza Jane (“Jenny”), and her Mother’s latest husband, Mr. Findlay. Following the death of Ed Duncklee, Jenny returned to England in 1954 where she married Mr. Findlay, then returned to visit Fanny on the Werner Homestead where this photo was taken.

Location

Matanuska Valley near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Fanny Werner at the Fair 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Fanny Werner and her Food Canning Entry at the Fair

Description

Note typed on the reverse: “Prize winning exhibit of canned products displayed by Mrs. Adam Werner, Palmer, Alaska at the Matanuska Valley Farmer’s Fair, August 30-31 and September 1, 1947. Mrs. Werner, a resident of Palmer since 1929 and mother of three 4-H members, displayed 43 quarts homegrown food including beef, sheep, sausage, fish, vegetables, berries, apples, jellies, mushrooms, dried herbs, butter, milk, cheese and vegetable confections. Her garden contains 18 varieties of herbs.”

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Farm 20

Creator

Berts

Subject

A.A. Shonbeck's farmstead buildings near Palmer in 1935.

Description

Image shows several log buildings and two larger framed barns in middle ground with a fenced field in foreground beside a gravel road partially visible at near left. Heavy forest forms the backdrop behind the buildings and mountains are faintly visible in far background. White lettering across the lower portion of the photo indicate this was the farm of A.A. Shonbeck near Palmer taken in 1935.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homestead & Haystacks

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A homestead farm with fields of harvested hay put up in stacks to dry

Description

This is a postcard photo of a homestead including fields in foreground with harvested hay put up in stacks. A barn and other buildings are in middle ground with scattered trees. Other fields are in far middle ground with hay stacks and heavy forest beyond. Close examination reveals two different types of haystacks in the far field and a man working there. Mount Susitna is faintly visible beyond the forest in background.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Homestead 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Hickey/Walters Homestead

Description

Image shows wire fence on wooden posts in fore & middle ground. A two story log house is prominent in middle ground with another log building and pole barn beside. Two men and a woman stand in middle ground. A cleared hillside and forest fringe are in background. This is the homestead originally built by Mr. Hickey and owned by Al Walters at the time the photo was taken.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homestead 2

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Men on Walters Homestead

Description

Image shows wire fence on wooden posts in foreground with two men standing in a field of grain behind. A two story log house is evident in middle ground with the top of a pole barn at left. A cleared hillside and forest fringe are in background. This is the homestead originally built by Mr. Hickey and owned by Al Walters at the time the photo was taken. The men are identified as Al Walters at left & John Bugge at right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homestead 3

Creator

Unknown

Subject

John Bugge Homestead

Description

Image shows pole fencing and large wood pole gate in near foreground, a log cabin with a frame addition behind in mid-foreground, another small log cabin in middle ground with fields and forest beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homestead 4

Creator

AP Wirephoto

Subject

Homestead buildings with misinformation attached

Description

This is a press photo issued to newspapers back in the States from the early days of the Matanuska Colony project. Information sent along with the photo is attached at left, and reads: “ PALMER, ALASKA, MAY 24—MATANUSKA’S FIRST LOG CABIN—Typical of the farm homes that will house the hundreds of government colonists in Matanuska Valley is this first log cabin built on the project. The settlers, emigrants from the Midwest, are living in a tent city temporarily.” More typical than the future Colonist’s homes, (these are actually a long-established homesteader’s cabins located in what would become downtown Palmer) is the misinformation this text represents that was so often received by folks “back home”.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homestead 5

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Frank Clark’s cabin on Lazy Mt.

Description

Image shows three men building a log house surrounded by dense forest. Men are identified as (l to r) Sam Woolcock, Frank Clark, and Horace (Frenchy) Dufore. The 166 acre Clark Homestead was located on the lower slope of Lazy Mountain above the Matanuska River east of Palmer. Clark raised sheep and sold wool.

Location

Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homestead 6

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A valley homestead exhibits haystacks of the crop harvested from fields cleared from surrounding heavy forest.

Description

Image is of a log house in a clearing of heavy forest with a cleared field in foreground and middle ground. Numerous haystacks are on the fields. A truck with no cab is parked near the house. A mower, grain binder and buck rake implements are parked on the field. New snow is on the background mountains. White chickens forage in the fields.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Homestead 7

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A homesteader's cabin stands in a clearing with additional clearing and standing forest behind. A garden plot near the cabin shows several rows of what appears to be potatoes indicating the summer is well advanced.

Description

This summer image shows a side view of a log homestead cabin standing in a clearing with additional clearing and uncleared forest behind. A garden plot is in foreground.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Homestead 8

Creator

Anton Anderson

Subject

John Bugge's field exhibits the fall harvest of grain assembled into shocks to dry.

Description

This view is looking east across homesteader John Bugge's west field toward the Knik Glacier valley (washed out in the photo). The foreground shows a field with many shocks of harvested grain scattered over it. At left in middle ground the buildings of Bugge's farmstead are visible. At right in background Bodenburg Butte is seen and other mountains are partially visible.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homesteader and visitor

Creator

Louis Odsather

Subject

Homesteader

Description

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.

Location

Near Wasilla, Alaska

Title

Homesteader at His Well

Creator

Louis Odsather

Subject

Ty Wilson, Homesteader

Description

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.

Location

Fairview Loop Road near Wasilla, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders & Friends 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

People

Description

Image shows homesteaders Al Walters (left) & John Bugge standing with three unidentified women next to a log building. A white horse harnessed to a cart is at right, a wash tub and washboard are evident on the cabin wall.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders & Friends 2

Creator

Louis Odsather

Subject

People by a Cabin

Description

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.

Location

On Fairview Loop South of Wasilla, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders & Friends 3

Creator

Alma Anderson

Subject

Anton Anderson, with his two daughters and small neighbor boy, visit Homesteader John Bugge and get to pet his small calf.

Description

A tall man in a high-crowned hat at left, identified as homesteader John Bugge, stands behind two little girls, identified as Jean and Patty Anderson, and a little boy, identified as Myles Hyland. At right is a man, identified as Anton Anderson, stooped over and apparently petting a dark-colored calf. They stand in front of a barn of large diameter logs with a large door at left and a small Dutch door standing with the upper half open at right.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders & Friends 4

Creator

Anton Anderson

Subject

Alma Anderson and John Bugge, with the Anderson girls and Myles Hyland, watch "Bugge's Famous Sow" nurse piglets on Bugge's homestead.

Description

Alma Anderson and John Bugge, with Myles Hyland and Jean & Patty Anderson watch "Bugge's Famous Sow" nurse little piglets on Bugge's homestead.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders 1

Creator

Louis Odsather

Subject

Three People and Homestead Cabin

Description

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.

Location

South of Wasilla, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders 2

Creator

Don Irwin

Subject

Homesteader “Ty” Wilson

Description

Photo is a color image of a man, identified as homesteader “Ty” Wilson standing in a gravel area with trees behind.

Location

Near Knik, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders 3

Creator

Don Irwin

Subject

Homesteader Ann Wilson

Description

Photo is a color image of a woman, identified as homesteader Ann Wilson standing among bushes and flowers, a blue vehicle is partially visible behind and trees beyond. Ann and her husband “Ty” homesteaded on Fairview Loop south of Wasilla, Alaska.

Location

Near Knik, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders 4

Creator

Don Irwin

Subject

: Homesteaders “Ty” Wilson and “Mac” McHenry

Description

Photo is a color image of two men, identified as homesteaders “Ty” Wilson and “Mac” McHenry at the front of a black automobile. Both men homesteaded in the Fairview Loop area south of Wasilla, Alaska. The photo was taken at Fish Creek near Knik, Alaska. Wet socks and boots in the photo may indicate they had been fishing.

Location

Near Knik, Alaska

Title

Homesteaders 5

Creator

Don Irwin

Subject

Homesteader “Mac” McHenry, Estella Irwin, Louis Odsather, and homesteader Ann Wilson

Description

Photo is a color image of four people, identified as homesteader “Mac” McHenry, Estella Irwin, Louis Odsather and homesteader Ann Wilson. A black automobile is behind and fishing gear is evident. The photo was taken at Fish Creek near Knik, Alaska.

Location

Near Knik, Alaska

Title

Matanuska River 1

Creator

Anton Anderson

Subject

The Matanuska River floodplain is seen at low water as the mountains with interesting names are viewed beyond.

Description

This summer view looks southeast across the floodplain of the Matanuska River to the Chugach Mountains beyond. Anderson identifies the lower "Bodenburg Butte", named after John Bodenburg who homesteaded nearby in 1918, and the taller mountain he refers to as "Ben McDuhe". This mountain, called "Thel'aay" by the local Ahtna people, and "Dnal'iy" by the indigenous Dena'ina, was named "Pioneer Peak" by official map-makers in 1939 in honor of the Matanuska Colonists who came to settle the valley below in 1935. Apparently, before that time, some locals, including Anderson, referred to it as "Ben McDuhe (Ben Macdui) after the prominent mountain in Scotland of that name.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

McHenry's Homestead

Creator

Louis Odsather

Subject

Two Men at a Homestead Fence

Description

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.

Location

South of Wasilla, Alaska

Title

Palmer Air View 16

Creator

Hewitt's Photo Shop

Subject

Aerial view of Palmer, August 1935

Description

Image is a black & white high oblique view including much of John Bugge’s homestead, the “Tent City” of Palmer, patches of cleared land and uncut forest. The “Wasilla road” is apparent to Bugge’s hill.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Palmer Air View 20

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A high oblique air view of Palmer taken in August, 1936 showing the the community center, commercial district and closely surrounding homesteads.

Description

Image is a high oblique air view of Palmer in August 1936. The community center, west side commercial district and closely surrounding homesteads are shown.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Palmer Community Buildings 2

Creator

Jackson

Subject

East view from the water tower

Description

Image is an easterly view from the Palmer water tower looking over the Co-op warehouses. The poultry hatchery building and chicken houses are evident. Stacks of logs and firewood are near the second warehouse and a man can be seen unloading logs from a truck. People are visible on the street and sitting on bleachers at right. Open fields surrounded by heavy forest are in middle ground with snow-clad mountains beyond.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Palmer View From Bugge's Hill 6

Creator

Jackson

Subject

Palmer as seen from Bugge's Hill

Description

Image is an early fall easterly view of Palmer as seen from Bugge’s Hill, looking down the “Wasilla Road”. People are evident walking on the road in foreground. John Bugge’s homestead field and buildings are in middle ground. Palmer buildings are in far middle ground. Mountains with early snow are in background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Palmer View From Bugge's Hill 8

Creator

Robinson

Subject

John Bugge’s homestead, Palmer and Chugach Mountains as viewed from Bugge’s Hill

Description

Image is a fall view looking east from Bugge’s Hill showing John Bugge’s homestead field and buildings, the buildings of Palmer, and snow-clad mountains including Lazy Mt. and Beyers Pk. in background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Palmer View From Bugge’s Hill 5

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Winter view of Palmer, viewed from Bugge’s Hill with skaters on frozen pond below

Description

Image is a winter easterly view from Bugge’s Hill across John Bugge’s homestead field with a frozen melt-water pond in foreground and several children skating. Bugge’s homestead buildings and Palmer buildings are in middle ground with snow-clad mountains in background.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

People 14

Creator

Unknown

Subject

John Bugge & Otis Russell

Description

Color image of two men, identified as Otis Russell (left) and homesteader John Bugge, standing in front of one of the log cabins on Bugge’s homestead at Palmer, Alaska. A modern frame building is partially visible behind.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

People 47

Creator

Unknown

Subject

John Tully stands facing the camera in front of a field of grain next to a small girl identified as Nona Bailey.

Description

Homesteader John Tully stands before a grain field beside a small girl identified as Nona Bailey.

Location

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Title

People 7

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Fanny and Adam Werner stand together in front of their homestead home

Description

Image shows Fanny and Adam Werner standing together in front of their log homestead home. Fox pens are partially visible at right. Heavy forest forms the backdrop behind the house.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

People 8

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam and Fanny Werner

Description

Image shows Adam and Fanny Werner standing together in front of their homestead house.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

People 9

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Adam & Fanny Werner & daughter Violet standing in their strawberry field

Description

Image shows homesteaders Adam and Fanny Werner and their daughter, Violet, standing in their strawberry field. Raspberry bushes and other crops are visible behind. Heavy forest forms the backdrop.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

Title

Road-35K-002

Creator

Alaska Road Commission

Subject

A springtime view of a newly constructed Trunk Road section shows a soft, rutted surface.

Description

This image of a newly constructed gravel road, viewed looking directly up the road, shows deep ruts in the foreground and a section of corduroy construction at middle ground before the road climbs a hillside and turns left out if sight. A barbed wire fence parallels the road at right with a log gate structure apparent and four slanted poles against the fence in foreground. A cleared field and hillside are visible in far background with heavy spruce timber fringe beyond. A patch of snow in foreground is the only snow visible and may mark a now unused roadway.

Location

Near Matanuska, Alaska

Title

Road-35L-008

Creator

Alaska Road Commission

Subject

A straight section of route 35L runs between the railroad and an established homestead in a section between Matanuska and Palmer.

Description

This winter scene shows the snow-covered landscape on a center line view north on a straight stretch of road route 37L identified as 5.5 miles from Matanuska on the way to Palmer. A post-and-wire fence parallels the left edge of the road enclosing a cleared field with buildings of Al Walter's homestead visible at the far end at middle ground. The railroad grade paralleling the road is seen at right with telegraph lines and poles between the railroad and the road and a railroad signal pole near the tracks. Talkeetna Mountains are faintly visible in background.

Location

Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Road-35L-009

Creator

Alaska Road Commission

Subject

A straight section of route 35L runs between the railroad and an established homestead in a section between Matanuska and Palmer. The road surface is seen as native soil, subject to becoming deeply rutted mud during the rainy season.

Description

Image is a summer centerline view looking north on a straight stretch identified as mile 4 of the Matanuska to Palmer road. At left is a post-and-wire fence paralleling the edge of the road with part of a homestead building visible beyond. The railroad line is seen at right with the telegraph line between the road and railroad. It can be seen that the road surface is composed simply of graded native soil which became axel-deep mud for vehicles with summer rains.

Location

Near Palmer, Alaska

Title

Road-35L-010

Creator

Alaska Road Commission

Subject

The north end of route 35L in 1929 exhibits little of the change that would mark the development of the city of Palmer in years ahead.

Description

Image is an early springtime view north on the centerline of the Matanuska-Palmer road in the location where the town of Palmer would later develop. A man stands at the left edge of the road in foreground observing snow melt waters that have flooded over the road behind him. The elevated rail grade is apparent at right in middle ground with a small building on pilings between the road and the rails. A telegraph pole is adjacent, and a parked rail car is partially visible behind the building. The small railroad depot is visible in far middle ground next to the rail line at right across the road from the log roadhouse and other buildings of homesteader Georen O. White. The softening surface of the road exhibits recent passing of a horse-drawn vehicle.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Roadhouse 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

A log roadhouse in 1935 located at the future site of the city of Palmer, Alaska

Description

Image is of a log roadhouse that was one of the few buildings at the site chosen as the central location for the Matanuska Colony Project and future town of Palmer.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Store 1

Creator

Unknown

Subject

Felton’s store & post office adjacent to a homestead cabin and colony tents

Description

Image shows a man standing on the porch of Felton’s store and post office in foreground. A large log cabin is in near middle ground with several Colony tents visible beyond. Heavy forest is the backdrop with mountains faintly visible in background. Location is the former homestead of Georen O. White reflected by the large log structure. Felton and partner, Ward, acquired the property and operated the Post Office with the community name of “Warton” until 1935 when the name was changed to “Palmer”. The Matanuska Colony “Tent City” temporarily occupied part of the property.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

View From Bugge's Hill 9

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

A late summer view of Palmer from Bugge's hill shows the state of development in 1936

Description

The image is a late summer easterly view of Palmer taken from Bugge's hill looking down the length of the "Wasilla road" at the town. Based on an assessment of what buildings are present or absent, the date is determined to be1936.

Location

Palmer, Alaska

Title

Werner Road

Creator

Hewitts Photo Shop

Subject

Gravel road to the Werner Homestead

Description

Image shows a straight gravel road through heavy forest in foreground leading past tents and buildings in far middle ground with Adam Werner’s homestead buildings evident at the end. Chugach Mountains are in background.

Location

Matanuska Valley north of Palmer, Alaska

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