Matanuska Colony Project

Matanuska Colony Project. Palmer. , CONSTRUCTION WORKERS , Hired as transient workers, unemployed men from California assisted in building a tent city before constructing the colonists' farm houses. To discourage them from staying, they received half their pay in Alaska and the rest after they returned to California. Traveling on the North Star with cargo designated for the project, the transients departed by train for Palmer ahead of the Minnesota colonists who had arrived in Seward the same day., DRAWING THEIR LOTS , MAY 23, 1935 , When the second group of colonists arrived in Alaska, the men hurried to Palmer ahead of their families to draw their lot number. Families received either a 40 or 80 acre tract to be paid for on a 30 year mortgage. They were also allowed credit for tools, household goods and equipment., SUMMER ACTIVITIES , Once their respective lands were cleared enough to build a house and outbuildings, the colonists moved to their given lots. Some colonists moved immediately while others waited five months before relocating onto their property. Many worried that their houses would not be finished before snow fell. In July, more transients were hired and the number of saw mills increased. By November, although many houses were incomplete on the inside, all colonist had moved into their homes., REPLACEMENT FAMILIES , Within the first ten years of the project 60% of the original colonists left. Families with farming experience took their place. They paid their own passage to Alaska, and were considered "replacement colonists." Once in Alaska, they were offered similar advantages available to the initial colonists., FARM TRACTS , Most farms included a house, a barn, a well house, and a chicken coop. Seven farms are listed in the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of their importance to the settlement and economic development of the Valley.