Palmer in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Matanuska Colony Project
Palmer
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2024
1. Matanuska Colony Project Marker
HISTORIC DISTRICT 1935-1936
The Historic District is a tribute to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, David R. Williams and the Colonists.
MATANUSKA COLONY COMMUNITY CENTER
Listed on The National Register of Historic Places 1991
[Map and] Key
[Top right photo caption reads]
A church was initially designed for the west end of the quad for colonists to share. The colonists, however, wanted their own churches. A block was set aside nearby for three denominations. Colony farms were located within a ten mile radius.
[Balance of photos are uncaptioned]
Erected by Colony Museum, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and Alaska State Office of History and Archaeology.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.
Location. 61° 35.955′ N, 149° 6.664′ W. Marker is in Palmer, Alaska, in Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It is on East Elmwood Avenue east of South Valley Way, on the left when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, in the Mat-Su Valley, and in Southcentral Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Matanuska Colony Project (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Matanuska Colony Project (a few steps from this marker); Wasilla - Palmer Sister Cities (a few steps from this marker); Matanuska Valley Colony Project 50th Anniversary (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Matanuska Colony Project (within shouting distance of this marker); 75th Anniversary Matanuska Valley Colonists (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2024
2. Matanuska Colony Project Marker
Regarding Matanuska Colony Project. National Register Statement of Significance Excerpt:
The Matanuska Colony Community Center is an important part of the nation's social history for its association with a government-created community. In 1935, the New Deal Federal Emergency Relief Administration's (FERA) Division of Rural Rehabilitation created the community. It was one of 99 resettlement projects nationwide designed to relocate depression stricken families on self-supporting farms in an effort to provide them with a new opportunity. The Matanuska Colony Community Center in Palmer is the best extant example of community buildings from the New Deal resettlement program. As a group, the buildings within the district possess a remarkable degree of integrity of location, design, setting, feeling, and association; and to a lesser extent, integrity of materials and workmanship.
Also see . . .
1. Matanuska Colony Community Center National Register Registration Form.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2024
3. Matanuska Colony Project Water Tower
2. Alaska's Matanuska Colony (An NPS Publication). (Submitted on August 21, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2024
4. Matanuska Colony Project United Protestant Church
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2024
5. Matanuska Colony Project School
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 12, 2024
6. Matanuska Colony Project Railroad Depot
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 21, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
