Big Delta in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Domesticating the Wilderness
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
1. Domesticating the Wilderness Marker
Rika's homestead, which included this barn and outbuilding, was fundamental to the operation of the roadhouse.
In the Barn
The barn was home to cattle, sheep, goats and horses. Rika raised cattle for milk and meat. Calving was carefully timed to have milk available year-round. Sheep were sheared for wool and provided mutton for the roadhouse. Rika made cheese and butter from goat's milk, which she kept cool in the spring house. In addition to keeping her own livestock in the barn, Rika occasionally wintered horses for miners and prospectors in the area.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Rika tended a large vegetable garden in the area between the current museum and the roadhouse. Because her renowned garden was so successful the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Alaska studied her farming techniques.
Work Shop
This outbuilding, now serving as a museum, had several uses. Archaeological excavation uncovered tack for horses. Dor harnesses, sleds, tools, and feed grain were also stored here. If this was your homestead, how would you use this building?
On the Farm
Rika cultivated crops to support her livestock
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All this was hard work for one woman. At times Rika employed a cook and hired miners to help with the crops, construct and repair buildings, and perform other odd jobs. In this way, Rika got the help she needed and the miners got their grubstake to go back to prospecting.
Background [photo]: View of roadhouse from river bank. The big oxen was named Fritz.
[Other photo captions, counterclockwise from top, read]
Rika Wallen and Marrie Washburn outside the barn.
Even homesteaders can be subject to a ruminant's charm. One sheep, named Rosie, was treated as a pet and was very fond of Rika's leftover sourdough pancakes. Other reports, however, indicate Rika's cooking left something to be desired.
Rika kept bees for honey and also tried her hand at fox farming.
Erected by Alaska State Parks and Alaska Division of
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
2. Domesticating the Wilderness Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 64° 9.291′ N, 145° 50.488′ W. Marker is in Big Delta in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. It can be reached from Richardson Highway. Marker is on the Big Delta State Historical Park grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 274.5 Richardson Highway (State Hwy 2), Delta Junction AK 99737, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Athabascan Region and in Interior 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: Barn (here, next to this marker); Homestead Outbuilding (a few steps from this marker); Gold Rush Crossroads (within shouting distance of this marker); Spring
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
3. Domesticating the Wilderness Marker
Regarding Domesticating the Wilderness. The historic Rika's Roadhouse is the park's centerpiece.
Also see . . .
1. Big Delta State Park. (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Rikas Landing Roadhouse. (Submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
4. Rika's Roadhouse Museum Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
