In 1898, the U.S. Army searched for routes from Prince William
Sound to the Interior. Captain Edwin F. Glenn and his men passed
near here on their way from Cook Inlet to the Tanana River. Some of his
soldiers suffered great hardships.
The . . . — — Map (db m255281) HM
Most record-setting vegetables are judged by
their weight. But what does a world-record
cabbage or carrot look like?
This sculpture features life-sized replicas of
the cabbage, beet, zucchini and carrot grown
in the Matanuska Valley in . . . — — Map (db m254729) HM
The riches of the Matanuska River valley have sustained settlement in this area for thousands of years.
GOLD MINING
Prospectors went into the mountains to look for gold and minerals, and early trading posts were set up on the . . . — — Map (db m254667) HM
The Matanuska Colony Historic District was established in 1991 to recognize the unique history and architecture of the Matanuska Colony Community Center, built in 1935 and 1936 as the central area of the Matanuska Colony Project. . . . — — Map (db m254646) HM
Balto was the lead dog of Gunnar Casson's dog team.
This team was the final team of the diphtheria serum run
to Nome from the Railroad Station in Nenana in 1925.
This sculpture was made possible by the efforts of the
Butte Elementary . . . — — Map (db m254875) HM
This house was constructed in 1935 as the farm home
of a Matanuska Valley Colonist family. It was relocated
in July 1995 from Farm Tract No. 94 to this permanent
site within Palmer's Historic District. Working together to
preserve our local . . . — — Map (db m254888) HM
This park is dedicated to the agricultural pioneers of the
Matanuska Valley and particularly to those that participated
in the Matanuska Valley Colonization Project of 1935,
who by their labor and perseverance gave birth to
the City of . . . — — Map (db m254849) HM
The story of the little locomotive resting here today begins even before it was
built, with early discovery of high grade coal in the northern hills along the
Matanuska river. Around 1900 the U.S. Navy needed a source of coal on the
west coast . . . — — Map (db m254850) HM
Agriculture was an essential enterprise for the successful settlement of Alaska.
The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98 brought thousands of fortune seekers north. Many of them settled on homesteads when their mining days were over. . . . — — Map (db m254664) HM
Robert Hatcher
discovered rich
gold-streaked quartz
veins in the rugged Talkeetna Mountains 10 miles northwest of here in
1906. After additional discoveries, hard-rock mining propelled Hatcher
Pass to second in production of lode gold in . . . — — Map (db m254893) HM
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Matanuska Colony Project created headline news
around the world. It was a story of hope in the 1930s
Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
promised to build new communities and put people to
work . . . — — Map (db m254747) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m254764) HM
ST. MIHIEL U.S. ARMY TRANSPORT SHIP
Built on Hog Island, Pennsylvania for World War I she was to be called the Sinnemahoning.
named for a Native American tribe. Following declaration of Armistice Day, November
11, 1918, the ship was named . . . — — Map (db m254766) HM
Changing Her Mission
November 1943 the St. Mihiel was called to serve the war effort in a different capacity. Once again drafted by the Army,
she was sent to Bethlehem Steel Company shipyards in Boston for repairs and remodeling. She . . . — — Map (db m254793) HM WM
COMMUNITY CENTER
You are in the administrative center of the Matanuska Valley Colony Historic District.
Today, some of the public buildings have been rehabilitated. The teacher[s'] dormitory is a hotel, the school serves as the . . . — — Map (db m254825) HM
DAVID R. WILLIAMS
ARCHITECT
David Reichart Williams, appointed
as chief architect for the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration,
planned 84 of the 100 resettlement
communities.
After researching Alaska's climate and
agricultural . . . — — Map (db m254829) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m254843) HM
INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
The Matanuska Colony Project provided
not only farms, schools and administration buildings, but also
power and processing plants. The cannery, creamery, and
vegetable sorting center helped to distribute farm . . . — — Map (db m254844) HM
Honoring the 202 families from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota who braved the migratory transition from the Depression-torn years of strife and struggle to the promised land of fertile Matanuska Valley, and in their endeavor, with faith, hope, . . . — — Map (db m254739) HM
The Bill Hermann Tennis Courts
were constructed in the 1970s
with a donation from Bill Hermann.
Bernard "Bernie" Nieman faithfully
cared for these courts for 30 years.
Courts were reconstructed in 2022 by Mat-Su Tennis Association . . . — — Map (db m254876) HM
This tree was planted on July 27, 1989
by Wasilla Mayor John Stein and
Palmer Mayor George Cartι and their
city councils to commemorate the
beginning of their sister city
relationship, for the greater well being
and prosperity of . . . — — Map (db m254847) HM
In this garden you'll find the OS Cross cabbage, an F1
hybrid variety that is referred to as the "giant cabbage".
The variety was bred to grow much larger and heavier
than standard cabbages as illustrated by the sculpture.
Farmers . . . — — Map (db m254730) HM
This 1942 Motor Blower is a General Electric
motor and Ingersoll Rand fan. It was used as a
forced air blower for a large coal-fired furnace
at Premier Mine on Moose Creek near Sutton. — — Map (db m254952) HM
Don't blink or you'll miss it-glaciers are on the move. Research has taught us more about how glaciers move than we've ever known before.
Tracking a Moving Glacier
A glacier's pace varies like a river's speed as . . . — — Map (db m255273) HM
The boiler on the left, built by Pennsylvania Boiler Works of
Erie, Pennsylvania, is stationary. The one on the right was built
by the Kewnee Company in Illinois and it could be either
stationary or portable. Water was fed in from the top to . . . — — Map (db m255014) HM
This shovel, which shows a lot of innovation for its age, was made
as a part of the World War II effort in Findlay, Ohio and was a very
versatile shovel used at Premier Mine along Moose Creek. The
shovel arm was chain driven. It has 3 power . . . — — Map (db m255103) HM
In 1899 the U.S. Army documented the coal findings at Chickaloon and in 1916 the area was set aside by the United
States Secretary of the Interior as a designated coal-mining area. A town sprang up, the town of Chickaloon, peopled with
miners, . . . — — Map (db m254982) HM
In 1899 the U.S. Army documented coal along the Chickaloon River and in 1916 the area was set aside by the United States
Secretary of the Interior as a designated coal-mining area. The town of Chickaloon sprang up peopled with miners, . . . — — Map (db m255018) HM
The mountains across the Matanuska River are part of the Chugach
Mountain Range. The Chugach Mountains extend in an arc for roughly
350 miles, bordering Cook Inlet near Anchorage, Prince William Sound and
on toward Icy Bay where they meld with . . . — — Map (db m254977) HM
The machinery in front of you is the circulating fan used for tunnel
and shaft mining at the Evan Jones Mine. The mine was located at
Wishbone Hill and accessed by Jonesville Road in Sutton. This giant
fan was necessary for underground mining . . . — — Map (db m254931) HM
McNalley Pittsburg built this three plunger, jig-type coal washer
for the Eska Coal Mine in 1941 and shipped it to the mine in pieces.
At the site workers reassembled the washer, covered it with a wood
framed, metal covered building about 75' . . . — — Map (db m254900) HM
After going through the washing process, coal was conveyed by a belt
to the coal dryer. This dryer, a Carpenter Coal Dryer [by McNally Pittsburg], was used at the
Eska Mine along with the Eska Coal Washery displayed in this exhibit.
The mine . . . — — Map (db m254928) HM
The Matanuska River valley in which you are standing is a structural trough formed by the collision of the North American and North Pacific
tectonic plates during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods (200-65 million years before present, MYBP), a . . . — — Map (db m254978) HM
Made of spruce logs harvested on his Caribou Creek property, Jim Hitchcock
constructed this cabin in the mid to late 1960's. It was designed to be used for
bathrooms with showers at a City of Palmer RV Park (now the site of the Palmer
Court . . . — — Map (db m255172) HM
Hoist
Men, timber, and explosive powder were moved by this hoist on 2,500 foot cables. Depending on
available resources, steam or air could be used to drive the hoist, which required 25 to 40
horsepower to operate. A gear could be mounted . . . — — Map (db m254918) HM
Ice worms really do exist. Not only do
these tiny creatures live in Alaska
legends, they also live on many
Alaska glaciers.
What are they?
Ice worms are segmented annelids, similar to
earthworms. Two species are known to . . . — — Map (db m255280) HM
The Glenn Highway is the main
connection for the people of this valley.
Can you imagine this place without it?
Nature's Highway
The Matanuska Glacier helped carve a wide path through the Chugach and
Talkeetna mountain ranges. As the . . . — — Map (db m255121) HM
The resources of the Matanuska Valley, including its people, create a cornucopia of natural wealth.
The Wild Advantage
Throughout history, Athabascans thrived off the bountiful resources of this valleyfishing, hunting, and gathering, . . . — — Map (db m255209) HM
Katie was clan grandmother of Nay'dini'aa Na' Kayax (Chickaloon
Native Village) and a founder of the Ya Ne Dah Ah School, the first
Tribal school in Alaska. She taught Ahtna language and culture
including, songs, dances, beading, and Ahtna . . . — — Map (db m255179) HM
Hauling coal cars and other heavy equipment to the surface of the
mine was the job of this hoist. Originally used at Premier Mine, it
was located at the top of a hill with the cable running down and
through a load out chute. The large, fifty . . . — — Map (db m254930) HM
The Matanuska Valley's ecosystem is an intricate
network of diverse, interconnected elements.
You too are a part of this!
Rich and Connected
Carved in part by the Matanuska Glacier and the braided
Matanuska River, this long valley . . . — — Map (db m255256) HM
The "Lucas House" was built by the US Navy in 1917 in Chickaloon. Until about
1922 it served as an officer's quarters during the Navy's short period of coal
production in Chickaloon. At that time, the downstairs was two rooms, a kitchen . . . — — Map (db m254984) HM
The Dena'ina called this river the Chatanhtnu and the Ahtna called this river
Ts'itonhtna' which means "river from which trail comes out". The Matanuska
River watershed was an important route between Cook Inlet and the Copper River
Basin used . . . — — Map (db m254976) HM
The people of Nay'dini'aa Na' (Chickaloon) are part of an ancient culture that has met challenges and persevered.
Dene'
The Ahtna and Dena'ina Athabascans, or Dene' (People), have occupied this
area for thousands of years . . . — — Map (db m255224) HM
THE PEOPLE
The Chickaloon Ahtna Athabascan people traveled within the Copper River and Cook Inlet areas. Many families had their own traditional hunting and fishing grounds. The people moved from camp to camp, depending upon what food . . . — — Map (db m255185) HM
These pieces of petrified wood were found at the Wishbone Hill
escarpment, just north of here. Fossilized plant types document there
were warm, subtropical temperatures in this region 55 million years ago.
The petrified forests in this area . . . — — Map (db m255202) HM
This log home was originally built by Ray Roberts and his family with the help
from local friends and neighbors in 1949. The cottonwood logs were harvested at
Kings River and milled on the Roberts' property. The interior of the home was . . . — — Map (db m255259) HM
Rita was instrumental in forming the Alpine Historical Society
and was the first president serving in that capacity from 1983 to
1984. Rita and her husband Gene moved to Alaska in 1969. For
three years, they lived at Fort Richardson Army Base . . . — — Map (db m254924) HM
This shovel arm was used in construction of the Glenn
Highway. The undercoat was painted with military olive
drab paint as much of the heavy construction equipment
was brought to Alaska for military use such as building
the 'Alcan' Highway. . . . — — Map (db m255104) HM
This is the gravesite of John Goodlataw. Born in 1870 in Chitina,
Goodlataw was Ahtna. In 1920, he settled in Chickaloon and worked
at various jobs around this area. He passed away in 1935.
The custom of raising Spirit Houses above the grave . . . — — Map (db m255207) HM
For a small town (about 1,400 people) Sutton has a rich history. Two
Indigenous Athabascan Nations, the coastal Dena'ina and the interior Ahtna
Hwt'aene' (Peoples) including Nay'dini'aa Na' (Chickaloon Native Village),
used this part of the . . . — — Map (db m255008) HM
As mines were sold and finally closed in the Eska area, many people moved closer to the
railroad tracks, to what is now Sutton. Mike O'Neill, former owner of the Alpine Inn, built
this wood frame structure to be Sutton's first gas station and . . . — — Map (db m254980) HM
The mountain dominating the view to the north is Granite Peak.
At 6,729 feet tall, it is one of the highest mountains on the front
range of the Talkeetna Mountains (you are standing at 500 feet). It
can be spotted easily from Anchorage on a . . . — — Map (db m254986) HM
The Matanuska River valley has always been a transportation corridor. Before 1900 the
Chickaloon-Knik-Nelchina Trail connected coastal Dena'ina and the interior Ahtna Hwt'aene'
(Peoples) including Nay'dini'aa Na' (Chickaloon Native Village). In . . . — — Map (db m254959) HM
This area's coal deposits took millions of
years to form and only a few years to mine,
forever changing the surrounding valley.
Stored Energy
Essentially, we get coal from sunshine. Hundreds of millions of years
ago, swampy forests . . . — — Map (db m255112) HM
Wall tents have been a part of Alaskan camps and settlements
since the late 1800's. From the gold rush camps of the 1890's to
fishing and hunting camps of today, these substantial tents with
built-up walls remain typical of camp living in the . . . — — Map (db m255194) HM
Walt was a coal miner at Jonesville coal mine from 1945 until 1967. He
worked as a millwright and master mechanic. He enjoyed exploring the
mountains and valleys around the mining area and learned about the
indigenous plants and local history. . . . — — Map (db m255254) HM
History, Nature, and Culture:
These are just a few of the things that make the
Alpine Historical Park a popular stop for travelers
along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway.
Athabascan Culture, Coal Mining, and Glenn Highway . . . — — Map (db m254897) HM
Ahtna Hwt'aene' and Dena'ina Peoples have used over 100 local wild plants
for everyday living tools, food, medicine, and ceremony. They believe that
plants should be treated with respect and they often speak to plants while
harvesting them. . . . — — Map (db m255182) HM
"For many pilots, their dream job is that of a bush pilot the airborne cowboy who must land on gravel bars and slip through mountain passes."
Kathy Dondzila
Since their earliest days, Alaska's bush pilots have earned a reputation for . . . — — Map (db m257643) HM
Cliff Hudson was one of Alaska's most well known early bush pilots. He flew his small planes for over four decades, opening up the wilderness around Denali to climbers, homesteaders and tourists.
Hudson came to Alaska in 1948. He was a pioneer . . . — — Map (db m257646) HM
"The [Luscombe] Silvaire can make a good pilot look very good, and let the pilot flying it have a ball."
- Rick Dunde, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
This is the plane used by bush pilot Cliff Hudson. It is a Luscombe Silvaire model . . . — — Map (db m257639) HM
1913 - Walter Harper was the first to reach the summit of
Mount McKinley/Denali, the highest mountain in North America.
Harper, an Alaska Native, was part of the mountaineering team
of Hudson Stuck. He reached the summit on Saturday, 7 . . . — — Map (db m257634) HM
Did You Know?
Biologist have studied Mt. McKinley wolf packs since the 1930s. Early researchers, such as Adolph Murie, helped to dispel common myths about wolves and argued for their protection. Among many detailed observations, Murie . . . — — Map (db m257649) HM
Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the
sled dogs of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
“The Last Great Race on Earth”
Endurance Fidelity Intelligence
Dedicated the first Saturday of March, 2012
Historic replica of . . . — — Map (db m80411) HM
Joe Redington, Sr.
Born in Oklahoma, February 1, 1917 Died in Alaska, June 24, 1999
Joe was an accomplished man; homesteader, big-game guide, bush pilot,
commercial fisherman, boat builder, fish-plant manager, and mountain . . . — — Map (db m80410) HM
In loving memory of
Dean H. Christopherson
1916-1992
Made possible by a generous
contribution from
Mrs. Elaine G. Christopherson
in memory of her husband
The cabin is similar to the cabin at Rohn
the eighth checkpoint on the . . . — — Map (db m80413) HM
