(3:09 min.) (01 of 09) 1. Early life Les's father went north with the gold rush; when he found that the claims had all been staked, he and his partners opened up a paint and wallpaper store. Les moved to Fairbanks with his wife and eldest...
(3:09 min.) (10 of 28) 10. Fighter planes
About 50 P-40's (fighters) were shuttled across by the aircraft carrier "Ranger". These planes were destined to replace the worn planes in China. One plane landed hard and lost a landing gear.
(3:09 min.) (27 of 28) 27. Pilot for Governor Egan George used to fly Gov. Egan back and forth to Juneau. Egan liked George's harmonica version of "Springtime in the Rockies". George then flew the Seattle run, which he had always wanted to...
(3:57 min.) (09 of 27) Denali Highway
One of the complaints is that the Road Commission did most of their own work and contracted out very little. There was no profit in bringing the equipment all the way here. Setting up base and...
(3:39 min) (09 of 19) Driving the Richardson Road Boat to Valdez, then on to Fairbanks via Model T. Stream crossings, rough terrain and speaking with a construction crew manager. Splashed the distributor cap.
(3:36 min.) (09 of 28) 9. WWII in North Africa
George worked his way across North Africa. He describes air raids in Cairo, how Rommel was pushed back, how war was declared while he was on the ship to Africa. Bombers ferried across the...
02 Next step (3:39 min.) (02 of 09) During 1940, the U.S. Government was getting ready for war -- the Civilian Pilot Training program was started. They allowed one woman in each class of ten. While at Marshall College she learned how to do...
03 More military training (3:36 min.) (03 of 09) Pearl went to Sweetwater, Texas, to train with the Women's Air Corps. She heard that there was a need for pilots in Alaska. In 1944, she headed to Fairbanks, Alaska. She got stuck in Seattle...
(3:00 min.) (04 of 09) 4. Statehood issues Taxes need to be fair and equal. Money should not be raised except to fund services for the state. Church and State need to be kept separate.
(3:45 min.) (08 of 09) 8. Rural/Urban divide The borough concept might have been an error. There are some problems between the city and the Borough. Les felt a young state needed a strong executive.
Charles Goodyear Hubbard II, astride his horse "Whitie", fords the Copper River followed by a pack train of three additional horses and two men. Verso: "Showing how rivers had to be crossed when Hubbard was finally in Copper River Valley and horses...
(9:00 min.) (05 of 09)
Barging
Martha; working close to the land; barge; waves; advice for young people; hovercraft; year round; 75 tons; 30 miles per hour; follows the river; demand; fuel; propane; airlines; schedules; develops better...
(4:48 min.) (09 of 24) 09 Food and health on-board the ship Beef served frequently and caused complaints. Sometimes it was the waiter's fault, sometimes it was the traveler's fault, and sometimes it was the sea. The nurse had to help lots...
Title taken from front. View of men, dog team, and sled at Johnson Creek Summit, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. From verso: "Sunrise, Alaska March 27, 09. The reverse is a scene along the trail we came over. D. [Addressed to:] Miss Ann Karasek, Seward,...
Title taken from front. View of Copper River and Northwestern Railway locomotive traveling from Cordova to Valdez, Alaska. Oct. 3, 1909. Photographer: Kennedy. Postcard. Original photograph size: 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".