J. Simpson MacKinnon Photograph Collection, Southeast Alaska Views and Portraits
Content Description
Series I: These images were collected or photographed by James MacKinnon and depict Southeast Alaska scenes and people. The collection includes 139 portraits representing some well-known southeast figures, territorial governors and legislators. Images numbered 131-223 were photographed by James MacKinnon. Photographs numbered 224-226 include military personnel. Various other photographers are represented in the collection.
Series II: These images were scanned from nitrate negatives housed in five Eastman Negative Albums. The images were taken in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Warm Springs Bay, Tracy Arm, and other locations in Southeast Alaska. The Salmon Creek dam, Juneau baseball park, the Greek Church in Sitka, totem poles, ships, and people are depicted. Not all numbers have images.
Dates
- circa 1880-1945
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for viewing, however, the photographs may not be photocopied.
Conditions Governing Use
Requests for permission to publish material from the collection must be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish.
Biographical / Historical
James Simpson “Sim” MacKinnon was born March 26, 1897, in Juneau to pioneer prospector Lockie MacKinnon and his wife, Martha. He was named for Dr. James Kidd Simpson who saved Lockie MacKinnon’s life following an explosion at the Ebner Mine in the Last Chance Basin. Sim spent his early childhood in Fairbanks and returned to Juneau, graduating from high school in 1917. He became the first Alaskan to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy (1921). Sim and Hazel Jaeger were married in 1923 and right away she accompanied him to Chefoo, China, where he was stationed. During his tour of duty their only child, James Simpson “Skip,” was born in Manila, Philippines. In 1927, he and his family returned to Juneau where they operated the Alaska Laundry and Cleaners.
MacKinnon was naval aide to Gov. John Troy and later to Gov. Ernest Gruening. After World War II broke out, he returned to active military service as chief of staff for the 17th Naval District, directing the war effort in the Aleutians. He retired with rank of captain in 1946.
MacKinnon was a member of the Juneau Volunteer Fire Department, the Pioneers of Alaska and the Elks. He was a 3rd degree Master Mason and Shriner. “Sim” MacKinnon died July 31, 1990, in Juneau at age 93.
Extent
230 Photographic Prints (Sleeved in Mylar, housed in archival folders, in 1 box)
124 Photographic Slides (2 boxes, stored in freezer in Vault) : 124 nitrate negatives
Language of Materials
English
Existence and Location of Originals
INVENTORY OF ORIGINAL NEGATIVES
Negatives stored in freezer in Vault
Box 1 of 2 :
Series II:
All album negatives scanned June 2014
Eastman Negative Album I : 1-100, containing 29 negatives:
Includes images of an Indian skeleton, the S. S. Alameda, Helen Smith and Gladys Trip, Russel Casey, Juneau Baseball Park, Salmon Creek Dam site, and New Cain Hotel.
Negative album II : 101-200, containing 32 negatives:
Includes images of Jim McClusky, Tracy Arm, Annex Creek, Salmon Creek Dam, Treadwell Ditch, Al Cooper, Tom McCartney, and swimming in Gastineau Channel.
Negative album III: 201-300, containing 36 negatives:
Includes images of Warm Springs Bay, a baseball game, Salmon Creek Dam, Matsen’s Ranch, the Abler burning, S. S. NORTHWESTERN, B. M. Behrends Bank, Alaska Juneau Mill, and the Sitka baseball team.
Negative album IV: 301-400, containing 18 negatives:
Includes images of totem poles on Indian Road, entrance to Sitka Harbor, Naval Wireless Station, Greek Church in Sitka, Russian Block House, and the KLAHANEE.
Negative album VII: 401-500, containing 9 negatives:
Includes images of Salmon Creek Dam, Governor’s Mansion, Taku Glacier, and a picnic at Grindstone.
Box 2 of 2:
Series I:
Nitrate negatives in sleeves, #192-223
INVENTORY OF GLASS PLATE NEGATIVES
Stored in Metal Cabinet in Vault
Box 1 of 1:
Series I:
#12, 23, 54, 86, 107, 125
Existence and Location of Copies
Some photographs in this collection have been digitized and are available to view via Alaska's Digital Archives.
Processing Information
The photographs are sleeved in Mylar and housed in archival folders and boxes. The photographs are numbered. Series II, 124 nitrate negatives, which are stored in their original sleeves within five small Eastman Negative Albums, have been scanned and most were placed on Alaska's Digital Archives.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the J. Simpson MacKinnon Photograph Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by: Staff; Revised by: Jacki Swearingen, May 2014; AS Finding Aid by: Melissa Scriven, March 2019
- Date
- 2019 March
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)
asl.historical@alaska.gov