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A. A. Puttonen Collection, 1942-1943

 Collection
Identifier: PCA 489

Scope and Contents

The Puttonen Collection consists of two scrapbooks and a published album of the work of the 340th Engineer Regiment on the Alaska Military Highway from 1942-1943. The album is titled: Lower Post or Freeze and was published in 1944 by the Herald Press Inc., of Charlotte, N.C. The two albums have little, if any, descriptive text identifying the pictures they hold.

The first album – the smaller of the two – has no cover and typically has as many as nine (2” x 2”) photos per page. The second – and larger of the two – has a black, embossed binding and typically has four to six pictures per page. The inside front cover of the second album has an article about the highway’s construction affixed.

Dates

  • 1942-1943

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Request for permission to publish material from the collection must be discussed with the Librarian. Photocopying does not constitute permission to publish.

Biographical / Historical

Arthur Alexander Puttonen, was born January 29, 1915 and died August 31, 1979. He graduated from Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now called Michigan Technological University) with a degree in mining engineering and an ROTC commission. Upon completing the AlCan Highway as Captain (per handwritten note in book: “Property of 340th Engineering Regiment Company D second Battalion) or 1st Lt. (per D Company listing in book), he served in the Pacific Theater, achieving the rank of captain chief engineer at an open pit mine operated by U.S. Steel in Minas Geais, Brazil, South America. 1946-1953. His experiences in Alaska, while aiding in construction of the AlCan Highway, include hunting and learning how to spear King Salmon from local Eskimo people as an easy way of catching fish for meals. Information taken from donor notes.

Extent

243 Photographic Prints : Black and white photographs ; paper photo album tied with leather string, 2x2in. balck and white photos ; Scrapbook photo album newsprint, ink, 3x5 black and white photos

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Paul A. Puttonen to the Alaska State Library Historical Collections.

Related Materials

Book housed in HC stacks-TE22.U54 1944 Oversize. Book title: Lower Post or Freeze: 340th Engineer Regiment on the Alaska Military Highway, 1942-1943.

Processing Information

Handmade paper photo album placed in folder.

Subtitle
Finding aid for the A. A. Puttonen Collection, 1942-1943
Status
In Progress
Author
Processed by: Ken Nail ; Revisions: Anastasia Tarmann ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston
Date
2019 June
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository

Contact:
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)