Alaska State Library – Historical Collections

Scope and Contents The black and white photographs in this collection are primarily of the construction of the city of Anchorage in approximately 1915-1916. Many of the photos bear the name of the photographer – Pyatt. Many businesses of that era are recognizable by their signage, including Brown and Hawkins; Polley Bros. General Store; Mrs. Tillman’s Ladies Furnishings; Baxter’s Magazines; Terminal Transportation Co. Two Girls Cafe; Skookum Johnson’s Restaurant and Lodgings and many others. An early...

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The collection depicts U.S. Bureau of Fisheries activities, ships, S.E. Alaska communities including Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, numerous bays and creeks in Southeast Alaska. U.S. Bureau of Fisheries commissioner Henry O'Malley visited Alaska in the 1920's, accompanied by U.S. Congressman A.M. Free of California and photos of their visit are part of this collection. The photographs range in size from 2 x 2 ¾ in. to 3 ½ x 5 ½ in. , fading, captioned in ink on verso.

Scope and Contents This collection contains photographs of railroads which have operated or are operating in Alaska and Yukon Territory. They record construction, snow removal, flood damage, bridges, passengers and unused tracks and engines.Photographers represented include Case and Draper Co., U. S. Signal Corps and R.N. DeArmond; J.W. Dryden; many views do not have photographer names.The photographs are arranged alphabetically by railroad name. Very few of the views are original...

Scope and Contents The collection includes maps from Alaska’s pre-discovery era, through the Russian-American era and the American era, including the gold rush. Included are charts of voyages (including a 1741 Chart of Waxell drawn while under command of Vitus Bering), discovery and exploration (northwest coast maps of Russian, English explorers, etc.) and later maps such as the explorations of Lt. H.T. Allen in 1885, to interior Alaska. Various projections of the Northern Hemisphere may be found as well as...

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The log mentions Kenai history, salmon and herring fishing, a trip to Bristol Bay and lists canneries operating in Cook Inlet “during my time,” as well as people who worked for Jacob Adolf Rasmussen.

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The album is mainly a documentation of Rawson’s life in Alaska, the Yukon, Washington, D.C. and around Lake Michigan. Places photographed include: Yukon River, Nulato, Nome, Koyukuk, St. Michaels, Chilkoot Pass, Circle City, Weare and Dawson. The Alaska/Yukon photos were taken ca. 1898-1899.

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The manuscript collection includes Alonzo Rawson’s diary from 1898-1900, correspondence, primarily to his fiancée, Gertrude in Des Moines. One letter is written by Gertrude after her arrival in Nome, October 1900. Also included is a story by Rawson, clippings, and Rawson’s obituary. Most of the above were transcribed by the donor; the arrangement follows his transcription and is chronological.

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Photographs by Mary Allen and J.E. Worden of Wrangell, Sitka, Port Armstrong, mainly. Most of the photos are of landscapes, ships, villages and people. Some photos are thought to be by Frank Byerly.

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Typescript, map, and photographs by Richard T. Young about a summer working in the Porcupine Mine near Haines, Alaska.

Scope and Contents Record Book with a letter attached to inside front cover. The letter is to John H. Kinkead, Governor of Alaska, dated July 23, 1884, from M. S. Joslyn, Acting Secretary of U.S. Department of the Interior, regarding the Commission established by Act approved May 17, 1884. Act established a civil government in the District. The Commission was " to inquire into and report upon the condition of indians residing in said territory, what lands, if any should be reserved for their use, what...