Module VIII - WW II - Alaskans and the War

Location... Location... Location

Musings:  We often hear realtors using the phrase "location, location, location."  What about Alaska made it a desirable location for countries around the world during World War II?

* * * * *

Essential: 
Explain how Alaska's location was considered 'strategic' during World War II.  What were the war activities/events that supported the perspective of 'strategic' Alaska?

History:
1935 - Brigadier General William Mitchell urged Congress to adopt a strong northern air defense stating "he who holds Alaska will hold the world."
December 1941 - Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor
June 1942 - Japan's bombing of Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island
1942 - Japan's invasion of Attu and Kiska Islands
May 1943 - U.S. forces landed on Attu to retake island
August 1943 - U.S. foces retake Kiska island


Strategic Focus: 
Airplanes departing from Kodiak and Dutch Harbor did not have the range to engage the Japanese at Attu and Kiska.  In order for the US to be strategic in the war efforts, US forces built Alaska military bases.  The bases contructed on other Aleutian islands, allowed the pilots to engage in air strikes further and further west into Japanese territories. 

Major Military Locations in AK (Google Im)

When the Japanese attacked Attu and Kiska in 1942, this was the first time since the war of 1812 when invading military had occupied American soil (www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org).  This presented itself as a vulnerable threat U.S. territories.  The island of Attu is only 750 miles from the northernmost of the Japanese islands (www.alaskool.org/projects).  The U.S. Government once again accelereated its efforts to establish military support in Alaska.

The terrain and climate of Alaska were both difficult for "outsiders" from the lower-48.  Alaskan Natives joined military units, including Army and Territorial Guard to help patrol the coastlines and lead reconnaissance missions in unknown fighting areas.

Alaska Territorial Guard Poster (Google Images)

Territorial Guard in Sitka, 1944 (Google Images)

YouTube Territorial Guard

US Coastguard Clover in Pribiloffs, 1943 (Google Images)

Unalakleet Family, 1945 (Google Images)

The U.S. Government and Military maximized on "the fear of repeated attacks" by Japanese to engage the U.S. citizens with the military efforts.  The Aleutian Campaign was a strategic military objective as well as a psychological objective.  Americans generally felt VULNERABLE with the knowledge of American soil occupied by an enemy.  U.S. military capitalized on this point to build additional military presence in remote locations throughout Alaska.  (http://explorealaskablog.blogspot.com)

Land-Lease Propaganda, 1943 (Google Im)

The Land-Lease Project provided another connection between the Western and Eastern hemispheres.  Nearly 8,000 planes were transported from manufacturing plants in the U.S. to Russia, via Canada and Alaska.  U.S. companies transported planes from lower-48 to Fort Wainwright at Fairbanks, AK.  The Russian pilots picked-up the plans in Fairbanks, flew to Nome for refueling and then to Siberia.  There was a small contingency of Russians living in the Fairbanks area, providing support services to the Russian pilots. 

The Aleutian islands' strategic value was their ability to control Pacific Transportation routes (Wikipedia).

Pacific Rim Perspective (Google Images)

Those of us that lived in the lower-48 have a different perspective of the location of Alaska in reference to Eastern Europe/Asia.  We see it far north of main transportation lines.  However, from the northern perspective of Alaska, we live in transportation "hub."

Transportation/communication inter-connectedness during WWII:
[1] The Aleutian chain consists of approximately 120 islands stretching over a 1,000 mile distance.  Dutch Harbor on the island of Unalaska provided a relatively good anchorage for the Navy.  This naval base is approximately 2,000 miles from both Honolulu and San Francisco. 

[2]wartime construction increased with revenues from Russia, Alaska and the lower-48.  From 1939 to September 1941, there was increase of military personnel from 1,000 to nearly 35,000.  Alaskan infrastructure was necessary to support the increase of the military personnel and their personal and military needs.   

[3] planes routed through Alaska serving military and commercial needs in Russia and Germany.  These planes "leapfrogged" from contiguous U.S. soil through the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness to military installations in Alaska and onward to Siberia. 

[4] In 1942, additional strategic plans began with the construction of the Alaska Highway.

(www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org)
(World War II in Alaska: A Resource Guide for Teachers and Students)

Alaska Highway Route Map (Google Images)

Explore: 
The Alaska Highway -- why expend the funds?
The idea of a highway connecting the "lower 48" to Alaska had been in discussion and planning stages since the 1920s.  However, no actual construction began until 1942.  President Franklin D Roosevelt obtained approval from the U.S. Congress to begin construction on February 6, 1942.  Construction actually began March 8, 1942.  Canada allowed the United States to cross Canadian territory and build the highway as long as the U.S. covered the total cost.  Canada also negotiated to have the highway deeded back to their country after World War II.  The road was originally built by the U.S. Army as a supply route from the lower 48 to Alaska, extending from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction.  The highway was completed in September 1942 and opened to the public in 1948.  Today, the Alaska Highway, also called the ALCAN Highway is approximately 1400 miles long.  The change in length was due to re-routing and reconstructions of numerous sections.   

What kicked the construction into "high-gear?"
* Attack on Pearl Harbor and the threat to the U.S. Territories (Dec 7, 1941)
*  Japanese invasion of Kiska Island and Attu Island (June 6 & 7, 1942)
* Linking airfields between the 'Northwest Staging Route' sending assistance to Russia through northwest Canada (from Montana to Fairbanks) (www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org)
* Connecting contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canadian territory


The cost of constructing the Alaska Highway was $138 million (historynet.com).

Extend: 

Anti-Aircraft Observation, St Paul, AK (Google Images)

Where are there other former World War II sites in Alaska?  Are there any near your community?  What happened in your area during World War II?


The only military installation in Juneau is the Coast Guard Facility.  This facility was originally opened in Auke Bay in the mid-1950s and stayed there until the current facility, just northwest of downtown Juneau opened in 1978.

Makhnati Island Near Sitka (Google Images)

Perhaps our closest southeast Alaska neighbor with extensive military presence during WW II was Sitka, Alaska.  The plan to station large Gun Batteries around Sitka was established in 9 June 1942.  This was a tactical move by the U.S. Navy to secure portions of the Alaskan coastline.  After initial stages of construction began, additional stations were constructed as Radar positions and Searchlight positions (www.sitkaww2.com/harbordefenses). 

Locations of Gun Batteries: 

Shoals Point

Makhnati Island

Biorka Island

Watson Point

Whale Island

Lava Point

Clam Island

Kayak Island

Lisianski Peninsula

Little Biorka Island

Ataku Island

Radar Positions:                                                         Searchlight Positions:
Abalone Island                                                           Shoals Point
St. Lazaria Island                                                       Sound Island
Biorka Island                                                              Lisianski Peninsula
Makhnati Island                                                          Kayak Island
Harbor Mountain                                                         Little Biorka Island
                                                                                 Ataku Island


Evaluation:
I had been in the dark about the strategic location of Alaska during WW II.  There has been much publicity about Pearl Harbor and movies that captured the Japanese war acts against the U.S. in this state.  There is very little published or retold about the attacks at Attu and Kiska.  I am thankful that I have learned more about U.S. history from this Alaska perspective.

Final Thought:

A soldier stood at the Pearly Gates;

   His face was warn and old.

He gently asked the man of fate

   Admission to the fold.

"What have you done," Saint Peter asked,

   "To gain admission here?"

"I've been in the Aleutians

   For nigh unto a year."

Then the gates swung open sharply

   As Saiint Peter tolled the bell.

"Come in," said he, "and take a harp.

   You've had your share of hell."

(Warrant Officer Boswell Boomhower)

Module 7 - American Period: Society

MOOSINGS (Musings)

It is amazing that early-comers to Alaska put financial/economic gain so far above the need for Human Services.  It was rare to find schools, hospitals, medical services anywhere in Alaska.  As I begin this study, I wonder how people lived without these essential services.  The topic underscores the challenge of life in Alaska in the 1800s and 1900s.


Essential Question?????

Alaska's Vast Geographic Expanse (Google Image)

How have the ways Alaskans have devised education and health care systems been both a reflection of socio-cultural norms of the dominant culture as well as a response to the challenges of providing services in a vast geographic area?


A Brief History of Alaska Health Care
1800 - Church missions first to respond to AK health care needs
1867 - Coast Guard opens hospital in Sitka
1886 - Catholic hospital established in Juneau
1896 - Yukon Delta provides doctor by dog-team
1887-1917 - Eight hospitals established in AK by mission groups
Early 1900s - AK has traveling nurses to support health needs
Early 1900s - Bureau of Education provides health care in isolated villages and by medical ship (7 hospitals and one boat).  Nurses stationed at 16 locations throughout the state.
1915 - 25-bed Alaska Native hospital built in Juneau
1931 - Bureau of Indian Affairs takes over health care
1943 - American Red Cross established service in Alaska
1946 - Seward sanatorium initiated
1950 - Alaska Psychiatric Institute started
1953 - 400-bed Alaska Native Hospital built in Anchorage
1961 - Remote hospitals built in Kotzebue and Barrow
Today the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services provides public health clinics throughout the state.

1910 AK Native Territorial Hospital Juneau (Google Image)

Holy Cross Hospital Nome (Google Images)

St John's Episcopal Hospital 1904 (Google Image)

Simpson Hospital Juneau 1910

Challenges of Providing Health Care in a vast Geographic Area

Settlement of Alaska by new arrivals has followed the multiple stages of economic development.  Money (or the eagerness to get it) brought the people to Alaska, and the money either sustained their pursuits, or stopped and people moved away.  People arrived and then left depending on the economy and financial gain.  The times were filled with "boom" or "total loss!"  The focus was first and foremost financial.  Needs for social services came later as people began to stay in geographic areas.  Construction of health care facilities followed settlements as they became more and more established. Most Alaskans lived in communities, although some communities were very small.  The primary reason for community living was people preferred the company of others and there was safety living near others with the adversities of Alaskan life.  

Early health care in Alaska was a missionary activity.  Church mission groups established health care services and facilities to support the growing population in many settlements, and later in towns.  It was not until the early 1900s when the Federal government began to provide these services.  And it was nearly 60 years later when services were provided to the most remote locations.

As economies fizzled, health care and educational services diminished or ceased.  Between 1940 and 1950, the territory's civilian population increased from 74,000 to 112,000 due to the growth of military installations.  This influx put a tremendous strain on the inadequate social services in Alaska (Alaska Heritage, Chpt 4-3).

The story of Alaskan health care is connected directly to the immigration of "outsiders" to Alaska.  A review of the early medical and educational services and facilities matches closely the physical landscape, infrastructure of transportation/communication, and the larger historical population centers of the state.

Brief History of Education in Alaska

1867 - Russians closed their schools when they left the territory

1868 - First school opened in Sitka

1870 - US Government requires private company to establish school for 50 students in their community

1880 - Sitka established 2 schools, one for Natives and one for non-Natives

1877 - Wrangell Mission School started

1878 - Presbyterian mission industrial school started

1881 - Navy Commander Glass requires Native children in Sitka to attend school

1884 - Congress passed law to provide education for children in AK without regard to race.

Sitka Training School c1888 (Google Images)

1892 - 17 government-supported schools operating.  14 of theses were for non-natives

1900 - Revised Organic Act provided for schools in incorporated Alaskan towns

1905 - Nelson Act requires education for "white children and children of mixed blood"

1905 - Catholic mission vocational training school started solely for AK Natives

1913 - AK Territorial Legislature passed law requiring all children to attend school

1915 - First AK vocational boarding school for Native youth

1931 - Bureau of Indian Affairs took over operation of rural schools and boarding schools

1947 - Mt Edgecombe opened

1976 - State of AK required by lawsuit to construct schools in rural areas

Socio-Cultural Norms of Dominant Culture

Since the beginning of educational opportunities in Alaska, the dominant culture has strived to establish education that closely matches the opportunities that existed in other US states and territories.  Government was consistently inadequate in providing for early educational options, so connections were established with various church mission groups to establish schools. The schools were patterned after other private schools in the "lower 48" by using similar structures, procedures and curricula.  In the mid-1880s Sheldon Jackson worked with mission boards of Protestant churches to establish educational opportunities.  Essentially, the federal and state dollars went to supporting churches.  The churches gained strongholds in education and continued to provide education in Alaska for decades.

AK Natives required to imitate
Euro-American School model

There were many negative impacts of the Dominant Culture on the Alaskan Natives in early AK education.  It was not uncommon for schools to forbid the use of Native languages in school, and even in social context.  The Bureau of Education introduced Alaskan Native children to "education for white children."  Their curricula was patterned after other US Schools.  The goal of the education was to reinforce the Euro-American way of life.  Of course, this was in direct opposition to the traditional Alaskan cultural values and traditions.

As education progressed, more of a "dual-system" developed, providing education to separated Native and non-native populations.  Fines were imposed on Native Alaskan families for their students not attending schools.  

Early education focused on traditional US School System topics of reading, composition, handwriting, math and civics.  The school calendar was patterned after typical school system calendars from fall to late spring.  There was often no thought to the conflict this created with Native Alaskan subsistence cycles.  The children were no longer allowed to move between spring and fall hunting camps.  Many students were significantly restricted from spending times with their families, and some in boarding schools did not see their families for years at a time.

The negative impact of early educational opportunities began to change when the Rural Education Attendance Areas (REAAs) were created.  This was the first time that Native people felt the hint of some promise of a measure of self-determination in the educatio of their children.

Sheldon Jackson Campus (Google Image)

AK School Children c1903 (Google Image)

Holy Cross Mission School - Yukon River 1914
(Google Image)

Kotzebue School 1907 (Google Image)

EXAMINE...

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is the farthest north public university in the United States. What are the specialized academic areas at UAF that make it unique among American Universities?

Bristol Bay Campus - Tourism, International Business, Community Health, Renewable Resources, Entrepreneurship, Rural Development.


Interior/Aleutians - Construction, Rural Nutrition, Tribal Management, Rural Human Services, Veterinary Science.


Kuskokwim Campus - AK Natuve Culture, Yup'ik Language, Rural Human Service, Emergency Wilderness Training


Northwest Campus - Alternative Energy, Practical GIS for Rural AK, Birds of AK, Marine Advisory Program, High Latitude Range Management, Snowmachine maintenance, Edible/medicinal Plants.

EXTEND...

I was able to preview a excerpts of the book, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, by Donald Orth, 1967 and 1971.  This is a truly unique book and very interesting historically.  It gives names of Alaska "places" including streams, bays, valleys, mountains, points, water passages, etc.  Included in the book are places that "are" and those that "once were."  Each entry includes a narrative location (near the stream X) and  latitude - longitude.   Additionally, a bit of history is included, like how the place was names, by whom and when.  Here is one sample entry:  "Lost Harbor: locality, at Lost Harbor on W coast of Akun Island, Aleution Islands; (map 24).  Name of a former mining camp that was located on the island in the 1920s.  the camp contained a smelter, tramway, machine shop, commissary and other buildings for the operation of a sulphur mine."

I found three used copies of this dictionary available for purchase on Amazon.com.  The used copies started at $175.00.


Author Donald J. Orth wrote/compiled or co-authored several books of the same type.  All were published by the Government Printing Office.  Apparently he was an effective grant writer, based on his number of publications, his access to using the Government Printing Office, and his continuing royalties for a book written over 40 years ago.

EVALUATION...
I enjoyed this module.  More and more I am seeing connections between population growth and other areas of economy and human services.  I admire the early AK settlers and their determination for success as they moved to AK with little or no social services.


I am pleased that education of Alaskan Natives is once again returning to "its roots" of quality education that supports the cultures, languages, and learning styles of the Native children and groups.  We can learn much from AK Cultural Education and their holistic and experiential approaches.

Module VI - American Period: Transportation & Communication

1.  What have been the impacts by transportation on traditional Native cultures and on the environment? (Essential)

Alaskan Road early 1900s (Google Image)

Alaskan Highway 2005 (Google Image)

Type of transportation	Impact on Native culture	Impact on environment
Ocean and river transportation (first means of transport to AK and within AK) First voyage up Yukon River 1869 Alaska Marine Hwy 1963 Cruise ships 1975 (Holland America)	*Provided jobs for Native AK *Public Ferry System created improved transportation in SE *River transport took furs from AK native groups to sell *Wood camps provided employment for Native culture *Natives who knew rivers were hired as pilots	*Wrecked ships litter coastlines and impact sea life *Increased river traffic *More than 300 ship accidents in inside passage between 1898-1900. *24 ship losses a year until WWII *Oil spillage affects environment and wildlife
Road and Rail	* Labor force created jobs for construction and maintenance *Roadhouses were established to support travelers’ needs *Roads changed animal migration paths affecting Alaskan Natives	*Connected mines to rivers *Abandoned supplies (mining/road equip) littered environment *Increased motor vehicle emission pollutes air
Air/Aviation *First appearance of plane in AK 1913 *1922 first commercial air service between Seattle and Ketchikan *1920-40 air travel supports mining equipment/people *Pan Am starts commercial air service between Seattle and AK	*Provides educational opportunities for Native children in lower 48 boarding schools. *jobs as pilots and air support	*Construction of rural runways affected environment *Noise pollution near airports
Communication System	*Jobs *Connection with lower 48 *Radio stations connect native populations *TV *Internet	*Communication towers in natural environments

 (Data taken from Alaska's Heritage, Chpts 4-8, 4-9, 4-10)

2.  How is Alaska's ocean and river transportation linked to the Alaska economy? (Examine)

Historically, economic development in Alaska happened only where transportation could be provided.  This included water transportation, road transportation, and air transportation. Communities were established to provide support to transportation centers.  Transportation centers were expanded as the communities developed.  Both community and transportation were interconnected in the development and expansion of Alaska.

Admiral Evans c.1800 (Google Image)

Cruise Ship 2008 (Google Image)

Early water transportation happened on the major rivers.  Riverboats and paddleboats were powered by wood.   Typically the boat could travel for part of a day, then stop at a port for loading of a new supply of wood and cleaning the soot from the firepits.  The riverboat transportation provided jobs both on the boats and in the "wood campuses" where wood was cut, stacked, stored, and provided to the riverboats.  The boat captains, the people being transported, and the goods aboard depended on the local Alaskan peoples for wood and labor.  As more and more boats accessed the riverways, more towns and economic centers were established and expanded.

Alaskan Railroad c1930 (Google)

The Alaskan railroad continued to expand to meet ships at both ocean ports and main river ports.  The waterways affected the rail transport industry, and the railways supported the needs of the port towns, the people living at the ports, and the people's needs living in the interior remote locations of early Alaska.  Today, 80% of all cargo that arrives in Alaska comes via marine transport.  Alaskan economy could not flourish without ocean and river transport.

SE Alaskan Marine Highway (Google)

In 1970, Valdez became a major port due to the need to ship oil from the pipeline. Additionally, oil shipment southbound from Prudhoe Bay in supertankers began around the same time period.  The oil industry brought jobs to Alaska in the late 1900s.
  Today Alaskans rely heavily on ocean shipping.  The bulk of goods shipped north from the lower 48 to Alaska is by ship.

Cargo Shipping in Alaska (Google Image)

3.  How might you use the content from this module in your professional practice?

I teach students with disabilities.  Transportation is a topic that we can explore together.  We can see waterway transportation "in action" in Juneau.  With experience and this basis of knowledge, students can grasp the concept of commerce through waterway transportation.

Week 1:  Major waterways in SE Alaska
An exploration of Gastineau channel and the main transportation lanes in SE Alaska.
Week 2:  The Alaska Marine Highway system
Study of the cities/towns served.
Math/time lessons on time based on marine schedules
Week 3:  Transportation from Seattle to Juneau
Study the marine highway system to Alaska focusing on what items are transported.
Week 4:  Transportation from Seattle to Juneau and Anchorage to Juneau
Study on the marine highway system and people transportation to and from Juneau
Week 5:  Cruise ship travel to Juneau
Study the timetables and graph the number of ships arriving in Port of Juneau each day during July and September
Week 6:  Impact of tourism on Juneau, including revenue brought by cruise travel and port excursions.
A look at the optional excursions from downtown Juneau to other locations.

Alaskan Transportation Systems (Google)

Evaluation:  This has been my favorite chapter so far.  The connections are limitless when focusing on transportation to and within Alaska.  The information is valuable for my students as they look at their state, the local economy, and draw conclusions on the importance of transportation to commerce. 

Module V: American Period - Exploration and Economy

I. How are the major components of the economy interconnected?

Alaska appears to be the best example of economical interconnectedness in the 19th and 20th centuries.  All movement to and within Alaska was dependent on transportation.  The transportation centers sprung-up in places to support the early economic pursuits of the early explorers and merchants.  One of the major reasons for the annexation of Alaska was to derive economic benefit from Alaska's resources. (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-1).

Immediately after annexation of Alaska from the Russians, American sent soldiers, sailors and government officials to the state.  These peoples needed the infrastructure to support supply shipments and early economy.  Settlements thrived around military posts.

New Alaskan began to settle near the lines of transportation and resources.  Port towns established to support the shipment of people and goods into Alaska.  There were new settlements established along waterways (ocean ports and rivers) to support the local economy.  Alaskans needed food, clothing and shelter and needed to bring many of these items to Alaska.  The transportation companies flourished during the time of expansion.  One of the first mail-order catalog companies brought needed clothing and other goods to Alaska in the early 1900s (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-4).

As mines became centers of attention in the late 1800s and early 1900s, roads were built to support the mining community.  Some of these were "company towns" like Treadwell on Douglas Island. (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-3).

As Alaska expanded the trading and trapping as well as fishing industries, more and more people came to Alaska for economic advantage.  Each of these pursuits was interconnected with every other economic avenue, and each expanded the infrastructure and supply channels for the state.  The fishing industry impacted the transportation industry in Alaska, growing naval vessels for transport of goods and people to Alaska from Seattle/San Francisco, and other companies with smaller vessels began the regular service of transportation on the navigable waterways.

As commercial pursuits grew, the government began to provide additional support and regulations.  Government "support" brought more people to Alaska and more need for interconnectedness with transportation, commerce, and communication (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-16, Chpt 4-17).  In every commercial/economic industry, including farming, herding and lumber, the government decided to add more control and regulations.  

In modern days, the Alaskan economy is interconnected by international travel and tourism.  These continue to define the centers of commerce for the State (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-18)


II. What were the primary motivations for Americans moving to Alaska in the late 1800's?
Monday, June 4, 1902
It was quite a difficult day as the whole family gathered at the dock to see Uncle Charles and Uncle Theodore board the ship headed for Alaska.  Imagine that... Alaska.  It surely must be at the end of the world.  The stories they told of an earlier trip made the life should difficult and very dangerous.  I must admit, a few of the stories caught my interest and intrigued me.  I can sorta imagine myself, living with the trappers near the Yukon River.

Early Naval Transportation to Alaska c1860 (Google Image)

My Uncles were dressed with more layers of clothing and more boxes than I have ever seen.  Even when our family crossed the US on the Oregon trail, we didn't have the quantity of tools and provisions that my Uncles had.


Aunt Tessie and Aunt Margarite cried and cried as did all the rest of the family as the last goodbyes were given.  Of course, at my almost adults age of 14 I did not cry... or at least when nobody was lookin.  Half of me wanted to be with my Uncles and the other half of my heart was relieved that I could stay in Portland.  Why it was just a little over 6 years ago that we left Kansas for the great wild west.


I think they told us that the trip would take about a month and they were hoping to be in their camp prior to the first freeze.  I cannot imagine ice and snow the way they tell the tales.

Thursday, September 19,

I can't believe my eyes.  Up to the porch can the mailman with a letter from Uncle Charles.  He was always the better writer.  Look at that stamp and marking from Anchorage, Alaska.  I am so excited but need to wait for my folks and Aunt Tessie and Aunt Margarite to gather.  I wonder what Uncle C has to share.  I am so excited I can hardly wait.  I wonder what my life would be a trapper in Alaska.  I can see all those fox and otter and beaver skins all piled-high just ready for shipping to market.  They will have thousands of dollars when all the skins sell. 


With the family gathered, Aunt Tessie said to my parents, you read the letter. I am just so nervous to hear what has been happening...

Typical Trapper Clothing (Google Image)

"To my dear, dear family.  Life here in Yukon Alaska is rewarding and at the same time very difficult.  After almost 6 weeks, we make the long trip from Portland on boat, then to land, then to smaller boat, then to horseback, then to footpath.  It is already cold in the morning and early afternoon.  We have found the local people very quiet and reserved with the other trappers much more boisterous.   Our living arrangement is a bunkhouse, filled with men from all over the USA.  The men all work in secret locations with their traps and rifles.  When they get together in the late evenings, they is much trading to happen.  Fox for beaver, beaver for food, wolf tails for money.  Everyone will sell what they can to make money for the other necessities of life. 

We wish we could tell you more, but time and strength fail faster than desire.  With much love, Charles.

Monday, November
Dearest family,
We are freezing today and have been for several weeks. We have lost all our skins to other trappers for food and warmth and well as thieves.  We are doing so miserable.  We don't have the money to return to Portland or would head that direction immediately.  Pray for us, Theodore.

Saturday, February 7
Dear family,
We are sorry to have not been much in writing for the past weeks.  We met some others that gave-up trapping and trading and have found work at one of the local fisheries.  They go out early each week, fish for five to seven days, and return to the port with a boat load of fish.  They have invited us to join them tomorrow on a new trip.  Since we are not making a living on furs, we have decided to take the offer from Captain Hubbard.  His ship is called Ol' Miss Molly, and it is a well-constructed vessel.  Charles and I don't know much about fishing, but we have to make some money to get home.
Love, Theodore

Early Alaskan Commercial Fishing (Google)

Sunday, April 2

Dearest Family,
I though I almost lost Theodore.  While fishing for herring and halibut, Ol' Miss Molly was hit broadside by an unexpected giant wave.  Theo went overboard.  That old son-of-a-gun.  I felt sick inside that he would surely die in the very cold waters off the boat.  But that old brother had tied a rope around his ankle when he noticed the waves and water coming into the boat.  That old rope saved his neck and kept my brother alive.  I am so thankful. Uncle Charles

The ship is heading back to port.  We have bellies full of halibut and the hold is completely full of fish.  It will be a ton of money when we return.

A Typical Trapper's Cabin (Google Images)

Wednesday, April 5
We got our pay today.  Mother of God... I have never seen so much money.  We found a small cabin on the outskirts of town and struck a deal with some trappers to stay in the cabin for a couple of weeks.  We have hidden our money in a trunk in the ground near an old tree.  Uncle Theodore

Early Military in Alaska (Google Images)

Monday, September 17
We have been working on fishing for almost a half-year.  Can hardly believe that time has gone.  We are much stronger and more able to handle the constant motion of the ship and the cold-icy spray as it hits the ship.  This will be our last trip on the Ol' Miss Molly as the captain has sold the ship to John Sutton out of Virginia.  He is using the ship to transport the new military and soldiers to the area.  We hear the government wants to maintain the safety of the land from possible invasion, now that gold is on everyone's mind.  We don't know exactly what we will do, but have to find word.  The quantity of one thousand dollars each is still our goal.  With that we can buy those new homes in Portland and start a new business together.

Alaskan Cannery near Kenai (Google Image)

We have heard of a cannery that is hiring, but we are really tired of the smell of fish.  The cannery owners really take advantage of the poor ship captains, paying them the smallest amount possible and then canning and selling the fish for top-dollar.

January 4, 1905
We have acquired 100 acres of land from Marshall Sam Wright.  The Alaskan government is giving land to all men that can go establish a homestead within a year.  We took all our earnings from the fishing, and the canning, and some additional we got from selling some tools that were needed by newcomers.  Man, are the newcomers green.  They don't know a thing about life in Alaska.  We were able to sell our tools and some household goods for top-dollar.  With some hard work, we can establish that homestead in a town called Juneau.  We have heard of a new mine called Treadwell, in a town called Douglas.  We are excited to see what lies ahead.  Much love, Charles

March 31
We signed with the Treadwell goldmine and they provide a daily rate of 2 dollars plus housing.  We are excited about finding gold.  Once we learn the skill of goldmining, we hear there are other areas full of gold.  This will be our great opportunity to exceed that thousand dollar goal.  We sure miss you all.  Our best... Theodore and Charles

Treadwell Mine c1910 (Google Images)

May 7
Life is sure great.  We work hard during the day in the mine.  The Treadwell crew treat us mighty fine.  On our time off we meet with traders, fishers and buy what they have to sell.  Some days we find great deals in the Juneau-Douglas area.  We would love to have a fresh raspberry pie!!!  We heard of honey called fireweed and have eaten our share of bear.  Life is great.  We want to invite our nephews to join us in Douglas.  Now that they are almost seventeen, it will be a great time for them to travel and become real men.  We will wire the money soon.  Uncle Charles

I couldn't believe what I had heard.  Would my folks let me go with my cousin Mark?  What an adventure that would be.  We could fish and trade furs that we get from our trapping.  I have read some books and articles about business life in Alaska and I think I will be a great businessman.

August 12

Reindeer Herding in Alaska (Google Image)

As we were packing, we received a letter from Uncle Theodore.  They have moved their home to a place called Kodiak where they have joined a reindeer rancher.  The rancher purchased 3,000 acres of timberland.  They initially began to sell the timber.  Logging is really important and very lucrative in Alaska.  As the trees were cut-down and sold, the land was fenced for a new ranching enterprise of raising reindeer.  I thought reindeer were only in the Christmas story.  When I went to the library and saw a picture of a true reindeer I could not believe my eyes.  Those antlers looked so dangerous.  I cannot believe my uncles are now headed to ranching in the great northwest and I am leaving day after tomorrow to join them.  The trip is now much shorter, with only 3 weeks boat.  They are even talking about having a railroad linking parts of Alaska.  What changes!!!

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III.  Describe the economic base for your area of Alaska and share any current issues confronting the local residents.

Juneau's economic base is primarily government and tourism.  Government jobs amount to approximately 33% of the local economic base with tourism providing a close second at about 30%.  Retail trade is about 14% of the economy and the remaining balance is in multiple areas: Forest, fishing, mining, manufacturing, finance, military and transportation.  (Juneau Economic Council Publication, 2010)

Juneau as Commercial Center of SE Alaska
(Google Image)

Issues confronting the local residents include:
[1] lack of affordable housing
[2] cost of transportation to and from Juneau
[3] increased cost of living due to having to ship commercial goods via barge or plane
[4] Increase of government presences January to April, affecting housing and transportation
[5] positive and negative impacts of tourism in May through September
[6] shortage of trained craftsmen (blue-collar jobs)

(Juneau Economic Development Council, 2010)

Evaluation:  This week I began to see the first interconnectedness in the late 1800s/early 1900s in Alaska.  I had always wondered why Alaska developed commercial centers in remote places.  I see the connections between transportation and economic pursuits in the state.  Although the data we reviewed in the module were complex, it helped understand the progression of commerce in the state.