Guide to the Sam McClain papers
1940-1994
Self portrait of Sam McClain
Collection number: HMC-0429.
Creator: McClain, Sam.
Title: Sam McClain papers.
Dates: 1940-1994.
Volume of collection: 4 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in the collection are in English.
Collection summary: Papers and art work of an Anchorage area artist.
Biographical note:
Sam McClain was born in San Angelo, Texas. He came to Alaska in the late 1940s and worked as an architect for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District Office, in Anchorage from 1949 until his retirement in 1979. He married Christine Ferrari Reeder in Anchorage in 1950. McClain was an artist, specializing in pen and ink drawing and watercolors. He studied under watercolor artists Rex Brandt and Robert E. Wood in California in the late 1960s. He was best known for his drawings and watercolors of Russian Orthodox churches and other historical buildings in Alaska. McClain contributed drawings and designed the cover for Fern Wallace’s book, The Flame of the Candle: a pictorial history of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska, which was published in 1974. He also taught watercolor art classes, served on the advisory board of the Sand Lake Community School Board, and performed volunteer work for the Anchorage School District and other local organizations. Sam McClain died in Anchorage in 1994.
Collection description:
The collection consists of Sam McClain’s personal papers, files concerning his artwork, and his original artwork. The collection contains his personal and employment papers, and volunteer service records. The collection also contains art related place name files. Most of these files concern Russian Orthodox churches in Alaska, while others relate to historical structures in Alaska and in McClain’s home town of San Angelo, Texas. The collection also includes artwork created by Sam McClain, art related subject files, as well as photographs of friends, family, vacations, and artwork.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in the following series:
Series 1: Personal and employment records; 1942-1994
Series 2: Geographical art files; undated, 1940-1989
Series 3: Art subject files; undated, 1967-1976
Series 4: Artwork; undated, 1969-1979
Series 5: Photographs; 1947-1992
Digitized copies: Select photographs, sketches, and watercolors have been digitized and are available on Alaska’s Digital Archives. An online exhibit on Sam McClain features some of his artwork. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Copyright to the materials authored or created by Sam McClain has been transferred to Archives and Special Collections. The collection contains materials created by others. The Archives does not hold copyright to these materials.
Preferred citation: Sam McClain papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Related materials: Archives also holds the papers of Christine McClain, Sam McClain’s wife: Christine M. McClain papers, HMC-0370.
Separated materials: Some published material has been separated from the collection and added to the Consortium Library’s Rare Books collection.
Custodial history: After Sam McClain’s death, some material was given to Pat Richardson by Claire Steffens, the attorney handling the McClain estate, around 1995. Richardson was a friend of Christine and Sam McClain.
Acquisition note: The collection was presented to the Archives by Sam McClain in 1994 and a deed of gift was signed by McClain at that time. Additional materials were presented to the Archives by the estate of Sam McClain through the executor of his estate and his attorney, Claire Steffens, in 1996 and 1997. In 2018, Pat Richardson donated additional materials given to her by Steffens.
Processing information: This collection was arranged and described by Jeffrey Sinnott in 1997. The guide to the collection was converted to current standard and series combined by Veronica Denison in 2015. Additional materials were added to the collection and described by Denison in 2018.
Container list:
Series 1: Personal and employment records; 1942-1994. 0.3 cubic feet.
This series contains the personal and employment records of Sam McClain. The series includes McClain’s personal correspondence, biographical information, poems he wrote, news clippings, and records relating to his employment and retirement with the U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska. The series also includes papers related to his activities as a volunteer in Anchorage and membership on the advisory board of the Sand Lake Community School Board.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Dates |
| 1/1 | Correspondence | undated, 1958-1990 |
| 1/2 | Marriage certificate | 1950 March 12 |
| 1/3 | Artist biographical profiles by Christine McClain (drafts) | undated, 1972-1984 |
| 1/4 | Artist’s vita (drafts) | undated, 1976 |
| 1/5 | Programs, announcements, and biographical sketches concerning the art of Sam McClain | 1968-1990 |
| 1/6 | Art related press releases | undated, 1971-1977 |
| 1/7 | Poems | undated |
| 1/8 | “Sam McClain’s Russian Churches”; Color photography by Richard W. Montague; The Alaska Journal; Sketches of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska published in the Great Lander Shopping News (copies) | 1969-1972 |
| 1/9 | Art related clippings (copies) | undated, 1969-1984 |
| 1/10 | Personal and family clippings (copies) | undated, 1964-1984 |
| 1/11 | Hewitt Painting Workshops (prospectuses) | undated |
| 1/12 | Cards and memorabilia: Selective Service classification card, San Angelo, Texas; Territory of Alaska, Dept. of Civil Defense, Identification Card; U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Game Commission, Resident Hunting and Fishing License; Mooser Gooser Railroad ticket; Honorable Mention, Chugiak 1969 Third Annual Art Show (gold ribbon); First Place, 27th Annual Fur Rendezvous Juried Art Exhibit (purple ribbon); Third Premium, Alaska State Fair Inc., Palmer (white ribbon) | undated, 1942-1969 |
| 1/13 | History of Sand Lake: Oral history tape of Charles Loven speaking about his days in Anchorage in the 1940s and the naming of Sundi Lake (1 audio cassette tape, 15 minutes) | 1988 |
| 1/14 | Certificates of service and awards, U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska (includes 3 black and white prints) | undated, 1952-1979 |
| 1/15 | Certificates of training related documents (includes 1 black and white print) | undated, 1958-1971 |
| 1/16 | Notifications of Personnel Action and related job descriptions | 1962-1965, 1979 |
| 1/17 | Employee qualification records | undated, 1961-1964 |
| 1/18 | Employee performance appraisals | 1958-1964, 1974 |
| 1/19 | Requests for travel and related travel vouchers | 1960-1965 |
| 1/20 | Pay roll change slips | 1959-1964 |
| 1/21 | Work related correspondence, reports, pamphlets, and cartoons | undated, 1954-1965 |
| 1/22 | Photographs: Sam McClain at drafting tables | undated |
| 4/1 | Photograph of moose cow and calf in from of U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska building, mounted on board with staff signatures, presented to McClain upon his retirement | 1979 |
| 1/23 | Anchorage School District, Community Resource Center: notice of assignment letters | 1985-1993 |
| 1/24 | Anchorage School District: Community Resource Evaluations (includes evaluation sheets and attached letters of appreciation from teachers and students) | 1979-1991 |
| 1/25 | Anchorage School District Center: Certificates and Letters of Appreciation and Outstanding Volunteer Award | 1978-1993 |
| 1/26 | Municipality of Anchorage, Senior Citizens Advisory Commission: letter of appointment, letter of appreciation, and certificate of appreciation | 1984-1985 |
| 1/27 | Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) certificates of appreciation | undated, 1989 |
| 1/28 | Certificates of appreciation: Anchorage Literacy Project, Anchorage Senior Center, State of Alaska | undated, 1986, 1989 |
| 1/29 | Tutoring Record, Anchorage Literacy Project | 1989-1993 |
| 1/30-31 | Sand Lake Community School Board notebook | 1987-1994 |
| OS Folder 1 | Barge blueprints from U.S. War Department Office of Chief of Transportation, Engineering Division, Field Service Group, Cincinnati, Ohio | 1944 |
| 3/51 | Address book | undated |
| 3/52 | Guestbooks for artshows | 1972 |
| 3/53 | Alaska Watercolor Society newsletter (1994); Registration of claim for copyright (1972) | 1972, 1994 |
| 3/54 | Correspondence: Anchorage School District; Thank you cards and paintings from Russian Jack class Sam taught to watercolor | undated, 1976-1978 |
| 3/55 | Air Force Communications Service: Insignia, mission | undated |
| 3/56 | Correspondence regarding sister’s health | 1986-1988 |
| 3/57 | Christine and Sam’s meal plan | 1977 |
Series 2: Geographical art files; undated, 1940-1989. 1.6 cubic feet.
This series contains files for 135 towns or areas, primarily in Alaska. Most of the files relate to Sam McClain’s interest in drawing and creating watercolors of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska. There are also extensive files for buildings and the Sand Lake gravel pits in Anchorage, and structures in McClain’s home town of San Angelo, Texas. The files contain photographs, photo post cards, color slides, pen and ink and pencil drawings, black and white photocopies of Sam McClain’s watercolors, sketches, copied and original newspaper and magazine clippings, and correspondence. The series is arranged alphabetically by place name.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Dates |
| 1/32 | Afognak: Russian Orthodox Church, Little Afognak; Holy Nativity of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1970 |
| 1/33 | Aiktalik Island: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/34 | Akhiok: Protection of the Theotokos Chapel | undated, 1971 |
| 1/35 | Akutan: Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/36 | Amchitka: unidentified Christian church | undated |
| 1/37 | Anchor Point ( Nikolaevsk): Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/38 | Anchorage: Photographs and photo post cards: “4th Avenue, main street of Alaska’s All-American City”; Ward Wells, photographer; “Anchorage, Alaska at night, beautiful scenic city in South Central Alaska.”; Mel Anderson, photographer; “Anchorage, Alaska, Looking West, Fire Island in Cook Inlet can be seen above Anchorage with Mt. Iliamna (far left) elevation 10, 016 and Mt Redoubt (middle) elevation 10, 197 on horizon”; Jack Anderson, photographer; “Anchorage Senior Center”; Kay McFarland, photographer; “Downtown Anchorage, Alaska, Colorful flowers and sculpture in front of the Anchorage City Hall.”; Glenn Shelton, photographer; “Moon over Anchorage – Alaska, Colorful view of night skyline of Alaska’s largest and fastest growing city; Jim Doane, photographer; 4th Ave and E Str.(looking east); A. Eide, photographer; Alaska Railroad Depot; Alaska Railroad Hospital; Alyeska (view of Cook Inlet from Mt. Alyeska); Anchorage High School and Auditorium; Hewitt; Anchorage Senior Center; Bird House Bar; Cattle Company (restaurant); Club 25; Cook Inlet; Docks; Gill Service Station, 4th Ave. & I Str.; Hewitt’s Drug Store; The Knit Shop; National Bank of Alaska, Jewel Lake Rd.; Parsons Hotel; Pioneer School, 3rd Ave. & Eagle Str.; Railroad depot building (south of Anchorage); Santa Claus House, O’Malley & New Seward; Scandinavian Club, 4th Ave. & C Str.; St. Mary’s Church, Lake Otis & Tudor; St. Innocent Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 4th Ave. & Turpin Rd.; Street scenes; Van Alstine’s Boat; Welch’s Ladies Fashions (building block); Unidentified log home, church building, school building, bar, cafe, and gift shop | circa 1940-1989 |
| 1/39 | Anchorage: Sketches: Bird House Bar; Carr Bros. Grocery, 13th & Gambell; Chapel #1, Fort Richardson; Cheechako Bar; Club 25; The Knit Shop, 9th & Gambell; St. Innocent Orthodox Christian Cathedral, 4th Ave. & Turpin Rd | circa 1940-1989 |
| 1/40 | Anchorage: News clippings | undated |
| 1/41 | Anchorage Houses: Photographs: 3rd Ave and F Street; 7141 Dawn Dr.; 7170 Dawn Dr.; Caravelle Street; Ingra; L Street, 600 Block; Yellow house with carport; House (with oil barrels to the side); Unidentified houses | undated, 1984-1986 |
| 1/42 | Anchorage Houses: Sketches: 700 8th Ave. (two small houses); 7141 Dawn Dr.; 7170 Dawn Dr.; 7201 Dawn Dr.; House on Caravelle Street; Unidentified houses | undated |
| 1/43 | Andreafsky, Old: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/44 | Angoon: St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/45 | Aniak: Protection of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church | 1973 September |
| 1/46 | Arctic Village: Mission Church | undated |
| 1/47 | Atka: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1971 |
| 1/48 | Attu: Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church; Early Russian Orthodox Church American Chapel, Hogback Ridge, Massacre Valley, Attu Island | undated, 1971 |
| 1/49 | Belkofsky: Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/50 | Bench River: St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/51 | Bethel: St. Sophia Russian Orthodox Church | 1971 November |
| 1/52 | Biorka Island: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/53 | Branch River: St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Church; Old Church (ruins) | undated |
| 1/54 | Chenega: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/55 | Chignik: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/56 | Chitina: Spooks’ Nook Hotel & Cafe | undated |
| 1/57 | Colorado (state): Tourism promotion photos with captions | undated |
| 1/58 | Copper Center: Barns, log cabin, outhouse, and fish wheel; Copper Center Roadhouse | undated |
| 1/59 | Cordova: St. Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/60 | Curry: Curry Hotel | undated |
| 1/61 | Dawson and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory: Dawson from the dome, riverboat Julia B., Dawson, Palace Grand Theatre, Dawson (interior and exterior), Post Office, Dawson, woman on fire engine and steam tractor, Dawson, Jim Balog, photographer; Robert Service’s cabin | undated |
| 1/62 | Dillingham: St. Serafim of Sarov Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/63 | Douglas Island: Town from above; St. Sava Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/64 | Douglas Village: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/65 | Eagle: Eagle Public School | undated |
| 1/66 | Eek: St. Michael Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/67 | Eklutna: “Eklutna Russian Church on Anchorage-Palmer Highway” Mel Anderson, photographer; “Indian Burial Ground at Eklutna on the Palmer Anchorage Highway, Alaska” Jim Balog, photographer; New Eklutna Russian Orthodox Church; St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Chapel and Cemetery | undated |
| 1/68 | Ekuk: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/69 | Ekwok: St. John Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1971 |
| 1/70 | English Bay: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/71 | Eyak: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/72 | Fairbanks and vicinity: “The Malemute Saloon is located at Cripple Creek Resort in the heart of the historic placer gold fields, 11 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska”; “Cripple Creek ‘Malemute Saloon’” Jim Balog, photographer; Malemute Saloon, Cripple Creek Resort; Ladd AFB or Ft. Wainwright; Igloo Creek, southwest of Healy | undated |
| 1/73 | Flat: Miscovich gold dredge | undated |
| 1/74 | Fort Yukon: “Food Storage Cache at Ft. Yukon, Alaska” | undated |
| 1/75 | Haines: Pioneer Bar | undated |
| 1/76 | Homer: Salty Dawg Saloon; Watercolors of the Salty Dog Saloon; Toby Tyler Studio | undated, 1968 |
| 1/77 | Hoonah: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/78 | Hope: Iver Nearhouse general store | undated |
| 1/79 | Huslia: Post Office | undated |
| 1/80 | Idenaski (Nondalton): Russian Orthodox Church | 1973 October |
| 1/81 | Iguigig: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/82 | Juneau: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church; Presbyterian Chapel | undated |
| 1/83 | Kaguyak: St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/84 | Kanatak: Russian Orthodox Church | 1977 March |
| 1/85 | Karluk: Ascension of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church | 1971 |
| 1/86 | Kashega Village, Unalaska Island: Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/87 | Kasigluk: Church of the Holy Trinity, Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/88 | Katmai Village: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 1/89 | Kenai: “Monument of Egumen Nicolais, Founder of Russian Greek Orthodox Church, 1846, Kenai, Alaska ’63”; “‘The Priest’s House’ – Russian Orthodox Church, Kenai Alaska, Photo by Delores D. Roguska, Anchorage, Alaska ’63”; “Russian Orthodox Church – ‘Holy Assumption’ founded 1846 by Russian Monk – Egumen Micolias, present church built 1896, Kenai, Alaska, K-1846-61, Kenai Comm. Library”; “Russian Chapel, Kenai, Alaska” Mel Anderson, photographer; “Early Russian Church in Kenai, Alaska.” Mike Roberts, photographer; “Kenai, Alaska” (Russian Church); Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church; Monument of Egumen Nicholais (Old Russian Church) | undated, 1963-1971 |
| 1/90 | Ketchikan: St. Peters Episcopal Church | undated |
| 2/1 | Killisnoo: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/2 | King Cove: Russian Orthodox Church, Mt. Dutton behind | undated |
| 2/3 | Kniklick: Russian Orthodox Church at Kniklick, P.S. Hunt, photographer | undated |
| 2/4 | Kodiak: “One of the last remaining structures of Russian origin, these beautiful and picturesque structures dominate every village and town on Kodiak Island.” Alf Madsen, photographer; “Russian Greek Orthodox Church, Kodiak, Alaska” Alf Madsen, photographer; Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church; Russian Orthodox Church (original) | undated |
| 2/5 | Kokhanok: Russian Orthodox Church | 1973 September |
| 2/6 | Kolignak: St. Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/7 | Kongiganak: St. Gabriel Russian Orthodox Church (old); St. Gabriel Russian Orthodox Church (new) | undated |
| 2/8 | Kvichak: Russian Orthodox Church | 1973 July |
| 2/9 | Kwethluk: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church; St. Nicholas Church (original) | undated |
| 2/10 | Lawing: Alaska Nellie’s; Hotel | undated |
| 2/11 | Levelock: Protection of the Holy Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/12 | Livengood: Buildings | 1971 |
| 2/13 | Lower Kalskag: St. Seraphim Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/14 | Makushin Village, Unalaska Island: Nativity of Christ Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/15 | Marshall or Fortuna Ledge: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/16 | Matanuska Valley: Barns; Farm houses; Boat: Henry J; Wasilla Railroad Depot; Baxter Hall | circa 1976 |
| 2/17 | Metlakatla: Christian Church | undated |
| 2/18 | Minto: Village | undated |
| 2/19 | Morzhovoi: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/20 | Mountain Village: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/21 | Naknek: St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/22 | Napaskiak: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/23 | Nenana: Railroad Depot | undated |
| 2/24 | Newhalen: Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/25 | Nikolai: Presentation of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/26 | Nikolski: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/27 | Ninilchik: Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church; village buildings; “Ninilchik, Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula at mile 138, Sterling Highway. On top of the hill is an early Russian church” Reggie Hibshman, photographer | undated, 1968, 1971 |
| 2/28 | Nome: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church | undated |
| 2/29 | Nondalton: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/30 | North Port: House | undated |
| 2/31 | Nuchek: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/32 | Nulato: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/33 | Nunapitchuk: Presentation of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1971 |
| 2/34 | Nushagak: Russian Orthodox Church; St. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/35 | Old Harbor: Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/36 | Old Knik: Greek Catholic Church | undated |
| 2/37 | Ouzinkie: Nativity of our Lord Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/38 | Palmer: Needle Rock, Fishhook Road; Pioneer Peak | undated, 1984 |
| 2/39 | Pedro Bay: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/40 | Perryville: St. John the Theologian Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/41 | Pilot Point: Dr. Dudey and airplane, photo by Fern Wallace; St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/42 | Pilot Station: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/43 | Pitka’s Point: S.S. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church | 1973 October |
| 2/44 | Portage: Glacier and Lake; Abandoned houses | undated |
| 2/45 | Portage Creek: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/46 | Port Graham: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/47 | Port Lions: Nativity of the Theotokos Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/48 | Port Moller | undated |
| 2/49 | Russian Mission, Kuskokwim River: St. Sergius Church at Little Russian Mission, Chauthbaluk | undated, 1971-1973 |
| 2/50 | Russian Mission, Yukon River: Elevation of the Cross Church, Ikogmiut | undated |
| 2/51 | San Angelo, Texas; “Santa Fe Depot, San Angelo, Texas.”; Tom Green County Historical Survey, San Angelo Texas; “Santa Fe Railroad Station at Chadbourne and 4th Street, Built in 1889, San Angelo, Texas”; “San Angelo, Texas in 1880. Looking east on Concho Ave. Two-story stone building on right is the Veck Sterrett Bank”; “San Angelo, Texas in 1900, looking east on Concho Ave.”; “Chadbourne Street, looking north from Concho. At right is Schubert Salon at the corner of Twohig and Chadbourne, San Angelo, Texas”; “Early Adobe House, on Twohig street, which served several families while building more substantial homes, San Angelo, Texas”; “1878 Ben Ficklin Jail – James D. Spears, Sheriff, left; John Lackey, county clerk, right. Middle man is unknown”; “Barracks – Overlooking parade ground, Ft. Concho, San Angelo, Texas 1884”; “Top – Oxen-drawn over land freighter. Bottom – Mule-drawn wool train, 1868”; “Ernest Nimitz Hotel, located on West Twohig Street, San Angelo, Texas. Lord Anson is on wagon”; “Concho Avenue, San Angelo, Texas – 1882. Enterprise newspaper office at left. Note ox-drawn wagon with emigrant families”; “Mexican Homes – Under South Oaks bridge, early San Angelo, Texas”; “Wool Train ready to leave San Angelo, Texas in 1911. Central National Bank building is in the background”; “First Bale of Cotton grown in Tom Green County. Dark spot at corner was a runaway horse passing as photographer took photograph”; “Tankersley Hotel – Concho and Oaks Street, San Angelo, Texas”; “Old Settlers Parade in 1907. Looking north on Chadbourne from Concho Ave., San Angelo, Texas”; “Adobe Huts on West Twohig Ave., 1886, San Angelo, Texas”; “1868 Emigrants, San Angelo, Texas. Many early arrivals helped build San Angelo”; “Concho Street, looking east from South Irving, San Angelo, Texas about 1880”; “Tom Green County Courthouse built in 1884 and 1885 at a cost of $18,000.00. The stone was quarried above Ben Ficklin and lumber was hauled from Abilene by freight wagon. The cupola was blown off in a cyclone, May 24th, 1887 and was later replaced by a four-faced clock”; “Old Elijah Cox – the fiddler, ex-soldier of Ft. Concho, San Angelo, Texas. Cox and son, Ben, played for all the dances. He arrived at Ft. Concho in 1872” “Ruins of Frontier Ft. Chadbourne between Abilene & San Angelo, Texas”; “Old Fort Concho”; Personal photos of Sante Fe Depot, St. Joseph Church, and other houses, buildings, and sights | undated, 1985 |
| 2/52 | San Francisco, California: St. Ives-Solvang Church, unidentified Russian Orthodox church, streets scenes, and houses | 1984 |
| 2/53 | Sanak Island: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/54 | Sand Lake Gravel Pits and Vicinity, Anchorage | undated, 1986-1987 |
| 2/55 | Sand Point: Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1973 |
| 2/56 | Savonoski: Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1970 |
| 2/57 | Seldovia: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Chapel; U.S. Post Office, pre-earthquake1969 | undated |
| 2/58 | Seward: Aerial view, Ward Wells, photographer; Jesse Lee Home; Resurrection Bay; St. Peters Episcopal Church; Unidentified church | undated |
| 2/59 | Sitka: Post Cards and Photos: “St. Michaels Cathedral” Photo Shop Studio, Sitka; “Main St., Sitka, Alaska” Mike Roberts Studios, Berkeley, California; “St. Michael’s Cathedral, Sitka, Alaska”; Old Indian Chapel, Greek Catholic Church, 1874; Russian Cemetery, East Section; St. Michael’s Cathedral (pre-earthquake); St. Michael’s Church (original) | undated |
| 2/60 | Sitka: Correspondence, Sketches, and Drawings: Copy of letter from Joe H. Ashby, President, Sitka Historical Sites Restoration Committee, Inc., to Fern A. Wallace; St. Michael’s Cathedral (original and pre-earthquake churches) | 1971 |
| 2/61 | Sitka: Publications and Clippings: Alaska Day Festival, Sitka; Sitka, by Jack Calvin | undated, 1960, 1968 |
| 2/62 | Skagway: Golden North Hotel; Mulvikiel House (original), Fern Wallace photo; Street scene showing Pack Train Inn and Golden North Hotel | undated |
| 2/63 | Sleitmute: S.S. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/64 | Spooner, Wisconsin: Byrnes Store | undated |
| 2/65 | St. George: Letter to Sam McClain from George Day concerning color photo; St. George Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1986 |
| 2/66 | St. Michael: Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church; Original church; Orthodox Community Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1971 |
| 2/67 | St. Paul: “Pribilof Islands – This old Russian Orthodox Church and cemetery in distance are living examples of St. Paul Village history”; R. Giersdorf, photographer; “S.S. Peter & Paul Church of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Alaska, St. Paul Island, Alaska”; “Pribilof Islands – Interior of St. Paul’s Russian Orthodox Church, with a past dating from Catherine the Great of Russia” R. Giersdorf, photographer; “Pribilof Islands – The tundra is a lush cosmorama of brilliant flowers. St. Paul village in background”; Bob & Ira Spring, photographers; “Pribilof Islands – Home of the largest fur seal herd in the world with village of St. Paul in background”: S.S. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church and outbuilding; Old S.S. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1971 |
| 2/68 | Stuyahok: St. Sergius Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/69 | Talkeetna: Personal photos of Talkeetna area buildings and scenes, including the Fairview Inn, the Talkeetna Roadhouse, B & K Trading Co., Talkeetna Museum (old schoolhouse), and train station; Roadhouse | undated |
| 2/70 | Tanana | undated |
| 2/71 | Tatitlek: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church (old); St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church (new) | undated |
| 2/72 | Tolida: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/73 | Tuluksak: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/74 | Tyonek: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/75 | Unalaska: Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church; Parsonage; Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1972 |
| 2/76 | Unalaska: Letter from Sam McClain to Ray Hudson concerning slides of church; Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1971-1972 |
| 2/77 | Unalaska: Publications and clippings | undated |
| 2/78 | Unga: Old church; Russian Orthodox Church | undated, 1977 |
| 2/79 | Valdez, Old: Churches; House; Old Cable Office; Village Morgue Saloon; Vista Motel | undated |
| 2/80 | Wasilla: Old and new libraries; Depot | undated |
| 2/81 | Wood Island: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
| 2/82 | Woody Island: Russian Orthodox Church | undated |
Series 3: Art subject files; undated, 1967-1976. 0.3 cubic feet.
This series consists of files for general art related subjects, including alphabets, boats, design, jewelry, and sundials. Also included are files related to Sam McClain’s art classes; the cover design he created for Fern Wallace’s 1974 book, The Flame of the Candle: a pictorial history of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska; contents of a binder concerning his work on Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska including lists of watercolors he completed; and designs for templates to display his notecards of pen and ink drawings.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Dates |
| 2/83 | Alphabets | undated |
| 2/84 | Art class and reference materials: “Fur Rondy Art Show 1971 Rusty Huerlin Juror Sam McClain Best of Show”(photo); Watercolor class supply list | undated, 1971 |
| 2/85 | Boats: Steamer Nenana; Fishing boat, Try Again, Homer | undated, 1967 |
| 2/86 | Book Cover (correspondence, sketches, watercolors, and Sam McClain’s final design for the cover of Fern A. Wallace’s 1974 book, The Flame of the Candle: a pictorial history of Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska | undated, 1973-1975 |
| 2/87 | Design #1 | undated |
| 2/88 | Design #2 | undated |
| 2/89 | Design #3 | undated |
| 2/90 | Jewelry | undated |
| 2/91 | Russian Orthodox Churches (general, with photos, clippings, and sketches) | undated |
| 2/92 | Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska (contents of binder); Letter from Fern Wallace; Lists of churches and diocese, including those with completed watercolors; Resource Guide, Russian Orthodoxy in Alaska by Barbara Sweetland Smith | undated, 1976 |
| 2/93 | Sundials | undated |
| 2/94 | Designs for templates to display notecards of pen and ink drawings | undated |
Series 4: Artwork; undated, 1969-1979. 1.3 cubic feet.
This series contains artwork created by Sam McClain and one print of Hoonah by Virginia Eggert. The series contains original watercolors and pen and ink drawings, print copies, as well as notecards and greeting cards created by Sam McClain and sold by his art studio.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Dates |
| 3/1 | Prints of watercolors of Russian Orthodox Churches: Russian Orthodox Church, Juneau, Alaska; Russian Orthodox Church, Katmai Village, Alaska; Holy Resurrection Church, Kodiak, Alaska. | 1970 |
| 3/2 | Prints of Pen and Ink Drawings of Russian Orthodox Churches: Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, Kenai; Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church, Kenai; Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church, Kodiak; St. Michael’s Cathedral, Sitka; S.S. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, St. Paul Island, Alaska | undated, 1969 |
| 3/3 | Art notecards, Collectors Item Series Group No. 1, Sam McClain Art Studio, Anchorage, Alaska, Copyright 1971: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Chapel, Eklutna; Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Chapel, Kenai (old and new church); Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Chapel, Ninilchik; St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Chapel, Seldovia; St. Michaels Russian Orthodox Church, Sitka (destroyed January 1966 by fire) | circa 1971 |
| 3/4 | Art notecards, Collectors Item Series Group No. 2, Sam McClain Art Studio, Anchorage, Alaska, Copyright 1972: St. Nicholas Chapel, Atka; Holy Assumption Church, Attu Island; St. Nicholas Church, Nikolski; St. George Church, St. George Island; S.S. Peter & Paul Church, St. Paul Island; Holy Ascension Church, Unalaska | circa 1972 |
| 3/5 | Alaska Landmarks Group No. 1, Sam McClain Art Studio, Anchorage, Alaska, Copyright 1972: Club 25, Anchorage; Salty Dawg Saloon, Homer; Copper Center Roadhouse, Copper Center; Cripple Creek Cache, Cripple Creek; Golden North Hotel, Skagway; Malamute Saloon, Cripple Creek | circa 1972 |
| 3/6 | Christmas Greeting cards: Black and white reproduction of a watercolor of Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church in Ninilchik; Black and white reproduction of a watercolor of Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church in Kodiak |
undated, 1979 |
| 4/2 | Club 25, Anchorage and yellow house on reverse | undated |
| 3/7 | Club 25, Anchorage | undated |
| 3/8 | House, 7141 Dawn Dr., Anchorage | undated |
| 4/3 | House, 7141 Dawn Dr., Anchorage | undated |
| 4/4 | House on Caravelle Str., Anchorage and gray house on reverse | undated |
| 4/5 | House with bay windows, Anchorage and landscape on reverse | undated |
| 4/6 | House in Anchorage with small mud room, town scape on reverse | undated |
| 3/9 | Monument to Egumen Nicholas, Kenai | undated |
| 3/10 | Mount McKinley | undated |
| 3/11 | St. Sergius (Orthodox) Church, Little Russian Mission, Kuskokwim River | undated |
| 3/12 | Elevation of the Holy Cross (Orthodox Church), Russian Mission, Yukon River | undated |
| 3/13-14 | Salty Dawg Saloon, Homer | undated |
| 3/15 | Sand Lake, Anchorage | undated |
| 3/16 | Santa Fe Depot, San Angelo, Texas | undated |
| 3/17 | St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Chapel, Eklutna | undated |
| 4/7 | St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Chapel, Eklutna | undated |
| 3/18 | St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Tyonek | undated |
| 3/19 | Street scene, Anchorage | undated |
| 3/20 | Transfiguration of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Church, Ninilchik | undated |
| 4/8 | Abstract forms | undated |
| 3/21 | Cityscape on waterfront; Sketch of boats at dock | undated |
| 3/22 | Landscape | undated |
| 4/9 | Landscapes | undated |
| 3/23 | Mountain lake landscape | 1971 |
| 4/10 | Russian Orthodox Churches | undated |
| 4/11 | “Hoonah – an Alaskan Village”; art print by Virginia Eggert | undated |
| 3/24 | Self-portraits in pen and ink | undated |
| 3/25 | Writer’s Block (sketches, watercolor, and clipping) | undated |
| 3/26 | Color photocopies of landscape watercolors | undated |
| 4/12 | Ghost town street | undated |
| 4/13 | House with bay windows, Anchorage | undated |
| 4/14 | Mm. Tremblay’s Store | undated |
| 4/15 | St. Joseph Church, San Angelo, Texas | undated |
| 4/16 | St. Michael’s Cathedral, Sitka | undated |
| 4/17 | Landscape | undated |
Series 5: Photographs; 1947-1992. 0.5 cubic feet.
This series includes materials from a photograph album, photographs of family and friends of Sam McClain, various people and places in Alaska, McClain’s watercolors, an art show at Alaska Methodist University, and McClain’s art class lesson materials.
| Box/ Folder |
Description | Dates |
| 3/27 | Photographs from photo album page: Sam McClain family, Christine McClain, and friends, photo newspaper clipping, wedding announcement, and birth announcement concerning Bonnie McGee | undated, 1947-1953 |
| 3/28 | Sam and Christine McClain wedding photographs; Sam McClain and unidentified women at photo exhibit, and on a balcony; Sam McClain with birthday cake; Sam McClain with teddy bear; McClain at an easel with a watercolor; McClain beside an ice sculpture; Watercolor classes at elementary school; McClain inside his home; McClain and Martha Herschberger in front of artists of the month exhibit at Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum; McClain, his mother Addie, and Christine McClain; Portrait of Addie McClain | undated, 1950, 1971, 1992 |
| 3/29 | Photographs of McClain’s watercolors: Salty Dawg Saloon, Eklutna Chapel, “Summer Sun,” Sand Lake Road, Russian Orthodox Church, glacier landscape, pond landscape, mountain landscape, St. Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka, an unidentified Christian church, Holly Assumption Russian Orthodox Church (old), fiver watercolors mounted in art exhibit | undated, 1978 |
| 3/30 | Summer trip: Valdez Harbor, Chatanika Café; Gold Dredge No. 8, Cripple Creek Resort | 1968 |
| 3/31 | “AAG slides of AMU [Art] Show, 1969”: Mary Annis, “Alaska Polar Bear” (sculpture); Kieth Appel, “Neo-Alaskana”(mixed media), “The Pill” (mixed media), Saradell Ard, “Earthform” (painting), “Earthform B” (painting); Pat Austin, “Denali” (watercolor); “Fish Ice” (watercolor), “Touchstone (painting), Jewell Berger, “Voyage” (painting); Alex Duff Combs, “Covered Pot” (ceramic), “Whale Hunt” (ceramic);Gerald Conaway, “Animal Form” (painting), “Low Box for a Warm Winter,” “Polygon ” (sculpture), “Untitled” (painting); Bridget Cooper, “Sun in the Window” (woven wall hanging); Daltrice, “Fossil Bird (sculpture); Norma Frick, “The Politicians” (painting); Gerard Gailand, “Whale” (sculpture); Jo Gordon, “Winter Water Fall” (painting); Brian Grove, “Bottle” (sculpture); Sandra Jean Hardin, “Refracted Rainbow” (woven wall hanging); Buck Hayden, “Bird Watcher” (painting), “Fear Object” (painting), “Triptych” (painting); Gary Holthaus, “Inupik” (sculpture); Ward Hulbert, “Arnica” (painting); Joan Kickbush, “Striving” (painting); William Kimura, “Lineation (mixed media); Margaret Klatt, “Visual Sound” (sculpture); Marie M. Laws, “Seal” (sculpture); William Mell, “Grindel” (painting); John S. Penatak, “Owl” (sculpture); Jan Session, “Joy” (mixed media); Ed Seuss, “Dream City” (painting); Wasilly Sommer, “Broken Hills” (painting); E. R. Veatch, “Homage to Beanie” (painting), “Untitled (painting); Liz Wrightson, “Wall Hanging”; Unidentified painting | 1969 |
| 3/32 | Art class lesson materials | 1972-1973 |
| 3/33 | Watercolors by Sam McClain: “Summer Sun,” a house, and Club 25 | undated, 1977 |
| 3/34 | Houses, boats, and scenery | undated, 1968, 1972 |
| 3/35 | Photo post cards: “Scenic Alaska. Bridal Veil Falls on the highway to Valdez”; Jim Balog, photographer; “Petersberg. Alaska–Old Street is the name of the main street in Petersburg, one of Alaska’s busy fishing and seafood ports.” Reggie Hibshman, photographer; “Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, Arizona. Home of the Spiritual Life Institute Memorial to Marguerite and Lucien Brunswig” Neil Koppes, photographer; “Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, Arizona.”(interior view of altar) Niel Koppes, photographer; “Chapel of the Holy Cross, 3 miles south of Sedona, Arizona in lower Oak Creek Canyon — Courthouse rock in right background.” Bob Bradshaw, photographer; “Judge Roy Bean’s Court House, Langtry, Texas”; “Judge Roy Bean Museum, Langtry Texas” John H. Payne, photographer; “Judge Roy Bean Museum, Langtry, Texas” (painting); “Judge Roy Bean’s Court House, Langtry, Texas” David M. Mills, photographer; “Courthouse, Hays County, San Marcos, Tex.” Don R. Bartels, photographer; “Hill County Courthouse. Historic landmark built in 1889. Hill County created 1853. Located in Hillsboro, Texas at intersection of Highway 77, 81, 35E, 35W, 22, and 171. ‘Gateway to Lake Whitney’”; “San Jose Mission, San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1720, it is particularly famous for its stone carved South Window” Steve Dodson, photographer; “Antiguo San Angel Inn Restaurant, Palmas y Altavista, Mexico City.”; “Desert Botanical Garden Between Temo and Phoenix, Arizona” Bob Van Luchene, photographer; “Golden Poppies on the Desert” Chuck Abbott, photographer; “Prickly Pear Cactus” Robert Plumstead, photographer | undated, 1965 |
| 3/36 | Family photographs; “Russian Church” in Kanatak, Alaska; “Old Church” in Unga, Alaska | undated |
| 3/37 | Scenery, Big Horn Lodge, flowers | undated |
| 3/38 | Trip to Europe | undated |
| 3/39 | Skagway, McCarthy and Kennecott, glaciers, crab boats, Anchorage, Lake Spenard, floatplanes, Beluga harvests, Dawson, Barrow, Juneau, Homer, scenery, a wedding, a crashed car, and trip outside of Alaska | undated, 1954-1966 |
| 3/40 | Christine and Sam McClain, as well as unidentified family, and friends | undated, 1954-1966 |
| 3/41 | Artwork and scenery | 1972 |
| 3/42 | Scenery and picnic along Edgerton Highway | undated |
| 3/43 | Homer | undated |
| 3/44 | Kenny Lake, squirrel | undated |
| 3/45 | Anchorage dock | undated |
| 3/46 | Talkeetna | 1974 July |
| 3/47 | US Army Engineers District Office building, RCA building, Cheechako Bar and Lounge, a port | undated |
| 3/48 | Boat trip; Snettisham | undated |
| 3/49 | Vista Motel; Talkeetna; Homer and Salty Dawg; Russian Orthodox churches: St. Paul Island and Eklutna; Copper Center; Fur Auction; Musicians; Downtown Anchorage; Village Morgue Saloon; Valdez | undated |
| 3/50 | Possibly Sam as baby; Sam receiving an award; Sam’s sister Julia May | undated |