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Christine M. McClain papers

Guide to the Christine M. McClain papers
1907-1992

 

Archives Image

Collection number: HMC-0370.
Creator: McClain, Christine M. (1915-1989).
Title: Christine M. McClain papers.
Dates: 1907-1992.
Volume of collection: 7.7 cubic feet and 79 MB.
Language of materials: Collection materials primarily in English. A few materials in Italian and Dutch are also included.
Collection summary: The papers, writings, and photographs of an Anchorage-area freelance journalist.

Biographical note:
Christine McClain was born in Orient, Washington. She studied newspaper writing and learned typing and dictation in that state. During World War II, she worked in Seattle for the Alaska Communications System (ACS), Army Signal Corps, as a typist and reporter for the ACS newsletter. She transferred to Alaska in 1948, and married Sam McClain in 1950. She continued to work for the ACS until 1971. Christine McClain was a freelance writer who worked as a stringer for Newsweek magazine during the oil boom in Alaska. Her work appeared in over twenty-five national publications including Sunset, Today’s Health, and Coronet. She also worked as a features editor for the Anchorage Times. McClain was a charter member and a president of Alaska Press Women, was the first Alaskan to win an award in a National Federation of Press Women communication contest, was a member of the Alaska Press Club and the Anchorage Writers Group, and was a volunteer for various local service organizations. She was also the recipient of an Alaskan First Lady Volunteer of the Year Award. Christine McClain died in Anchorage in 1989.

In her writings, Christine McClain used a variety of pseudonyms.  These included: Corrine Michael, Chris McClain, Christa McClain, Michael Dennis, Kris T. McClain, K. M. McClain, K. M. Coulson, and Chris M. Ferrari.

Collection description:
The collection consists primarily of papers relating to Christine McClain’s work as a freelance writer, including book and article manuscripts, research materials, and notes for non-fiction, short story, and poetry writing. The collection also contains some personal records such as biographical materials, family papers, employment records, religious materials, and correspondence. Topics of her writing largely relate to her life and work in Alaska.

Arrangement: This collection is arranged in the following series and subseries:

Series 1. Personal materials; undated, 1907-1989
Series 2. Correspondence; undated, 1933-1989
Series 3. Writings; undated, 1933-1989

Subseries 3a. School writings; 1933
Subseries 3b. Short stories; undated, 1953, 1958
Subseries 3c. Television screenplays; undated, 1958
Subseries 3d. Drafts of non-fiction articles, published and unpublished; undated, 1956-1987
Subseries 3e. State and local profile articles; circa 1977
Subseries 3f. Historical articles; undated
Subseries 3g. Advice column “Dear Hope” for Arctic Sun; 1976
Subseries 3h. Newspaper releases; undated
Subseries 3i. Writings; undated

Series 4. Book manuscripts; undated, 1962-1987
Series 5. Alaska Communications System (ACS) research project files; undated, 1931-1992
Series 6. Notes; undated, 1960-1962, 1982
Series 7. Writers organizations records; undated, 1953-1984
Series 8. 1964 Alaska earthquake files; 1962-1979
Series 9. Photographs; undated, 1934-1989
Series 10. Certificates and awards; undated, 1957-1988
Series 11. Memorabilia; 1943-1965

Digitized copies: Selected items from the collection have been digitized and can be viewed on Alaska’s Digital Archives. For information about obtaining copies please contact Archives and Special Collections.

Rights note: The Archives holds copyright to materials created by Christine McClain. The collection contains materials not created by McClain which  may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Preferred citation: Christine M. McClain papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Related materials: The Archives also holds the papers of Christine’s husband, Sam McClain, HMC-0429.

Custodial history: After the death of Sam McClain, 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, Christine’s husband, in 1990. Papers were added by Sam McClain in 1991 and 1994. A deed of gift was signed by Sam McClain in 1994. Additional materials were given to the Archives by the estate of Sam McClain through the executor of the estate and his attorney, Claire Steffens, in 1995 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 collection guide was updated to current standard in 2008. The guide was further revised and published materials removed in 2015 by Arlene Schmuland. Additional materials were added to the collection and described by Veronica Denison in 2018.

Container list:

Series 1: Personal materials; undated, 1907-1989.  0.2 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/1 Biographical records undated, 1954-1989
1/2 Ferrari family letters (in Italian) 1907-1927
1/3 Ferrari family tax receipts and will 1920-1928
1/4 Alaska Communications System employment records 1943-1979
1/5 Personal records: financial, medical, legal, and educational 1947-1982
1/6 Religious materials: bookmarks, announcements, prayer cards 1931-1933, 1964, 1976
6/24 Bridal book 1950
6/25 European trip: Notebook, postcard, and tickets 1974
6/28 Stationary and business card undated

 Series 2: Correspondence; undated, 1933-1989. 0.6 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Dates
1/7 Personal correspondence 1933-1984
1/8 Personal correspondence 1985-1987
1/9 Personal correspondence undated, 1988-1989
1/10-11 Published letters to the editor undated, 1977-1989
1/12 Unpublished letters to the editor undated, 1987-1989
1/13-21 Professional writings correspondence 1950-1989
1/22 Newsweek stringer correspondence 1962-1967
1/23 Rejection letters/slips undated

Series 3: Writings; undated, 1933-1989. 1.35 cubic feet.
Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3a: School writings; 1933. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Date
1/24 School writings 1933

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3b: Short stories; undated, 1953, 1958.  0.15 cubic feet.

Stories arranged alphabetically by title.

Box/Folder Item Description Date
1/25 1 “An avalanche of love,” by Christa McClain undated
1/25 2 “A brat grows up,” by Chris McClain undated
1/25 3 “Don’t under estimate the saints,” by Chris McClain undated
1/25 4 “Dream come true” (hand-written draft) undated
1/25 5 “End of vigil,” by Chris McClain (two drafts) undated
1/26 1 “Find my child” (hand-written draft) undated
1/26 2 “The fire”, by Christine McClain undated
1/26 3 “First dance,” by Christine McClain undated
1/26 4 “Flight 201,” by Christine McClain 1953
1/26 5 “Foolproof marriage recipe,” by Christine McClain undated
1/27 1 “Grandma had to meddle,” by Chris McClain undated
1/27 2 “Homestead caper,” by Chris McClain undated
1/27 3 “The hunt that never was” (draft) undated
1/27 4 “I bought a house & the relatives moved in!” (outline and draft) undated
1/27 5 “I want my baby” undated
1/28 1 “Impasse at Magnolia Beach,” by Christine McClain (two drafts) undated
1/28 2 “Inheritance,” by Michael Dennis (pseudonym) undated
1/28 3 “Lost lake caper,” by Chris McClain undated
1/28 4 “A Man and his word” undated
1/28 5 “Matilda’s garden,” by Kris McClain undated
1/29 1 “Mickey finds a hero,” by Chris McClain undated
1/29 2 “A mothers plea, to her son!” (two drafts) undated
1/29 3 “Mukluks creep silently,” by Christine McClain undated
1/29 4 “Muktuk wins,” by Christine McClain undated
1/29 5 “Multiplied words,” by Corrine Michael (pseudonym) undated
1/30 “Never, never, a right moment,” by Chris McClain (three drafts) undated
1/31 1 “The past lives forever” (draft) undated
1/31 2 “Plain Emmie” (hand-written draft) undated
1/31 3 “No rules for romance,” by Christa McClain (two drafts) undated
1/31 4 “Recipe for romance,” by Chris McClain undated
1/31 5 “Rendezvous race,” by Christine McClain (three drafts) undated
1/32 1 “Reservation for murder,” by Dennis Michael (pseudonym) undated
1/32 2 “Rules for a quick romance,” by Chris McClain undated
1/32 3 “Rules for quick romance,” by Christine McClain undated
1/32 4 “St. Anthony loves me,” by Chris McClain undated
1/32 5 “The saints are powerful,” by Christa McClain (two drafts) undated
1/33 1 “Sacrifice—the main course,” by Christine McClain undated
1/33 2 “Sharp edge,” by Christine McClain undated
1/33 3 “Skating on thin ice,” by Chris McClain undated
1/33 4 “Skeets-2 is a hero,” by Chris McClain undated
1/33 5 “The typewriter,” by Kris McClain (three drafts) undated
1/34 1 “The very right moment,” by Christine McClain (two drafts) undated
1/34 2 “Women crying in the wilderness,” by Chris McClain undated
1/34 3 Untitled draft pages undated

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3c: Television screenplays; undated, 1958. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Date
1/35 “Al’s generation,” by Christine McClain undated
1/36 “Grandfather’s lawyer” 1958 December 30
1/37 “The partners” undated

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3d: Non-fiction articles; undated, 1956-1987.  1.15 cubic feet.

Articles mostly arranged alphabetically by title.  Most dated articles include correspondence with editors or publishers.

Box/

Folder

Item Description Date
1/38 1 “1100 miles on the Kenai” undated
1/38 2 “Agutuk anyone?” undated
1/38 3 “Air Force assists anti-rabies control program,” by Christine McClain 1964
1/38 4 “Air Force medics render first aid,” by Christine McClain 1963
1/38 5 “Air Force vets helps Alaska attack rabies,” by Christine McClain 1963
1/39 1 “Air Guard airlifts “bundles of mercy,” by Christine McClain 1964
1/39 2 “Alaska heralds her debut in display,” by Christine McClain circa 1960
1/39 3 “Alaska imports more whiskey than groceries,” by K.M. McClain undated
1/39 4 “Alaska offers college graduates unlimited opportunities,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1962
1/39 5 “Alaska shall have music,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1961
1/40 1 “Alaska’s annual sweepstakes—ice breakup,” by Kris T. McClain 1962
1/40 2 “Alaska’s artistic climate appeals to artists,” by Chris McClain undated
1/40 3 “Alaska’s big tides hampers pipeline crossing,” by K.M. McClain 1960
1/40 4 “Alaska’s Blacks made history before King,” by Chris McClain 1986
1/40 5 “Alaska’s first Negro legislator,” by K.M. McClain circa 1960
2/1 1 “Alaska’s gambling law trips tripod of guessing game!,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/1 2 “Alaska’s itinerant clinics insures sight and hearing!” (two drafts plus correspondence) 1962
2/1 3 “Alaska’s jet-propelled athlete,” by K.M. McClain (two drafts plus correspondence) 1960
2/1 4 “Alaska’s jumbled frosty junket,” by Christine McClain (student draft) 1968
2/1 5 “Alaska’s lady zoo builder,” by Christine McClain (two copies plus correspondence) 1969
2/2 1 “Alaska’s modern missionaries—lay apostles,” by Christine McClain circa 1963
2/2 2 “Alaska’s newest stampede—highway travel,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/2 3 “Alaska’s old-timers” by Chris McClain undated
2/2 4 “An Aleutian seal hunt” undated
2/2 4 “Alligators and seals enhance economy,” by Chris McClain undated
2/2 5 “America’s big brothers man Alaska’s radar network,” by Christine McClain circa 1961
2/3 1 “Anchorage Rotarians elevates Rotary’s goals,” by Christine McClain 1960
2/3 2 “Anchorage’s iron-fisted pioneer (Howard W. Pollock),” by K.M. McClain (two drafts plus correspondence) 1959
2/3 3 “Anchorage’s newest star—North Star Dairy,” by K. M. McClain 1960
2/3 4 “Anchorage’s younger set learn horsemanship” (two drafts), and “Alaskans go for sophisticated horse activities,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1967
2/3 5 “Are healers for real?” and “How Alaskans boost Manila’s economy,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1978
2/4 1 “Are “save” campaigns really necessary?” by Chris McClain 1979
2/4 2 “Are you a potential shoplifter?” by Chris McClain undated
2/4 3 “Are you getting enough culture?” by Chris McClain undated
2/4 4 “Art explosion hits Anchorage,” by Chris McClain (two copies plus correspondence) 1974
2/4 5 “August is fish story month,” by Chris McClain (two drafts) undated
2/5 1 “Bacteria is a sneaky attacker,” by Chris McClain circa 1982
2/5 2 “Bahama offers winter sunshine” undated
2/5 3 “Big ideas, big decisions, big faith (Walter J. Hickel),” by K.M. McClain (two drafts and loose draft pages) circa 1966
2/5 4 “Black Alaskans made history before King’s marches,” by Chris McClain 1986
2/5 5 “Bonanza for writers—Alaska!” by K.M. McClain (three copies) 1959
2/6 1 “Botulism lurks in Alaska bush,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1980
2/6 2 “A brownie isn’t a bit fussy,” by Chris McClain (two drafts) undated
2/6 3 “The bust’s decline as sex object,” by Chris McClain undated
2/6 4 “Camping no picnic for 172nd Brigade,” by Christine McClain (four drafts) undated
2/6 5 “Can conservationists save Alaska’s Fish and Game?” (draft) undated
2/7 1 “Career women of Alaska,” by Christine McClain circa 1965
2/7 2 “Charlie was a classy cat,” by Chris McClain (four drafts) undated
2/7 3 “Children care for motherless moose,” by K. M. McClain undated
2/7 4 “Children’s recreation in your back yard,” by Christine McClain undated
2/7 5 “Christmas comes to Iguigig,” by Chris McClain 1969
2/8 1 “Christmas in a bath house,” by Christine McClain undated
2/8 2 “Christmas in Kashimas—how Alaska missionary introduced Yule to Eskimos,” by Christine McClain (two drafts with photocopy from Anchorage Daily News) 1956, December 24
2/8 3 “Christmas in the 49th!” by Christine McClain (two drafts plus correspondence) 1963
2/8 4 “Christmas in the 49th state!” by Christine McClain. 1969
2/8 5 “Christmas puppy express on the Yukon,” by K.M. McClain (two copies) 1958
2/9 1 “Clover evens score,” by Chris McClain undated
2/9 2 “Clover pays a debt,” by Chris McClain (two copies) undated
2/9 3 “Cook Inlet’s pipeline racing against ice,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/9 4 “Cordova’s Elk of the year,” by Chris McClain (three drafts) 1980
2/9 5 “Cry of the wild ram: Alaska’s historical drama, by K.M. McClain undated
2/10 1 “Dawson City rediscovers gold—tourism,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/10 2 “Death row for moose,” by Kris McClain undated
2/10 3 “Dominicans blaze new trail: white robed priests match Alaska’s mountains,” by Chris McClain undated
2/10 4 “Don’t call scrap junk,” by Chris McClain undated
2/10 5 “Dorothy keeps femininity in man’s world,” by Chris McClain undated
2/11 1 “Education isn’t changing alcoholism in statistics,” by Chris McClain 1978
2/11 2 “Emerald Island belongs to Alaska,” by Chris McClain undated
2/11 3 “Engineers are licking permafrost!,” by K.M. McClain (two copies plus correspondence) 1962
2/11 4 “Eulogy: Carl Ernest Martin Sr.” undated
2/11 5 “Fairbanks did build a scaffold,” by Chris McClain circa 1977
2/12 1 “Fairbanks first scaffold!” by Chris McClain circa 1977
2/12 2 “Food for kings—Alaska’s wild game dinner,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1960
2/12 3 “Ft. Richardson biathlon teams scale Mt. Marathon,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1962
2/12 4 “Fun for all—all for fun (Anchorage Fur Rendezvous),” by Chris McClain (2 drafts) circa 1966
2/12 5 “Fur Rendezvous—and how it grew,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1976
2/13 1 “Get rid of him before he kills someone: this was my innocent baby he was talking about,” by Christine McClain (four drafts) undated
2/14 1 “Golden rule before God,” by Christa McClain (autobiographical story) undated
2/14 2 “Guard plays Santa,” by Chris McClain circa 1963
2/14 3 “Guardsmen adopt Eskimo children,” by Christine McClain 1963
2/14 4 “Has Alaska’s gambling law abolished guessing game?,” by K. M. McClain undated
2/14 5 “Helen’s perils on Bering Glacier,” by Chris McClain undated
2/15 1 “Hitting the Klondike trail” undated
2/15 2 “Homesteading no different than Grandma’s era!,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1964
2/15 3 “Human relations,” by Christine McClain undated
2/15 4 “Icy cocktail payoff—cool dollars: chunks of spring ice in Tanana River brings wee fortune,” by K.M. McClain circa 1961
2/15 5 “In Alaska August is derby month,” by Chris McClain 1980
2/16 1 “In doctorless villages, Air Force medics render first aid” circa 1964
2/16 2 “It’s an old tune with a new twist,” by Chris McClain 1978
2/16 3 “It’s a tough race up,” by Chris McClain 1962
2/16 4 “It’s helpful to winterize your mind,” by Chris McClain undated
2/16 5 “Jesuits pave way for Eskimo adult education,” by Christine McClain undated
2/16 6 “Jet-propelled runner,” by K.M. McClain (plus correspondence) 1960
2/17 1 “July is the mostest in Alaska,” by Chris McClain undated
2/17 2 “Junior dog mushers tomorrow’s champions,” by Christine McClain circa 1962
2/17 3 “Kawneer and schools develop Alaska,” by K.M. McClain (plus correspondence) 1961
2/17 4 “Kenai’s top award winner,” by Chris McClain undated
2/17 5 “King of Sitkalidak Island—Jack McCord,” by Chris McClain undated
2/18 1 “Laughton finds Anchorage theatre-goers solid,” by K. M. McClain undated
2/18 2 “Leave Grandma alone,” by Chris McClain undated
2/18 3 “Lillian Watson—telephone girl in the gold camps” (two drafts plus correspondence) 1963
2/18 4 “Living is rugged on Bering Glacier,” by Christine McClain undated
2/18 5 “Long distance a pain in the neck?” undated
2/19 1 “Looking at people,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) circa 1980
2/19 2 “Z. J. Lousaac—Anchorage’s benefactor,” by Christine McClain undated
2/19 3 “Margaret recalls the creek!” by Chris McClain undated
2/19 4 “Mental retardation is everybody’s responsibility,” by Chris McClain circa 1979
2/20 1 “Mentally, Alaska, is growing!” by Christine McClain (two copies and draft pages) undated
2/21 1 “Mistletoe legends,” by Kris McClain undated
2/21 2 “Modern Alaskans have old-fashion Christmas spirit,” by Christine McClain undated
2/21 3 “Montana’s loss is Anchorage’s gain,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1981
2/21 4 “Most unforgettable 4th of July” circa 1948
2/21 5 “Mt. Marathon—Seward’s own Mt. McKinley,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1962
2/22 1 “The mouse took a bite,” by Chris McClain (autobiographical story) undated
2/22 2 “Musically Alaska goes international,” by Christine McClain undated
2/22 3 “Musk ox are human!: Wanton killing of wild life has led to the extinction of game hunting,” by Kris McClain (three drafts) undated
2/22 4 “My problem child was ill, is yours?” by Christine McClain undated
2/22 5 “My untimely grave an icy sepulcher,” by K.M. Coulson (pseudonym) (copy plus correspondence) 1959
2/23 1 “Navy mothers host Vietnam GI’s,” by Christine McClain undated
2/23 2 “Nellie’s impossible dream is a reality,” by Chris McClain circa 1975
2/23 3 “New Yorker enkindles old flame,” by Chris McClain (two copies) undated
2/23 4 “Nurse recalls days of primitive medicine,” by Chris McClain undated
2/23 5 “Oil discovery brings religion to the Kenai,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence 1963
2/24 1 “The old gal pitched a curve!” by J. Ridder with K.M. McClain undated
2/24 2 “An outstanding Alaska” and “Sourdough mayor,” by Chris M. Ferrari undated
2/24 3 “The padre lawmaker of the Yukon,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/24 4 “Personalized shopping—military style: Women solve servicemen’s shopping problems from the tip of the Aleutians to the Arctic Circle,” by Christine McClain circa 1960
2/24 5 “Preserving recreational land herculean task” (two drafts) undated
2/24 6 “One man’s battle against rabies: Captain Frazier E. Hemphill, USAF veterinarian, proves a one-man crusade can succeed” by Christine McClain 1964
2/25 1 “The railroad Kiwanians built,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1967
2/25 2 “Rebirth of an industry,” by Christine McClain undated
2/25 3 “Reblazing the Trail of ‘98: Dawson whoops it up in fun and frolic,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/25 4 “Rondy rates in top ten festivals,” by Chris McClain 1977
2/25 5 “Roundup time, Alaska style,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1964
2/26 1 “Russian churches are America’s newest landmarks,” by Chris McClain; (plus correspondence) 1976
2/26 2 “St. Nick visits St. Nicholas of Myra,” by Christine McClain undated
2/26 3 “Salmon—always in season,” by Christine McClain undated
2/26 4 “Share the gift,” by Christine McClain 1958
2/26 5 “Shell launches pipeline industry,” by K.M. McClain (plus correspondence) 1966
2/27 1 “Six months of powdery snow,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/27 2 “Sled dog racing: Alaska’s family winter recreation,” by K.M. McClain (plus correspondence) 1962
2/27 3 “Skagway’s Days of ‘98,” by Christine McClain circa 1960
2/27 4 “Skiers come lately,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1963, 1964
2/28 1 “Society must establish its priorities” by Chris McClain 1978 June
2/28 2 “Something is fishy in August,” by Chris McClain undated
2/28 3 “Sweet Cake was his name,” by Chris McClain (three drafts) circa 1976
2/28 4 “Tanana spring ice yields cold bonanza,” by Chris McClain (two drafts) undated
2/28 5 “Telephone industry big business” undated
2/28 6 “A Tennessee medic tramples Alaska’s mountains,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/29 1 “Terror aboard Flight 293,” by Christine McClain (four drafts plus correspondence) 1969
2/29 2 “There’s Christmas without Santa,” by Chris McClain (four drafts plus correspondence) 1977
2/29 3 “Today’s Alaskagram [series]–Valdez; medical care; igloos; electricity,” by K.M. McClain undated
2/29 4 “Turnagain Arm pipeline crossing brings natural gas,” by K.M. McClain (plus correspondence) 1961
2/29 5 “An uninvited guest—botulism,” by Chris McClain undated
2/30 1 “Vacationing in the 49th state?: camping out is the answer for the budget-minded,” by Christine McClain circa 1959
2/30 2 “What makes the salmon run?” undated
2/30 3 “What’s happened to sex objects,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1987
2/30 4 “Where career women succeed quickly,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1965
2/30 5 “Who comes first in survival—man or mammal?” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1978
2/31 1 “Why Alaska should appreciate Emerald Island,” by Chris McClain undated
2/31 2 “Why mental health conference,” by Christine McClain (two copies) 1969
2/31 3 “Will Alaska’s gambling law abolish traditional classic?,” by K. M. McClain 1959
2/31 4 “Will Juneau remain Alaska’s capital?” by K.M. McClain undated
2/31 5 “Will the Days of ‘98 survive?,” by Chris McClain circa 1982
2/32 1 “Winter’s worst enemy—frostbite,” by Christine McClain (four drafts plus correspondence) 1965-1967
2/33 1 “Wolves keep prowling,” by Chris McClain 1976
2/33 2 “A working mother achieves her goal!” by Chris McClain undated
2/33 3 “Written for San Francisco Examiner,” by Chris McClain (plus correspondence) 1976
2/33 4 “You can be a model patient: In spite of illness, your stay in the hospital can be a pleasant experience” undated
2/33 5 “You can grow Alaska’s wildflowers,” by Christine McClain (plus correspondence) 1961
2/34 1 “You can learn ‘ski talk’”, by Chris McClain undated
2/34 2 “You can look centennial in Anchorage,” by Chris McClain circa 1967
2/34 3 “You can look to the Valley for R&R,” by Chris McClain undated
2/34 4 “You can make aging beautiful” undated
2/34 5 “You can’t afford to forget when shopping!,” by Chris McClain 1984
2/34 6 “Your Anchorage Fur Rendezvous,” by Christine McClain circa 1966
2/34 7 “Your kid needs both ears,” by Chris McClain circa 1981
2/35 Untitled articles undated
4/31-33 Unsorted notes, writings, and research materials undated
6/20 1 “Alaska” undated
6/20 2 “Alaska offers new ski thrills” 1964
6/20 3 “Anchorage: Husky Youngster” undated
6/20 4 “Anchorage tries new approach to alcoholism” 1978
6/20 5 “Billy and our telegraph line” undated
6/20 6 “Green’s funeral chapels grow with Alaska” 1972
6/20 7 “From Russia with love: early settlers from Siberia left their mark on Alaska” 1976
6/20 8 “National police officer of the month Robert Lockman: Sergeant, Alaska State Police” 1973 August
6/20 9 “A South Carolina minister challenges Alaska’s wilderness park” 1971
6/20 10 “They’re lowering-in economy” 1961
6/20 11 “Food for thought” undated
6/23 Audio cassette of interview of unidentified man about Alaska Nellie (Note: Side A contains possible recordings from a radio and side B begins with recording of a church service before the interview) undated

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3e: State and local profile articles; circa 1977. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Item Description
2/36 1 “Alaska’s biography.”
2/36 2 “Bethel—metropolis of a vast area.”
2/36 3 “Palmer—fertile valley.”
2/36 4 “Fairbanks—heart of the golden north.”
2/36 5 “People.”
2/36 6 “Significant events (historical).”
2/36 7 “Kenai, Alaska’s second oldest permanent settlement.”
2/36 8 “Kodiak—Alaska’s emerald island” (see feature story).
2/36 9 “Kotzebue—land of midnight sun.”
2/36 10 “Seward—A city not a folly.”
2/36 11 “Anchorage—The cultural city.”
2/36 12 “Juneau, Alaska’s capital city.”
2/36 13 “Nome—gold rush city.”
2/36 14 “Barrow—largest Eskimo village.”
2/36 15 “Homer—city with magnificent beauty.”

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3f: Historical articles; undated. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description
2/37 “Alaska’s first free mail delivery faced hardships,” by Chris McClain
2/38 “Alaska is the gabbiest state,” by Chris McClain

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3g: Advice column “Dear Hope” for Arctic Sun; 1976. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description
2/39 Advice column

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3h: Newspaper releases; undated. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description
2/40 News releases on rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents in Anchorage

Series 3: Writings. Subseries 3i: Other writings; undated. 0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description
2/41-42 Draft pages of articles and short stories
2/43 Poems, addresses, short pieces

Series 4: Book manuscripts; undated, 1962-1987.  0.75 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Dates
2/44-51 I wishit for you shometime (story of Mildred Durgan) 1962?
3/1 They called it ‘ValDEEZ’ (local history with sidebars from other authors) undated
3/2-16 Autobiography—living small 1974-1984
3/17 The River Will Be Swimming by John R. Buchanan, S.J. (includes correspondence) 1986-1987

Series 5: Alaska Communications System (ACS) research project files; undated, 1931-1992.  0.7 cubic feet.

Articles, manuscripts, correspondence, and photographs relating to ACS history.

Box/Folder Description Date
3/18 “The saga of the roaring boring Alice,” by Chris McClain (two drafts) 1985
3/18 “Written for ‘This Alaska’” undated
3/18 “Why the Alaska Communication System?” by Christine McClain undated
3/18 “RCA Alascom inaugurates dial phone in bush villages” (three drafts) undated
3/18 “RCA Alascom’s pleasant public service counters” 1971 August 11
3/18 “Another first for RCA Alascom” undated
3/18 “Cecil Green retires!” undated
3/18 “Voices on the North Slope” undated
3/18 “RCA Alascom enters satellite communication” (two drafts) undated
3/18 “Hello world—Alaska calling” by Christine McClain undated
3/18 “Long distance calling…” by Chris McClain, The Great Lander Shopping News Sourdough Saver Classifieds, volume 13, number 3 1981 January 21
3/18 “Gen. Billy Mitchell—blazing Alaska’s telegraph trails” by Chris McClain undated
3/19-21 Book manuscript: WAMCATS—Conquerors of the Unconquerable draft and notes undated
3/22 WAMCATS—correspondence undated, 1965-1969, 1984
3/23 Lists and addresses undated
3/24 William H. Angel—Chilkoot WAMCAT: 1928-1931 undated
3/25 E. L. Barber correspondence, 16 black and white photographs undated, 1967
3/26 R. G. Blackett 8 black and white photographs taken during voyage of the USAT Cableship Dellwood, port schedule, and ships log 1929-1930
3/27 Arthur M. Fernandes correspondence, unit histories, WAMCATS reunions records and rosters undated, 1957, 1963-1966
3/28 Bob Hillman correspondence 1966-1967
3/29 John H. Hoeppel correspondence, history and biography 1966-1967
3/30 Pat LeStrange correspondence 1967
3/31 W. R. Melvin 39 black and white photographs, map, writings undated, 1931-1932, 1967
3/32 Philip W. Reed copies of original documents, correspondence, unit history, notes and clippings undated, 1928-1979
3/33 WAMCATS and ACS Association rosters and bulletins Undated, 1982-1990
3/34 ACS documents 1931-1967
3/35 Historical articles and publications (includes two photographs) Undated, 1948-1971
4/1 “Satellite information” including 3 black and white photographs and one color postcard undated, 1966, 1971
4/2 Alaska Communication System: Regulations and tariffs (with revisions) 1961-1970
4/3 Communication operating instructions 1929-1 Comm Det (ACS), Anchorage Station, Commercial Telegraph 1966
4/4 1929 CGM, 177-1, supplements 1961-1964
4/5 Western Union Telegraph Company “Subject: telephone operating practices, instructions for telephone operators and supervisors, operations proceedures, operating instruction Number T-1” 1971
4/6 Canadian National Telecommunications tariff book 1969 March 15

Series 6: Notes; undated, 1960-1962, 1982.  0.4 cubic feet.

 

Box/Folder Description Date
4/8-12 Stenographic notebooks (33 notebooks in shorthand) undated
4/13 Looseleaf notebook pages with notes on fiction writing undated
4/14 Italian language class notes and exercises undated
4/15 Writing class notes and short stories cut from magazines; Notes from an interview written on newspaper undated
4/16 Four small notebooks plus loose notebook pages undated, 1960-1962, 1982
Box/Folder Description Date
4/17 Poetry Committee, Anchorage, Alaska, League of Western Writers, Alaska Chapter

scrapbook

1956-1966
4/18 Alaska Chapter of the League of Western Writers scrapbook 1953-1960
4/19 The First Annual Conference of the Alaska Chapter of the League of Western Writers program 1954
4/20 The Sixth Annual Writers’ Convention, The National Writers Club program and notes 1957
4/21 Eighth National Writers’ Convention, The National Writers Club, Denver, Colorado program and flier 1961 October 5-7
4/22 Alaska Press Women Series—Pioneers list of biographical articles published in the Great Lander Shopping News undated
4/23 Alaska Press Club Sixth Annual Awards Dinner, Wednesday Evening, Chart Room, Westward Hotel, Anchorage menu and program. 1958 May 28
4/24 Alaska Press Club, Inc., Anchorage Chapter list of names and addresses of active members undated

Series 7.  Writers organizations records; undated, 1953-1984.  0.5 cubic feet.

Series 8: 1964 Alaska earthquake files; 1962-1979.  0.05 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Date
4/25 Story drafts and notes Undated
4/26 “The quake gazette” by Christine McClain, 3 pages 1964
4/26 Letter from Ruth Arneson, Kodiak, Alaska, 4 pages 1964 March 29
4/26 Letter from Pauline and Bill, Anchorage, 2 pages 1964 March 30
4/26 Unsigned letter, 3 pages 1964 April 1
4/26 “Hello, A.Q. (after quake)” by “B” at Anchorage Westward Hotel, 5 pages 1964 April 17
4/26 “Parka pal” letters by Fr. Jim, S.J. 1964 April, May
4/26 Letters from Celestial Life Insurance, Alaska Jesuit Missions, by Rev. Paul C. Connor, S.J. 1964 May, June
4/27 Press releases, Headquarters, U.S. Army, Alaska Information Office 1964 March 30-June 3
4/28 Press releases, U.S. Army Engineering District, Alaska 1964-1966
4/29 Press releases, Presbyterian Hospital 1964
4/30 Press releases, Headquarters, Alaska Air Command, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Information Division circa 1964

Series 9: Photographs; undated, 1934-1989. 1.0 cubic feet.

 

Box/Folder Item Description Date
5/1 “Alaska before WWII” album, 220 black and white prints and postcards, 4 color prints and postcards, 31 black and white copy negatives.  Subjects include: President Warren G. Harding, Fire in Anchorage on June 21, 1921, Sitka, Cordova, Wrangell, Ketchikan, S.S. Denali—ship, Father Hubbard, S.J., St. Paul Island, U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Spencer and Hamilton, Attu Island, Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, Unga Island, U.S. Cruiser Pensacola, Haida—ship, Juneau, King Island,  Kiska, Bering Sea, U.S.S. Tennessee—ship, Toramaru—ship, Luchenbach—ship, Bremerton Navy Yard, Panama Canal, Gulf of Alaska, Otto Schallerer post cards—sunsets, sled-dogs, Nome, Sophie Christenson—cod fishing ship, S.S. North Coast—ship, S.S. Victoria—ship, S.S. Northwestern—ship, S.S. Alaska—shipwreck and rescue of passengers, German prisoners of war. undated, 1934-1940
5/2 “Alaska life” album, 167 black and white prints and postcards, 27 color prints and postcards, 3 black and white copy negatives, 5 black and white original negatives, 2 color transparencies.  Subjects include: American Cancer Society, Alaska Communication System, Alaska Communication System picnic at Lake Spenard 1949, USO, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kodiak, Chiniak, Clear, Alaska, Jolly Jr.’s, Sam McClain, Dennis Day, Alaska Press Club, National Writers Convention in Denver 1961, Kay Kennedy, Mt. Alyeska Ski Resort, Alaska Press Women Convention at Sheep Mountain Lodge 1973, Writers Convention 1965. 1948-1973
5/3 “Social and ACS events” album, 58 black and white prints and postcards, 18 color prints and postcards, 8 black and white copy negatives, 2 black and white original negatives.  Subjects include: Anchorage,, Simon Olmer, William Johnson, Judge Anthony J. Dimond, USO building, Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, U.S. Army and Air Force training exercises, Alaska Press Women—first meeting in Fairbanks 1961, Governor’s Picnic in Anchorage circa 1971, Robert C. Reeve, Alaska Centennial, Chitina, Alaska Communication System offices in old federal building, Glenn Highway construction. undated, 1949-1971
5/4 “Various activities: horses, Rondy 60s” album, 196 black and white prints, 30 color prints, 13 black and white copy negatives.  Subjects include: Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, Speedboat races Lake Wasilla (?), United Nations Day 1962, Wheeler and Telephone Conference, Bear barbeque at King Mountain Lodge 1962, Alaska Methodist University landscaping and final construction 1962, Horse show Anchorage, Haver Building fire 1963, 1964 Earthquake in Anchorage, Anchorage, Governor’s Picnics 1964-1966, Governor William Egan, Louie Armstrong 1965. undated, 1962-1966
5/5 Untitled album, 64 black and white prints and postcards, 67 color prints and postcards, 6 black and white copy negatives.  Subjects include: Wasilla Conference Talkeetna Historical Society (?) 1973, Alaska Zoo 1974, Anchorage summer 1975, Kodiak 1976, Big Lake summer 1978, Ice Worm Festival in Cordova 1978, Sam McClain, O. G. McClain Clan family reunion (?) 1979, Sam McClain retirement party. 1970-1979
5/6 Untitled album, 128 black and white prints and postcards, 53 color prints and postcards, 9 black and white copy negatives.  Subjects include: St. Paul Island seal harvest circa 1969, St. Paul seal processing, hotel, school, and Russian Orthodox Church, St. Mary’s Mission—before fire and during fire in 1963, Father Poole, S.J., Holy Cross Mission Native dancers 1963, Kotzebue July 4th celebrations, Unalakleet, Independence Mine. undated, 1963-1969
5/7 “Valdez, Juneau, ’63 ferry, Skagway, Dawson, Whittier” album, 207 black and white prints and postcards, 47 color prints and postcards, 10 black and white copy negatives, 13 black and white original negatives.  Subjects include: Valdez, Bridal Veil Falls, Worthington Glacier, Healy Coal Mine, Lower Tonsina, Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier, Wrangell, ferry trip, U.S. Forest Service helicopter Juneau, Skagway Days of ’98, Dawson Creek, Yukon Territory, Knik River flood  1962, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Lake Bennett, Yukon Territory, Carcross, Yukon Territory, Whittier port, railroad, and town undated, 1962-1973
5/8 “Seward, Ninilchik, Seldovia, Homer” album, 188 black and white prints and postcards, 38 color prints, 14 black and white copy negatives.  Subjects include: Portage Glacier, Seward Salmon Derby, Mount Marathon Run in Seward, Ninilchik, Seldovia, Homer, Copper Center Lodge, Kenai Chevron Oil Refinery opening 1966, ALS National Party Anchorage Natural Gas Corp., Kenai 1966, Eklutna Glacier Training U.S. Army 1966, Big Game Awards, Helena Burnett guide, Ralph Marshall pilot. undated, 1962-1967, 1981
5/9 “Europe” album, 61 black and white prints, 121 color prints. This album contains photographs from a European Art Tour organized by Western Travel Service, Inc., that Christine McClain took in June 1974. The tour visited cities and sites in Italy, Greece, and Yugoslavia. 1974
5/10 “Mexico, Hawaii” album, 71 black and white prints, 42 color prints, 1 black and white copy negative.  Subjects include: Colorado (commercial travel image set), Seattle, Victoria, British Columbia, Polly Bergen, San Francisco 1966, Los Angeles, Acapulco, Mexico, Hawaii (commercial travel image set), Honolulu 1967, Maui 1982. undated, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1982
5/11 “Fairbanks, Nenana, North Pole, Talkeetna” album, 241 black and white prints, 27 color prints, 7 black and white copy negatives.  Subjects include: Fairbanks, Alaska Centennial celebrations, Alaskaland, Eielson Air Force Base, University of Alaska Conference, Burl Ives, Governor Walter Hickel, Centennial train to Fairbanks, Alaska Railroad, Nenana, Talkeetna solar eclipse, mountain climbers, luau, Moose Dropping Festival, Fairview Inn, Talkeetna, Homer. undated, 1960-1979
5/12 Untitled album, 12 black and white prints and postcards, 119 color prints and postcards, 2 black and white copy negatives. This album includes personal photographs of friends, family, and pets. It also includes photo Christmas greeting cards and a photograph of Pope John Paul II during his visit to Anchorage. 1980-1985
5/13 “Charlie, Smoky, Corky, Duke” album, 204 color prints. This album contains photographs of Sam and Christine McClain and their cats. 1979-1986
5/14 “Christmas photos, friends” album, 56 black and white prints and cards, 71 color prints and cards. This album contains photographs and photo Christmas greeting cards from friends, as well as those of a Navy Wives Thanksgiving dinner and an ANS Christmas in 1968. undated, 1950-1986
5/15 “M” album, 9 black and white prints and cards, 141 color prints and cards, 1 black and white copy negative. This album contains personal photographs and photo Christmas greeting cards. 1986-1988
5/16 Christine McClain, portraits and photos, 27 black and white prints, 7 color prints, 4 color-tinted prints, 3 4X5 inch black and white negatives, 3 120 size black and white negatives, 6 color slides. undated, 1962-1978
5/17 Family photos, 140 black and white prints, 32 color prints, 2 35 mm black and white negatives. undated, 1932-1983
5/18 Friends and children, 26 black and white prints, 15 color print. undated, 1952-1978
5/19 Alaska Communication System, 25 black and white prints. undated
5/20 Alaska Communication System: Signal Corps.  U.S. Army photographs, 11 black and white prints. 1959-1962
5/21 Alaska Division of Tourism photos, 4 black and white prints undated
5/21 1 Caption: “ALASKA UNDER THE RUSSIANS is the background of ‘Cry of the Wild Ram,’ an historical pageant which will be produced for the second time in Anchorage, July 21-22 and 28-29. The story depicts the times and trials of Alexander Baranov who dominated Alaska (then called Russian America from the late eighteenth century through the first two decades of the nineteenth.”
5/21 2 Caption: “FUN OF A HELICOPTER RIDE over some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery is exceeded in Alaska only by the fun of the world’s finest skiing at steep Creek, near Juneau. There are no lifts or tows into the area yet (the tows are installed and operating at Douglas Ski Bowl, also near Juneau) but ‘chopper’ flights provide a safe, fast means of ascent to the summit.”
5/21 3 Caption: “HIGH ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE, overlooking the majestic Tanana Valley of Interior Alaska, a skier at Fairbanks’ Ullrhaven Ski Lodge pauses to enjoy the view. Alaska’s skiing in characterized by powder snow at low altitudes, uncrowded slopes, and a wide variety of runs ranging from bunny hills to drops of the expert class.”
5/21 4 Caption: “SLALOM COURSE is negotiated by young skier at Douglas Bowl near the Alaska capital city of Juneau. Reached by helicopter or afoot the area boasts rope tows, warming cabins and long-season skiing.”
5/22 Alaska Nellie’s Country Store and Gallery, Seward, 10 b&w prints. undated
5/23 Alaska Psychiatric Institute, Jim Balog, photographer, 7 black and white prints. undated
5/23 1 Caption: “Miss Vivian Denton, lab technologist does a test in the API lab.”
5/23 2 Caption: “Mr. Alice Martinson, X-Ray technician gives an EEG test.”
5/23 3 Caption: “Hope Tuttle, Classroom instructor at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute.”
5/23 4 Caption: “View from west of building shows the Chugach Mountains in background, wing in foreground is an acute treatment ward.”
5/23 5 Caption: “Child’s Unit, nursing staff member supervises play at the playground.”
5/23 6 Caption: “Charles Masterson and volunteer worker, occupational Therapy.”
5/23 7 Caption: “Occupational Therapy”
5/24 Anchorage Fur Rendezvous. Pete Robinson, photographer, Greater Anchorage, Inc, 5 black and white prints. undated, 1976
5/24 1 Caption: “Activity in the Pit Area during the World Championship Races.”
5/24 2 Caption: “Carl Huntington wearing the number 1 heads out on the trail during the Fur Rendezvous.”
5/24 3 Caption: “Bridget Thomas, ‘76 Miss Fur Rendezvous.”
5/24 4 Caption: “George Attla, ‘76 Champion.”
5/24 5 Caption: “Unidentified Junior Musher.”
5/25 James Balog photographs, 11 black and white prints undated
5/25 1 Anchorage International Airport: employees posed in front of fire engine.
5/25 2 Three moose among trees near office building in winter.
5/25 3 Ski hill and rope tows at Arctic Valley.
5/25 4 Skiers waiting for rope tow at Arctic Valley Ski Bowl.
5/25 5 Caption: “Gary King at Arctic Valley.”
5/25 6 Caption: “Sun deck cafeteria at Mt. Alyeska.”
5/25 7-11 Ski photos at Mt. Alyeska.
5/26 Bristol Bay fishing, 72 black and white contact prints on 6 sheets. undated
5/26 1-11 Caption: “Misc. Shots of Native fishermen and catch being unloaded from boats. Young boy was helping father during entire season.” (Contact sheet 1).
5/26 12 Caption: “In background is ‘Reefer II’ Sits in deep water mile out from cannery and takes on loads of fish from small boats twice a day. Comes in at night on high tide to unload total haul for day.” (Contact sheet 1).
5/26 13 Caption: “Eskimo going up Kuskokwim River in small boat. Not a fisherman, he is mechanic for Northern Consolidated Airlines.” (Contact sheet 2).
5/26 14-15 Caption: “Bush planes at Bethel await Natives from Bristol Bay coming up from end of fishing season. They will haul the Natives into the small Native villages for the winter.” (Contact sheet 2).
5/26 16-21 Caption: “Misc. Fishing and unloading pix.” (Contact sheet 2).
5/26 22 Caption: “Hobby of men on ‘Reefer II’ is target shooting aboard ship white awaiting small boats.” (Contact sheet 2).
5/26 23-24 Caption: “Dropping fish into hold of big boat.” (Contact sheet 2).
5/26 25-26 Caption: “Eskimo cannery workers at coffee break on dock.” (Contact sheet 3).
5/26 27 Caption: “Italian fisherman A.H. Spinale from Pittsburg, California who is fishing again this year. He has fished in Bay area for 43 years. In winter runs store (grocery and dry goods) in Pittsburg. This year, he says will clear over 25,000 dollars with fish.” (Contact sheet 3).
5/26 28-33 Caption: “Misc. Shots of boats at Peterson Point at New England and Pacific American Canneries.” (Contact sheet 3).
5/26 34-35 Caption: “Natives get on scales for return haul to Native towns.” (Contact sheet 3).
5/26 36 Caption: “Air shot of New England and Pacific American Canneries at Peterson Point, Alaska. Just out of King Salmon in the Bristol Bay region.” (Contact sheet 3).
5/26 37-48 Caption: “Misc. shots of bush planes at Bethel loading Natives for flights to small Native villages along Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers. Natives all brought to Bethel from Bristol Bay and then taken to their home villages there.” (Contact sheet 4).
5/26 49-60 Caption: “Misc. Shots Eskimo kids with fish racks and dried fish. Woman is using gasoline driven washing machine from mail order house. One shot of Native family fishing on Kuskokwim for winter food.” (Contact sheet 5).
5/26 61-69, 72 Caption: “Native kids swimming in river at fish camps.” (Contact sheet 6).
5/26 70-71 Caption: “Catholic Nuns at St. Mary’s school on Yukon River. Largest building on river. In September, over 250 Eskimo kids of all ages come from villages to board at school for winter. Handles grades 1 thru 12. Graduates about half dozen high school students a year. Grow all their food, made their own building, and run their own fish cannery during summer for food during winter.” (Contact sheet 6).
5/27 Bush photos: people, children, villages, 13 black and white prints. undated
5/28 Bush photos by Christine McClain, 2 black and white prints. undated
5/28 1 Caption: “Arriving at Unalakleet, modern station [wagon] meets plane.”
5/28 2 Caption: “Feeding time at Kotzebue, Alaska” (dog on chain with pup).
5/29 Copper Valley School (religious retreat), 31 black and white prints, 2 color prints, 25 35 mm black and white negatives. undated, 1966 August
5/30 Dawson trip, 32 black and white prints, 10 120 size black and white negatives 1962
5/31 Ear surgery, 5 black and white prints. undated
5/32 Federal Aviation Authority photographs, Lillian Watson, 5 black and white photos. undated, 1962, 1966
5/32 1 Caption: “Lillian Watson at the FAA ‘modern’ switchboard in 1966, Photo—Darby.”
5/32 2-3 Lillian Watson at FAA switchboard.
5/32 4 Caption: “Left: Allen Hulen, Assistant Administrator Alaskan Region presents Lillian one of her ‘awards’ with her immediate supervisor John B. Moore looking on.”
5/32 5 Lillian Watson at FAA switchboard.
6/1 Governor’s picnic, 7 color transparencies 1964 July
6/2 Mountain and glacier training, U.S. Army, Alaska, U.S. Army photographs, 11 black and white prints. undated
6/2 1 Caption: “Bringing injured man down mountain in litter.”
6/2 2 Caption: “Keeping rope taut.”
6/2 3 Caption: “One rope bridge for crossing river.”
6/2 4  Caption: “Piggy-back down the mountain.”
6/2 5 Caption: “Rappelling down the mountain.”
6/2 6-9 Rappelling down rockface.
6/2 10 Men traversing rockface.
6/2 11 Man crossing river using rope bridge.
6/3 Northern Commercial Company department store, Ward Wells, photographer, 5 black and white prints. undated
6/3 1 Caption: “Alaska’s chain store with a wide easel for a display artist.”(storefront facade).
6/3 2-4 Display window with mannequins.
6/3 5 Interior view with fur coats, animal rugs, and mounted animal heads.
6/4 Operation Santa Claus, U.S. Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force Base, 15 black and white prints, 36 35 mm black and white negatives, 3 120 size black and white negatives, 6 press releases. undated, 1963
6/4 1 Santa Claus giving out presents to natives (APCS Photo).
6/4 2 Santa Claus in cockpit with headphones.
6/4 3 Caption: “Santa (Lt. Col. Jay N. Thomas) and helper Clarence Pungoujie unload C-123 at Northeast Cape AFS. In 20 below zero weather, they travel by dogsled to the village Savoonga. The frost can be seen on Pungoujie’s parka ruff. The Huskies appear to be confused… U.S. Air Force Photo.”
6/4 4 Santa Claus kneeling between men holding Operation Santa Claus sign. No. 235.
6/4 5 Santa Claus with sled and Air Force personnel with Operation Santa Claus sign. No. 236.
6/4 6 Caption: “HQ AAC—SANTA ARRIVES ALASKAN STYLE—Using a dog team instead of his customary reindeer, Santa Claus arrives at the village of Unalakleet, Alaska, near an Alaskan Air Command (AAC radar site, to distribute gifts to the native children there as part of Elmendorf AFB’s Operation Santa Claus…” No. 237.
6/4 7 Caption: “HQ AAC—“MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!–Waving a greeting to the children of Unalakleet, Alaska, is Santa Claus as he prepares to take a dog sled ride into the village with dog musher A2C Jerry D. Hart, of Monroe, La., from a nearby a nearby Alaska Air Command radar site,. . .” No. 238.
6/4 8 Caption: “HQ AAC—ONE OF LIFE’S BIG MOMENTS—Shaking hands with Santa Claus provides a big thrill for the native school children of Unalakleet, Alaska as is evidenced by the looks of happy anticipation on their faces. . .” No. 239.
6/4 9 Caption: “HQ AAC—‘HOW OLD ARE YOU LITTLE MISSY?’—As part of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska’s annual Operation Santa Claus to provide toys and gifts for native children near Alaskan Air Command remote radar sites, the kindly old gentleman greets school children of Unalakleet. . .” No. 240.
6/4 10 Santa Claus holds little native boy. No. 241.
6/4 11 Caption: “HQ AAC—SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE—An Air Force sergeant from Elmendorf, AFB, Alaska plays Santa Claus to a multitude of young Alaskan natives at Unalakleet village. Here, he is aided by Miss Dolores Kracher, first grade teacher, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Unalakleet Elementary School. . .” No. 242.
6/4 12 Santa Claus and Miss Dolores Kracher hand out presents to native children. No. 243.
6/4 13 Santa carrying presents for native children.
6/4 14 Proof sheet and 36-35mm negatives of Operation Santa Claus.
6/5 Philippines trip, 12 black and white prints, 50 color prints. 1978
6/6 Quake, Kodiak, 19 black and white prints, 4 color post cards, 2 black and white copy negatives. 1964
6/6 1 Caption: “Mission with a heart—The Coastal Monarch unloads at the marginal pier at the Kodiak Naval Base, Kodiak, Alaska…” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 2 Caption: “Huge fishing boats were tossed up on what once was the Elks new bowling lanes.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 3 Caption: “This shows just a small part of wreckage after four tidal waves, an earthquake, 80-mile an hour winds hit Kodiak, Alaska, on March 27th. Fishing boats, houses, downed telephone and electric lines—make strange mixture in aftermath of disaster.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 4 Caption: “‘Hi neighbor! Here’s Help.’—was the message Brought into Kodiak residents on the ship Coastal Monarch. Ship was loaded down with lumber, building supplies, a gift from hundreds of people and firms in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to get Alaskans back on their feet. Ship docked on May 9th.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 5 Caption: “The Yukon lies disabled after tidal waves.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 6 Caption: “She [Yukon] proudly sails out of Kodiak’s harbor on her way to the fishing grounds again. She was one of the lucky ones.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 7 Caption: “Downtown Kodiak was a twisted, jumbled mass of wreckage. Shops and homes were carried blocks from their original sites and crushed together.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 8 Caption: “Roads on Woody Island were choked with debris when the 1964 tidal waves swept across part of the island.” Yule M. Chafin, photographer.
6/6 9 Caption: “Edward McDermott, President Johnson’s personal emissary to the disaster areas, is met upon his arrival at Kodiak Naval Station by Rear Admiral Robert E. Riera, USN, Commander, Alaskan Sea Frontier and Commandant, 17th Naval Distric. Mr. McDermott described the Alaskan situation as ‘awful’.” U.S. Navy photograph.
6/6 10 Caption: “This giant buoy that once guided shipping into the mouth of Old Woman’s Bay or the harbor of the City of Kodiak now rests on the Station taxiway. The third tidal wave, which crested at 30 feet above mean lower water, drove this buoy and other smaller ones inshore from the open sea.” U.S. Navy photograph.
6/6 11 Caption: “Special services boat shop is uprooted by the third tidal wave and moved away to pilings which stopped its fluvial transit.” U.S. Navy photograph.
6/6 12 Caption: “Salvaging one of the fishing Boats.” U.S. Army photograph.
6/6 13-14 Caption: “Rebuilt boat harbor by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.” U.S. Army photograph.
6/6 15 Caption: “Clean-up: Down Main Street Kodiak.” U.S. Army photograph.
6/6 16 “Fishing boat slowly sinking to bottom.” U.S. Army photograph.
6/6 17 Distant aerial shot of rebuilt boat harbor. U.S. Army photograph.
6/6 18 Man and boy on ruins of building.
6/6 19 Houses on harbor waterfront.
6/6 20 Boat harbor and aerial of harbor and town.
6/6 21 Postcard caption: “Kodiak, Alaska, the first capital of Russian America established in 1794.”; Alf

Madsen, photographer.

6/6 22 Postcard caption: “Greetings from Kodiak – King Crab Capital of the World”; Alf Madsen, photographer.
6/6 23 Postcard caption: “Before and after scenes of the March 27th Black Friday Earthquake which destroyed property and boats totalling over 25 million dollars. Half the business district was wiped out including all stores of O. Kraft & Son.” Alf Madsen, photographer.
6/6 24 Aerial of Kodiak.
6/7 Quake, James West photographs, 33 black and white prints, 5 black and white copy negatives. 1964
6/8 Ships, 6 black and white prints. undated
6/8 1 S.S. Denali (color tinted).
6/8 2 S.S. Denali, Schallerer, photographer.
6/8 3 Malaspina (ferry).
6/8 4 U.S. Army Albert. J Meyer (freighter).
6/8 5 S.S. North Coast (color tinted).
6/8 6 U.S. Navy cruiser
6/9 Sparrevohn construction, U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska, U.S. Army photographs, 6 black and white prints. undated
6/9 1 Caption: “ALASKAN EGGHEADS – These ping-pong domes cover intricate radar facilities at a remote U. S. Air Force Defense Station in Alaska.”
6/9 2 Caption: “NOT FOR AMATEURS – Alaska bush flying is not for amateur pilots. This sign [DEAD END] at the end of the runway at Sparrevohn, Alaska, obviously means what it says.”
6/9 3 Caption: “‘NOT LIKE MISSOURI’ – Leo Smith is the project engineer at the Sparrevohn Air Force Station in Alaska.”
6/9 4 Caption: “PLANE LIFE IN ALASKA – The only road to this remote Alaska military station is a skyroad. Sparrevohn is a dense station located about 300 miles west of Anchorage. … The station runway and taxiway is shown above.”
6/9 5 Caption: “ROUGH ROAD TO SPARREVOHN – The route used by planes supplying the Sparrevohn defense station crosses the extremely rugged Alaska Mountain Range.”
6/9 6 Caption: “TRAMWAY SERVES RADAR STATION – This tram is used to supply the hilltop radar station at Sparrevohn.”
6/10 St. Mary’s Christmas special, Alaska Air National Guard, 29 black and white prints, 24 35 mm black and white negatives. 1963
6/10 1 Caption: “Father James Poole, S.J. school director with Air Guard Personnel and villager.”
6/10 2 Caption: “Father John B. Fox, S.J., a veteran of 36 years experience in western Alaska with the Eskimo children.”
6/10 3 Caption: “St. Mary’s Mission main building, to the left is new gym.”
6/10 4 Air National Guard cargo plan landed on river near mission.
6/10 5 Caption: “Santa (Sgt L. E. Harris) gives youngster candy, older students look on.”
6/10 6 Caption: “Plane ready for departure from Anchorage… Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 7 Boy carrying bed frame toward mission from cargo plane.
6/10 8 Caption: “Without dogs, reliable sled is used for heavy cargo—Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 9 Ruins of burnt boys’ dormitory building looking toward mission buildings.
6/10 10 Caption: “Site of three-story boys’ building.”
6/10 11 Caption: “Buildings that were saved by chance of wind… Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 12 Caption: “Children hand carry the fragile eggs at St. Mary’s.”
6/10 13 Caption: “Transport is ski and wheel equipped and can be used on runways or snow-covered ground as at St. Mary’s in March—Harris Darby Photo.”
6/10 14 Natives crowd around cargo hold of plane.
6/10 15 Caption: “Army National Guard Men ready to unload plane—Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 16 Closeup of Eskimo child on sled.
6/10 17 Caption: “Santa prevents a near slip on the ice.”
6/10 18 Caption: “One of four planes brought immediate relief to St. Mary’s. Note child running at right-hand corner—Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 19 Nun and two native women in kitchen.
6/10 20 Native students singing behind nun playing the piano.
6/10 21 Two nuns and two native women pose in winter coats.
6/10 22 Caption: “Children eager to lend a helping hand… Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 23 Caption: “St. Mary’s gives the Air National Guard a royal welcome. School in background.”
6/10 24 Caption: “Unloading cargo and precious potatoes.”
6/10 25 Caption: “Eskimo children though shy always have smiles… Harris Darby photo.”
6/10 26 Caption: “Everyone helps unload the plane at St. Mary’s Mission.”
6/10 27 Native women in front of plane with “St. Mary’s Christmas Special” banner.
6/10 28 Men unloading supplies from cargo plane.
6/10 29 Caption: “Native dancers—front row, son, father, villager and young son of Mr. Beans.”
6/11 Talkeetna solar eclipse, 16 black and white prints 1963
6/12 U.S. Air Force Captain R. Hemphill treating dogs in native village, 4 black and white prints, U.S Air Force photographs
6/13 U.S. Air Force photographs, 18 black and white prints. undated
6/13 1 Caption: “Aerial view of Sparrevohn, to the right is Lime Village where Eskimo hobbled the rugged terrain to reach the site.”
6/13 2 Caption: “Eskimos frequently come to sites complaining of chest ailments: woman was air evacuated to Alaska Native Service hospital found to be suffering from pneumonia.”
6/13 3 Caption: “HELPING HAND—Mrs. Randall O’Day, a Red Cross volunteer from Ft. Richardson, serves coffee to patient on one the the air-vac flights.”
6/13 4 Caption: “HQ AAC—EARLY WARNING—BMEWS Site 2, at Clear, Alaska boats three AN/FPS-50 fixed detection radars.”
6/13 5 Caption: “John Norris, Alaska’s first national contender” (equestrian event).
6/13 6 Caption: “Sgt. Herron in winter gear.”
6/13 7 Caption: “Mrs. Robert L. Mayne and her three children arrive at Elmendorf after being rescued from a DC-7 that ditched in open sea near Sitka.”
6/13 8 Mrs. Mayne embraces husband after rescue from DC-7.
6/13 9 Caption: “SLED DOG RACE. Major General Joseph A. Cunningham, commander, Alaska Air Command, was ‘sled to sled’ with Rhea Bowman, this year’s ‘Miss Fur Rendezvous,’ after the first stretch in the annual Dignitaries Sled Dog Races. Miss Fur Rendezvous came out victorious over all of the participating dignitaries.”
6/13 10 Caption: “Staff Sergeant THELBERT E ‘DOC’ FIELDS discusses certain medical projects with Major JAMES W PITTAWAY, COMMANDER, 795TH Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Cape Romanzof, Alaska.”
6/13 11 Caption: “Staff Sergeant THELBERT E ‘DOC’ FIELDS gives Major JAMES W. PITTAWAY, commander, 795th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, the second in his series of polio shots.”
6/13 12 Caption: “Tramway in desolate region of western Alaska.”
6/13 13 Caption: “Mrs. Violet Ukauka, slices the pickled moose nose. Mr. Berth Meir preparing the smoked salmon sticks. Early arrivals sample pickled hooligan and calm dip. Large tray in front is a shrimp paste spead on Ritz crackers. Mrs. Meir’s kelp chutney, kelp pickles and kelp marmalade are in the jars.”
6/13 14 Caption: “An un-named site but typical of many in the Alaska Air Command, where military stands guard against sneak aerial attack.”
6/13 15 Caption: “View overlooking the Main Site, 795th Aircraft Control Squadron.”
6/13 16 Caption: “Unidentified civilian worker with Sgt. Herron at Sparrevohn.” (medical)
6/13 17 Caption: “USAF HOSPITAL ELMENDORF”; “…C-123’s of the Operations Sq, based at Elmendorf AFB.”; “‘DAWN AT TATALINA’… extreme temperatures and weather conditions … at this Alaskan Air Command remote radar site.”; “MAINTENANCE SUPPORT for Alaskan Air Command’s combat and mission support aircraft is provided by the 5040th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance (CAM) Group based at Elmendorf.” Proof sheet containing 4 images.
6/13 18 Caption: . “MAJOR GENERAL JAMES C. JENSEN, Commander, ALASKA AIR COMMAND, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska”; “C-130 ‘HERCULES’ AIRCRAFT of the Alaskan Air Command’s 17th Troop Carrier Sq. …”, “THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE-An H-21 helicopter of the 5017th Operations Sq. hoists an Alaskan native to safety.”; “SURVEILLANCE—That nothing will pass undetected…F-102 Delta Daggers respond to requests from aircraft control and warning stations throughout Alaska…” Proof sheet containing four images.
6/14 U.S. Army photographs, 15 black and white prints. undated, 1955
6/14 1 Caption: “PIPELINE BREAKFAST – The Gene Nunley’s live in an isolated Alaska pipeline camp, quite as normally as people do in Junction City, Kansas. Chris, 9, goes to school during the week at nearby Delta Junction. He frequently sees moose and caribou and buffalo enroute.”
6/14 2 “Mrs. Gene Nunley sweeps off her trailer home porch at Timber Pipeline Station.”
6/14 3 “WINTERIZED – The new Alaska pump station on the military pipeline was built in 1962 to operate dependably despite chilly winter temperatures. The station shown above is located in interior Alaska at Sears Creek. The lows there are in the minus 60 column.”
6/14 4 Pump station at Sears Creek.
6/14 5 Caption: “SLICE OF YUKON LIFE—The ice on the Yukon this winter was nearly as thick as a man is tall. In the middle of the winter it was measured at more than five feet thick at Rampart Canyon by Army Engineers. This picture was taken on May 17, the day of the spring breakup.”
6/14 6 Caption: “FOR LEASE—The Army Port of Whittier in South-Central Alaska is being advertised nationally for lease. . . . Shown above is the Buckner Building with facilities for 1,000 troops, often called ‘City under a Roof.’ It is one of many facilities in the multi-million dollar installation.”
6/14 7 Man crossing the finish line in the Marathon Mountain run in Seward.
6/14 8 Caption: “Glenallen-Valdez Line, Storm Damage 27-28 Dec. 55, Apprx: Mile 100.”
6/14 9 Caption: “First Sgt. Alexander Bjornstal demonstrates to Pvt. First Class Jimmy Flores how to stop a slide down an ice slope by digging in with the ice axe and not crampons.”
6/14 10 Caption: “Typical permafrost foundation on piling. Bethel communication building.”
6/14 11 Pilings for permafrost foundation.
6/14 12 Caption: “Frame of the communications building supported by 20 Long’s Thermo-Valve Foundations. Long Photo.”
6/14 13 Caption: “One of Long’s Thermo-Valve footings used on the 300-foot Aurora communications tower. Long Photo.”
6/14 14 Caption: “300-foot Communication tower at Aurora site. Long Photo.”
6/14 15 Building built on pilings.
6/15 WAMCATS reunion in Fairbanks, 6 black and white prints, 18 35 mm black and white negatives. 1967
6/16 Identified photographs, 38 black and white prints, 2 color prints, 1 black and white negative. undated, 1938, 1940, 1960
6/16 1 Alaska Railroad Hospital at Anchorage
6/16 2 Portage Glacier, Alaska Railroad photographs.
6/16 3 Denali National Park (?), Alaska Railroad photograph.
6/16 4 Caption: “Cabbage grow to giant size in the Matanuska Valley.”
6/16 5 Caption: “Cattle on Kodiak Island graze on land that is leased from the federal government.”
6/16 6 Caption: “Side road off the Glenn Highway north of Anchorage.”
6/16 7 Caption: “Birch in the Matanuska Valley.”
6/16 8 Caption: “Mile 99 on the Glenn Highway north of Anchorage.”
6/16 9 Caption: “Farm in Mat Valley.”
6/16 10 Caption: “Road going up Bird Creek Valley.”
6/16 11 Alyeska Ski Resort lodge interior.
6/16 12 Anchorage Community Chorus, Charles Moses.
6/16 13-14 Anchorage Community Theatre groundbreaking. Caption: “L/R Mayor George H. Byer, Laughton, Frank Brink, Director of Anchorage Community Theatre and R. Everett Harris, president of Anchorage Community Theatre.”
6/16 15 Caption: “Arctic Valley ski lift planned.” 1960 March 22
6/16 16 Louis A. Custimi.
6/16 17-18 Douglas Island Ski Bowl, U.S. Forest Service photographs.
6/16 19 Eckmons Furniture store prior to earthquake, Ross Studio, Spenard.
6/16 20 Fairbanks Ice Carnival Queen: Grace Baily. Postcard. 1938
6/16 21 Fairbanks Ice Carnival Queen: Molly Chamberlain. 1940
6/16 22 Caption: Passengers disembarking the S.S. Denali.” Father Bernard Hubbard, S.J.
6/16 23 Caption: “Fr. Bernard Hubbard, S.J. known as the ‘Glacier Priest.’”
6/16 24 Caption: “Cathedral of the Nativity, B.V.M.” Juneau, Alaska.
6/16 25 Juneau block with St. Ann’s Hospital, Cathedral of the Nativity, rectory building, and St. Ann’s school, A. V. Astone, photographer.
6/16 26 Caption: “Muskox Herd at Nunivak Island have increased to 406 including 75 calves according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Once a resident of the Arctic slope of Alaska, the herd was transplanted in 1935 and 1936 from Greenland to the College Experimental farm in Fairbanks.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photograph.
6/16 27-29 Northwest Poultry Farm, Inc., Kotzebue.  Includes note from James H. Hayes.
6/16 30 Palmer: farmhouse on Fishhook Road.
6/16 31 Caption: “The beautiful Portage Glacier,” Tee Balog, photographer.
6/16 32 Caption: “Portage Glacier, Alaska,” Sue Oyler, photographer.
6/16 33-35 Romig Hill ski slope ski class.
6/16 36 Skagway street scene looking toward the Pack Train Inn.
6/16 37 Skagway, men and women at gambling table.
6/16 38 Ski bowl below Alaska Native Hospital, Anchorage, view near foot of ski jump tower. 1939
6/16 39 Ski bowl below Alaska Native Hospital, Anchorage, looking downhill. 1939
6/16 40 Caption: “Sven Johanson, coach…, holds the stop watch of three of his charges during a training session at Fort Richardson…” U.S. Modern Olympic biathlon team.
6/17 Unidentified and partially identified photographs, 67 black and white prints, 23 black and white negatives, 6 color negatives. undated
6/26 Family photographs: Sisters, and unidentified relatives circa 1900-1950
6/27 Photographs of ships: Calmar Line, Dorothy Luckenbach, USS Indianapolis circa 1940-1950
Server Photographs of Christine and Sam McClain, trips, family [Note: These photographs have been digitized and may duplicates of originals already in the collection] undated
 Box 6 Alaska Communications System composite photographs 1949 November
6/29 Description of photographs [Note: Came in separately from photographs and unsure if photos were donated] undated

Series 10: Certificates and awards; undated, 1957-1988.  0.4 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Description Date
7/1 Certificates 1957-1988
7/2 Alaska Press Club framed plaque and letter opener undated, 1984

Series 11: Memorabilia; 1943-1965.  0.45 cubic feet.

Box/Folder Item Description Date
6/18 Air France menus 1960
7/3 1 Oil industry activities, Cook Inlet Basin map 1965 November 8
7/4 2 John F. Kennedy assassination teletype 1963
6/19 Slapsy Maxie’s, 168 O’Farrell St. sign 1943

 

 

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