• Due to renovations to our vault, access to our collections is limited until further notice. Please contact us for more information.

Robert Brown Jr. papers

Guide to the Robert Brown Jr. papers
1972-1975

Collection number: HMC-1260.
Creator: Brown, Robert Jr.
Title: Robert Brown Jr. papers.
Dates: 1972-1975.
Volume of collection: 0.4 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: A White Alice Training Manual and photos of sites related to Mr. Brown’s work with the White Alice Communications System (WACS) through ITT-Arctic Services Inc.

Biographical note:
Robert Brown Jr. was born April 8, 1949 in San Antonio, Texas. He achieved a “7” level Ground Radio skill and Staff Sergeant rank in the US Air Force before signing on to ITT-ASI (ITT Arctic Services Inc.). Following training in Port Heiden, he was assigned to the Northeast Cape Air Force Station. After 8 months, he qualified for an opening at a major 4A switching site, Kalakaket Creek, and later at Pedro Dome, another major 4A switching site. After WACS started a closure process, with sites going to RCA Alascom, Mr. Brown attended Fresno State College. On summer vacation Mr. Brown worked as a temporary replacement for technicians at Big Mountain and Cold Bay. He now resides in California.

Collection description:
The collection contains materials related to Mr. Brown’s work on the White Alice Communications System. The collection is comprised of 35mm color slides, photos, and a Training Manual from a variety of White Alice sites.  Locations pictured in the images include Northeast Cape, Kalakaket Creek, Pedro Dome, and Cold Bay. The collection also contains motion picture film of bears, boats, scenery, and WACS buildings and equipment in Cold Bay.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged by the name of the image files as provided by the donor.

Digitized copies: The collection has been digitized and select images are available on Alaska’s Digital Archives. Please ask an archivist for information about obtaining digitized copies.

Access restrictions: Access to motion picture film is limited to digitized copies.

Rights note: Archives holds copyright to materials created by Robert Brown Jr.

Preferred citation: Robert Brown Jr. papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Separated materials: The following newspaper article was removed from the collection: Falsey, Jeannette Lee. “Nome has big plans on the horizon for its Cold War-era relics.” Alaska Dispatch News, September 06, 2016.

Acquisition note: The collection was donated to Archives and Special Collections by Robert Brown Jr. in 2017. Mr. Brown signed a deed of gift at that time.

Processing information: This collection was described by Robert Brown Jr. and Veronica Denison in 2017.

Comments are closed.