Welcome to our Blog!
Nestled in the scenic Matanuska Valley, Palmer, Alaska holds a rich and unique history shaped by resilient pioneers, dramatic landscapes, and the bold vision of a New Deal-era farming colony. This blog is dedicated to sharing the stories, people, photos, and events that built Palmer from the ground up—exploring everything from its Indigenous roots and agricultural legacy to its role in Alaska’s statehood and beyond. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a history enthusiast, or a curious visitor, join us as we bring Palmer’s past to life, one story at a time.
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May 14th, 2025
Ninety years ago tonight, May 13th, 1935, families from Wisconsin and Michigan had left their old homes for the last time. They would be catching trains late that night and
May 12th, 2025
Ninety years ago today, May 12th, 1935, was Mother’s Day, and the first Sunday since the Minnesota colonists’ arrival in Palmer. Reverend Bert Bingle, recently of Cordova, currently living in
May 14th, 2025
Ninety years ago tonight, May 13th, 1935, families from Wisconsin and Michigan had left their old homes for the last time. They would be catching trains late that night and
May 14th, 2025
Ninety years ago tonight, May 13th, 1935, families from Wisconsin and Michigan had left their old homes for the last time. They would be catching trains late that night and
May 9th, 2025
Ninety years ago, between May 6th and 10th of 1935, the quiet fields along the Palmer railroad siding suddenly swarmed with activity as the Matanuska Colony Project began the first
May 6th, 2025
Ninety years ago today, May 6th, 1935: the St Mihiel docked at Seward, carrying the Minnesota colonists bound for Palmer, as well as 300 transient workers from California.“It was dusk
May 4th, 2025
Ninety years ago today, May 4th, 1935: while the North Star and St Mihiel were a couple days out from Seward with the first boatloads of colonists and workers, survey
May 3rd, 2025
Ninety years ago today, on May 3rd, 1935, the ship North Star was coming up the Inside Passage with workers and building materials bound for Palmer. The ship had spent
May 2nd, 2025
Ninety years ago today, May 2nd 1935: the Matanuska colonists were en route to Alaska on the St Mihiel; the project administrators and transient workers aboard the North Star were
May 1st, 2025
Ninety years ago today, on May 1st, 1935, the army transport ship St Mihiel steamed out of San Francisco carrying 67 Minnesota farm families and 300 transient workers bound for
April 28th, 2025
Ninety years ago today, the Minnesotan contingent of the Matanuska Colony Project were two days into their journey west and north, rattling towards San Francisco on the “Alaska Special.”Ray Rebarchek
April 22nd, 2025
Easter fell on April 21st of 1935. For many of the Minnesota families recently selected for the Matanuska Colony Project, ninety years ago today was a time of celebration and
April 25th, 2025
Ninety years ago, on April 23, 1935, the ship North Star left San Francisco loaded with workers and supplies bound for Palmer, to build a tent city for the 200
April 15th, 2025
As road construction begins again on the Glenn Highway and the bridges we thought a little walk back in time to the beginning would be good. Be sure to read