The Chief Johnson Pole
The original caption reads: “'The Chief Johnson' Pole is a fine example of Alaskan Indian totem pole carving. The pole has been restored at the original location, which property has been deeded to the Federal Government by heirs of the old chief. The area is near the Federal Building in Ketchikan Alaska. Indian CCC enrollees from the Tongass National Forest have done the restoration work. (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)” Archival photo processed by Brent McKee.
Description
The Chief Johnson Totem Pole was raised in 1901 and restored by Native carvers enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1939-1941. The carvers trained at the Saxman workshop did the restoration work. The restoration work was part of a larger U.S. Forest Service program focused on the restoration of totems and Native cultural assets. The original caption for a National Archives image of the Chief Johnson totem reads: “The Chief Johnson” Pole is a fine example of Alaskan Indian totem pole carving. The pole has been restored at the original location, which property has been deeded to the Federal Government by heirs of the old chief. The area is near the Federal Building in Ketchikan Alaska. Indian CCC enrollees from the Tongass National Forest have done the restoration work. (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)” National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 35-TA.
The original pole was removed in 1981 and stored at the Totem Heritage Center. Israel Shotridge was commissioned to carve a reproduction of the pole in 1989.
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Photographer: Dora M. Sweeney. Photographs, 1935 – 1975. ASL-PCA-421. Photo Provided by Linn A. Forrest. The original caption reads: “Chief Johnstons Totem – Ketchikan” possibly Gene Forrest note on slide”
Chief Johnson Totem, 1939-1941
Photographer: Dora M. Sweeney. Photographs, 1935 - 1975. ASL-PCA-421. Photo Provided by Linn A. Forrest. The original caption reads: "Chief Johnstons Totem - Ketchikan" possibly Gene Forrest note on slide"
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The original caption reads: “’The Chief Johnson’ Pole is a fine example of Alaskan Indian totem pole carving. The pole has been restored at the original location, which property has been deeded to the Federal Government by heirs of the old chief. The area is near the Federal Building in Ketchikan Alaska. Indian CCC enrollees from the Tongass National Forest have done the restoration work. (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)” Archival photo processed by Brent McKee.
The Chief Johnson Pole Verso
The original caption reads: “'The Chief Johnson' Pole is a fine example of Alaskan Indian totem pole carving. The pole has been restored at the original location, which property has been deeded to the Federal Government by heirs of the old chief. The area is near the Federal Building in Ketchikan Alaska. Indian CCC enrollees from the Tongass National Forest have done the restoration work. (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)” Archival photo processed by Brent McKee.
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Photo courtesy of Linn A. Forrest.
Chief Johnson Totem Pole
Photo courtesy of Linn A. Forrest.
Source notes
Chief Johnson Totem Pole, Ketchikan Stories, accessed July 21, 2017. Garfield, Viola and Linn Forrest, 1961, The Wolf and the Raven, Seattle: University of Washington Press, p. v. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 35-TA
Project originally submitted by Brent McKee; Steve Forrest (with documentation courtesy of Linn Forrest) on July 21, 2017.
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