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  • Street Paving - Anchorage AK
    A sizable street paving project in Anchorage, Alaska was undertaken during the Great Depression with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The P.W.A. supplied a grant of $45,000 toward the project, whose total cost was $101,737. Work occurred between Dec. 1938 and Aug. 1939.
  • Street, Sidewalk and Sewer Improvements - Juneau AK
    Juneau’s streets, sidewalks and sewers were improved with the aid of New Deal federal funds during the Great Depression. A newspaper report in 1938 said that the Public Works Administration (PWA)  had allotted $170,000 for these purposes, but the 1940 Annual Report of the Governor of Alaska to the Secretary of the Interior puts the PWA contribution at approximately $75,000. The latter 1940 report also indicated that the Works Progress Administration (WPA) also contributed $5,790 to pay relief laborers to work on street improvements and $4,891 in relief labor toward the construction of the sewer system in 1939 and 1940. The locations of these improvements...
  • Streets and School Grounds Improvements - Skagway AK
    The Works Progress Administration contributed $1,909 toward streets and school grounds improvements in Skagway, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.    
  • Streets Development - Sitka AK
    The Works Progress Administration contributed $10,480 toward the construction of new streets in Sitka, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.  
  • Thayer Lake East Shelter Cabin - Admiralty Island AK
    The Thayer Lake East Shelter Cabin is a historic cabin in the Admiralty Island National Monument. It is one of the several cabins the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the Tongass National Forest for public recreation during the 1930s, and is part of the Admiralty Island Canoe Route. As reported on a registration form of the National Register of Historic Places, the cabin was in ruins as of 1995. The site continues to be a stop for canoers. “The Thayer Lake East Shelter Cabin site is the ruin of a three-sided shelter. It was not built in the post-and-beam style typical of the other...
  • Thayer Lake North Shelter Cabin - Admiralty Island AK
    The Thayer Lake North Shelter Cabin is a historic cabin at the north end of Thayer Lake, in the Admiralty Island National Monument. It is one of the several cabins the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the Tongass National Forest for public recreation during the 1930s, and is part of the Admiralty Island Canoe Route. A registration form of the National Register of Historic Places reports on the condition of the cabin as of 1995: “The Thayer Lake North Shelter Cabin is a three-sided Adirondack style shelter cabin that was part of the Admiralty Island Canoe Route, a Civilian Conservation Corps project in...
  • Thayer Lake South Shelter Cabin - Admiralty Island AK
    The Thayer Lake South Shelter Cabin is a historic cabin at the south end of Thayer Lake, in the Admiralty Island National Monument. It is one of the several cabins the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the Tongass National Forest for public recreation during the 1930s, and is part of the Admiralty Island Canoe Route. A registration form of the National Register of Historic Places reports on the condition of the cabin as of 1995: “The Thayer Lake South Shelter Cabin is a three-sided Adirondack style recreation shelter. The cabin has a peeled log superstructure and shake walls and roof. The building's present appearance matches...
  • Tongass National Forest Trails - Tongass National Forest AK
    The CCC carried out road and trail construction in the Tongass National Forest.
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park - Ketchikan AK
    In 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the Totem Bight State Historical Park. The park, believed to be the site of an old Tlingit fish camp, was part of a larger U.S. Forest Service program focused on the restoration of totems and Native cultural assets. Located in Ketchikan, the site brings together totem carvings of the Tlingit and Haida people, gathered from uninhabited villages. As barter declined and non-Native settlements proliferated, Alaska Natives began to abandon their villages in remote forest areas and move in search of employment. The settlements and totem art they left behind began to deteriorate. In the late...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Blackfish Pole - Ketchikan AK
    The Blackfish Pole is the reproduction of a Tlingit pole that was located in front of Forested Island House on Tongass Island. The pole tells the story of the origin of blackfish (killer whale). This Tlingit heralding totem is a reproduction carved by Charles Brown and a crew of apprentice carvers. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics of the carving: “The Raven, carved with the dorsal fin of the blackfish extending above him, is a special crest. The tiny face on each blackfish represents the blowhole; the human figure represents the...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Eagle Grave Marker - Ketchikan AK
    The Eagle Grave Market Pole is a totem carved in the 1930s by John Wallace. The original was located in the old village of Howkan. The carving found today at the Totem Bight State Historical Park was reproduced from memory by John Wallace. Wallace’s carving has a Chilkat blanket, which is an uncommon detail for this type of totem, and was not present in the original design. The totem is 10’ high and has a 42” base below ground. The design of the blanket evokes clouds, mountains, and the symbolic characters that live in the forest. The photographic material published here...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Kadjuk Bird Pole - Ketchikan AK
    A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “The fabled bird called Kadjuk, which is the special crest of the head of Kadjuk people of the Raven clan, is at the top of this Tlingit pole that was copied from Cat Island. The undecorated space separating the bird from the other figures symbolizes the lofty habitat of the bird and the high regard in which the crest is held. Raven is the next figure, with his breast forming the headdress of his wife, Fog Woman. She holds two...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Kats Bear Wife Pole - Ketchikan AK
    This pole was carved at Totem Bight by Charles Brown in the late 1930s. It is a reproduction of a Tlingit pole from Tongass Island. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “The bear and paw prints symbolize Kats’ wife. Kats is a character of Tlingit mythology that lived for a time with a female grizzly bear as his wife. In 1985, Israel Shotridge carved a replica of the bear that replaced the bear carved by Brown.”
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Man Wearing Bear Hat - Ketchikan AK
    The Man Wearing Bear Hat is a reproduction of a Tlingit grave marker or mortuary pole from Cat Island. According to a 2013 Department of Natural Resources Master Development Plan for Totem Bight, the totem represents “a man of the Bear clan wearing a large carved wooden hat surmounted by a bear’s head. Such a hat was worn at a potlatch or other important occasions during which stories were told or dramatized. Charles Brown carved the first copy of this pole in the late 1930s. Israel Shotridge carved a second replica in 1995. “
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Master Carver Pole - Ketchikan AK
    The Master Carver Pole pole was carved by John Wallace in 1941. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “It was customary on Haida poles to carve the crests of husband and wife. The eagle on the top of this pole is one of the main crests of the Haida Eagle Clan, the clan to which Wallace belonged. The beaver and bullhead
on the pole are also Eagle Clan symbols. The pole additionally includes the opposite crest of the Raven Clan, represented by the raven, bear, blackfish, and...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Pole on the Point - Ketchikan AK
    This Tlingit heralding totem is a reproduction carved by Charles Brown and a crew of apprentice carvers. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics of the carving: “The top figure is a shaman in ceremonial garb, headdress, and fringed leather apron. The figures carved under the shaman depict a series of adventures including the story of the Chief’s Nephew Who Fed Eagles and the story of a woman with a frog husband and children. Near the bottom of the pole, Brown carved one of the many stories about Raven as ‘the trickster.’...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Raven at the Head of Nass Pole - Ketchikan AK
    The Raven at the Head of Nass Pole was carved by Charles Brown with the assistance of a team of Civilian Conservation Corps Native carvers. This totem is a reproduction of a Tlingit pole 
located on Tongass Island. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “The top figure on this pole is a chief wearing a spruce root hat. The figure at the bottom of the pole is Raven-at- the-head-of-Nass, from whom Raven stole daylight. The human above Raven-at-the-head-of-Nass represents the ancestors of the Raven clan who...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Sea Monster Pole - Ketchikan AK
    This Sea Monster Pole was carved by John Wallace circa 1939-1939. It is the reproduction of a totem from the now-uninhabited Haida village of Klinkwan on Prince of Wales
Island. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “A village watchman stands guard at the top of the pole, just above two eagle crests and symbols representing clouds and mountains, the place of eagles. Below these are figures representing the world under the sea—blackfish holding a seal, a sea monster, and a devilfish (octopus) in the act of devouring...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, The Clan House - Ketchikan AK
    The Clan House is a replica of a community house representative of houses built in the early nineteen-century native villages of Southeast Alaska. It served as the chieftain's dwelling and it also housed several families part of his clan. The structure and its totem art did not originally existed on the current site. The site was a fish camp prior to being turned into a totem park. The paining decorating the façade was created by Charles Brown. It represents a stylized raven figure painted in light blue and brown colors. The eyes of the raven are composed as two stylized faces. Such elaborate...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, The Halibut Pole - Ketchikan AK
    The Halibut Pole is a Tlingit pole that honors the Halibut House people of the Nexadi clan. According to a nomination form of the National Register of Historic Places, the Halibut is the only pole at Totem Bight that is an old original. Relocated from the Tlingit village of Tuxekan on the Prince of Wales Island, the pole was reconditioned and re-erected at Totem Bight. It was housed at the park until 1970, after which it was relocated to the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan. The replica of the bottomfish (halibut) at the top of an undecorated post that can...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Thunderbird and Whale - Ketchikan AK
    A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “This pole illustrates the mythological conception of thunder. A huge bird that lives on the tops of the highest mountains, the thunderbird, creates thunder by beating its wings, and lightening by blinking its eyes. The thunderbird was said to live in the mountains and come down to prey on whales. The whale at the base of the pole symbolizes the mountaintop where the bird rests before devouring his prey and it is said that whale bones can be found on...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Thunderer’s Pole - Ketchikan AK
    The Thunderer’s Pole is the reproduction of a pole that once stood at Tongass Island. It was carved by Native craftsmen in the late 1930s at Totem Bight for the Civilian Conservation Corps restoration program. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics and history of the totem: “This Tlingit pole symbolizes thunder, and belongs to the Thunder House people. It depicts four brothers belonging to the Wolf moiety who were changed into Thunderers, mythical beings who live in the sky and on the mountaintops and create thunder and lightning.”
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Village Watchman Pole (left) - Ketchikan AK
    The Village Watchman Poles are part of the structure of the clan house at Totem Bight. This is one of two identical posts that mark the corners the structure, flanking the entry facade. Sitting on the corner posts, a man figure wearing a spruce root hat and a crest design on his face, holds a cane and appears ready for a dance or potlatch. This pole was carved by Charles Brown at Totem Bight for the Civilian Conservation Corps restoration program. The photographic material published here by the Living New Deal was provided by courtesy of Linn A. Forrest (1905-1986), a practicing architect...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Village Watchman Pole (right) - Ketchikan AK
    The Village Watchman Poles are part of the structure of the clan house at Totem Bight. This is one of two identical posts that mark the corners the structure, flanking the entry facade. Sitting on the corner posts, a man figure wearing a spruce root hat and a crest design on his face, holds a cane and appears ready for a dance or potlatch. This pole was carved by Charles Brown at Totem Bight for the Civilian Conservation Corps restoration program. The photographic material published here by the Living New Deal was provided by courtesy of Linn A. Forrest (1905-1986), a practicing...
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park, Wandering Raven House Entrance Pole - Ketchikan AK
    The Wandering Raven House Entrance Pole is the central totem that decorates the façade and marks the entrance of the clan house at Totem Bight. A 2013 Department of Natural Resources, Master Development Plan for Totem Bight describes the characteristics of the carving: “The pole against the front of the house is called Wandering Raven, named for the legendary Raven carved as the top figure. Raven can be recognized by his straight black beak. Underneath Raven and at his feet is a carved box containing daylight. Below a mink and a frog, the standing figure of a man, Natsihline, represents the...
  • Totem Square and Rock Retaining Wall - Sitka AK
    A rock retaining wall was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1940 with the creation of Totem Square. The "Baranov" Totem Pole, also completed in 1941-42 as a project of the CCC under the supervision of the Forest Service. It was restored in 2010-2011 by local totem expert Tommy Joseph, using the original design drawing by George Benson, a local Tlingit. The Totem Pole has a controversial past surrounding both the construction of pole in Wrangell rather than Sitka as originally commissioned and for the original design, which many viewed as disrespectful and unrepresentative of the region's history. A...
  • Totem Trail at Chief Son-I-Hat’s Whale House and Totems Historic District - Kasaan AK
    Between 1933 and 1939, crews of Civilian Conservation Corps workers built a trail from the Old Kasaan to the park. A registration form of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) describes the trail: "A trail, cut by the CCC, starts at the west end of the original Kasaan town site, goes through woods and, in several places, emerges close to the shore. After crossing awooden bridge over Son-I-Hat Creek, the trail passes the nine free-standing totems and the Whale House. It continues to the southern cemetery and turns north to access the northern cemetery."
  • Tree Point Lighthouse - Ketchikan AK
    "Among the many lighthouses designed and erected by the technical staff of the Bureau of Lighthouses is the one at Tree Point, Alaska, which is an interesting example of this type of work. The machinery equipment building forms the base of the tower and is 18 feet wide by 36 feet long. The tower itself is 13 by 13 feet and 58 feet high and is surmounted by a lantern having the usual lighting and signal equipment. The entire structure is built of reinforced concrete. The project consisted of two towers of similar design on the Alaska coast. They were...
  • Unalakleet School - Unalakleet AK
    The Unalakleet School was built in 1933 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with the help of a PWA grant. "The BIA constructed the building in 1933 for a day school in the community. A staff architect most likely designed the building. A similar design was used at several other BIA schools built at the time around Alaska. The Unalakleet school has Georgian Revival elements including classical balanced designs for the interior and exterior, pediments above the entrances, a cupola, and palladian windows. The BIA added shed dormers in 1937, and an addition to the west end of the building in 1954. The building...
  • Water Distribution System - Skagway AK
    Legislative permission was given to issue bonds for supplemental financing of the water distribution system in Skagway in 1934. Skagway was authorized to issue $40,000 bonds to supplement the Public Works Administration project 3961 in the amount of a $29,700 loan and $12,609 grant approved 12/28/1933. Construction began 5/1/1935 and was completed 10/1/1935.
  • Water From A Rock - Juneau AK
    An inventive Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollee came up with the idea of making a glacial boulder into a drinking fountain by drilling a hole through the boulder and piping in water from a nearby creek. The Water-In-A-Rock fountain is situated along the East Mendenhall Glacier Trail. It no longer functions, but the holes for the pipe and a sign are still visible and it is marked with an information panel.  
  • Water Mains - Anchorage AK
    The Works Progress Administration contributed $3,356 toward the construction of water mains in Anchorage, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.
  • Water System - Haines AK
    The Public Works Administration contributed approximately $11,000 toward work on the water system in Haines, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.
  • Water System - Klawock AK
    The Public Works Administration contributed approximately $14,000 toward work on the water system in Klawock, Alaska, between 1939 and 1940.
  • Water System - Seldovia AK
    The Public Works Administration (PWA) undertook the water supply system in Seldovia, Alaska during the Great Depression. The water supply system was constructed for $25,454 in 1939. It was a part of a wave of construction projects resulting in part from the advocacy of Alaska Congressional delegate Anthony J. Dimond (1933-1945), who pushed for channeling New Deal funding into the Alaska territory.
  • Waterworks and Sewer Improvements - Douglas AK
    Public Works Administration funded project 9299 for Douglas for waterworks and sewer improvements. The project for a $39,000 loan and $ 31,909 grant was approved 7/9/1935. Construction began 10/10/1935 and was completed 8/19/1936.
  • Well Improvements and Road - Golovin AK
    The Civil Works Administration (CWA) supplied labor toward the following project in Golovin, Alaska: "A road is being built to a well half a mile out of Golovin and the well is dug deeper and larger. It is hoped that this well will prove a better source of water than has even been here before." The location of this project is currently unknown to Living New Deal.
  • Windfall Harbor Shelter Cabin - Admiralty Island AK
    The Windfall Harbor Shelter Cabin is a historic cabin in the Admiralty Island National Monument. It is one of the several cabins the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the Tongass National Forest for public recreation during the 1930s, and is part of the Admiralty Island Canoe Route. A registration form of the National Register of Historic Places reports on the condition of the cabin as of 1995: “The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Windfall Harbor Shelter Cabin during the 1930s as part of the Admiralty Island Canoe Route. It is a three-sided Adirondack shelter cabin with a peeled log superstructure and shake walls...
  • Wrangell Narrows Improvements - Petersburg AK
    “Location.— Wrangell Narrows lies to the west of Mitkof Island, connects Sumner Strait with Frederick Sound, and forms a part of the inside water route from Puget Sound to southeastern Alaska. (See U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Charts Nos. 8170 and 8200.) Existing project.— This provides for a channel 200 feet wide on the bottom and 21 feet deep at mean lower low water, with increased depth in rock, and 27 feet deep at shoal no. 2; 24 feet deep and 275 feet wide at shoal no. 1, the easing of curves at shoals nos. 5, 6, 7, and 12,...
  • Yax-te Totem (Also Big Dipper Totem) - Juneau AK
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) carved the Yax-te Totem, as part of a restoration program that lasted approximately between 1938 and 1942. The program was part of a larger U.S. Forest Service effort to employ Alaska Natives and conserve totems and Native cultural assets. U.S. Forest Service architect Linn A. Forrest oversaw the joint program of the Forest Service and the CCC throughout Southeast Alaska. The Yax-te Totem, also known as the Big Dipper Totem, was carved by Frank St. Clair, who was a Tlingit carver from Hoonah, and two CCC enrollees circa 1939-1941. In the early 1990s, after it was damaged...
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