Alpine Historical Park

Sutton, Alaska

 

 

A student history and cultural tour of the park

 

 

 Coal Mining

  1. What was the function of the coal wash?

 

 

  1. How many people were employed to operate the coal wash?

 

 

  1. a.  Convert the cost of building the coal wash from the 1920 cost of $400,000 to today’s prices if $1 in 1920 is equal to $20.18 today. 

 

b.  What percentage increase does this represent?

 

 

  1. Why was the railroad brought to Sutton?

 

 

  1. For what was the Eska Mine coal used?

 

 

  1. Why did early explorers find coal mining not economically feasible here?

 

 

  1. a.  At its height in 1918, what was the average amount of coal mined a day at Eska mine?

 

b.  How many pounds is that?

 

 

  1.  When did coal production increase again in this area?

What led to the increase in production?

Where was the mine located?

 

 

  1. Approximately what percent the number of people employed in 1946-7 were employed in 1961 by the Evan Jones mine?

 

 

  1.   What caused Evan Jones / Jonesville mine to close in 1986?

 

 

  1. Describe the economic importance of the mine to the lower Matanuska Valley and the subsequent impact of the closing of the mine.

 

 

 

 

Glenn Highway

 

  1. Why was the Glenn Highway constructed?

 

 

  1. When did construction begin on the Glenn Highway?

 

 

 

  1. What was the economic impact of the Glenn Highway to Palmer and the Matanuska Valley?

 

 

 

  1. Name 3 base camps for the construction of the highway.

 

 

Geology

 

  1. For how long has the terminus of the Matanuska Glacier been at its current location.

 

  1. What is the name of the mountain range that has a mountain locals describe as looking like a sleeping man?

 

  1. What is the name of the mountain range which includes Granite peak.

 

 

Athabascan

  1. When did North America indigenous people first arrive in Alaska?  How did they get here?

 

  1.  What 2 Athabascan cultures were in the Sutton area?

 

 

  1. Historically, the Athabascans and the Aleuts were enemies and did not interrelate.  Today many of those societal lines have weakened.  What has caused the two groups better relations?

 

 

  1. Describe the shaman and their powers.

 

 

  1. a.  Describe an Ahtna winter lodge.

 

b. Why were the built partially underground?

 

  1. What is a potlatch?

 

 

  1. Draw a picture of what you image an Athabascan fish camp might look like.  Include people, food and any other possible items.