Alaska was still a territory during the Great Depression, but the crash of the stock market still strongly impacted the economy. Two of Alaska’s greatest commodities at the time, copper and fish, witnessed a price drop during the depression and greatly disabled the economy. Some might remember the Matanuska Colonist Project of 1935 to help offer a solution for the impact of the crash. Because of the over-dependence on the two major commodities, copper and fish, the project offered funding to 203 farming families in the Matanuska Valley to help provide aid.
These photos capture what life was like back in the early 1900’s and we are lucky to have them available to us today!
- Plane crash in Nome.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053758 A crashed plane near the base of the Air Transport Command. It was repaired and later returned to the Russo-German front.
- Two commanders posing for a photo.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053757 The commanding general, Dave V. Gaffney, of the Alaskan wing of the Air Transport Command shaking the hand of Colonel N.S. Vasin, the commander of the Russian detachment.
- Truck driver for the Alaska Coal Company.
Library of Congress LC-USW3-010710 Coal, one of the two greatest commodities for the territory during the Great Depression was strongly impacted by the crash of the stock market.
- A meeting of lead airmen and the Vice President in Fairbanks.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053756 A snapshot of Vice President Henry A. Wallace on a return trip from China and Siberia dining at Ladd Field with Russian and American airmen who fly lend-lease planes to Russia through the Alaskan wing of the Air Transport Command.
- A dance at the Officers Club.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053753 Both Russians and Americans attend the dance at the Officers Club in Nome.
- Plane wreck in Nome.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053759 Another wrecked plane most likely taken at the Alaskan Air Transport Command.
- The first Russian military mission to Alaska.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053763 Taken in Nome, both Russians and Americans welcome the new military men and women.
- An Airacobra buried in snow.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053760 An Airacobra plane is buried in feet of snow at the Alaska wing of the Air Transport Command.
- Nome, Alaska.
Library of Congress LC-USF344-003764-ZB An aerial shot of Nome during the Great Depression.
- An A-20 plane.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053764 Checking the radio of an A-20 plane before its departure to Siberia.
Do you have any Great Depression stories or photos? Share with us in the comments.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053758
A crashed plane near the base of the Air Transport Command. It was repaired and later returned to the Russo-German front.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053757
The commanding general, Dave V. Gaffney, of the Alaskan wing of the Air Transport Command shaking the hand of Colonel N.S. Vasin, the commander of the Russian detachment.
Library of Congress LC-USW3-010710
Coal, one of the two greatest commodities for the territory during the Great Depression was strongly impacted by the crash of the stock market.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053756
A snapshot of Vice President Henry A. Wallace on a return trip from China and Siberia dining at Ladd Field with Russian and American airmen who fly lend-lease planes to Russia through the Alaskan wing of the Air Transport Command.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053753
Both Russians and Americans attend the dance at the Officers Club in Nome.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053759
Another wrecked plane most likely taken at the Alaskan Air Transport Command.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053763
Taken in Nome, both Russians and Americans welcome the new military men and women.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053760
An Airacobra plane is buried in feet of snow at the Alaska wing of the Air Transport Command.
Library of Congress LC-USF344-003764-ZB
An aerial shot of Nome during the Great Depression.
Library of Congress LC-USW33-053764
Checking the radio of an A-20 plane before its departure to Siberia.
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