Alaska Film Archives

[1967 Fairbanks flood]
[1967 Fairbanks flood]
This film features what are likely relief efforts during the 1967 Fairbanks flood. A handwritten label on the film box says "Dan[?] airport, Kul[?], Church of God, Westgate, A67, Mom[?], Henry and High school, [?] Day, [?], Flood."
[1969 North American Sled Dog Championship Race - Fairbanks, Alaska]
[1969 North American Sled Dog Championship Race - Fairbanks, Alaska]
These scenes from the 1969 North American Championship Sled Dog Races in Fairbanks, Alaska, filmed by Fairbanks photographer Richard L. Hansen, include: an Alaska Dog Mushers Association sign; a Sled Dog Races Sweepstakes sign; dogs in dog boxes on a truck; a truck with Malamak logos; a man removing dogs from dog boxes and placing dogs in harness; a race board with names including Lombard, Attla, Redington, Shepard, Taylor, Nayokpuk, McDougall, Lake, and Folger; a race announcer; a drum filled with slips of paper for a drawing; spectators watching as the race starts under snowy conditions; a variety of dogs in harnesses; spectators buying and eating cotton candy; close-up views of dogs; a close-up view of a Fairbanks Dog Mushers Association patch on a man’s coat; many people in colorful parkas and boots; dogs rolling in snow; a sign for George Attla sponsored by J.C. Penney Co.; mushers; a truck for Wright's Aurora Huskies; and dogs peeking out of dog boxes on a truck.
[1971 Fairbanks news stories]
[1971 Fairbanks news stories]
This film contains news stories from 1971. Footage and stories include Larry Holmstrom interviewing tourists in a motorhome caravan and at Norlite Campground. Larry Carpenter presents a story on Manley Hot Springs that aired in July 1971. Footage includes the springs, the town, and several residents. Residents identified include Gus Benson, Bob Lee, and Bob "Whitey" Yule. Additional footage includes a report on a water project in Hamilton Acres in Fairbanks, a story about life in Mekoryuk village on Nunivak Island, and adult bicycle riding in Fairbanks in September 1971. People identified in the bicycle story include C.B. Bettisworth, Carol Bettisworth, Alexander Bettisworth, Amy Bettisworth, Andy Kleinfleld, Dr. William James, Geraldine James, Adam James, John James, and Mrs. James.
[1971 KTVF news stories]
[1971 KTVF news stories]
Some segments of film contain audio, and others are silent. Specific dates and other information noted on the original film are given here in parentheses. Footage includes a man speaking to a large gathering of people (undated) (silent), a student named Michael being interviewed about being expelled from school because of his refusal to cut his hair (story titled "Breeze") (1971) (sound), a man working with a radio antenna, men looking at an Alaska map, a man describing the Geophysical Institute's Biomedical Program and explaining how medical aid stations in Alaska villages can get medical information over the radio network (December 6, 1971) (sound), a story about Eneput Children's Center, women cooking, children playing (December 4, 1971) (sound), a man being interviewed about construction delays at the new Yak Estates Apartments in Fairbanks (December 7, 1971) (sound), students standing outside on a cold day, Nanooks basketball game scenes (1971) (silent), a man being interviewed about an Alaska Supreme Court Case involving charges of incompetence and immorality against a school principal (undated) (sound), children posing in a Nativity scene at First Baptist Church (1971) (sound), a story about a new training program for carpenters and journeymen (undated) (sound), men in a meeting (undated) (silent), statuettes of a gold panner being handed out at a ceremony, a story about an Alaskaland celebration (undated) (sound), children lining up to see Santa at Alaskaland Civic Center (undated) (sound), a man being interviewed about a court case involving charges against a school principal (undated) (sound), men being interviewed about police training, Lathrop High School students being interviewed about a student trooper program (1971) (sound), people in a meeting (1971) (silent), a man being interviewed about MUS Power Plant operations as men work at a coal chute and control panel (undated) (sound), people decorating a Christmas tree, men working on the pipeline, the BP building, and a cook making a meal menu (story titled "Arctic Christmas") (undated) (silent).
[1975 Fairbanks winter scenes]
[1975 Fairbanks winter scenes]
Footage features small houses in Fairbanks during winter, cars idling along streets in ice fog, a man pointing out exhaust system modifications designed to decrease emissions, downtown Fairbanks with ice fog during a dark afternoon, and a model and artist's concept of the Noel Wien library.
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 1]
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 1]
This film features Joanie Adler’s birthday with eight candles on the cake, Joe Crosson Jr. or Don Crosson at the party, Joanie Adler playing croquet with parents, Joanie Adler skiing with her parents and other children, Chena River break-up near the Cushman Street Bridge in Fairbanks, Chena River break-up with cars and trucks on streets (including Illinois Street), an overview of flooding as seen from a rooftop, coal bunkers in the background, Fairbanks Winter Carnival queen contestants, and an ice throne. Notes on the original film say “Terry Gordon, Baby ‘36, Xmas, Snow, Cabin, Flood, Carnival, Break-up ‘36, and Carnival ‘36.”
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 2]
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 2]
This is the 1936 Winter Carnival in Fairbanks.
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 3]
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 3]
This film contains footage of Joanie Adler with adults, Joanie riding a pony, Joanie at the zoo, Joanie riding a bike, an unidentified couple at a mining operation, Joanie Adler swimming, Joanie with her parents at a cabin, Joanie playing with Christmas toys, children in a parade in Fairbanks near the Cushman Street Bridge, aerial shots of mountains, break-up, a family camping and sawing wood, and more aerial shots of mountains.
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews Ted Stevens]
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews Ted Stevens]
In this episode of Alaska On Line, Red Boucher interviews senator Ted Stevens about upcoming national and state issues. The program was recorded on December 19, 1996. Boucher and Stevens discuss Fairbanks Daily News Miner editor Bill Snedden, subsistence issues, wetlands development in Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, oilfield development in northern Alaska, the National Petroleum Reserve, the Fort Knox Gold Mine in Fairbanks and other new mines in the state, subsistence and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Senate Appropriations Committee, telecommunications legislation, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, fisheries, the 100th anniversary of the Alaska gold rush, and Alaska stewardship of the land.
[Annabeth Hanlon collection 2]
[Annabeth Hanlon collection 2]
Footage includes people panning for gold, a B-17 flying overhead, men cutting firewood with a truck-mounted saw in downtown Fairbanks, downtown buildings, Wien Alaska Airlines operations at Weeks Field, an airplane taking off, Jim Dodson's airplane, hangars on the field, fire, children ice skating, dog sled races on the Chena Rive, men launching a small barge, travel in an outboard motor-powered riverboat, the tug M.S. Otter of Fairbanks pushing a barge, a grouse on the road, men working on a cabin, a small boat being launched in a lake, men cutting ice for drinking water with a hand saw, a car pulling a sled with blocks of ice, a fire in a Fairbanks Laundry building, and a formation of military airplanes. Notes accompanying the film say: view of McKinley, Deadwood and Dr. Schiable, around Fairbanks, sawing wood, around 2nd Ave., Wien Airways & Jim in planes, old Pan Am, Dorothy's house, skating in Main School yard, my 8th, dog team races at end of 2nd, K9 team won, youngster falling down, Albas trip, grouse, McKinley, ducks, Hanlon, building at lake, kids, lake boat, Albert Martin, Bob Harwood, geese, cutting ice, Bud Shaw, (?), fire at laundry, Russian DC-3, P-63 to Russia led by B-25.
[Arnie M. Lee and Family collection - 8]
[Arnie M. Lee and Family collection - 8]
Notes with this film say “1949 Charlotte Ames and Bob, Don, Mrs. Wiener, and Lee Family at Airport, Pan Am DC4; 1949 Norman and Ingrid at Badger Road cabin, 1962 Boat Races, Chena River in Fairbanks, Christmas 1961 Arne Jergen; 1962 Boat Races in Chena Rover; 1962 Norman’s second car 1956 Pontiac; 1962 Hydraulic mining Ester Alaska; 1962 Cleanup at Hassel’s Mine; 1962 Golden Days Fairbanks and Ingrid home in 1972; 1962 Arne and Arnold Nordale, Ferry at Nenana.” The film contains footage of a Pan American World Airways airplane, children playing, children hoisting one another with a rope and pulley system, children skiing, a Christmas tree in a home, a family meal in a home, the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, power boats on the river, crowds gathered along the riverbank to watch boats, a Fairbanks home, hydraulic giants and a mining operation, men cleaning up a sluice box, dancing in downtown Fairbanks, Monty’s Department Store and Lacey Street Theater signs, views from aboard the Sternwheeler Yutana, the Nenana bridge, a fishwheel, highway travel, and Fielding Lake.
[Band plays at Sunset Strip in Fairbanks]
[Band plays at Sunset Strip in Fairbanks]
This footage includes scenes at the Sunset Strip night club in Fairbanks. A band plays, people dance, and a bartender serves drinks.
[Bill Stroecker interview May 3, 2007]
[Bill Stroecker interview May 3, 2007]
Bank president and community leader William G. Stroecker (1920-2010) of Fairbanks, Alaska, speaks to students at Monroe High School in Fairbanks on May 3, 2007, after first being introduced by instructor Pat Doogan (James P. Doogan, Jr.). Stroecker talks about his family's background in Alaska going back to the days of the gold rush, being born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Fairbanks in 1920, graduating from Main School in Fairbanks in 1938, attending military school in New Mexico, graduating from the University of Alaska, U.S. Army service during World War II, and joining the First National Bank of Alaska in 1947. He discusses the importance of basketball in his life. He mentions Charles Creamer, Dyea and the Chilkoot Trail, Noyes Slough, Loomis Security, gold exploration in the Fairbanks area, the Spanish Flu, Creamer's Dairy, Richard "Dick" Wood, E.T. Barnette, Ben Eielson, W.F. Thompson, the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, the Fairbanks Airplane Company, Noel Wien, and Joe Crosson. He talks about being a bank president until 1978, Alaska Pacific Bank, Key Bank, and knowing prospectors as he was growing up. He tells students about the importance of getting outdoors and exercising, and lists the locations of his cabins scattered throughout the state. He says that music is a big part of his life, and talks about playing trumpet, and about the swing era of music. A student asks him about Roswell, New Mexico, and UFOs. He talks about the North Slope being a godforsaken place and about the importance of the oil industry to the state. He talks about Atlantic Richfield and Exxon. He shares his philosophy that tomorrow is gone forever and so today is a good day. He talks about his house at Fifth and Noble Streets in Fairbanks and periodic flooding of town. He talks about Piledriver Slough, the Chena River, ice from the Tanana River flowing through town, and Moose Creek Dam. He says that he loves everything about living in Alaska and doesn't mind the cold. He talks about hiking on snowshoes. He talks about mosquitoes on the North Slope. He talks about boating and camping, and hunting for moose, sheep and deer. He talks about duck hunting with his black Labrador Retrievers at Healy Lake. He talks about marrying in 1957. He mentions Ted Stevens. He discusses his love for birch trees and talks about trimming birch trees near his home to a height of 14 feet so that they look like large shrubs. He talks about Main School, how everyone walked everywhere in Fairbanks because there weren't many cars, basketball, and dog mushing. He goes into detail about his first job as a teenager getting paid 60 to 90 cents per hour at Independent Lumber Company, and about wood products being locally milled after being floated down the Chena River. He discussed getting hazed as a new cadet at military school, and at being good at wrestling due to the strength he gained from working the lumber mill job. He talks about the importance of getting involved in activities in school, and says he is a strong proponent of sport, including sports for women, because it teaches people to get along.
[Eyth Family collection films 4]
[Eyth Family collection films 4]
This film contains scenes from the 1967 flood in Fairbanks including flooded streets and homes, a bridge, cars under water, people in a yard, a military truck driving through water with a truckload of people evacuating the flood, people on top of George’s Supermarket sign, and people on the roof of Traveler’s Inn.
[Fairbanks 1960s]
[Fairbanks 1960s]
This film contains views of Fairbanks in the early 1960s, including cars driving through thick ice fog downtown, muddy neighborhood roads during spring break-up, the sternwheeler “Nenana” parked along the Chena River prior to its restoration and move to Alaskaland, and a bulldozer clearing snowy land.
[Fairbanks, family scenes]
[Fairbanks, family scenes]
This film contains footage of men fishing in a river, a large garden in summer, cabins in the snow, trucks driving on a snowy road, Chena River during breakup with large ice flows, a gravel pit with dragline pulling up gravel and depositing to dump truck (dredging river?), farmland with cows, a snowy road, Fairbanks homes and a flower garden, Creamers Dairy and fields, traffic driving on 2nd Avenue in downtown Fairbanks, a woman opening gifts at what appears to be a baby shower, a newborn baby, various scenes of a very young baby in a crib, a baby getting a bath, a man holding baby in a baptismal gown, additional scenes of a baby getting older, laying on floor, rolling over, sitting up, playing with toys, scenes of Christmas, a Christmas tree, a baby in a baby seat next to a Christmas tree, and a group of people celebrating Christmas.
[Fairbanks International Airport construction]
[Fairbanks International Airport construction]
This film contains scenes of the construction of the Fairbanks International Airport runway and paved surfaces, starting after the trees have been cleared and ending with the first airplane landing. Footage includes construction crews with Caterpillar tractors, scrapers, dump-trucks and draglines moving earth and leveling ground, construction buildings and housing, a man demonstrating an unstable patch of ground which turns to jelly as he jumps on it, a drainage system and lighting system being installed, an asphalt plant in operation and paving crews finishing construction. The film ends with a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator owned by Morrison-Knudsen Construction Company making a landing on the completed runway.
Fairbanks Yesterday Today Tomorrow
Fairbanks Yesterday Today Tomorrow
This program presents the history of Fairbanks from its geological formation through 1974. Credits are as follows: host, Dave Geesin; pre-history, Florence Weber; miner, Tim Ames; mining discussion, Dr. Earl Beistline and Bruce Thomas; readings, Mark Bergeson, Pamela Buckway and Tom Duncan; narration, Charles Creamer, Tom Duncan, Don Hering, Clara Rust and Marion Wood; director, Frank Herriott; Hering segment director, Myron Tisdel; producer, Patrick Moore; production assistant, Frank Henry; research, Kit Jensen; cinematography, Mark Badger; graphics, Nancy Van Veenen; audio, Tom Saxton; video, Dave Walstad and John Reisinger; production, Carolyn Dowling, Pat Fitzgerald, John Ryan, Jim Schneider and Pat Thrasher; photos provided by Mrs. V.K. Brickley, CamerAlaska, Fabian Carey, William Cashen, Florence Collins, Roger Cotting, Mary Hansen, Nelson’s Studio, University of Alaska, and United States Air Force; furnishings provided by Nerlands; parka provided by Martin Victor Furs; produced through the facilities of KUAC-TV and the Division of Media Services at University of Alaska.
[Fall, winter and summer of 1958 and 1959]
[Fall, winter and summer of 1958 and 1959]
Footage includes Jan Koslosky with a large polar bear hide, Fred and Sara Machetanz with dogs and cutting firewood, downhill skiers, a snowplow, a plane on skis at High Ridge Lake, Ernest Gruening on an Anchorage street, High Ridge, an Eskimo woman dancing, Fur Rendezvous dog races, a merry-go-round, and dog weight pull. Additional images include reindeer on rope, Dr. Vic Hessler, a weaver at the loom, a moose in High Ridge Lake, Chilkat dancers at Haines, Sara eating strawberries, Sara and children feeding a moose calf, ski planes on High Ridge Lake, a party at Atwood home in Anchorage, airliners at Anchorage International Airport, a choral group, a moose on the road and High Ridge Lake, aerial view of High Ridge Lake, Alaska Railroad tracks and trains during winter, a snowplow, Healy coal mine, Mount McKinley, Alcan Highway, sign forest on Alcan Highway, Miles Canyon, highway scenery, oil drill rig, water well drill rig, George Sundborg at teletype, statehood celebration in Fairbanks, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner presses, Riverboat Discovery operation, logs on conveyor at mill, fish camp and birch bark basket construction, Fred and Sara at fish camp, gold dredge and loggers.
[Football games, basketball games]
[Football games, basketball games]
This footage shows a night time football game being played outdoors and under lights on a baseball field that was converted into a football field [possibly Griffin Park in Fairbanks?], a football game being played on a snowy field in Fairbanks, and women's basketball games being played in a gymnasium. [Teams in both the football and basketball games wear red and gold uniforms, so they might be from West Valley High School in Fairbanks].
[Geophysical Institute]
[Geophysical Institute]
This footage includes scenes from a youth sports competition, an airplane landing and taking off at the Fairbanks airport, stock car race footage, a man who was injured at the racetrack being taken away in an ambulance (story titled "Stock Car Spots") (September 1974) (silent), the Chapman building at University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Elvey building, a man being interviewed about changes at the Geophysical Institute over the past 25 years, a man demonstrating lab equipment, and a man being interviewed about radio transmission equipment being used to transmit medical information to remote villages in Alaska (October 28, 1974) (silent and sound).
[Geophysical Institute at UAF]
[Geophysical Institute at UAF]
Footage includes an unidentified speaker explaining the method for dating rocks used at the institute and how this information is used by geologists. An unidentified man also explains seismic recording equipment.
[George Steck collection 03]
[George Steck collection 03]
Scenes from the Miss Fairbanks contest in March of 1968. The footage also features singing and ballet performances.
[George Steck collection 04]
[George Steck collection 04]
Footage includes winter scenery near Murphy Dome, very snowy streets and cars at Second and Cushman in Fairbanks, mushers preparing for sled dog races downtown, and sled dog races on Second Avenue.
[George Steck collection 05]
[George Steck collection 05]
Footage includes the opening ceremony and activities for the Eskimo Olympics filmed inside the Gold Dome at Alaskaland.
[George Steck collection 06]
[George Steck collection 06]
Footage features Women's North American sled dog racers starting from the Alaska Dog Mushers Association on Farmers Loop.
[George Steck collection 07]
[George Steck collection 07]
Footage from around Fairbanks includes participants in a Safe Driving Auto Rodeo held in the Penneys parking lot on Cushman Street.
[George Steck collection 08]
[George Steck collection 08]
This footage features scenes from the Big Dipper ice arena in March of 1969. It includes ice show performers and Olympic medal winner Jo Jo Starbuck.
[George Steck collection 11]
[George Steck collection 11]
This film was recorded shortly after the opening of the Alaska 67 Exposition Park, A-67, and prior to the August 1967 flood. Footage includes perspectives from the Ferris Wheel, an upside down perspective from the Ferris Wheel, a hammer ride, a nurse fashion parade, views of the park and people in costumes, and a hot air balloon launch.