A handbook for Alaska’s settlers (1960)

NOTE: Neither Alaska nor the US currently offer a homesteading program. If you are interested in obtaining government land in Alaska, try the Alaska Dept of Natural Resources Land Sales Program .

The February 2005 flooding which closed my half of the Alaska State Library for a month did have an upside for me. Once we got the books back onto shelves, all staff had to participate in shelfreading the collection. This helped me get reacquainted with our print collection, and led me to several interesting Alaska-related books. From time to time, I will make note of books I have read. Most should still be available for purchase or interlibrary loan.

My first book, appropriately enough for me is the government document:

Title: A handbook for Alaska’s settlers, with special reference to agricultural homesteads.

Author(s): Saunders, Dale.

Corp Author(s): University of Alaska Fairbanks.; Agricultural Experiment Station at Palmer. ; Alaska Agricultural Experiment Stations (U.S.)

Publication: [Palmer, Alaska] : University of Alaska, Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station,

Year: 1960

Description: 31 leaves ; 28 cm.
Language: English

Series: Circular ;; 24; Variation: Circular (Alaska Agricultural Experiment Stations (U.S.)) ;; 24.
OCLC Number: 41767969

I actually decided to read this book because of the cover. There is a black and white illustration of a worried looking farmer with seven arms holding various implements, including a bag of cash, that are helpful to have on a homestead. The implied attitude is typical of many Alaskan publications discussing settlement and relocation over the years. In some ways we actively discourage people from moving here because we can’t abide disgruntled people who lack the resources to return home. People who come understanding the challenges are more likely to be successful here.

But I digress, which is a blogger’s privilege. The book itself offers very practical advice on homesteading, from deciding whether homesteading is really for you, through land selection, through researching markets to building your home on your land.

Mr. Saunders begins by saying that homesteading is neither for everyone or even “free land.” He estimates that it may take $40-60K to clear land and build a successful farm – remember these were 1960 dollars! He mentions several then existing sales programs that might better suit people who simply want to live in the country.

For those determined to homestead, Mr. Saunders offers selection tips like:
Don’t select land in winter, “In the winter all land will seem solid when frozen. Some homesteaders later find they can’t drive a jeep over their swamp once it thaws out.”

Since this book was written in a different era, there is a section called “The wife’s point of view”, written by Mrs. Kay Hitchcock, who offers advice like:

“Women must be prepared for hard physical work both in the house and out of doors, due to lack of modern conveniences. They must adjust themselves to isolation from neighbors, especially the companionship of other women, and they must be prepared for concern over the welfare of their children if they settle where medical care, schools and other similar services are not available.”

NOTE: Neither Alaska nor the US currently offer a homesteading program. If you are interested in obtaining government land in Alaska, try the Alaska Dept of Natural Resources Land Sales Program .

The February 2005 flooding which closed my half of the Alaska State Library for a month did have an upside for me. Once we got the books back onto shelves, all staff had to participate in shelfreading the collection. This helped me get reacquainted with our print collection, and led me to several interesting Alaska-related books. From time to time, I will make note of books I have read. Most should still be available for purchase or interlibrary loan.

My first book, appropriately enough for me is the government document:

Title: A handbook for Alaska’s settlers, with special reference to agricultural homesteads.

Author(s): Saunders, Dale.

Corp Author(s): University of Alaska Fairbanks.; Agricultural Experiment Station at Palmer. ; Alaska Agricultural Experiment Stations (U.S.)

Publication: [Palmer, Alaska] : University of Alaska, Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station,

Year: 1960

Description: 31 leaves ; 28 cm.
Language: English

Series: Circular ;; 24; Variation: Circular (Alaska Agricultural Experiment Stations (U.S.)) ;; 24.
OCLC Number: 41767969

I actually decided to read this book because of the cover. There is a black and white illustration of a worried looking farmer with seven arms holding various implements, including a bag of cash, that are helpful to have on a homestead. The implied attitude is typical of many Alaskan publications discussing settlement and relocation over the years. In some ways we actively discourage people from moving here because we can’t abide disgruntled people who lack the resources to return home. People who come understanding the challenges are more likely to be successful here.

But I digress, which is a blogger’s privilege. The book itself offers very practical advice on homesteading, from deciding whether homesteading is really for you, through land selection, through researching markets to building your home on your land.

Mr. Saunders begins by saying that homesteading is neither for everyone or even “free land.” He estimates that it may take $40-60K to clear land and build a successful farm – remember these were 1960 dollars! He mentions several then existing sales programs that might better suit people who simply want to live in the country.

For those determined to homestead, Mr. Saunders offers selection tips like:
Don’t select land in winter, “In the winter all land will seem solid when frozen. Some homesteaders later find they can’t drive a jeep over their swamp once it thaws out.”

Since this book was written in a different era, there is a section called “The wife’s point of view”, written by Mrs. Kay Hitchcock, who offers advice like:

“Women must be prepared for hard physical work both in the house and out of doors, due to lack of modern conveniences. They must adjust themselves to isolation from neighbors, especially the companionship of other women, and they must be prepared for concern over the welfare of their children if they settle where medical care, schools and other similar services are not available.”