What have been the impacts on traditional Native cultures and on the environment?
During the gold rush steamboats were used in great number. During this time Natives were impacted positively because, these boats burned a lot of wood and as a result wood camps were developed. These camps gave Natives jobs. Natives were also hired during this time period as guides to help the steamboats maneuver through the many channels and bends. Another job Natives had during this time were firemen and deck hands.
Looking into rail and road transportation the Natives allowed prospectors to use their land. In the late 1870s Chilkat Tlingits allowed prospectors to use their trading trail from Lynn Canal across mountain passes to the Yukon’s headwaters (Chilkoot Pass). In 1880 prospectors still used this trail. As the years went by this passage was used more and more in creating roads and railroads.
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Mail delivery didn’t exist in interior Alaska until the US government gave the son of the chief of the Taku Tlinglits a very important job. Jimmie Jackson was given $700 plus $1 per letter to carry the mail from Juneau to the gold fields throughout the winter. With two other Tlingit friends they took a canoe up the Skinkine River. With the combination of the canoe and dog sled the group was able to make the 1,000 mile trip to Circle City to deliver the mail. This trip continued for years with carriers being paid $600 per run.
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Not all developments have been positive for Native cultures. Air and barg transportation costs are increasing. As a result home heating fuel and grocery prices are going up. As prices for petroleum-based fuels skyrocket smaller villages will have to either return to a more basic way of survival or simply disappear as their populations migrate to less expensive areas.
What were the factors that prompted the growth of aviation in Alaska?
After WWI aviation in Alaska really began to develop. In 1920 the Black Wolf squadron which consisted army bombers using wheeled biplanes landed in Alaska from New York. They landed in Wrangell, Fairbanks, Ruby, and Nome. For Alaska this showed that airplanes could carry heavy loads across the state.
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Alaskan pilot Noel Wien founded Alaska’s first scheduled airline in Fairbanks in July 1924. During this time he made 5 incredible “first flights”. He flew from Fairbanks to Nome, he also flew across the Arctic Circle, then flew from Alaska to Siberia, and finally flew an injured person to a hospital. In 1924 two other trips prompted more thoughts about aviation in Alaska. Carl Ben Eielson discovered that his several hour airmail flight from Fairbanks to McGrath could replace a three week dog team delivery route. Next four army air crafts flew around the world. These planes were able to touch down on land and water. This 175 day trip began and ended in Seattle.
As Alaska began to see that it was possible to shuttle people, cargo, and mail to different areas of the state interest began to sprout in the direction of a school for aviation. The first school opened in Fairbanks in 1928. In 1929 Southeast Alaska aviators completed the first non-stop flight from Seattle to Juneau. The first air mail flight from Alaska to Seattle was also completed, this same year the first passengers flew across the Gulf of Alaska.
Extend-How has air transportation affected the way of life in your community?
Until I moved to Alaska I didn’t realize how important air transportation was. I would only look at planes as a means of transporting family and friends to and from places. I also understood the importance of air transportation in regards to medical emergencies.
Air transportation is still very important in this community to help people travel from place to place. As far as medical emergencies go air transportation is vital. Living in Wasilla many people still use physicians in Anchorage. Anchorage also has different types of facilities that Wasilla doesn’t for emergency situations.
Air transportation as a recreational hobby is very common. The neighborhood that I live in has an airstrip nearby, regardless of the time of the year you can see and hear planes all around you. This was a new and exciting experience to be a part of when I first moved here. When I take my dogs for a walk and we get to the landing strip (which intersects part of the road) we have to stop and look both ways to see if a plane is either landing or taking off.
Evaluation
This module did a good job of explaining how all the different types of transportation help Alaska communicate within the state as well as communicate to regions outside of the state. Without the use of ships, boats, highways, railroads, and airplanes all working together Alaska wouldn’t be a success today. I want to learn more about air travel. It would be interesting to see what you need to do to get your pilots license. Maybe one day I will be able to fly my own plane!!
3 Responses:
3 Responses:
I really enjoyed your comment on Carl Ben Eilsen. He paved the way for aviation in Alaska. This state has benefited greatly from his exploration.
It is so interesting to know that 280 villages throughout the state are only accessible by plane or water. It really makes me think how lucky I am to be able to go to the store and get the resources I need on a daily basis.
The railroad has bridged a gap for Alaska, I really enjoyed reading this part of your blog. This transportation link has been developed since 1902! Wow!!
I have only been in Alaska two years. I am middle aged now and have flown more in the last two years than I had my whole life. It has become "just what you do." It has been interesting for me to study how Alaska has evolved in becoming more connected. Thank you for your insights.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion on the usefulness of air transportation in Alaska and especially its value in the medical realm!
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