David Reamer
@anchistorian.bsky.social
Historian with daily Alaska history posts & weekly column (https://www.adn.com/author/david-reamer/). Black Lives in Alaska (2022) co-author & 2023 co-Alaska Historian of the Year. Support at Buy Me a Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/davidreamer).
Circa Thanksgiving 1988 Carrs grocery commercial. Turkey was 58 cents a pound, which translates to about $1.60 today. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 28, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Circa Thanksgiving 1988 Carrs grocery commercial. Turkey was 58 cents a pound, which translates to about $1.60 today. #alaskahistory #alaska
Nov 1966 Thanksgiving turkey drawn by Howard Gunlik, seemingly at Kipnuk. Included with the Nov 1966 copy of the school newspaper (Kipnuk Times) sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. #alaskahistory #alaska #Thanksgiving
November 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Nov 1966 Thanksgiving turkey drawn by Howard Gunlik, seemingly at Kipnuk. Included with the Nov 1966 copy of the school newspaper (Kipnuk Times) sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. #alaskahistory #alaska #Thanksgiving
1955 Thanksgiving menu for Naval Air Facility Adak, from shrimp cocktails to cigarettes. #alaskahistory #alaska #thanksgiving
November 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
1955 Thanksgiving menu for Naval Air Facility Adak, from shrimp cocktails to cigarettes. #alaskahistory #alaska #thanksgiving
For those Alaskan women with a partner in Singapore--you know who you are--here's a vintage Thanksgiving card made for your situation.
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM
For those Alaskan women with a partner in Singapore--you know who you are--here's a vintage Thanksgiving card made for your situation.
Circa 1959 grocery shopping at Ray's Super Market in Fairbanks, on the corner of 3rd and Noble, in the Northward Building. Via UAF's Alaska Film Archives. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 27, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Circa 1959 grocery shopping at Ray's Super Market in Fairbanks, on the corner of 3rd and Noble, in the Northward Building. Via UAF's Alaska Film Archives. #alaskahistory #alaska
From the 1959 Lathrop High yearbook.
November 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
From the 1959 Lathrop High yearbook.
Circa 1959 footage of the Fairway Union 76 gas station in Fairbanks, at Airport Way and Cowles Street. It was locally famous for its fake palm trees and other tropical decor. Via UAF's Alaska Film Archives. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 26, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Circa 1959 footage of the Fairway Union 76 gas station in Fairbanks, at Airport Way and Cowles Street. It was locally famous for its fake palm trees and other tropical decor. Via UAF's Alaska Film Archives. #alaskahistory #alaska
Circa 1900 view of Juneau from a postcard that was mailed in 1905. The sender wrote on the front because postcards then didn't have space for a message on the back. Post service didn't allow that until 1907. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Circa 1900 view of Juneau from a postcard that was mailed in 1905. The sender wrote on the front because postcards then didn't have space for a message on the back. Post service didn't allow that until 1907. #alaskahistory #alaska
Early 1980s "Having a Great Time at the Anchorage Municipal Landfill!" postcard by Jimmie Froehlich & Tom Sadowski, when the town dump was next to Merrill Field. That's Alaska Regional Hospital in the back. #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #Alaska
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Early 1980s "Having a Great Time at the Anchorage Municipal Landfill!" postcard by Jimmie Froehlich & Tom Sadowski, when the town dump was next to Merrill Field. That's Alaska Regional Hospital in the back. #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #Alaska
A melancholy town where we never smile
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing 'cause I don't get sleep, no
(Aug 1941, Caleb Serwold, captain of the Caleb Haley, with his pipe affixed at Sitka. Via Anchorage Museum)
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing 'cause I don't get sleep, no
(Aug 1941, Caleb Serwold, captain of the Caleb Haley, with his pipe affixed at Sitka. Via Anchorage Museum)
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 AM
A melancholy town where we never smile
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing 'cause I don't get sleep, no
(Aug 1941, Caleb Serwold, captain of the Caleb Haley, with his pipe affixed at Sitka. Via Anchorage Museum)
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing 'cause I don't get sleep, no
(Aug 1941, Caleb Serwold, captain of the Caleb Haley, with his pipe affixed at Sitka. Via Anchorage Museum)
Engine, engine, number nine
On the New York transit line
If my train goes off the track
Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
This is the Alaska Railroad 901 locomotive after it derailed outbound from Nenana on August 29, 1950. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska
On the New York transit line
If my train goes off the track
Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
This is the Alaska Railroad 901 locomotive after it derailed outbound from Nenana on August 29, 1950. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 25, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Engine, engine, number nine
On the New York transit line
If my train goes off the track
Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
This is the Alaska Railroad 901 locomotive after it derailed outbound from Nenana on August 29, 1950. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska
On the New York transit line
If my train goes off the track
Pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
This is the Alaska Railroad 901 locomotive after it derailed outbound from Nenana on August 29, 1950. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska
Lost, in a snow filled sky
We'll make it alright to come undone
Now we'll try to stay blind to the hope and fear outside
Hey child, stay wilder than the wind and blow me in to cry.
(1922 St. Paul, Alaska. Via National Archives)
We'll make it alright to come undone
Now we'll try to stay blind to the hope and fear outside
Hey child, stay wilder than the wind and blow me in to cry.
(1922 St. Paul, Alaska. Via National Archives)
November 25, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Lost, in a snow filled sky
We'll make it alright to come undone
Now we'll try to stay blind to the hope and fear outside
Hey child, stay wilder than the wind and blow me in to cry.
(1922 St. Paul, Alaska. Via National Archives)
We'll make it alright to come undone
Now we'll try to stay blind to the hope and fear outside
Hey child, stay wilder than the wind and blow me in to cry.
(1922 St. Paul, Alaska. Via National Archives)
1981 "Clean Up Alaska" public service announcement shot in Juneau. #alaska #alasakhistory
November 24, 2025 at 12:41 AM
1981 "Clean Up Alaska" public service announcement shot in Juneau. #alaska #alasakhistory
July 4, 1958 Hearst Metrotone News newsreel after Alaska statehood bill passed Congress, including celebration in Anchorage. Note the moose with the "Hey Texas Now I'm The Biggest Bull----" sign. Alaska statehood became official on January 3, 1959. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
July 4, 1958 Hearst Metrotone News newsreel after Alaska statehood bill passed Congress, including celebration in Anchorage. Note the moose with the "Hey Texas Now I'm The Biggest Bull----" sign. Alaska statehood became official on January 3, 1959. #alaskahistory #alaska
2005 Arctic Cat "Moose" snowmachine commercial. Don't be crazy people. This was "professional moose on a closed course." Do not imitate.
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
2005 Arctic Cat "Moose" snowmachine commercial. Don't be crazy people. This was "professional moose on a closed course." Do not imitate.
2000s commercial for Mattress Ranch of Anchorage and Wasilla. I don't even need to describe it any further, Alaskans know what this is. #alaska #alaskahistory
November 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
2000s commercial for Mattress Ranch of Anchorage and Wasilla. I don't even need to describe it any further, Alaskans know what this is. #alaska #alaskahistory
Mishap Creek on Unimak Island is named for 1930s incident when Cape Sarichef Lighthouse keeper Lee Harpole tossed his clothes across creek so they would be dry after he forded. He missed & they were swept into sea. He walked miles in just underwear & cap. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 19, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Mishap Creek on Unimak Island is named for 1930s incident when Cape Sarichef Lighthouse keeper Lee Harpole tossed his clothes across creek so they would be dry after he forded. He missed & they were swept into sea. He walked miles in just underwear & cap. #alaskahistory #alaska
The first stop for Alaska placename research is Donald Orth's 1971 Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, free download here (dggs.alaska.gov/pubs...). Lots of fun bits in it, like the Ribdon River, of course named after a guy named Don who had a rib injury. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
The first stop for Alaska placename research is Donald Orth's 1971 Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, free download here (dggs.alaska.gov/pubs...). Lots of fun bits in it, like the Ribdon River, of course named after a guy named Don who had a rib injury. #alaskahistory #alaska
1962 Red Devil, Alaska post office. Town named for Red Devil mercury mine, open 1939-1971. Mine closed before effective environmental laws, so owners simply abandoned site, leaving tailings that leak mercury & arsenic into Kuskokwim River. #alaskahistory #Alaska
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
1962 Red Devil, Alaska post office. Town named for Red Devil mercury mine, open 1939-1971. Mine closed before effective environmental laws, so owners simply abandoned site, leaving tailings that leak mercury & arsenic into Kuskokwim River. #alaskahistory #Alaska
May 1957 Turnagain Elementary School in Anchorage. It opened after a slight delay with the fall 1956 semester. It was dedicated on November 18, 1956. Youth bicycle culture used to be different. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska #anchoragehistory
November 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
May 1957 Turnagain Elementary School in Anchorage. It opened after a slight delay with the fall 1956 semester. It was dedicated on November 18, 1956. Youth bicycle culture used to be different. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska #anchoragehistory
This is not the worst business decision Calista ever made (see WAVE), but it is indeed an interesting location! Below circa 1977-78.
November 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This is not the worst business decision Calista ever made (see WAVE), but it is indeed an interesting location! Below circa 1977-78.
My favorite historical Anchorage float, made of cans from the cannery.
November 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM
My favorite historical Anchorage float, made of cans from the cannery.
November 1977, downtown Anchorage Sheraton, the hotel by the cemetery. Construction began that year but was shut down for months as builder Calista Corp narrowly avoided bankruptcy. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
November 1977, downtown Anchorage Sheraton, the hotel by the cemetery. Construction began that year but was shut down for months as builder Calista Corp narrowly avoided bankruptcy. Via Anchorage Museum. #alaskahistory #alaska
McDonalds hat from Sitka, a true Alaska relic. The location there closed in 2023. Many a real Alaskan outfitted themselves there before departing on adventures. Via Ebay, not my listing (ebay.us/m/o0PdwQ). #alaskahistory #alaska
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 AM
McDonalds hat from Sitka, a true Alaska relic. The location there closed in 2023. Many a real Alaskan outfitted themselves there before departing on adventures. Via Ebay, not my listing (ebay.us/m/o0PdwQ). #alaskahistory #alaska
Circa 1960s postcard of Pardner's Cracker Barrel in Glennallen. After the 1964 earthquake, Ed & Georgia Strunk moved from Anchorage to Glennallen where they opened the Cracker Barrel, which they ran for over 30 years. #alaskahistory #alaska
November 18, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Circa 1960s postcard of Pardner's Cracker Barrel in Glennallen. After the 1964 earthquake, Ed & Georgia Strunk moved from Anchorage to Glennallen where they opened the Cracker Barrel, which they ran for over 30 years. #alaskahistory #alaska