There has been an Athabascan Indian population in the Cook Inlet area for a millennium or more. Between 1850 and 1880, the journals of Russian priests describe "the Knik's" as 5 semi-permanent camps within two to six miles of the Knik trading post. Each camp was considered independent of the others and the priest held services in each one.

In 1888, Russian missionary, Father Nikolai Mitropol'skii helped the Indian's that lived closer to the Knik trading station, build a chapel. Ten years later, when gold prospectors flooded the area, most of the Indians decided to move out of the Knik area and dismantled the chapel and took it with them to "New Knik" (Eklutna).

There are very few first hand accounts of life in Knik pre-1900, however we are lucky enough to have the journal of missionary Vladimir Vasiliev Stafeev of Tyonek. He mentions visiting the villages of Aleksandrovsk, Seldovia, Ninilchik, Kustatan, Tyonek, Knik and Susitna (once a winter, weather permitting). He performed religious services, marriages, funerals, baptisms and encouraged the Indians to maintain a moral path.

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Gold fever brought thousands of prospectors to south central Alaska in the late 1890’s. For a fee of $40, large steamers and schooners transported miners from Seattle to the deep waters of Tyonek; a 4½ day voyage (with good weather). Tyonek was a hive of activity in the spring of 1898, with hopeful prospectors of every age and nationality trying to build a boat. From Tyonek, men sailed to the tiny outpost of Knik Station, a rough 75 miles away.

At Knik, the men left their homemade boats and followed the old Dena’ina walking trails that radiated out into gold country.  Traveling on foot, snow shoe, or by dog team, prospectors “brushed out” and widened the old trails as they went.

At the turn of the century, Knik was the largest re-supply stop for prospectors traveling overland from Seward to the Willow Creek, Susitna, Yentna, Chulitna, McKinley, Gold Creek, Flat and Iditarod gold strike areas. It provided essential goods such as boots, shoes, rain gear, guns, ammunition, hardware, furs, groceries, coffee, tobacco, dried fish for dog teams and most importantly, mail from home.

Prospectors purchased furs, sleds, snow shoes, moose meat at 5¢ a pound, salmon at 25¢ each, moccasins and fur robes from the local Dena'ina.  They also hired them to  harvest logs, whip saw lumber, cut fire wood, tend gardens, pack freight to the mines, unload boat freight and transport passengers between Knik to Tyonek via crude sail boats and bidarka's.

Before the first official post office opened at Knik in 1904, mail arrived about once a month (in the summer) by boat. In the winter, the boats couldn't get to Knik, so Dena'ina "mail runners" were hired to retrieve mail from the town of Sunrise which meant a 12 day round trip by foot/sled about twice a winter (weather permitting).

Prospectors were not the only early customers in Knik. The Eklutna and Matanuska Dena’ina as well as the Copper River Ahtna came to Knik to trade furs for tea, sugar and gunpowder. By 1913, with a winter population of about 500, Knik was the largest settlement on Cook Inlet.

Knik residents lived a subsistence life style. By ax and hand saw, they fell trees to build their homes; they cut firewood and harvested beach coal from Point Campbell and  Tyonek for heat; they ate moose, bear, salmon, sheep, trout, ducks, geese, rabbit, beaver and ptarmigan. They fed their dogs dried fish, fed their horses wild hay and got their water from Knik Lake. While working their gold mines at Hatcher Pass, prospectors also ate arctic ground squirrels (which they called parky squirrels). Their journals had humorous recipe titles such as parky stew, fried parky, parky pot pie, parky and dumplings, boiled parky and parky and beans.

The growth of Cook Inlet from 1898 to 1914 (pre Anchorage) depended on large ocean going steamers and schooners to bring freight, passengers and mail from Seattle and San Francisco, to the deep waters of Cook Inlet. As early as 1876, those large ocean going vessels docked at Tyonek, where there was an Alaska Commercial Co. store and an actual post office after 1897. Later, the ships docked in the deep waters of Knik Harbor near Ship Creek. That is how Anchorage originally got its name, by shortening of the original place name of Knik-Anchorage, which meant it was the main place to "anchor".

By the early 1903, Over 23 privately owned launches,  sail boats, tugs and scows transported freight and passengers from the larger ships anchored at Knik Harbor to the small towns of Hope, Sunrise, Seldovia, Tyonek and Knik Station; by  1915, there were nearly 100 boats. Lightering  freight was a thriving industry on Cook Inlet for both Caucasian and Indian freighters. 

In the early years, freight, destined for Knik, was simply left on the Knik mud flats and later picked up by its owner, which resulted in inevitable losses.  In 1907-1908, two wharfs were built at Knik which allowed freight and passengers to off-load at Knik in the summer when the weather and tides were right. The wharfs were anchored to the shore and supported, on the other end, by large log cribs full of rocks. In the winters, tidal ice movement played havoc with these docks and they were in a constant state of repair and rebuild.

Knik Wharf with ice in background  

Cook Inlet travel was perilous for early residents. In 1904, on what was supposed to be a quick sailing trip from Knik to the town of Hope, O.G. Herning wrote in his journal: "Left Knik 8:45 PM for trip to Hope to buy blasting powder, in sailboat. Rainy at Fire Islands lower spit, no wind until Knik Harbor.  Bucked tide halfway along Fire Island.  Left island 4 AM, wind was out of Turnagain Arm so anchored off island.  PM, made camp on island, hard work to get boat out of surf.  Next day - big wind and surf, couldn't leave island. Next day – left Fire Island with fair wind.  Wind came out of Turnagain Arm, tide rips quite bad, had to put in at island on right side of mouth of Turnagain Arm in Chickaloon Bay. Next day – arrived at Hope.  Three days later – left Hope for island in Chickaloon Bay. Tide rough so didn't go to Fire Island. Next day – Left Chickaloon Bay, wind came up strong, seas rolled choppy, had to cross mouth of Turnagain Arm to get lee.  One time, gunnels went under.  Made it to Pt. Campbell, waited seven hours for tide then got up to upper end of Knik Harbor.  Waited for tide until 9 PM. Arrived back at Knik at 1:30”.  Herning’s “quick trip” took ten days.

Horses were an integral part of life at Knik. Used for transportation, moving freight, pulling ground scrapers and hay mowers, plowing fields, hauling lumber and water, the horses received great care and were hired by the hour in addition to their drivers. In 1906, the United States Geological Service came to Knik to survey the area. When they left that fall, the U.S.G.S. sold their 14 pack horses to eager buyers in Knik. The horses were then sent to Homer for a safe "winter-over", because food there was plentiful and the climate was warmer.

During the winter of 1908, the Bartholf brothers brought the first sawmill to Knik by schooner. Destined for the Willow Creek Mining District, it took seven weeks in sub-zero weather to move the mill (with a team of horses) from Knik to Willow Creek.

In 1911, the Federal Government opened a trail, for mail delivery from Seward to Nome, it was called the Iditarod Trail and it was used mainly by men traveling to and from gold country.  The Iditarod trail, which went right through Knik, brought money and employment to the town. By 1912, Knik had a Post Office, three hotels, a bakery, four stores, a pool hall, two saloons, a Turkish bath, a church, two cafe’s, a candy shop, a barbershop, a doctor, a blacksmith, a tin shop, a boat shop, an assay office, a dog kennel, a laundry and a jail. December 12, 1912 the Knik school opened for the first time, with 17 students. In 1915, Knik residents purchased a printing press, delivered by schooner from San Francisco, and published the Cook Inlet Pioneer newspaper.

Gold was not the only export from Knik. The Dena’ina harvested and sold fish, moose meat and furs, made hundreds of pairs of snow shoes and picked  hundreds of barrels of cranberries which were then shipped from Knik to Seattle by Knik store merchants.

 KNIK MAP

Many people, who later figured prominently in Alaska's history, patronized Knik before Anchorage was built in 1915: Romig, Lathrop, Herning, Palmer, Glenn, Dowling, Hatcher, Blodgett, Bartlett, Leopold David, Caswell, Girdwood, Kincaid, Nagley, Whitney and Sutton, just to name a few.

Many Dena’ina notables also traded in Knik: Chief Stephan, Chief Nicolai, Chief Nakeeta, Chief Pete of Tyonek, Goosmar, Affinassa, Alex, Simeon, Esi, Theodore, Vasilla, Ephim, Evan and many others. 

Crime was seldom an issue in Knik. There were occasional hunting, claim jumping, and brawling incidents, but they were mostly alcohol related and quickly defused. Home brew, or "white mule" as it was called, was a constant problem and was equally prevalent in the non-Native and Native populations. By 1911, prostitutes discovered Knik. "Sporting girls", as they were called, used Knik as their home base while they traveled frequently to nearby Susitna Station to "ply their trade" with prospectors. They were generally well tolerated by the mostly male population of Knik.

On January 10, 1912, four Iditarod dog teams, carrying 2,900 pounds of gold bullion arrived at Knik. The news fueled gold fever even further.  The Iditarod trail was lined with prospectors heading north and dog teams pulling sleds of gold south. While most gold totals didn't match the 1912 load, there were other memorable amounts of gold that came through Knik.  In 1916, Iditarod gold teams arrived with 3,400 lb. of gold; it was hauled in by several teams and 46 dogs.

Starting about 1906, Knik was hearing rumors that the Alaska Central Railroad, which started at Seward and ended at mile 72 (Kern Creek), was going to be extended, possibly to Fairbanks, but by 1909 the company was bankrupt and expansion of the railroad stopped.

By 1912, Alaska was a Territory and Congress passed the Organic Act which resulted in plans to extend the railroad from Kern Creek to the Matanuska Susitna Valley with a branch going to the Matanuska coal fields.

Almost immediately, teams of surveyors and clearing crews descended on Knik, building barns for horse teams, a storage building and a mess hall. All of this activity and the "promise" of jobs fueled more growth for Knik, but in 1914, the railroad built a headquarters at Ship Creek. In January of 1916, tracks were completed between Anchorage and Peters Creek. Two months later, they reached Eklutna and the railroad right of way was cleared to the next railroad construction camp called Wasilla. Knik, which was at its population peak that year, could now see that the new railroad route would bypass them.

People began moving from Knik to the Ship Creek tent city, but since Ship Creek (future Anchorage) had no infrastructure, its early residents continued to purchase necessities from Knik.

On May 2,1917, the railroad tracks reached Wasilla which was 15 miles closer to the Willow Creek Mines (than Knik) and quickly became transportation central for the freight that gold miners and homesteaders required.

Accepting the inevitable, in the summer of 1917, Knik residents started dismantling their buildings and shipping them to the new town of Anchorage, by boat, or to the new town of Wasilla, by horse and wagon.  Only a few old timers and one general store remained in Knik after 1917; six months later, the store burned to the ground and was never rebuilt.

Today, 100 years after Knik’s demise, the area is mainly residential with only two surviving original buildings. The old pool hall is now the Knik Museum, a two story treasure trove of Alaskana artifacts. The other building is a small empty cabin that sits nearby.  The boomtown of Knik is truly a forgotten community, rich in (nearly) forgotten history.
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Article from "KNIK NEWS" dated 3/6/1915 lists the
following early homesteaders located adjacent or near Knik, Alaska

Miscellaneous Homestead Location Papers,
Bill of Sales, Fishing Rights, etc. in the Knik Recording District 1901-1934

The following records came from the Alaska State Dept. of Natural Resources Recorders Office. I've included a variety of records, mostly homestead claims, but there are bill of sales, a couple mining claims, mortgages, homestead relinquishments, a few probate records, etc. I will be adding to this page when I find more records.

Homesteading opened up in alaska on 5/14/1898 and you could claim an 80 acre homestead. On 3/3/1903, the rules were changed and you could claim a 320 acre homestead. On 7/8/1916, the homestead size was reduced to 160 acres. The last homesteads were issued in the 1980's.

The basic requirements were pretty simple; you had to be 21, or the head of the household, or you could have served in the military.  You had to be a citizen of the United States or have filed a declaration to become a citizen (you had to become a citizen before receiving the final patent to your homestead). You had to live on the homestead for five years (3 years after 1912) and you had to have a habitable dwelling on your land (tents didn't qualify). You also had to cultivate at least one eighth of the homestead in either grain, vegetables or farm stock.

NOTICE: The homestead location papers listed below had no document numbers on them. The beginning of every "location paper" began with: "I, the undersigned, hereby claim for homestead purposes, the following described tract of land..."  

After the description of the land was written, the document was signed and dated by the Knik District Recorder. John Goodell was the Knik District Recorder until the spring of 1910. H.H.Hildreth was the Knik District Recorder until the spring of 1911 and Leopold David was the Knik District Recorder after the spring of 1911.

7/21/1901 Homestead Location Papers: Charles Ulanky Application  320 acres west shore of Knik Arm, located on Fish Creek about 20 miles NE of Point McKenzie and 2 miles SW of Knik Station. Southeast corner post is 1320' south from mouth of Fish Creek and the northeast corner post is 1340' north from Fish Creek, thence runs one mile west parallel on each side of Fish Creek. Said homestead includes fishing station and improvements on Fish Creek used by the Native Indians of the Knik tribe. Witnesses R. B. Perkins and O. G. Herning  

8/13/1905   Homestead Location Papers: W. D. Elliott south side of Knik Arm near its head and adjoining on the west, 320 acres. G. W. Palmer homestead being to the east of latter. (John Goodell District Recorder.

9/3/1905  Homestead Location Papers:  M. J. McKinnon at mouth of Cottonwood Creek, 6 miles from Knik Trading Station. Witnesses to application were John Goodell and G. W. Palmer.  Eighty rods west of mouth of Cottonwood Creek, thence north 320 rods to NW corner; thence east 160 rods to corner; thence south 320 rods to corner; thence west following the meander line of Knik Arm 160 rods to place of beginning. The cabin in which I reside, on said claim, is 600' from high water line of Knik Arm and about 900' from the S. E. corner of the claim.

4/20/1906  Homestead Location Papers: B. W. Hedrick 320 acres  West side of Matanuska River

6/21/1906  Homestead Location Papers: J. H. Carnagey 320 acres  East line runs close to and continues out over the high bank of the Matanuska River on south. It joins H. Thistel ranch at the Junction between the north line and Watson's Trail. It is about 3 miles from Moose cabin by trail.

6/21/1906  Homestead Location Papers: Harold Thistel 320 acres  East line of this claim runs close to high bank of Matanuska River and joins J. H. Carnegey's homestead on north. The junction of Watson's trail and north line is about 4 miles from Moose cabin by trail.

8/12/1906  Nakeeta Coal Claim     Located by Nakeeta
160 acres of coal land, south side of Matanuska River opposite mouth of Granite Creek.

6/6/1910 Bessie Quartz Mining Claim by James Patchell and Nakeeta : About 1 mile west of the north fork of Kings Creek in Knik Mining District.

2/12/1907 Homestead Location Papers: Andrew Jackson Duffy on north bank of Knik Arm and joining G. W. Palmer's garden and Knik Lake on the west.    Witness: D. J. Beahm

9/10/1908 Homestead Location Papers: W.H.Conners  320 acres unsurveyed government land, 1/2 mile
from Knik village and 300 yards east of the springs. Witness: George Purches (John Goodell District Recorder)

9/2/1909 Homestead Location Papers: H. Sorenson Located for agricultural purposes: Land situated on left bank of the river going up about 1 mile above the Station, it is on the point where the Yentna and the Susitna River meet. (H. Farris District Recorder).

10/10/1909 Homestead Location Papers: Christopher Hathaway 320 acres, south side of Knik Arm, 200' west of Knik Butte and running 2640' westerly to NW corner, then 5280' southerly to SW corner, then 2640' easterly to SE corner then 5280' northerly to place of beginning. Three miles eas from village of Old Knik. Witness: W.D.Elliott  (H. Farris District Recorder)

2/3/1911 Homestead Location Papers: Orville G. Herning, 320 acres located 9 miles north of Knik, Alaska along what is known as Herning's Winter Trail Road from Knik to Willow Creek Placer and Quartz Mines.  Witness: A. W. Hall  (H.H.Hildreth District Recorder)

4/10/1910 Homestead Location Papers: Geo. A. Gates 160 acres situated 1½ miles NE of the town of Knik on the NW side of Knik Arm and lies NE of and adjoins the homestead of John J. O'Brien. Witness: F. B. Cannon  (H.H.Hildreth District Recorder)

4/29/1910 Homestead Location Papers: H. W. Mitchell, beginning at corner 1, situated 100 yards east of mouth of Soldier Creek Gulch on the high band near mean high water mark; thence following meander of Knik Arm in a SW direction about 815 yards to a spruce witness post on the high bank above high tide; thence due west about 420 yards to post 2, thence due north 1760 yards to birch post marked corner 3 thence due east 880 yards to a birch post marked 4 thence south to post 1 the place of beginning. Homestead on northerly side of Knik Arm about 1 mile from town of Knik.  Witness W. H. O'Conner  (H.H.Hildreth District Recorder)

6/14/1910 Homestead Location Papers: Peter Murray located on what is known as Vasili Fish Creek on south side of the creek and about 1/2 mile from the mouth of said creek.  Witness William Elliott.

10/1/1910 Homestead Location Papers: H. McKinnon, 320 acres 6 miles NE of the town of Knik on northerly side of Knik Arm and adjoins Hughes homestead.  Witness Wm. Hughes (H.H.Hildreth District Recorder)

10/8/1910 Homestead Location Papers: Frank Brown 320 acres said homestead is near head of Knik Arm on south side about 700' from NE corner of Indian Village church grounds.  Witness J. W. Hamilton. (H.H.Hildreth District Recorder)

7/9/1911 Homestead Location Papers: Percy E. Pitchford, 320 acres  post 1 on Burr's Point on the Matanuska River thence north 1/2 mile to stake 2 thence east 1 mile to stake 3 thence 1/2 mile to stake 4 thence west to place of commencement. (Leopold David District Recorder)

10/1910  Homestead Location Papers: J. D. Whitney  160 acres beginning at corner 1 on left bank of Ship Creek, which is identical with corner 1 of the F. W. Kincaid claim #31, extending thence east 20 chains, thence north 80 chains, thence west 20 chains, thence south 80 chains to the place of beginning.  Witness: Fred Kincaid   (official survey done 3/22/1911)

10/10/1910 Bill of Sale: Wm. Hughes of Knik, in consideration of $160, in hand, paid by George W. Palmer of same place, sell, transfer and deliver to George W. Palmer, the building known as the Knik House and the building known as the Blacksmith Shop. Together with contents of Knik House (stoves, dishes, tables, chairs, beds, bedding) and everything contained in said buildings.  Witness: T. E. O'Brine

10/18/1910 Bill of Sale: Regarding a suit of George W. Palmer vs. George Purches and Eiline M. Purches against personal property of said George and Eiline Purches, all right, title and interest in one dwelling known as the Purches cabin. That at said sale, George W. Palmer bid $150 for said property, he being the highest and best bidder.  Leopold David Special U.S. Deputy Marshal appointed by the court.

10/24/1910 Bill of Sale: Between Glenn Names and Daria Names, his wife, of Hope, Alaska and W. G. Grady. for the sum of $100, paid in hand, sold to W. G. Grady a building known as Names Saloon in the town of Knik.  Witnesses: Marcus O. Cherry and J. H. Denny

11/20/1910 Homestead Location Papers: A. G. Swanson, 320 acres situated on north side of Vasilla Creek and adjoining the homestead of Peter Murray.  Witness: Peter Murray  (H.H.Hildreth District Recorder)

12/23/1910 Bill of Sale: E.D. McElroy of Susitna sold to W. G. Grady of Knik, the gasoline launch known as Launch P.V., which is now at Susitna, Alaska for $200. Witnesses Henry D. Gallagher and W. H. Nagley

2/28/1911 Probate: Estate of A. J. Duffy, administrator of estate, F. B. Cannon, sold the Pioneer Roadhouse and contents, the cabin adjoining, the barn, dog house and out buildings connection with said roadhouse and land on which said building are situated and grounds enclosed by fence or otherwise known as "Duffy's Property", said right and title being known as "squatters rights" therein.  Property purchased by T. J. McLaughlin for $580, he being the highest bidder.  
H. H. Hildreth Probate Judge.

11/18/1911 Homestead Location Papers: Oliver Cromwell Miller, 320 acres at the Little Susitna Bridge, from this stake, I claim 80 rods south, thence 80 rods east, thence 320 rods north, thence 160 rods west, thence 320 rods south, thence 80 rods east to south end, middle stake.

12/29/1911 Notice of Mill Site Location: O. C. Miller on this day, staked and located 10 acres of land for a mill site near the top of the hill on the Carle and within 2000' of the Viola Mine.

1/1/1912 Bill of Sale: I, the undersigned, a Native of Alaska, do hereby sell and transfer to Peter Murray, for the consideration of the sum of $15 lawful money of the United States, to me, in hand, paid and the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, all my right title and interest to those certain cabins known as Vassila's Cabins on Palmer's Slough in the Knik District of Alaska. I further state that I am the owner of said cabins and have a right to sell the same. Signed
Tom Stephan "X" (his mark)   Witnesses: Leopold David and George W. Palmer

3/26/1912 Homestead Location Papers: George Nylen, 320 acres in Matanuska Valley on north side of Matanuska River and adjoins west side of Cobb's homestead and about 1 mile east of A. G. Swanson's homestead.  Witnesses: A. G. Swanson, Peter Murray.

4/4/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Tim Calmes, 320 acres, commencing at SE corner of Miller's water right taken in behalf of Viola Mine and running 1320' west thence 5380' south thence 2640' east thence 5280 north thence 1320 west to starting point. Locations posted is about 100' west of starting point on what is called the Carle Wagon Road.

4/7/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Peter Hebert, 320 acres west of government road, about 19 miles north of Knik near a camping place generally called Paradise; thence south 3000', thence west 1320', thence north 1 mile, thence east 1/2 mile, thence south 1 mile thence west 1320' thence 3000' north to place of beginning.

5/3/1912 Bill of Sale: Sold to Margy King, a cabin known as the Carnegie cabin for value received. J. F. Sumner  Witnesses Ed Miller and Otto Langel

5/10/1912 Bill of Sale: Sold to Mattie A. Herning one tent house 12'x14' on lot 45' x 75' for $100, situated west of Herning's store garden in town of Knik, Alaska. Together with all the utensils and all things on said lot except one "pump" now installed in well which shall be delivered to Milo Kelly.  Sold by O. C. Miller   Witnesses: F. B. Cannon and O.G. Herning

6/7/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Milo Kelly, 320 acres commencing at canyon on the Little Susitna river thence south 1 mile. New wagon road runs through about center of homestead. Lines blazed and corners set.  Witness Ross Kinney.

6/17/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Joseph Grimes, 320 acres located below canyon on Little susitna River and joins the Kelly homestead on the south, located along new wagon road.  Witness Ross Kinney.

7/9/1912 Homestead Location Papers: E. W. Larson, E½ Section 36 T17N R2W and takes in Cottonwood Creek where it enters the flats.

8/19/1912 Homestead Location Papers: A. N. Madsen, 320 acres located as follows: adjoins Swanson's homestead on the north on Palmer's Slough Knik Precinct.

8/19/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Rudolph Weiss, 320 acres located as follows: Adjoins Madsen homestead on the north on Palmer's Slough, Knik Precinct.

11/1/1912 Homestead Location Papers: F. M. Crocker  320 acres  NW¼ of Section 10, SW¼ of Section 3, T16N R2W Seward Meridian.  Witness: Wm. Hughes

11/18/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Hugh McCaughey, joining Ralf Wise on east side and George Bylen on west side and lies between these 2, north of Palmer's Slough.

12/20/1912 Homestead Location Papers: Frank H. Andrews 320 acres located about 19 miles from Knik and alongside of Gold Bullion summer trail.

3/25/1913 Notice of Location of Mission Site:  80 acres west shore of Knik Arm about 1/2 mile from Goose Bay. Location is made for Presbyterian Church Mission purposes. Agent T. P. Howard, witness Walter E. Howard.

5/16/1913 Homestead Location Papers: H. C. Shough, 320 acres joins Grimes homestead on south and is near Little Susitna River along new government wagon road to Fishhook Creek.

6/6/1913 Homestead Location Papers: John W. Downing, 320 acres located 1½ miles in a westerly direction from town of Knik and on the Susitna Winter Trail.

8/11/1913 Homestead Location Papers: Ellsworth Shepherd, 320 acres S½ Section 24 T17N R1E located about 24 miles from Knik in the Matanuska Valley.

9/10/1913 Homestead Location Papers: John Lanquist, the south 40 acres of Section 22 and the north forty acres of Section 27, T17N R1E Seward Meridian.

10/24/1913 Homestead Relinquishment: John Loken N½ Section 20 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witnesses J. F. Major and Leopold David.

10/27/1913 Homestead Location Papers: John Loken, N½ Section 29 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness Glen J. Blake.

12/28/1913 Homestead Location Papers: Mrs. Estella Dalton, 320 acres land for agricultural purposes, 13½ miles NW of Knik on the main thoroughfare and I hereby claim this land to be known as the Dalton Homestead.  Witness: Mrs. Delia Rae

12/28/1913 Homestead Location Papers: Martin Leckvold, S½ Section 34 T18N R1E Seward Meridian. Witnesses: Glen Blake and John Loken.

4/8/1914 Notice of Location of Mission Site: The Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. claims the following property at Knik, Alaska, staked by its agent T. P. Howard for mission purposes. Beginning at a point, the east corner of the campus of the Knik Public School and running south 1100' thence west 990' thence north 1100' thence east to the point of beginning 900', being 5 acres more or less.

4/10/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Ira V. Miller  N½ of Section 33  T18N R2W Seward Meridian. Witnesses A. Wise and W. M. Smith

4/20/1914 Homestead Location papers: John M. Loken  320 acres NW¼ of SW¼ Section 34, SE¼ of Section 33 and N½ of NE¼ of Section 4 T17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witnesses: Ira V. Miller and Glen Brake.

4/25/1914 Homestead Location Papers: A. J. Price 320 acres begin at stake 1 located near winter trail, back of Knik Lake, thence 160 rods NW to post 2, thence 160 rods SW to post 3, thence 160 rods to post 4.  Witness Louis Lund.

5/2/1914 Homestead Location Papers: George B. Fisk  E½ of SW¼ Section 13, SE¼ of Section 13 in T16N R3W and W½ of SW¼ of Section 18 in T16N R2W Seward Meridian. Witness: C.B. White

5/7/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Charley Johnson  S½ of NW¼, N½ of SW¼. SW¼ of NE¼. NW¼ of SE¼ Section 10 T17N Range 1W Seward Meridian.

5/8/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Curtis Ross  W½ of SW¼ Section 16, W½ of NW¼ Section 21, E½ of SE¼ Section 17, E½ of NE¼ Section 20, all in T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness: Adam Werner.

5/9/1914 Homestead Location Papers: William Campbell SW¼ and S½ of SE¼ Section 29 and S½ of SE¼ Section 30 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witnesses: James Page, Glenn Brake and W. J. Bogard

5/9/1914 Homestead Location Papers: F. F. Winchester  NE¼ of Section 16 and the SE¼ of Section 9 T17N R1E Seward Meridian   Witness: M. M. Kinsinger

5/9/1914 Homestead Location Papers: M. M. Kinsinger  NW¼ of Section 15 and SW¼ of Section 10 T17N R1E Seward Meridian. Witness F. F. Winchester

5/11/1914 Homestead Location Papers: T. S. McDougal  320 acres E½ of NE¼ Section 4 and the NW¼ of Section 3 and W½ of NE¼ of Section 3 T17N R1E Seward Meridian. Witness W. J. Bogard

5/18/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Ben Marino  W½ of Section 26 T18N R1E  Seward Meridian. Witnesses: A. G. Danielson and G. Danielson

5/20/1914 Homestead Location Papers: J. B. Fleckenstein  E½ of Section 16 T17N R1W Seward Meridian. Witnesses C. C. Thorpe and F. H. Andrews

5/21/1914 Homestead Location Papers: J. F. Edlund SE¼ of the S½ of the SW¼ Section 13 T17N R1W Seward Meridian. Witnesses: C. H. Bauer and Sophus Anderson.

5/23/1914 Homestead Location Papers: C. C. Thorpe  320 acres agricultural land located on Government road out of Knik at mile post 12.  Beginning at 12 mile post, I claim 1/4 mile in the northerly direction and 3/4 mile in southerly direction and 1/4 mile in easterly direction and 1/4 mile in westerly direction.

5/25/1914 Amended Homestead Papers: J. F. Edlund  240 acres S½ of SE¼ and S½ of SW¼ Section 13 and N½ of NW¼ Section 24 in T17N R1W Seward Meridian. Witnesses C. H. Bauer and Sophus Anderson

5/26/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Axel Olson S½ Section 3 T17N R1E Seward Meridian. Witnesses: Martin Leckvold and Charles A. Larson

5/27/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Roy Cornelius  SW¼ Section 24 and the N½ of NW¼ of Section 25 and E½ of SE¼ Section 23 T18N R1E Seward Meridian  Witness: Curtis Ross

5/28/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Charles A. Larson  320 acres SW¼ Section 19 and the NW¼ Section 30  T18N R2E Seward Meridian  Witnesses: M. Leckvold and Axel Olson

5/28/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Samuel Marsh, E½ of Section 24, T18N R1E Seward Meridian. Witnesses Martin Leckvold and Axel Olson.

5/29/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Arthur H. Olson  NE¼ of Section 26, W½ of SE¼ Section 23, E½ of SW¼ Section 23  T18N R1E  Seward Meridian  Witnesses  Henry Heath and M. Leckvold

5/29/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Dan Greenwalt  N½ of Section 33 T17N R1E Seward Meridian. Witnesses W. C. Rannells and Robert Taylor.

6/15/1914 Homestead Location Papers: John Parks  320 acres located on Fish Creek, 7 miles from town of Knik and running 1 mile east to NE corner, thence 1/2 mile south to SE corner, 1 mile west to SW corner, then 1/2 mile north to NW corner.  Witness: John Tomlinson

6/27/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Emil J. Hertel  commencing corner 1, located 1/4 mile NE from mouth of Goose Creek, thence 1/2 mile easterly, thence 1 mile north, thence 1/2 mile west, thence 1 mile south to place of beginning, following meander of shore line.

7/3/1914 Location of Trading Site: Miss Edith H. Furman and Miss Edyth E. VanOrnum  80 acres commencing at post 1, which is located 1/4 mile NE from mile 16 Government Road, thence 1/4 mile east to post 2, thence 1/2 mile south to post 3, thence 1/2 mile west to post 4, thence 1/2 mile north to post 5, thence 1/4 mile east to post 1, place of beginning. Witness Bob Dunlap.

7/15/1914 Homestead Location Papers: C. H. Wilson  SW¼ of NW¼ Section 13, W½ of SW¼ of Section 13, NW¼ of NW¼ of Section 24, NE¼ of NE¼ Section 23, E½ of SE¼ Section 14, SE¼ of NE¼ Section 14, all in T16N, R3W Seward Meridian.

7/29/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Herman Hugh  320 acres E½ of Section 12 T17N R1W Seward Meridian. Witness: J. F. Edlund

7/29/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Hans Hugh 320 acres W½ of Section 7 T17N R1E Seward Meridian. Witness: Herman Hugh

8/3/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Anton Schmidt  N½ of Section 28 T18N R1E Seward Meridian. Witnesses G. Danielson, Ben Marino

8/9/1914 Homestead Location Papers: John G. Johnson, N½ of Section 8 T17N R1E Seward Meridian. Witness Gus Haller.

8/28/1914  Homestead Location Papers: Herman Hoppell  commencing at a point on Knik Arm about 80 rods south of Hertel's homestead, SE corner post 1, thence south 1/2 mile to post 2, thence west 1 mile to post 3, thence north 1/2 mile to post 4 thence east 1 mile to post 1, the place of beginning. Located at lower end of Goose Bay.

8/31/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Wm. Larson  SE¼ of Section 10 and the NE¼ of Section 15 T17N R1E Seward Meridian Witness: M. M. Kinsinger.

9/5/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Abe Reising   W½ of Section 26, T17N R2W Seward Meridian   witness W. G. Moffat

9/7/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Wm. Dalton  320 acres S½ of Section 28 T17N R1E Seward Meridian

9/7/1914 Homestead Location Papers: William G. Moffat  NE¼ of Section 34 and the NW¼ of Section 35, all in T17N R2W   witness: Abe Reising

9/7/1914 Homestead Location Papers: E. A. Duncklee  S½ of SW¼ Section 33 T17N R2E and NW¼ of Section 4 T 18N R2E and N½ of SW¼ Section 4 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witnesses J. J. Bugge and C. Martin

9/14/1914 Homestead Location Papers: John Kusturin  S½ of Section 8, T18N R2E Seward Meridian

9/18/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Joe Rasmussen  W½ of Section 5, T17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witnesses: Charley Martin and Al Walters

9/25/1914 Homestead Location Papers: W. H. Osbron  S½ Section 25 T 18N R1W  Seward Meridian. Witness Warren Fenton

10/5/1914 Homestead Location Papers: C. W. Dietzel  SE corner stake 1/4 mile from Martin's old log stable with east corner stake 1/4 mile up Fishhook Creek. The NE corner stake 1 mile up Little Susitna River, NW corner stake 1/2 mile west of Little Susitna River. Homestead located 1/2 mile from Fishhook Bridge.  Witnesses: Robert Speck and E.L. Morris

10/14/1914 Homestead Location Papers: Hans L. Walby  320 acres SE¼ of Section 26 and the SW¼ of Section 25  T18N R1E  Seward Meridian.  Witnesses M. Leckvold and Chas A. Larson

10/31/1914 Homestead Location Papers: John Springer  320 acres for agricultural purposes starting on the NE corner, post 1, a rocky point on the Matanuska river and adjoining the SE corner of the Egvits homestead.  running 3/4 mile to NW post 2, thence 1/4 mile to post 5, thence 1/2 mile to SE post 6, thence 3/4 mile to post 1.  Witness: J. Tomlison

11/1/1914 Homestead Location Papers: John Henderson  NE¼ and E½ of NW¼ and NW¼ of SE¼ and NE¼ of SW¼, all 320 acres in Section 31 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

1/7/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Jas. St. Clair  320 acres located in unsurveyed Matanuska farming land facing the waterfront, joining Joe Jewels claim on west and running east 1/2 mile and joining Jack Tomlinson's on the east thence 1 mile south to initial stake which is 1/2 mile north of section line on what is known as Burr's Point.

2/6/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Dennis J. Curtin  W½ of Section 6 T17N R2E Seward Meridian.

2/6/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Con Norberg  E½ of Section 6 T17N R2E Seward Meridian.

2/12/1915 Homestead Location Papers: M. R. Hussey 320 acres unsurveyed land supposed to be N½ Section 17 T17N R2E  Witness: Chas Martin

2/12/1915 Homestead Location Papers: P. J. Mannion  320 acres unsurveyed land supposed to be S½ Section 17 T17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness: Chas Martin

2/20/1915 Homestead Location Papers: F. F. Farrington  320 acres 4½ miles easterly from mile 25½ on Govt. Road and about 2 miles west of Moose Creek.

3/4/1915 Homestead Location Papers:  E.N.Pond 40 acres, 8½ miles SW of Tyoonek Village and at north end of Traders Bay, Cook Inlet and 3/4 miles west of Gov. Signal Tower on Granite Point.
Also applied for fish trap site on this property 3/20/1915 (Lee Van Slyke U.S. Commissioner)

3/6/1915 Bill of Sale: That certain building and ground on which same is situated and which the building is known as the Railroad Kitchen and which was originally the Names Brothers Saloon building and which is located at the foot of Main Street in Knik, opposite the Olympus Bar, is sold to J. M. Woods and I. G. Brown for $500.  Witness Frank Churchill and P. C. O'Donnell

3/13/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Fred Carter  320 acres for agricultural purposes laying north of Jewell homestead and 1/2 mile east of Matanuska Townsite Reserve. Supposedly the E½ of Section 18 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

3/15/1915 Homestead Location Papers: W. T. Bartlett   beginning at post 1, thence west 160 rods north to post 2, thence east 160 rods to post 3, thence south 160 rods along beach to post 4, thence 160 rods to place of beginning on west side of Knik Arm and about 4 miles from Goose Bay Cannery.

3/15/1915 Homestead Location Papers: E. E. Clayton  beginning at post 1, 80 rods south of Bartlett homestead, thence west 320 rods to corner 2, thence south 160 rods to corner 3, thence east along the beach to corner 4, thence along the beach to post 1, located on west side of Knik Arm.

3/22/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Wm. A. Perry  W½ of the NE¼ and E½ of the NW¼ Section 4 T17N R1E and the SE¼ Section 33 T18N R1E  Seward Meridian       Witness: M. Leckvold

3/23/1915 Building Site Claimed by Paul Hansen: Located on 1st bench west of Knik Post Office.

3/23/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Oscar Anderson SE¼ of Section 35 T18N R1W and E½ of NE¼ of SE¼ Section 2 and NE¼ of SE¼ of Section 2 and NW¼ of NE¼ of Section 2  Seward Meridian.

3/24/1915 Residence Building Lot Claimed by Helen Brown: Located 75' x 50', 500' west of Knik Post Office.

3/26/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Albert J. Bailes  W½ of NW¼ Section 9, S½ of SW¼ Section 4, SE¼ Section 4, T18N R2E Seward Meridian.

3/29/1915 Homestead Location Papers: C. E. Carlton  N½ Section 8 T18N R2E Seward Meridian.

3/31/1915 Mortgage in Knik: A building known generally as Mrs. Morrison's Roadhouse and consisting of a building recently erected and buildings purchased from Natives and remodeled which is on Main Street in the town of Knik and almost opposite the Pioneer Hotel and between Cobb cabin and the Simmonds cabin, for the price of $700. Seller is George W. Palmer, Merchant of Knik. $700 plus 12% interest per annum is charged. If payment is not made, Mortgagee may take possession of said property using all necessary force to do so and may sell the building immediately. Witnesses: G. W. Palmer and H. W. Wilmoth

4/2/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Nels E. Ofverberg   S½ Section 15 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/3/1915 Homestead Location Papers : Fred Winter  SW¼ of Section 19 T17N R2E Seward Meridian.

4/7/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Arthur Levine  N½ Section 13 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/7/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Oscar Hogberg  S½ Section 13 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/7/1915 Homestead Location Papers: John Erickson E½ Section 11 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/7/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Axel Ostrom  W½ Section 12 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/8/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Axel Franson  S½ Section 10 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/8/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Swen Sandalin  W½ Section 14 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/13/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Chas Roslund  E½ Section 14 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/13/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Andrew Swenson  N½ Section 15 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/13/1915 Location of Wharf Site:  I hereby claim a piece of ground 45' on each side of this stake, up and down Knik Arm and 90' back to Davis' Saloon for wharfage purposes. This piece of ground takes in the beach between Herning's and Palmer's wharf.  Signed Hughes and Pedersen

4/23/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Albert Parmenter. Unsurveyed land running north and south 1/2 mile and 1 mile east and west. Situated above Palmer's Canyon on the left limit of the Matanuska River.

4/24/1915 Homestead Location Papers: P. Lynch  320 unsurveyed acres running north and south 1/2 miles and 1 mile east and west. Situated about 1/2 mile above Palmer's Canyon on left limit of the Matanuska River. Witness: Albert Parmenter.

4/24/1915 O. G. Herning, I hereby claim 24' in width between what is known as the West Annex of the K. T. Co.'s store garden making a total width of 29' to be used as an entrance and public road from meantide from Knik Trading Co.'s dock to the first business street from the beach and with 6' additional width gangway from said dock.

4/24/1915 Homestead Location Papers: B. Killie  S½ Section 29 T18N R1E Seward Meridian Witnesses: W. J. Bogard and John Henderson.

4/25/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Robert Quinn  W½ of SW¼ of Section 33 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

4/26/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Niels Norgaard  NE¼ Section 32 E½ of SE¼ Section 32 W½ of SW¼ of Section 33 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/26/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Thomas Curtin N½ of Section 23 T18N R1E Seward Meridian.

4/27/1915 Homestead Location Papers: J. A. Moore  320 acres W½ of supposed Section 9 R17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness Charles Martin

4/28/1915 Homestead Location Papers: S. W. Vail  E½ Section 14 T17N R1W Seward Meridian.

4/29/1915 Homestead Location Papers: J. F. Gay NE¼ of S½ of NW¼ and N½ of SW¼ Section 35 T18N R1W Seward Meridian.

4/29/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Oliver W. Evans  Located at Goose Bay about ½ mile from shore. Post #1 being located at the NW corner of Deep Sea Salmon Cannery site.

4/30/1915 Homestead Location Papers: R. F. Spicer 320 unsurveyed acres on east side of Matanuska river about 1 mile east of the south end of Palmer's Canyon. Witness: Arthur brown and A. D. Brier

5/1/1915 Homestead Location Papers: J. A. Boden  NE¼ and S½ of NW¼ and N½ of SW¼ Section 24 T17N R1W Seward Meridian.

5/3/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Jas A. McLaughlin  E½ Section 8 T17N R2E, Seward Meridian. This claim joins Chas Martin on the south and Moore on the EAst. Witness: Chas. Martin

5/4/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Ed Erickson and S. A. Marsh  E½ Section 25 T18N R1E Seward Meridian

5/4/1915 Homestead Location Papers: B. W. Hoveland  320 unsurveyed acres S½ of Section 2 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

5/7/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Friedrich Ernst Roscher  E½ Section 26 T17N R2W Seward
Meridian.

5/11/1915 Fishing Rights Claimed: "Little Evan", a Native member of the Susitna Tribe, claimed fishing rights as accorded Natives or Indians of Alaska by the U.S., when the Territory of Alaska was purchased from Russia. Fishing rights, 5,000' up and down stream from this notice. "I, Little Evan, claim and have claimed said fishing grounds and rights for a great many years, my father having claimed said rights before me. The 1st time I stop and fish here was 25 years ago. I have smoke house and my fish racks for smoking and curing fish at the place where this notice is posted. (Lee Van Slyke U.S.Commissioner)

5/12/1915 Homestead Location Papers: J. W. Swank  SE¼ of Sec 7 and SW¼ of Sec 8 T18N R1E Seward Meridian Witness: W. G. Fenton

5/14/1915 Homestead Location Papers: G. H. Saindon  E side of Matanuska River at a point known as Palmer's Canyon

5/14/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Fred Carlquist East side of Matanuska River north of Palmer's Canyon.

5/16/1915 Homestead Location Papers (amended): E. L. Saindon W½ Section 8 T18N R2E Seward Meridian  witnesses G. H. Saindon and R. L. Phillips

5/24/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Dan Donovan  E½ of Section 24 T17N R2W Seward Meridian

6/7/1915 Bill of Sale: Jack Sutherland, manager of Cook Inlet Construction Co., Ship Creek, Alaska sold a tent building for $100, known as Ship Creek Transportation building located on Main Street Anchorage, to Hank O'Connell. Witnesses Chas Peters and J. M. Brown

6/10/1915 Homestead Location Papers: C. H. Sharp  320 acres of land that lies on right side of the Matanuska river about 4½ miles above Palmer's Canyon and about 1/2 mile south of Wolverine Creek.

6/10/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Ed Houle  located 4 miles from Knik in a SW direction on west shore of Knik Arm. Witness Frank Churchill

6/11/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Alexander Allma  SW¼ of Section 17 and the SE¼ of Section 18 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

6/12/1915 Homestead Location Papers: D. C. Mawhinney  SE¼ of Section 2 and SW¼ of Section 1 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

6/12/1915 Homestead Location Papers: G. R. Matheson  E½ of NW¼ Section 10 W½ of NE¼ Section 10 and SE¼ Section 3 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

6/14/1915 Homestead Location Papers:  Mrs. U. D. Kilborn   320 acres starting at this notice thence 1/2 mile east; thence 1 mile north to NE corner; thence 1/2 mile west to NW corner; thence 1 mile sough to place of beginning. Supposed to be Section 18 T17N R2E and joins the Matanuska Townsite Reserve.  Witnesses Charles Martin and Mrs. Geneva Hardy

6/14/1915 Homestead Location Papers: John Longworth, 160 acres SW¼ Section 30 T18N R2E Seward Meridian Witnesses Thos. Curtin and Ed. Erickson

6/14/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Mrs. Geneva Hardy  This homestead lies south and joins Section 34 T17N R1E, known as the Matanuska Townsite Reserve. Witness: Charles Martin

6/19/1915 Homestead Location Papers: J. D. Ferguson  W½ of Section 7 T17N R2E Seward Meridian
7/19/1915 Homestead Claimed: I. Blomqvist  SE¼ of SE¼ Section 1 T17N R2W and N½ of NE¼ of Section 12 T17N R2W and S½ of SW¼ Section 6 Township 17N R1W and N½ of NW¼ Section 7 T17N R1W Seward Meridian

6/28/1915 Homestead Location Papers: John Kandare, 320 acres W½ Section 3 T16N R1E Seward Meridian, partly unsurveyed and lays south of section 34 of the Matanuska Townsite Reserve.
Witnesses Charles Martin and Johnson Jones.

6/28/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Johnson Jones, E½ Section 3 T16N R1E party unsurveyed and lying south of Section 34 of the Matanuska Townsite Reserve. Witnesses Chas. Martin and John Kandare.

6/29/1915 Homestead Location Papers: William Roberts  320 acres commencing at NE corner and running 1 mile west, thence 1/2 mile south, thence 1 mile east thence 1/2 mile north. Located 2 miles SE of Palmer's Canyon on the Matanuska River.

7/11/1915 Homestead Location Papers: J. Bartels  commencing at state 1, about 1¼ miles from Fish Creek, southerly on Knik Arm, thence 1 mile west, thence 1/2 mile north, thence 1 mile east to shore of Knik Arm, then 1/2 mile south to place of beginning.

7/12/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Fred Carlson  E½ Section 5 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

7/17/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Axel Herman Johnson NW¼ of Section 18, T17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness: M. W. Kinsinger

7/21/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Henry J. Golightly, NE¼ Section 1 and E½ of SE¼ Section 1 T18N R1E and NW¼ of SW¼ and SW¼ of NW¼ Section 6 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

7/30/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Robert Bloomfield Lothrop  commencing at post planted on west bank of Matanuska River on south line of Section 6, T18N R3E, westerly 80 chains, thence southerly 40 chains, thence easterly 80 chains, back to Matanuska river, thence following river back northerly to place of commencement.

8/9/1915 Homestead Location Papers: A. Church  320 acres, I the undersigned having secured the relinquishment of M. R. Hussey of his homestead, do hereby locate the same as my homestead. 320 acres of unsurveyed land N½ of Section 17 T17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness: Charles Martin

8/16/1915 Homestead Location Papers: S. R. MacClinton  320 acres commencing at a post on the west bank of Matanuska River at junction with Moose Creek thence up the Matanuska River 1/2 mile thence westerly 80 chains thence to Moose Creek to place of commencement.

9/4/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Mrs. Rose Johnson  SW¼ of Section 19 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

9/18/1915 Homestead Location Papers: John E. Schram  E½ of Section 33 T18N R2W Seward Meridian

9/18/1915 Homestead Location Papers: F. W. Nye  W½ of Section 34 T18N R2W Seward Meridian

9/24/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Chas. Scheller 320 acres, E½ of NE¼ Section 9 and NW¼ of Section 10 and W½ of NE¼ Section 10 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

9/30/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Georg C. Perkins  320 acres  six miles from Susitna Station on Knik Trail.  Witness Mr. and Mrs. J. Bartels  (Lee Van Slyke U.S. Commissioner)

10/15/1915 Homestead Location Papers: F.D.Decker  320 acres near the mouth of the Little Susitna River on the right bank. Witnessed: Edward Franklin, John A. Johnson (Lee Van Slyke U.S.Commissioner)

11/4/1915 Homestead Relinquished: Joseph Grimes I do hereby relinquish this homestead filed for on 6/16/1915 which is near mile 27 on the road from Knik to Willow Creek. It is impossible for me to engage in farming at present.  Witnesses Leopold David and Anna David

11/20/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Pat Crowe  W½ Section 7 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

11/24/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Odin A. Olson, 80 acres W½ of the SW¼ of Section 33 T18N R2E Seward Meridian  Witness: Charles Martin

12/9/1915 Homestead Relinquishment Papers: John W. Blase, E½ of Section 7 T17N R2E. The relinquishment is made without any valuable consideration, but solely for the reason that I am unable at the present time to comply with the homestead laws.

12/11/1915 Homestead Location Papers: W. P. Murphy  E½ Section 7 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

12/24/1915 Homestead Location Papers: Albert J. Bailes  N½ Section 9 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

12/27/1915 Homestead Claim Relinquished: J. H. Mclaughlin E½ Section 8 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

12/27/1915 Homestead Location Papers: W. G. Stevens  E½ Section 8 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

1/17/1916 Homestead Location Papers: G. H. Saindon  W½ of Section 17 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

1/28/1916 Homestead Claimed: Jacob Keffeler E½ of NW¼ Section 10, W½ of NE¼ Section 10 and SE¼ of Section 3 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

2/5/1916 Homestead Location Papers: John Rupprecht, NE¼ Section 22, W½ of SE¼ Section 15, SE¼ of SE¼ Section 15 and NE¼ of NW¼ Section 22 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

6/3/1916 Fishing Rights: The Native Tribe of Talkeetna Indians claim all fishing rights at mouth of Fish Creek, a tributary of Talkeetna River, said creek being about 120' wide at the mouth. I claim exclusive right by being in possession of same since a little boy and my father being in possession during his life time also claims said fishing rihts in compliance with an Act of Congress, which provides the Natives of Alaska shall not be distrubed on their fishing grounds. I further give notice that the smoke house and drying racks were placed on this ground by myself and that it is my intention to build my cabin here and make it my home.  Signed ALEX (x) his mark
(Lee Van Slyke U.S. Commissioner)

4/10/1916 Homestead Location Papers: R. S. Hecky, SE¼ of Section 5 T17N R2E Seward Meridian. Witnesses: Alvin Walter and E.A. Duncklee

4/12/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Davis G. Browner E½ Section 10 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness: M. W. Brown

4/12/1916 Homestead Location Papers: E.G.Harlow   160 acres west bank of Susitna River, 12 miles north of Talkeetna Forks.  (Lee Van Slyke U.S.Commissoner)

3/18/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Fred Carlson  SE¼ Section 5, the SW¼ of Section 4 T18N R2E Seward Meridian.  Witness A. J. Bailes

4/24/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Fred Carlquist  Starting 1/8 mile west of Commission Railroad in a westerly direction along river bank 1/2 mile, then running in a northerly direction 1 mile, then easterly 1/2 mile then in a southerly direction to true point of beginning.  Witnesses O. E. Davis and M. J. Murford.

4/25/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Herbert Harkness, N½ of Section 23 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness J.H. Evans

5/1/1916 Homestead Location Papers: W. A. Shields, W½ of SE¼ Section 17 T18N R2E Seward Meridian. Witness J.H.Evans.

5/6/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Frank W. Reed  located and improved the piece of land (island) consisting of 80 acres on south bank of the Knik river near the mouth.

5/16/1916 Bill of Sale: S.S.Cramer of Anchorage, sold, for $1.00, to Mike Knutson of Anchorage, a 12 ton scow known as "Burns", now situated at Anchorage and being registered at Port Townsend, Washington official #165358, also 1 30x30 tarp, 2 15x15 tarps, 3 sets double blocks, 1 long 5/8" cotton line, 1 double jack, 1 4" line, 1 dynamo, 1 switchboard, 1 storage battery, 1 rear start, 1 dingy and 30' galvanized chain.  Witnesses: Carl Almy and Hugh S. O'Neill

5/24/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Sam Blowers, W½ Section 14, T18N R2E, Seward Meridian. Witnesses: George Winters and Arvid Bergstrom.

5/25/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Frank L. White  W½ of SW¼ Section 33 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

5/26/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Robert E. Martin  NW¼ Section 26 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

5/26/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Harry Rohm, NE¼ Section 27 T17N R2E Seward Meridian, Witness Robert E. Martin

6/2/1916 Homestead Location Papers: John Morris Jones  SE¼ Section 14 and SW¼ of Section 13 in T18N R2E Seward Meridian

6/19/1916 Homestead Location Papers: W. G. Huseman  W½ Section 1 T17N R2E Seward Meridian

7/9/1916 Homestead Location Papers:  W.T.Boyce  160 acres 2½ miles east from mouth of Montana Creek. Witness: C.M.Huff    (Lee Van Slyke U.S.Commissioner)

7/12/1916 Homestead Relinquished: Ira V. Miller  NW¼ Section 33 T18N R2E Seward Meridian

7/12/1916 Homestead Location Papers: August H. Carlson   NW¼ Section 33 T18N R2E Seward Meridian Witness: Ira V. Miller

8/9/1916 Homestead Location Papers: Chas. Nelson  W½ of the NW¼ of Section 2 and W½ of the SW¼ of Section 2 T18N R2E Seward Meridian  Witnesses Geo Nordgren and William Johnson

8/30/1916 Homestead Location Papers: L. R. Moore M.D.  SW¼ of Section 18 T18N R2E Seward Meridian  Witness Norma E. Moore

9/1/1916 Quartz Location Papers: John Bugge  American Eagle Load Claim  located 5 miles easterly from Matanuska river north of Chickaloon,  south side of what they call Coal Creek.

9/8/1916 Homestead Location Papers: E.W.Larson  320 acres  1½ miles from mouth of the Talkeetna River and 1 mile east of Susitna River. Witness: L. Cox and Frank Wells (Lee Van Slyke U.S.Commissioner)

3/14/1917 Homestead Location Papers: Charles Barraud  80 acres, east side and mouth of the North Slough, sometimes called the High Bank Slough of the Kahiltna River and about 60' east from a point where the water of the Slough and the Yentna River meet at high water mark. Witness: Patrick McNulty

3/28/1918 Bill of Sale: Sold one horse, hay rake and 2-horse mower, now situated on hay ranch near Eklutna, to A.A.Shonbeck of Anchorage for $1.00.  Witnesses: W.T.C.Smith and M.G.Shaw.

4/15/1918 Bill of Sale: R. Matheson sold his half interest in a boat known as the "Cody" with half interest in one Cayley engine that is in the Cody boat, anchors and interst in all equipment and tools on said boat to J.E.Kenney for $150.  Witnesses: W.J.McLeod and Walter Bust.

5/6/1918 Bill of Sale: Freda Courtland of Wasilla sold, to J.H.Lander, that cer tain building known as Courtland Roadhouse, at mile 32 on road between Willow Creek and Knik for $150. Witness: Oscar Tryck.

7/10/1918 Bill of Sale: Jerry C. Murphy of Anchorage sold to Chas. E. Herron of Anchorage, certain property known as the ANCHORAGE DEMOCRAT, being a weekly newspaper published at Anchorage, together with all the machinery, type, furniture, fixtures and supplies on hand; paper and supplies above referred to situate in a building at 430 G. Street Anchorage. Price of sale $1.00.

7/22/1918 Bill of Sale: Sherman A. Polley sold W.W.Busey the gasoline launch known as the "Maxine", now located at Anchorage. Said launch being about 31' long by 7' beam and powered with a Perfection 8 HP engine, together with masts, furniture, apparel and tackle for $300. Witnesses: Miss A. Nelson and Leopold David.

8/3/1918 Bill of Sale: We the undersigned, Trustees of the Alaska Labor Union, do hereby sell to C.G.Bacon, a piano of the said Union for $300 in payment of 2 months wages as Secretary of said Union for the months of July and August 1918. Signed T.H.Jeter and T.G.Berg. Witnesses: C.H.Packhard, Patrick Marion, James A. Wilkinson and Axel Nelson.

8/17/1918 Homestead Location Papers: J.H.Lander, near mile 32 on Knik-Willow Creek Road about 1/2 miles north of the mouth of Fishhook Creek on the Little Susitna River (west bank). Witnesses: Robert Stamp and Joseph Attix.

11/15/1921 Homestead Patent: Adam Werner Serial Patent # 832506  320 acres   NW¼ of NE¼ Sec. 20 and E½ of NE¼ Sec. 19 T18N R2E Seward Meridian.

7/25/1922 Land Sold: John Kasturin of Oregon sold to A. J. Swanson, 160 acres for $500  SW¼ of Section 8 in T18N of R2E Seward Meridian

5/13/1929  Land Sold: M. D. Snodgrass of Matanuska sold to P. N. Johnson of Matanuska 3½ acres for $150. S½ of the SE¼ of Section 10, T17N R1E Seward Meridian lying east of public road known as Matanuska Trunk Road.

I decided to include the following 1934 estate record not only because John Bodenberg was in the valley so early, but because I found his homestead possessions very interesting.

8/27/1934 Estate of John Bodenberg sold to Victor G. Falk $400  E½ of SW¼, SW¼ Section 14 and SE¼ of SE¼ Section 15  T17N R2

Items in Bodenberg's Estate:

1 potato digger                1 spading fork            1 #4 Polson sled            old saddle
1 pr. double trees             1 pr. pulley blocks        150' 1" rope                old bridle
1 post hold digger             1 hand sled               1 roll bldg. paper          2 stoves
5   1x12 boards                2 logging chains          14 sacks barley             ¼ ton hay
1 ton rye grain                1/2 ton oats              1/2 ton oat straw           1 bureau
1 Coleman lantern              1 bakers scale            1 can coffee                gum boots
old shot gun                   cooking utensils          3 hand saws                 1 whip saw
4 cross cut saws               1 saw set                 1 saw clamp                 2 squares
1 pick                         3 shovels                 1 can hooks                 fruit press
2 wheel cart                   1 pair skis               1 plane                     2 hammers
4 axes                         1 adz                    1 brace                     nippers
1 level                        4 bits                    2 iron rakes                cold chisel
sausage mill                   2 washtubs                1 bobsled                   broad ax
1 hoe                          pipe cutter               blacksmith forge            maul
blacksmith hammer              speed indicator           shoe last                   grindstone
kraut cutter                   single tree               2 tool chests               spray pump
600 egg incubator              100' 3/4" pipe            80'  1" pipe                thresher
1 Ford engine                  spike tooth harrow        garden cultivator           grist mill
16" walking plow               12" walking plow          6' binder                  
spring wagon                   heavy wagon               extra wagon bed

Administrator of Bodenberg Estate: Charles L. Kemp

[email protected]

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