Chugiak-Eagle River Historical Society

       As the Palmer Highway was being built back in the 1940’s the local homesteaders got a break. After finishing work in the evening, the road contractors left their earth moving equipment park along the side of the roads in the newly formed Birchwood area. Knowing that the homesteaders were attempting to clear their land and construct log homes, these road crews would leave their equipment running when they left at the end of the day. This allowed the homesteaders the use of the equipment to further clear and improve their homesteads.

         The equipment was used with the knowledge of the contractors in an effort to establish communities along the road. The homesteaders felt kindly rewarded by the actions of the road gang. In those days people tended to help out each other even in unconventional but wholly acceptable ways. A big party was held in Katie’s garage for all the workers when they were finished with that section of the road. Their kindness was never forgotten by the pioneers of those days gone by.

As told to me by Katie Phillips