SS Baranov Alaska trip photograph album , 1950

Overview of the Collection

Title
SS Baranov Alaska trip photograph album
Dates
1950 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.1 linear feet, (1 container)
Collection Number
PH 203_034
Summary
This album consists of 93 photographs relating to a trip "Buck" and "Averill" took to Alaska aboard the S.S. Baranof in 1950. Stops along the trip include the Saxman Totem Park in Saxman, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; and Wrangell, Alaska. Collection also includes numerous photographs taken aboard the S.S. Baranof. The concentration of photographs is of the Saxman Totem Park and Wrangell.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The S.S. Baranof began its life as the USS Santa Elisa in 1919 in New Jersey as a civilian passenger ship. In June 1919 the ship was taken over by the Navy and placed in commission to bring American service personnel home from France. The ship was decommissioned in October 1919 and returned to her owners. In 1936 she was renamed as the S.S. Baranof. She was eventually scrapped in 1955.

In the late 1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps and the U.S. Forest Service retrieved and restored totem poles from village sites around Alaska. They were brought to Saxman to create a totem park. The Saxman Totem Park is the largest in the world.

Wrangell began its life as a Russian stockade named Redoubt St. Dionysius in 1834. Then it came under British rule as Fort Stikine until the Alaska purchase in 1867. In 1868 it became Fort Wrangell. It was an important supply point for fur traders and gold seekers. In 1898 an easier route was used for the gold seekers. Chief Shakes Island and Tribal House is in the middle of Wrangell harbor. The Tribal House was rehabilitated by the C.C.C. in 1939 and stands today.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This album consists of 93 photographs relating to a trip "Buck" and "Averill" took to Alaska aboard the S.S. Baranof in 1950. Stops along the trip included the Saxman Totem Park in Saxman Alaska, Ketchikan Alaska, Juneau Alaska and Wrangell, Alaska. As well as numerous photographs taken aboard the S.S. Baranof. The concentration of photographs is of the Saxman Totem Park and Wrangell. There are several postcards in the collection that were written to others about the trip, as well as two articles from 1952 about a collision that the Baranof was involved in.

Nothing is known about the originators of this album. The names on postcards from the trip are "Buck" and "Averill." The postcards were sent to places in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Eskimos--Alaska--Photographs
  • Passenger ships--Photographs
  • Totem poles--Alaska--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Wrangell (Alaska)--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs