Palmer is a city on the Matanuska River, and is the seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The population is just under 6,000.
Palmer was founded in 1916 as a simple railroad stop on a branch line of the Alaska Railroad. However, it was not developed until 1935, when the Federal Emergency Relief Administration began the Matanuska Colony project. The Matanuska Colony served the dual purpose of helping struggling farmers from the Iron Range region of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan with better living conditions, and to develop the fertile land into farms. This was run by the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC). Palmer's earliest buildings date from this first settlement.
Palmer is still situated in some of Alaska's most fertile farmland, and much of Alaska's produce is grown in the Matanuska Valley. Because of the agricultural history, the Alaska State Fair is located in Palmer. The Matanuska Valley has also seen some suburban growth, with some residents commuting to Anchorage, 45 minutes away.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Courthouse, on Denali Street. The courthouse was built in 1985.
The old Central School, on Dahlia Avenue. The school was built in 1936, and is now a borough office building.
The Colony House Museum, on Elmwood Avenue. The house was built in 1935, originally as the colony accountant's residence.
A house on Elmwood Avenue, originally built as the colony manager's residence.
The Colony Inn, on Elmwood Avenue. The hotel was originally built in the late 1930s as a teacher's dormitory.
The United Protestant Presbyterian Church, on Denali Street.
The church was built in 1937, and is known as the "Church of a Thousand Trees". The congregation used logs extensively, almost with a vengeance, after the ARRC considered logs appropriate for a community in Alaska.
The old Hyland Hotel, on Evergreen Avenue. The structure was built in 1935.
Buildings on Alaska Street. On the left is the Estelle Building, constructed in 1954.
A business on Alaska Street.
St. Michael Catholic Church, on Fireweed Avenue. The church was built in 1966, and was expanded in 2013.
St. John's Lutheran Church, on Elmwood Avenue. The church was built in 1976.
A water tower off of Valley Way. In the background is Pioneer Peak, which rises to 6,398 feet in elevation.
A grain elevator on Dogwood Avenue.
A log house on Fireweed Avenue.
A log house on Chugach Street.
Townhouses on Colony Way.
Houses and businesses on Blueberry Avenue.
Houses on Denali Street at Cottonwood Avenue.
Houses on Gulkana Street.
Apartment buildings on Denali Street.
A borough building on Fireweed Avenue.
A house on Fireweed Avenue, now used as law offices.
Businesses on Arctic Avenue.
The Puhl House, on Glenn Highway at Scott Road. The log house was built in 1935, and was constructed by Matanuska Valley Colony settlers.
The Glenn Highway northbound, which carries Alaska Route 1 from Palmer to its intersection with Alaska Route 4, 135 miles away near Glennallen. The highway was built during World War II.
Farmland along Glenn Highway.
The Matanuska River, from an overlook on top of bluffs along Glenn Highway.
Linear Mode
