Before the homestead

Ray and Rose Gaither’s homestead above the Little Su River is not their first adventure in Alaska. Ray had taken 1961 off from teaching to homestead. In the early 1950s Ray and Rose were on Unga Island in the Aleutian Chain in western Alaska. He taught school on the island. There were 10 to 12 children at different grade levels. Ray and Rose had no children at that time.

The island is isolated. There was no store, no church and no motor vehicles; transportation was provided by boats. Six month supplies of groceries (canned goods, flour and sugar) were ordered and delivered by boat.

Ray’s school supervisor was located in Juneau and came for a visit twice a year. He was surprised there was no vehicle transportation on the island. A fresh food supply boat came from Seward once a month if it wasn’t stormy. Storms at the island were rare. It was a one-year assignment which he found interesting and challenging. The school had old (likely 1940s) text books. Ray was surprised that one or two of the books included some Christmas plays. That Christmas season the school presented a play by the students for parents and friends. It was rewarding for the students and Ray and enjoyed by the parents. Ray felt challenged to teach what needed to be taught in the time allowed.

Rose was a true pioneer woman, very helpful and supportive and relaxed with their assignment. The peace and quiet of the island was a bonus which Ray appreciated. He welcomed the opportunity to do worthwhile work of teaching.

The school house included a classroom, storage room and the teacher’s living quarters. The building, both school and living area was heated by an oil fueled stove. Drinking water came from a nearby stream. A one point during the assignment at Unga Island, a small fish came from the faucet with the water. On another occasion a heavy storm with driving rain blew the stove pipe on the roof down. Rain came pouring into the room and the smoke could not get out. Ray and Rose climbed onto the roof and managed to reset the stove pipe. They wired it in place with bailing wire which kept it secure for the rest of their stay.

During his time not teaching, Ray enjoyed hiking the island and hunting ptarmigan and ducks. More ptarmigan than ducks were harvested.

After his teaching at Unga Island but before the 1961 homestead build and prove-up, Ray taught at Chitina, Alaska near the Copper River.

Housing for Ray and Rose adjoined the school building. The school and home were heated with oil. A large tank (500 gallon) supplied the buildings. The state paid for the oil; transportation from Valdez was not included. When the oil ran low and a new supply was needed Ray, his Chevy pickup and six 55 gallon empty drums made the trip to Valdez for oil. Back at the Chitina School Ray hand pumped the oil into the large tank.

The truck allowed Ray and Rose to drive to Fairbanks to visit Ray’s parents on holidays. Rays dad came to visit. He was a good hunter. He shot and killed a moose which he shared with Ray and family.

The school was on the hill at the Athabaskan village. Drinking and cooking water for the school and residence came by way of a mountain stream which was directed into a filtering system before use. Storms sometimes left the water cloudy. Ray built a water heater by placing copper tubing connected to the water supply inside the stove.

After the year at the homestead he was invited by the Chitina Community to return to teach.

Budd Goodyear is a local freelance writer who has had articles and photos included in publications throughout the state. Goodyear moved to Alaska in 1977 with his wife and children, and has worked in the Valley, Anchorage and Palmer. Goodyear contributes historical pieces to the Frontiersman.