Historic sale

Valley Life editor

When the first Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation housing development opened in Palmer in 1951, the Pedersens were one of the first families to move in on South Bailey Street. Now, almost 53 years later, Willie Pedersen is finally moving.

Pedersen is the last original occupant of the first ARRC housing development, and 53 years, two children and countless memories later, she is in the process of selling the home.

"There were so many wide open spaces, you could just let your kids run and run and never have to worry about them," Pedersen said. "It was a great place to raise your kids."

As she ages, Pedersen said it has become increasingly difficult to stay in the house. The steps leading to the basement are a challenge, and that's where the laundry room is located. Plus, there is no garage, and shoveling snow all winter is tough for her.

"Otherwise, I'd probably still be here. After last winter, I knew it was time to move because there are three exits in the house, and all of them were snowdrifted shut after the wind blew," Pedersen said. "When you can't get out of your own house, it's scary."

The Pedersens moved to Alaska from Osh Kosh, Wisc., in 1948. Originally, they settled in the Independence Mine area, because Pedersen's husband worked there, while she taught school at what is now the Mat-Su Borough building. The mine closed in 1951, and the Pedersens faced a move to Palmer.

"There just wasn't a lot of housing here back then," Pedersen said. "We moved into a little old log cabin until August of 1951, when we moved into this house," she said as she sat on the hearth of the house's fireplace Wednesday morning.

In the first ARRC development 25 houses were built by Ray James of Seward. Pedersen said there was a lengthy waiting list for the homes, but things worked out for her family and they moved into one of the first houses that was completed late in the summer of 1951.

"Money was pretty tight, and a lot of the families didn't have money for the down payment on the houses," Pedersen said. "We were pretty lucky."

The development was basically in the middle of a hayfield, Pedersen said, but friendships quickly developed and a sense of camaraderie was felt among all the residents.

"We still maintain those friendships today," Pedersen said.

After spending nearly 53 years in the same house, Pedersen said there are lots of memories she takes with her to her new residence.

"The earthquake was a big one," she said. "During the earthquake this house rocked and rolled. The earthquake, family gatherings and neighborhood parties all stand out as fun memories we had here."

Pedersen said her family never really thought of moving from the house, even though every other original owner has sold.

"My husband had work and I was teaching, so we didn't have to move," Pedersen said. "Plus, I just don't like to move."

The Pedersens added a large living room on to the original house, but it still remains as it did in 1951 when it was built.

"The lot is really small. If I could have put a garage on, maybe I would have stayed," Pedersen said. "But now, at Mountain Rose, I've got a two-car garage."