Homestead 1961

In 1961 Ray Gaither took year off of teaching to homestead and prove it up. He first taught school in Alaska in 1952. A Veteran of U.S Navy, 1944-1947, Ray qualified for 160 acres under the Veterans’ Homestead Rules. Under the Veterans’ rule prove-up could be done in one-year rather than three. He selected land above Little Susitna River near the old Welch Road bridge river crossing. Ray and helper rented survey equipment and established the location of his 160 acres. The work included determining where the road bordered the homestead. There was no road on the north side of the Little Su River at that time. Constructed later, the road past the homestead is named Holobinko Road.

Ray and his wife Rose had a daughter, age four and son, age one. He moved a small trailer onto the lot for temporary housing until the cabin was constructed. Ray wanted a concrete foundation. He and a helper dug and poured the concrete for the log cabin. There were enough logs on the property to build three-log high walls; logs were bought to finish construction. A framed flat roof made was of spruce boards covered tarpaper and visqueen. The visqueen liked to fly when the wind blew and sometimes went sailing off into the trees. He replaced it several times over a year. The cabin frame lumber and roof cost around $1,200.00.

The river crossing was on the Welch’s property where a power line road met the river. Electric power came to the homestead by way of a plug-in box on the power pole at the end of the line. For drinking and cooking, Ray hauled water from a spring brook to a barrel on a platform. The raised galvanized barrel allowed gravity to fill containers with water for use in the cabin.

Hunting and fishing fed the family too. Ray saw a moose near Schrock Road during the 1961 season; he shot the animal but lost it as it moved into the brush. Later that day he and some friends found the trail the moose had left, found it, dressed it out then took it the cabin. With no refrigeration, Ray depended on Mat-Su weather to store the moose meat. He hung it in tree and cut meat off it all winter

Crossing the Little Su was often challenging. The bridge was made of large cottonwood logs with sawn planks nailed across them. The planks washed away sometimes at high water levels. There was also a cable crossing: two cables, one

with a swing seat fastened to the cable by with a roller; the other cable for a hand hold to move along. When the bridge was out the river could be waded too at low water times. Ray and family left the Dodge 4x4 parked on the Welch Road side of the Little Su then crossed then crossed on foot. After one shopping trip, the family carrying groceries, waded the river. Rose lost her footing in the rising river. Ray grabbed her and helped her up. The kids stepped up on a gravel bar and got to the bank. All were safe.

High water flooded parts of Welsh Road at times too. Several people built and rebuilt temporary bridges over streams and bayous crossed by Welch Road. During one high water time Ray drove his Dodge 4x4 over a bridge on Welch Road that had water flowing over the floor of the bridge. He could not see the wooden floor. But they safely crossed it and got shopping purchases home.

Ray enjoyed the learning experience and life on the homestead. He continued to teach school in Alaska until retirement. Rose, his wife, passed earlier this year.

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.