Local groups host Palmer seasonal walking tour

Downtown Palmer is a very familiar place to all of us. But thanks to Palmer’s Grandmother Raven Productions and the Palmer Historical Society, curious and interesting pieces of the past are coming into tighter focus.

Last week on September 16 evening, “Termination—The Reaper “ tour made its first debut in downtown Palmer. A good crowd of 45 folks wandered collectively from place to place, listening to old, honored stories, some of which were ethereal, uplifting and also disturbing. Because of the seasonal nature of the tours, this one was packed full of mystery, intrigue, resilience, and legends. This is one of four in the Palmer Seasonal Walking Tour Series reflecting “Agrarian Rhythms.” It was titled “Shadows and Spirits; Legends and Lore” aka the “Mystery Loves Company Walking Tour.”

The group visited over twenty specific locations in Palmer including the apple grove, spirit pole, shadow mountain, Peace Officers Memorial, Shane Woods Memorial Trail, Merritt Long Memorial Park, the granary, the ice cream cone, the whistle, and the silhouetted big foot mural. Stories were shared about the grotto lunker, agricultural efforts, tragic mining deaths and a painful memory about an old unresolved murder at the Moose Lodge. The tour both began and concluded at the site of the demolished Palmer Library, whose shadow and spirit remains in the middle of town.

Bridgette Preston, Diana Bailey, Robert Bailey, Sheri Haming, Tom Preston, Hillary Saffron and the Palmer Museum of Art and History produced this event with the help of the Palmer Historical Society. All the profits of these tours are split between the Friends of the Palmer Public Library and the Palmer Historical Society.

Symbolism and mythology of the harvest season was closely tied to Colony dedication and folklore along with direct connection to authentic Native legends and stories. These parallel stories created a rich blend of history and mystery, perfect for the spooky season.

The production’s goal is to “inspire curiosity about the people, places, and events which shaped the Palmer and Mat Su areas.” Indeed this lens was successful in shining a light into our interesting history and and sometimes quirky and paranormal town.

Palmer is a little mountain town; both Pioneer Peak and Matanuska Peak glowed golden on this crisp autumn evening. From the fallen leaves and crab apples on the ground, surrounded by mushroom fairy rings, to the bright bits of snowy termination dust on the mountains, this rich history tour checked all the boxes of captive interest, honoring history and sharing remarkable local stories.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222.