Segment of Alaska history finds spotlight

Chris Chiei may not be a Valley resident, but his subject matter is very much a part of Valley -- and Alaska -- history. Chiei spends time studying the advent and contribution of Quonset huts throughout Alaska.

And that contribution was significant. Used by soldiers in Alaska during World War II, Quonsets later became an integral part of Alaska history -- serving as schools, churches, homes, and even as the temporary home of Valley Hospital.

Chiei presented information on Quonsets in Alaska at the April meeting of the Palmer Historical Society Wednesday.

Looking at a Quonset from the perspective of an architect -- Chiei works as an architect with the Anchorage firm Koonce, Pfeffer, Bettis -- one could say it's a stretch to think of the culvert-like buildings as architecturally complex. It's a simple design, shaped for quick construction, durability and economy and used primarily by the military to prepare Alaska for the second world war.

"These buildings were designed overnight and constructed the next day," Chiei told the audience.

But Quonsets did not disappear from Alaska's landscape after the war. In fact, its history was just beginning. One woman at Wednesday's meeting said she remembered purchasing a Quonset for $55 in 1945.

"That was our first home," the woman said. "I lived in one for 10 years."

In the spirit of typical Alaskan determination, the couple decided to move their Quonset home to property they bought on Lazy Mountain -- without dismantling and rebuilding it. Their spirits flagged when they found the then-one-lane Matanuska River Bridge was just inches too narrow for their home to pass, but they pushed on. That January had dealt unprecedented low temperatures and, as a result, the river was frozen solid. So solid, in fact, that the couple pulledthe building across the river by a D-8 Caterpillar.

This is part of the beauty of Chiei's project. It gives residents a chance to become a part of Alaska's recorded history, and preserves that history for future generations.

"I saw it as a tremendously significant part of untold Alaska history and culture. The time is really critical to do [preserve] that," Chiei said. "[The huts are] dwindling to the point that there're few to none left."

The project, Chiei said, is set to exhibit at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art in 2005. Other museums, from the University of Alaska Fairbanks to the University of California-Berkeley, have requested showings as well.

If you have more information about Quonsets in Alaska or stories to share, e-mail Chiei at chiei@alaska.net.