This treasure of Valley history is filled with fossils

It's a place steeped in Valley history, and although it presents a quiet face to passers-by heading down the Glenn Highway to other destinations, the community of Sutton has a lot to offer weary travelers and Alaskans in search of new destinations.

Ribbons of fossils run through much of the Talkeetna Mountain range, and Sutton is one of the most accessible gateways for rock hounds intent on bagging a rock or two that show remnants of life before highways, roads and even people.

In the hillsides between Moose Creek and Sutton, roadside hunters can usually stumble upon the familiar fern and leaf prints that are common in the area. According to the book "Roadside Geology of Alaska," by Cathy Connor and Daniel O'Haire, the area offers everything from Jurassic to early Tertiary formations.

When spotting the hillsides for possible hunting grounds, people should watch for layers of sedimentary rocks. Cutbanks of rivers and creeks or exposed layers on mountainsides offer the easiest access.

Those who want to drive right to the dig site, although down a somewhat rough road, can check out the Coyote Lake Recreation Area at the end of Jonesville Mine Road. The rock slides in this area provide a seemingly endless supply of ferns, larger leaves, petrified wood and other fossilized vegetation.

Most people will find they only need a rock pick or small chipping hammer to break away rocks. Those who are feeling more industrious, however, may want to bring along a sledgehammer.

For smaller work, chisels, tweezers or even a nail can be helpful. A magnifying lens can be interesting to have in the field as well, to get a closer look at the specimens.

Like all hunters, those in search of fossils should be respectful of private property. And when on public lands, there is a whole different set of rules to abide by. Small samples of plant fossils can be collected, but they cannot be sold. And if it is a rare find, it must be turned over to authorities.

Fossils of invertebrates, such as insects, crabs, clams and snails, can be collected as long as they are common and only taken in small quantities. These, too, must not be sold.

Finally, fossils of vertebrates such as mammals or fish cannot be collected from any public lands. Anyone lucky enough to stumble upon such a find is asked to call the agency that owns the land, such as the federal Bureau of Land Management or the state.

If rock-hunting isn't your bag, Sutton has plenty more to offer. The Alpine Historical Park is a wonderful place to learn more about the history of the Matanuska Valley.

Located at Mile 61.5 Glenn Hwy. in Sutton, the historical park is framed by the Talkeetna Mountains in one direction and the Matanuska River and Chugach Mountains in the other. The park offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery, and picnic tables and benches are provided for weary travelers who wish to take in the sights.

But it is within the buildings and historical ruins that people will discover the best the park has to offer. The main structure, a large green building, was originally the Chickaloon Bunkhouse, built around 1917 by the Navy to facilitate coal mining in the area. Inside this nearly 100-year-old structure, visitors will find photographs and text documenting the rich history of the area, including that of coal miners, Athabascan Indians and workers building the Glenn Highway.

A spirit house at the site depicts the combination of traditional Native beliefs and the Russian Orthodox religion, and how that combination resulted in the spirit houses found around Alaska.

Much of the park is dedicated to the history of the coal boom era in the early 1900s. Mining continued in the area through the 1960s until the Evan Jones Mine closed its doors in 1968.

The Alpine Historical Park is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through the end of September.

Entry to the park is free. Managed by the private, nonprofit Alpine Historical Society, the park depends on donations and grants. Within the park, visitors will find donation boxes where they can show their support. The park itself is not staffed, but caretakers live on the grounds.