When I was younger, (1947 - 1951) well lived at 710 W. 7th Ave. There we had a coal bin. After one very dirty event, Dad explained to me in no uncertain terms that I was never to get into the coal bin, again. The coal truck might dump a load of coal on me. He would never let me watch him fill the coal scuttle and fill the furnace. He knew my propensity to copy him.
When I was older, I accompanied my Dad on numerous trips up to Sutton, Jonesville, Eska. He was Chief Engineer with The Alaska Railroad and was always keeping track (pun intended) of the railroad, there. Also, I accompanied him to the Ship Creek Power Plant an we would walk through the underground utilidors over to the locomotive shops. At that time, Ship Creek Power Plant was still burning coal to generate electricity.
My mom was the first female hire at Anch. Police Dept. She was pregnant with me at the time she worked there. The chief chose to lay her off due to the pregnancy. Dealing with neer-do-wells might cause her harm. There were two patrolmen, the chier and mom.
Also knew of the coal mine and the railroad that traveled along the Matanuska River carrying coal to Palmer and Anchorage. The old Anch. jail was as much a coal bin as somewhat secure to contain the "bad guys".
When I was younger, (1947 - 1951) well lived at 710 W. 7th Ave. There we had a coal bin. After one very dirty event, Dad explained to me in no uncertain terms that I was never to get into the coal bin, again. The coal truck might dump a load of coal on me. He would never let me watch him fill the coal scuttle and fill the furnace. He knew my propensity to copy him.
When I was older, I accompanied my Dad on numerous trips up to Sutton, Jonesville, Eska. He was Chief Engineer with The Alaska Railroad and was always keeping track (pun intended) of the railroad, there. Also, I accompanied him to the Ship Creek Power Plant an we would walk through the underground utilidors over to the locomotive shops. At that time, Ship Creek Power Plant was still burning coal to generate electricity.
Pat — great memory — thank you so much for sharing. Very interesting that you were at Eska and Jonesville.
My mom was the first female hire at Anch. Police Dept. She was pregnant with me at the time she worked there. The chief chose to lay her off due to the pregnancy. Dealing with neer-do-wells might cause her harm. There were two patrolmen, the chier and mom.
Donald - I think I read about your mother's service for the APD. Thank you for posting your comment.
Matanuska Valley and surrounding areas were and are a geological "great find"!
For 40 years of production, 5.5 metric tons seems a very small number. Did you mean 5.5 million or maybe thousands of metric tons?
Bill — You are correct. It should have read “5.5 million Tonnes (metric)”. Thank you for catching our error.
Also knew of the coal mine and the railroad that traveled along the Matanuska River carrying coal to Palmer and Anchorage. The old Anch. jail was as much a coal bin as somewhat secure to contain the "bad guys".