Construction and Maintenance of the Alaska Highway Archives Gallery
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Low morale plagued Army engineers
Low morale often plagued Army engineers during their work on the Alaska Highway due to extreme working conditions, poor equipment and food supplies, and lack of recreational activities. This memo to personnel of the Northwest Service Command regarding a German article ridiculing the Alaska Highway project seeks to reaffirm the value of their work. ca. 1943.
Yukon Archives. Delphus Suprise fonds, 82/458, File 2, PHO 132

Construction: Who and How

This old "dually", partially restored with new paint, saw much use on the Alaska Highway.The 1942 Dodge Carryall power wagon was accurately restored by the donor before coming to the Yukon Transportation Museum.

How to Build a Northern Road

Trans Canada-Alaska Railroad Survey crewPontoon bridge beside timber bridge Constructing a pile driven bridgeLooking at Stone MountainSurveyors at Slim’s Riversection of road Letter from George BlackPile driver during bridge constructionTelegram to G.A. JeckellCrew building a temporary bridgeA pile driverLaying corduroyThe Donjek RiverForging aheadHow to make new recruits into Alaska Highway construction workers.Operating roomU.S. Air Force Hospital wardTent CityAn outdoor mealMenu for July 31, 1945responsibility of the mess personnelThe U.S. Army 18th Engineers at Cracker Creek campA mess hall line-upoperated by Dowell Construction CompanyI want a houselog skyscrapersA truck floating on waterSwift River420 pound tireLabour conditionsMinimum wage ratesrough conditionsmen would drive the highway in stagesgroup of broken down trucks awaiting repaircontractor moving heavy equipmentPilot Les Cook with Northern Airways CF-BDZLes Cook’s heroic flightLes Cook’s heroic flightAlcan trucksLumber barge near CarcrossMiles Canyon list of the contractorsdeep mudMuddy rutsWooden culvertAerial view of WhitehorseWhitehorse looking west on Main StreetMacRae developed into a large maintenance campTime office No. 1 MHKCB Co.’s WhitehorseLow morale plagued Army engineers excerpt from a manuscriptexcerpt from a manuscriptgroup of soldiers posing

Mission Accomplished

ribbon from the dedication ceremonyMenu and signaturesMenu and signatures at dedication ceremonySoldier’s Summit ceremonyLetter to J.E. GibbenFront page of the Whitehorse StarPainted by the federal Department of Public Works, this wooden sign shows the November, 1942 date of the official opening of the Alaska Highway.
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