Naknek Reindeer

This reindeer is being hauled from South Naknek to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. Reindeer were introduced to the AK Peninsula about 1932. Because of a lot of snow and icing the herds suffered large losses in 1938-39 and reached lows in the 1940's and were abandoned.

Local resident Victor Monsen worked with Lars Nelson. Nelson was one of the original Laplanders (Sami) who settled at South Naknek. These reindeer were loaded after culling them from the herd. It's believed that Lars continued on the flight to Fairbanks with the reindeer. This photo was taken in about 1938 at the NN cannery water lake.

Reindeer herds were introduced to the Naknek area in about 1932. They were all purchased from private owners starting about 1937 and given to the local Natives. The reindeer were later allowed to run wild and interbreed with the caribou herds.

In the background is a Star Airlines (Alaska Airlines' predecessor) tri-motor Ford, which provided service from South Naknek to Iliamna Roadhouse, where they overnighted. Then they were on to Anchorage and Fairbanks.The pilots were Chet Brown and Kenny Neese, along with photographer Mr.Hewitt (of Hewitts Drug Store in Anchorage) and Virgil Hansen,a Radio Technician for Star Air Service.

©Photo from the Monsen Family Collection

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