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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 8h

1965 unidentified grandmother gleefully ice fishing with her grandson. Photo by Ralph Crane while on assignment for Life magazine. His resultant photo essay was the cover story for the Oct 1, 1965 issue. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 10h

Oct 1, 1962, Tundra Times (1962-1997) published its first issue, a newspaper for & by Alaska Natives. First (& longtime) editor was Howard Rock (1911-1976). Tuzzy Consortium Library has an archive of their photos (tuzzy.org/TundraTimes). #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 13h

2022, interior of Regal Totem theater in Anchorage. Don't forget my free talk tomorrow on movie theaters, when I mention everything from income taxes to strippers. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 16h

Four views of Utqiaġvik in January 1971, by photojournalist Joseph S. Rychetnik (1927-2003). Via Anchorage Museum #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

1996 Microsoft Office software commercial, some midnight history.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Don't forget my free talk this Saturday at the Bear Tooth! Doors open 11am; talk begins 1130. History of local theaters from the first one to the introduction of concessions to porn and more. I'll also have limited copies of my free zine on lesbian penguin tragedies.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Four February 1961 pictures of hunters and fishers on Little Diomede by photojournalist Joseph S. Rychetnik (1927-2003). Via Anchorage Museum #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ten May 1969 views of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island by photojournalist Joseph S. Rychetnik (1927-2003). Via Anchorage Museum #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ten views of King Island in 1986 by photojournalist Joseph S. Rychetnik (1927-2003). King Island had been essentially abandoned after the BIA school there closed in 1959; this was perhaps one of the earlier major returns. Via Anchorage Museum #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Sep 30, 1976 Anchorage, Muriel Pfeil killed by car bomb across from what is now Snow City, a hit ordered by her ex-husband Neil Mackay who was never charged & won custody of their son. Nine years later, Mackay had Muriel's brother Bob killed but was acquitted. #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

1996 IBM Aptiva personal computer "It's Not Brain Surgery" commercial, some midnight history.

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Reposted by David Reamer

Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"And the Parthians, as some say, poured molten gold into his mouth in mockery; for though a man of vast wealth, he had set so great store by money as to pity those who could not support an enrolled legion from their own means, regarding them as poor men."

Bust found in the Licinian Tombs in Rome, traditionally identified as Crassus.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Discussion about Alaska including Anchorage from the 1999 Brendan Fraser-starring movie Blast From the Past. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Want to see how car prices have changed? This is a 1996 Tony Chevrolet of Wasilla, Alaska commercial. A dollar then is worth about $2.20 now. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Do you think Juneau residents "go with the flow" and that the weather there is "good enough to drink"? This is from a 1996 National Bank of Alaska commercial. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

By the way, the clip below was considered a full movie in the 1890s, what is referred to as an actuality now.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

1897 First Avenue in Seattle shot by Thomas Edison's studio.. Note the signs on the right for outfitters that supplied prospectors heading to Alaska and Klondike. Don't forget my free talk this Saturday (Oct 3rd) at the Bear Tooth on Anchorage movie theaters! Doors open at 11AM.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

September 27, 1956, Kodiak as seen from the old schoolhouse. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I just learned that the Marine Bar burned down in Wrangell, which made me pick up the orange shirt below. It opened in 1953, and this is not the first time it burned down. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

1970s/80s "Ketchikan Lap Club" Shamrock Bar T-shirt. It was open 1934-1983 on Stedman St. Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jay Rabinowitz said Shamrock was "of the genre that constantly treads the fine line between mere poor taste and outright illegality." #alaskahistory #Alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Circa 1969-77 KFAR-TV footage of Fairbanks parking meters. During extreme cold, meters could malfunction, freezing up (free parking) or expiring early. In 1973, a ticketed Fairbanks woman asked a judge if she could sue a sluggish meter. He said no. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The 1898 play Klondyke Nugget was the distant ancestor to modern movie blockbusters, with exploding cabins and (literal) horses jumping through glass windows on stage, shooting exhibitions while upside down on a trapeze. Learn more in my latest article: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

In my latest article, learn about the Michael Bay of 1890s goldrush playwrights, with spectacle and set pieces instead of plot logic. There were on stage shooting exhibitions, exploding buildings, bridges designed to fail and more. Learn more here: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In Sep 1947, the first parking meters were installed in downtown Anchorage, with enforcement beginning Sep 29. On the below token, the 1920 date is when city incorporated. Anchorage had parking meters four years before New York City. #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Sep 27/28, 1983 NHL's Vancouver Canucks & Winnipeg Jets played exhibitions at Anchorage's Sullivan Arena. Average attendance of 2383 in 6,000+ max building killed plans to host the Pittsburgh Penguin's 1984 training camp here. #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

1951 graduates with polar bear cubs at the University of Alaska, now University of Alaska Fairbanks. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

December 18, 1915 issue of All-Story Weekly featuring a polar bear cover by P. J. Monahan. Via Heritage Auctions. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A polar bear trek by photographer Michio Hoshino (1952-1996). Undated but from the 2007 book, Hoshino's Alaska. This one was used for the cover. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Don't forget my October 3 free talk on Anchorage movie theater lore at the Bear Tooth! Plus some rare Alaska-related movie posters. In order, 1964's East German film Alaskafüchse (Alaska Foxes), 1966 Czech poster for North to Alaska (1960 US release), & 1923 Call of the Wild.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Jacket for the Rig Bar in Kenai. It was open from 1959 to 1987, when it was destroyed by arson. Via Ebay, not my listing (ebay.io/m/9VnGi0). #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Did you attend Whaley School or Ocean View Elementary in Anchorage? These are some recent estate sale pickups, fodder for my dream history project: a T-shirt exhibit. Ocean View shirt is circa early-mid 80s. Whaley shirts are 90s/00s. #alaskahistory #alaska #anchoragehistory

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Cream Puff Auto of Anchorage jacket. Business dissolved in 2003. They're also remembered for their Great Alaska Shootout car giveaways. In 1996, Ron Zandman-Zeman won a 1986 Corvette. Jacket via ebay, not my listing (ebay.io/m/q1qsXx). #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The real Nome in 1900 and how it's been presented in movies, in North to Alaska (1960, actually Point Mugu, CA), Goldrush (1998, actually British Columbia), and Togo (2019, actually ?). #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

1939 Tiekel Roadhouse on the Richardson Hwy featuring its women's outhouse, rated thanks to Alaska Toilet Rater on Instagram. Later torn down with salvaged lumber used for a new house. Since highway was straightened, it is no longer directly on the road. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Working on a short zine that--if everything goes well--I might giveaway at my Bear Tooth talk on October 3.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Have you seen an avalanche sneak up on someone like this? From the 1998 movie Goldrush, starring Alyssa Milano, whose character could clearly hear it approach. Also, this is supposed to take place near Nome. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

November 2007 Winners "Arctic Explorer" commercial. Winners is a Canadian department store. It's always interesting to see how the Arctic is depicted, not usually as the last frontier of holiday gifts. #arctic

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Once again, it free history time at the Bear Tooth, October 3. A history of all the movie theaters in Anchorage with my usual mix of new and naughty history including some I've never shared before. Free tickets at the box office. I hope to see you there. Otherwise, please share!

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Anchorage doesn't use speeding cameras largely because of this episode. Courts weren't impressed when the best witnesses provided were a New Zealand cop & an engineer with a financial stake in the company running the system. More in my latest article: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

In 1997, Anchorage voters passed a ballot proposition to limit vehicle violation enforcement to a "regularly sworn police officer," a response to speed cameras and the Anchorage Parking Authority still in the Muni code. Details in my latest article: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Did you know Anchorage briefly used cameras to ticket speeders, back in 1996 to 1997? My latest article explains how it all ended, from the failures of Muni officials to violent residents to a legacy still baked in the Muni code. Please check it out: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

1979 "Hatcher Pass" by photographer John McWilliams. Via High Museum of Art (Atlanta). #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

1931 USGS map of Girdwood area. Note that Girdwood was then on the water side of the railroad. Town was rebuilt inland after the 1964 earthquake. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

1979 "Crow Creek, Alaska" by photographer John McWilliams. Via High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Circa 1960s postcard of an older couple on the Mt. Alyeska chairlift at Girdwood. The chairlift opened in 1960. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

1979 "Russian Lakes, Alaska" by photographer John McWilliams, via the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Some late night history for you. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

1996 Today's Pizza of Anchorage commercial. Don't forget that I also have a Youtube channel mostly to collect these old ads, currently with over 500 Alaska and Arctic related commercials (www.youtube.com/@anc...). #alaskahistory #alaska #anchoragehistory

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