The Michigan 59ers: A Journey to Settlement

As part of theTrapper Creek Community Enrichment Program sponsored by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Trapper Creek Oral History Project will host a public presentation of The Michigan 59ers: Journey to Settlement on the fiftieth anniversary of their arrival on the west side of the Susitna River, April 26, 1959. This will consist of a brief introduction discussing the grant from the AK Humanities Forum and the purpose and goals of the group in collecting and preserving the history of Trapper Creek, Alaska. The presentation itself will detail the organization, travel and adventures of the Michigan 59ers on their journey to Alaska and, ultimately, their dangerous crossing of the Susitna River from Talkeetna on the ice, through overflow, aided by pioneer Shorty Bradley. On display will be numerous photographs and articles written in 1959 by The Detroit News reporter John Treen, obtained by Trapper Creek Community Services.
Amy Jurasek, coordinator of Community Enrichment, will provide cake and refreshments. We are encouraged to bring desserts, as well. Your support would be greatly appreciated. This Golden Anniversary recognition for some of our earliest homesteaders will be given by Lon McCullough at the Trapper Creek Park Community Building at 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Hope to see you at the presentation where there may be opportunities to schedule interviews for the Trapper Creek Oral History Project.