Yet another work related trip to Alaska (Primarily Annette Island / Metlakatla) Photo Gallery by Brad Braun at pbase.com

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Brad Braun | profile | all galleries >> Travel and Road Trips >> Yet another work related trip to Alaska (Primarily Annette Island / Metlakatla)

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Yet another work related trip to Alaska (Primarily Annette Island / Metlakatla)

Views from very cool Yellow Hill, Annette Island near Metlakatla	More Views from Yellow Hill	Panorama from Yellow Hill (View origonal size)	The AMHS Ferry Lituya in harbor near Metlakatla
A view of Metlakatla from Leadville Mtn	Tolkienesque Landscape viewed from Leadville Mtn	Leadville Mtn	Nearing dusk over Metlakatla
A view from the top of Purple Mtn	Leadville Mtn and surroundings from Purple Mtn

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Alan		16-Jan-2012 02:09
Was stationed on Annette with the Coast Guard 1965-1967 as an AT2. Lived in the Quesont hut just next door to the Muskeg. Great experience but some scary flying. Alan Zack, CWO, USCG-Ret, k7acz@cox.net

Rod Morrison		17-Mar-2011 20:14
I was on the Island from April 1967 to April 1968 with the U.S. Coast Guard.. I loved every minute of my time there and my association (although limited) with the folks who were native to the island. I don't think it matters how long you spent on the island or who you were, as long as you have respect for all you come in contact with. Rod Morrison

Bill		16-Nov-2010 04:30
Just saw the photos - beautiful island - Dad was stationed from '42-'44 with Army - he designed artillery emplacements - He is now 93 and he still talks about Annette. VFW visited with him last week to hear his ADC stories.

Kevin Ubbelohde		31-Oct-2010 04:01
Lived in the parsonage 1967-1970 (4th -7th grade)what a wonderful childhood even tho for only 3 years metlakatla has a very special place in my heart. The William Duncan Memorial Church was a fun place to be a preachers kid. The school , beaches,Purple mountain, hiking, biking, 4th of July three legged races, dip netting for salmon, clamming, crabbing , killer whale watching, I could go on and on. I do remember basketball being very important, so maybe that is why I became a basketball coach. I remember running with some fast kid from Washington?? but who was older, maybe that is why I became a decent cross country runner. I still remember the very late sunsets, wow. I remember the boy scouts maybe that is why I am an eagle scout. I guess I am just saying thank you for letting be part of such a special place. Please Don't take it for granted.

Guest		16-Sep-2010 12:29
WTF I live on Annette island, and have my whole life, there is a little town called Metlakatla that has only been around since 1887. This site makes it sound like Annette island was some small coast guard bases and Metlakatla was the outcome of a transfer of these bases. Metlakatla is a small native reserve, in fact the only in the state of Alaska. The bases that were on the island were there only because the mayor, counsel, and members of Metlakatla Indian Community (MIC) approved of them when promised a road across the mountain ending near Annette bay. These bases and the houses that were out the road on our island have not been around since before I was born in the 80s. The only housing out the road I can recall when I was a child are the weather stations above boy scouts beach and some in tamgas, between tamgas dock and muskgag beach witch were all owned by MIC or its members. All but a few that MIC or MIC members have gutted, striped, and rebuilt are condemed or knocked down. Although these bases have been gone for decadesand we are still working almost on a day to day bases to clean up the contamination left behind after these bases were shut down. This road that was promised was to be completed before the bases were completed, but due to one of the wars it had to be postponed. The road resumed planning after the war ended, and the bases were completed, as according to the new agreement. The road never got much past a starting point until sometime in 1997. The road was completed to sub grad rock in the end of 2007, and finishing grade was completed and guard rails installed in the summer of 2009. The road is still closed at the current time awaiting pavement even tho the army declared the road finished and withdrew from the island in the fall of 2007. The 17 mile dirt road was opened for a little over a week during the 7th of Aug., Metlakatlas founders day. What a joke, the guard rails will prevent a peddle bike from going off, if its not going too fast. The road is poorly made and very unsafe with no helicopter access if there were to be a bad accident a ways down the mountain road. If you would really like to know about Annette Island and the Tsmishane natives that settle and have lived, fished, hunted, and prospered here, and want to see pics of the entire island, look up MIC. Its a nice small native reserve with a population of just over 1000 that you must be a member, married to a member, or have approval of MIC to reside on. Just thought some may like to know the history of my community on Annette Island. Ill have to say these pics are nice tho, myself and many others have identical pics on our cell phones and as back round pics on face book and my space.

Kathy John McEwen		30-Aug-2010 23:25
My parents, Mary & Elvan John, were at Annette with the FAA from 1949 to 1965 when I graduated from MHS. It was a perfect place for us kids to grow up. I recognize some of the names who have posted on here. My husband, Duane, and I moved back to Annette with the Weather Service in 1972 for two years. By that time it was sad to see things beginning to deteriorate in the housing areas but the beauty of the island was still there. I just stumbled on to this web site and it will be fun to watch for posts.

Kathy John McEwen		30-Aug-2010 23:17
My parents, Mary & Elvan John, were at Annette with the FAA from 1949 to 1965 when I graduated from MHS. It was a perfect place for us kids to grow up. I recognize some of the names who have posted on here. My husband, Duane, and I moved back to Annette with the Weather Service in 1972 for two years. By that time it was sad to see things beginning to deteriorate in the housing areas but the beauty of the island was still there. I just stumbled on to this web site and it will be fun to watch for posts.

Roger		10-Jul-2010 15:13
Our family was stationed at Annette from '65 to late '66. He was a pilot. Came in to replace the crew that flew into the mountain in '64. He was credited with the first night rescue of a kid who fell off a dock at low tide. We lived in the old Quonset huts near the water. I remember going to the cold storage locker, the movie house the shooting range and muskeg. I was there when two of the Quonset huts burned, I remember that. Amazing place, always wet, and so very green.

Guest		21-Jun-2010 22:45
Hey, love the pictures. My dad, Bob Wisner, was FAA flight controller in the 60's. I would love to see more pics of the FAA area too. My hubby and I were there in 2001... the buildings are in bad shape except the three in the 2nd row had been redone. One of the 3 was the one we lived in, so I was able to go inside, (very bittersweet) I loved the island, good memories. Would love to hear and share some old stories of the island. Lynne Wisner Martin (lynniemart@aol.com)

Gerald (Jerry) Hinson		08-Jun-2010 01:54
I was stationed at Annette twice: as Flight Safety officer between 1965-67 and Executive Officer between 1971-73 under the command of Paul Breed. Both of my boys went to school in Metlakatla while on my second tour. Mary and I first arrived on the island just before the quarters in the "living area" called Roland Village were opened and for a number of months I commuted weekly to see my family who shared a house with Jay and Marie Bowen in Ketchikan. We finally were able to move into one of the FAA apartments for several months until the CG quarters became available. My youngest son was born in Ketchikan in 1965 just before the family moved to Annette. I remember the old frozen food locker and church as well as the bowling alley. Do you remember the Post Office with the 99920 ZIP code? On both occasions we had a boat at the FAA dock and I built my first boat with Jack LaFlamme's help in the CG hobby shop building. It was a 23 ft. Luger cabin cruiser kit boat. Many hours were spent after work in the summer fishing for salmon and halibut when one could stay out until 10pm and it was still light. Annette was truly a special place; the people living in Alaska displayed a pioneering spirit which sadly is now missing in the lower 48. Regards, Jerry Hinson

Don Rentfrow		22-May-2010 14:59
Ray, my brother Raulan, sister Charlotte also moved to Annette in '51.... I was the oldest of the CAA kids at 14 then.... Didn't you live over at "nob hill" , also known as "Smuggles Cove ".... My brother got his hand smashed all ta hell while we were playing on the docks... Remember that ? Believe Raulan was more your age ( 10-11 ) at that time.... I have a bunch of pictures and a flight video from Ket to Met that I'd be glad to send to you if you would like........... E me and and let me kn ow.... donrntfrw@aol.com........... BTW, really do wish all posters would leave their e address.... makes it easier for contacting........... Don

Guest		21-May-2010 23:17
Ray Ruhle - My family lived on Annette from 1951 til 1964 when we moved to Gulkana. Dad was Ken Ruhle with the FAA. I'll never forget that place as long as I live.

jackie		13-Apr-2010 05:44
It is special to see some names you remember, and put a face with them. Kim, I remember you and Rob!! I lived in the FAA housing. Would love to have a big reunion! There were many of us, and I think we all still believe that Annette has a big place in our hearts! How many of you remember getting up early, going out with our potatoe sacks and long poles to go crab poking? Who remembers the Big Thanksgiving Storm? The muskeg bar, that our parents hung out at? The Old Rod & Gun Club/Elks, we would have some of our teen dances at? And yes, our 2 lane bowling alley with the teen boys as our pinsetters!!Pictures are welcome!!! I still live in Alaska, just on a different island...Kodiak!

Kim (Serbin) West		15-Mar-2010 16:53
How fun to have a place for people that's live's have been in some way touched by haveing lived in or visited Annette Island! The pic.'s are fantastic! My Dad Jim Serbin was stationed there 1970-1973 search and rescue CG.We lived in the 2 story brown CG houseing and my window faced the water where we'd fish at the 2nd culvert and catch dungeness crab practically out the front door. The skate pond was just behind our house. I'd babysit all the time to order clothes from catalogs! Since my Dad had a Beech Baron plane we'd fly to BC for some shopping weekends. Also went hunting in the woods of Yakutat, near glaciers and always carring a gun because of the bears. We would get a moose that would feed our family for a year!We ate alot of Halibut, and red snapper and of course salmon! My Brother Rob and I attended school in Duncan Church for the most part. I was a cheerleader and (like everyone there) loved B.Ball and the Chiefs! While in school a couple of my teachers sadley died in a boat accident. I loved the dances in the gym after a game! We used to have our own dances in the basement of FAA houses and listen to alot of Creedence Clearwater Revival! The bowling alley was 2 lanes,.always fun,.and the movie theater in town seemed like it had 20 seats? My first job,.packing fish eggs for the Japanese at the cannery in Met! So smelly! Lots of memories! I will post pic.'s on my fb soon since I do have alot from back then.It seems like alot of people want to visit again. The festival in Aug.this year would be fun if we could get a big group together?! Let's do it.

Dana Webster		07-Mar-2010 00:21
I am planning a trip back to Annette, Island in the fall. I want to take some pictures of the old housing area, airfield, FAA housing. I lived there from 62-64 as a kid. Fun place to live.. My fater ws in the Coast Guard and was a mechanic on the HU-16 Goat.

Diane Hudson metcalf		22-Feb-2010 04:19
So neat to read posts. Lived near Pt Davidson in trailor "court",then in renovatd quonset huts at Annette Inn 1969-1972 USCG. Had one child up there, and met wonderful friends. Would love to see pics of Annette Inn area. Husband: David Hudson. Diane Hudson, Metcalf.

Brad Braun		10-Feb-2010 22:30
Amylynn, A long as you are not using the pictures from this gallery commercially (to earn money) you can use them. I would appreciate if you credited the pictures to me if you do use them. Cheers, Brad Braun

Amylynn		10-Feb-2010 18:03
Well I have to say they are very beautiful pictures. Can I borrow these pictures? I am doing a report on What I Would Miss About Metlakatla Sincerely, Amylynn

Rick Luzader		24-Jan-2010 04:22
We lived in Coast Guard housing from summer 75 till the move to Sitka. Wow, what a special place to live. Went to Metlakatla High/Middle school for 7th and 8th grade. Lots of special memories. I hope many others that lived on the island find this site and speak up. I go fishing in Ketchikan every summer I guess in a way to try to reconnect to this special place. I visited Annette back in 1990 and the housing area was recaptured by nature. Metlakatla hadn't changed too much. Other than FAA housing most other things were torn down, or had been vandalized pretty badly.

Mike Goodroe		04-Dec-2009 00:05
My father was stationed at the Annette Island U.S. Coast Guard Base in 1962 and 1963. He was a search and rescue pilot. I started the 1st grade there. We lived in an old USO shotgun building overlooking Tangass Harbor by the old army dock. Around the corner were white FAA apartments. I got to go back there once with my brother in 1991. I was saddened to find that the base was deserted (moved to Sitka in 1977)and my old house had collapsed in the woods. The dock was almost completely gone as well. Seeing these photos has insprired me to make another trip soon.

D. Potter		15-Nov-2009 03:44
I was stationed at the Coast Guard Airstation 1961 to Dec. 1962. Pan American Airlines and Pac N.W. Airlines had service to Ketchikan and had to fly to Ketchikan via a small Gruman Goose or a PBY, that landed of course on the water at Ketchikan. Last year we had the opportunity to be in Ketchikan and did see the new airport. My questions are this: Is their a C.G. Station at Annette? If not, what happened to the old hangar and airport? The time on Annette was so very memorable, enough that Ireturned to Alaska, that time to Kodiak at the Commstation, arriving the month of October, the same year as the earthquake. If you have time would appreciate hearing from you. Thank You. D. Potter

Guest		31-Oct-2009 13:12
Only the site owner can post pictures, but would be more than happy to send you some that are only a year old..... E me at donrntfrwataol.com

Mike Hiner		26-Oct-2009 14:07
WOW been lookin for pictures and people that lived on annette. Was there 73-75, 6-7th grade, Worlds greatest place for a young boy to live. Please add pics and links if any are available

Brian		29-Aug-2009 03:42
Greetings all, my family was stationed on Annette Island from about 1966 until about 1971. Dad name is Dudley G. King. We lived in base housing on the water for a while, some place that I can't name a location for, and at one point we lived in a converted warehouse that was on the water accross from a pier. According to my dad, at about the age of four I obtained a container of his international yellow paint and went arouund the base housing painting cars yellow. He says I also hit the base CO's vehicle. Not sure if he is messing with me on that part. Would love to see pictures of the island, they seem to be difficult to obtain. It was an amazing place to live from what I remember, we later lived in Kodiak from '74 until '78. If you have pics or I painted your car shoot me an email. spicerb@charter.net My name is Brian. Thanks!

Pam Speake		21-Aug-2009 15:41
Hi, my name is Pam Speake. My dad was in the coast gaurd stationed there 1968-1970 or 71. I was the baby who was born on the island. The only milarty personalell to be born on the island. lol. I am trying to find pics of Annette of where I use to live. Thanks Pam

captainjoe		30-Apr-2009 16:04
My name is Joe Brown. I was stationed at Annette Air Station from June of 66' to June of 67'. I remember going fishing and hunting almost every weekend. I lived in a four man room on the 2nd deck of the barracks. One of my roomates was named Skow and he was from San Francisco. I enjoyed my tour of duty there and spent most of my meager pay in the bars in Ketchikan or in the base club. I drank much Olympia beer mixed with tomato juice. I wish I could return someday, My e-mail address is bmullet1946@msn.com Joe.

Guest		06-Apr-2009 17:11
My father, Wayne Hunter, my Mom and brother were stationed at the CG base from '68-'72 and again '75-'77 and we were transferred with the base to Sitka. I couldn't have grown up in a better place than those towns in Alaska.

Guest		03-Mar-2009 21:20
My dad was in the Coast Guard there between 1970 and 1973. As kids, we had a great experience. I feel fortunate to have opportunity to live there. I would love to correspond with some class mates there. Scott Ogburn

Guest		06-Dec-2008 19:49
Charles: I have an areial view of the airfield showing part of both runways and the hanger and old PAA bldg... if you would like it, get back to me : donrntfrw@aol.com

Charles		22-Nov-2008 15:10
Very good pictures! The last slide (Leadville Mtn and surroundings from Purple Mtn) is Chester Lake. This is the lake that Metlakatla uses for their water. I have flown in and out of it many times. Very small and from the dam it's straight down about 800 feet. The problem taking off from there over the dam is that you would always get a little downwind at liftoff. That is never good! The goal was to just clear the dam and after that everything would work out! Yes, I grew up on Annette Island. Again nice pictures. I would like to see mountain top pictures of Tamgass Harbor where we lived, FAA housing and the airfield.

Victor "Lee" Jones		19-Aug-2008 22:52
I failed to mention that my Dad's name was Robert L. Jones and my email is reefdiver351@yahoo.com. Again, loved the pictures.

Victor "Lee" Jones		19-Aug-2008 22:46
Victor L. Jones Great pictures. My dad was in the Coast Guard and we lived in a Quonset hut for 4 years (from 1956 - 1960). Some of the best growing up years of my life. We use to grab our ice skates and head to the woods to ice skate on many of the pond around the housing area. Nose Hanger pond was where a lot of families went to ice skate and we would have fires to keep warm. We had to walk on a board walk to get to our home and we ordered groceries like you place an order with Sears. Once a year a lot of the Coast Guard families would go across the water by boat for a picnic at the mouth of Tangass Stream. I wish someone had pictures they could post of that part of Annette.

James A. Lang		18-May-2008 19:54
My family lived on Annette for 2.5 years, between 1962 and 1964. Our father worked on a communications/radar site on the island, and we lived in the village for the entire time. My two brothers and two sisters and I all attended school in Metlakatla. I was between 8 and 10 years old, and it was one of the very best periods of my younger life. It was a great place to be completely involved in the outdoors - fishing, playing, hunting, etc. Three of us are returning at the end of June 08 to spread the ashes of my older brother on the waters off of Metlakatla. His last wish was to be where he had created his most vivid and fond hunting and fishing memories as a young man. If anyone has any information on the radar site located on the island it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! jamesalang@hotmail.com

guest		12-Apr-2008 17:13
I lived on Annette Island for one year, 1968 to 1969. My husband worked for General Telephone and Electric and we lived in a trailer at the communication complex at Davidson Point. There were two other men with families working for GTE at that time. I remember collecting crab at low tide and having quite a feast. My daughter attended third grade. I worked for Alaska Coastal Airline at the airport. I have fond memories of the great times living on Annette Island and all the wonderful people I met.

Beverly Weems Golden		14-Mar-2008 15:28
My father (Benjamin F. Weems) was USCG search & rescue pilot and we were stationed on Annette for 2 years (62-64). We didn't live in CG housing but rather on the other side of the woods from the FAA area, next to the Muskeg and across the road from the elementary school. Didn't need TV (reception was bad anyway) as most of us kids spent our time exploring the woods and other interesting things. I was sad that I never got to see the waterfall at Tamgass (could hear it across the sound though). Before the USCG station relocated to Sitka (late 70s or early 80s?) I had contacted someone there who sent me slides of the area where we had lived and the PNA & Pan Am housing. Although it was pretty much overgrown and deserted, I would really like to contact someone there now who could do something similar. I would love to return for a visit and would also love to keep in touch with others that lived there. I'll keep watching this site for possible updates. Love the pictures!

Don Rentfrow		31-Jan-2008 21:07
Hey, got all of you beat... I lived as a 15 year old in the CAA housing in '51... Great place... Was in the Boy Scouts there, use to hike out to a point where there was an old log cabin that at one time was an Officers retreat... Never forget going through the old adbandon Army houspital near where the Coast Guard station was ( is ? ) and finding all kinds of amputated item in jars... Absolutly the worlds greatest duck hunting there... Not to mention Abalony shelling at Smuglers Cove... Lets not forget the fishing across from the CAA housing at Tamgass (?) stream and lake... Remember the gym/theater ? Near the gym, I sorta, kinda, well you know what curiosity can do, forced my way into an old Quonset hut.... Believe this or not, but there was ( to the best of my memory) a Dusenburg Limo inside... It even had the old flower vases ... What it was doing there is something I always wanted to know... It might have been a Stuzt, but really think it was a Doozie.... Anyone have pictures of the old CAA housing area, the docks or anything, I would really appreciate seeing them... My address is donrntfrwataoldotcom....

Dale A. Park		25-Jan-2008 19:05
So glad to find photos of beautiful Annette Island. Was stationed at the Coast Guard Air station June 66 to June 68. Wife first lived in Ketchikan, then in Metlakatla where she played basketball with the Metlakatla Ladies. Rented house from Mr. Guthrie of the heating oil business. We attended Duncan Memorial Church and sung in choir. The last few months on the Island we lived in Coast Guard Housing. Great memories/people; would love to return. Dale and Emily Park, 412 Monticello Circle, Devine, TX 78016 830-665-6254

Guest		22-Jan-2008 18:32
I lived on Annette from '66-'73 in the FAA area. Now I live in Kodiak. Would love to see more of us "Island Children" get in touch as this was a special place to be raised as a child! Lots of memories, and have been in contact with a few as this world grows smaller all the time. Jackie Davis

margie henderson		08-Mar-2007 21:17
thank you. I lived on Annette Island in the 60s, went from 3rd grade to the start of 9th. Your pictures are beautiful.

Guest		03-Mar-2006 03:21
thank you. I lived on Annette between 1973 and 1976 and attended 8th and 9th grade in Metlakatla.

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