African American Military Arctic Encampment on the Alaska-Canada Highway: An Archaeological Investigation

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

The Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 brought the U.S. into WWIl spurring the development of the Alaska-Canada Highway (ALCAN). Amongst the battalions deployed, African American soldiers of the 97th Regiment United States Army Corp of Engineers began construction of the Alaska portion of the ALCAN in the Spring of 1942. After the construction came to completion in late October 1942, the 97th regiment received orders to remain behind to ensure the bridges and roads were kept clear from snow and ice during the winter. With temperatures below -40 degrees Fahrenheit the 97th somehow endured with inadequate tents, unsuitable clothing and ration shortages during one of the harshest winters on record. Collaborators from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Anthropology Department are currently investigating the military winter encampment.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025   •
• 2025 SHA Poster Submissions

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow