Sadlier-Olsen family collection, ca. 1898-2001
Title:
Sadlier-Olsen family collection, ca. 1898-2001
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
230 photographs : black and white, color + video and manuscript materials.
General Note:
In the Alaska State Library, Historical Collections, P.O. Box 110571, Juneau, AK 99811-0571.
Abstract:
Photographs follow the Olsen and Sadlier families in Alaska from 1898-1990, primarily 1898 to the 1950s. Family snapshots as well as commercial photographs by various Alaskan photographers are included. Manuscript materials include Sadlier's field notes from his work in the General Land Office survey party, Ryus Drugstore (Ketchikan) notes, correspondence, poetry by Joe Sadlier, and other memorabilia. A taped interview with Joe Sadlier conducted by Marie Darlin, January 7, 2000 and a video of the return of the LST-325 are also included.
Geographic Term:
Added Title Contained Works:
Return of LST-325.
Biographical/Historical Data:
Joe Sadlier's grandparents, Edith and Byron Olsen, traveled to the Yukon from California (date unknown). It is said that Byron carried Crystal (Snow) Jenne over the Chilkoot Pass when she was about two years old. The Olsens were close friends of the Snow and Jenne families. Edith and Byron Olsen had five children and lived in a log cabin halfway between Skagway and Whitehorse (Yukon). Byron was a civil engineer for the railroad. The family moved to Thane around 1911 and Byron supervised construction of the Alaska Gastineau Mine. They lived in a tent the first winter. Later Byron worked on the (Salmon Creek) dam project, then Annex Creek. When Byron's health began to fail they moved back to Juneau and bought the Zynda Hotel (later called the Juneau Hotel). Later they purchased a large home above Main St., which they turned into a boarding house. Byron died February 14, 1927 and Edith died in Ketchikan in 1948 or 1949. Joe Sadlier was one of 29 veterans who, in 2000, brought the LST-325, a landing ship tank, from Crete to Mobile Alabama. Joe Sadlier Day was declared Feb. 5, 2001 in Ketchikan, his hometown.
Restrictions on Access:
Collection is open to research.