The Beautiful Matanuska Valley

The Beautiful Matanuska Valley is a tribute to a very special part of the Last Frontier, a unique valley surrounded by towering mountains, bordered on its southern edge by the tidewaters of Knik Arm, a branch of Cook Inlet, crossed by sparkling streams and great rivers and dotted with thousands of crystal clear lakes.

This valley is also the home of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, one of Alaska’s fastest-growing towns, and some of the richest historical sites in the state. The book includes chapters on Palmer, Wasilla, and other communities within the Valley, both still-existing and long-gone.

Stories and photos of Knik, Sutton, Matanuska, Big Lake, Chickaloon and others tell the story of the founding, settling, and development of the area, while details about the Valley’s geography, geology, transportation, agriculture, mining, recreation, tourism, and history – highlighted by hundreds of full-color photographs – showcase the many wonders of the beautiful Matanuska Valley.

Shown in all four seasons, with significant landmarks, attractions, historic sites and other points of interest, this book is a terrific gift and a delightful keepsake for anyone who lives in, travels through, or loves southcentral Alaska’s beautiful Matanuska Valley!