Author Archives: Helen Hegener

About Helen Hegener

Author and publisher, Northern Light Media

A Dog-Puncher on the Yukon

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Helen Hegener

People sometimes ask me which musher in history is my favorite, and it’s a tough choice, as there have been some truly amazing mushers (and I write about many of them in my book Alaskan Sled Dog Tales), but one … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Sled Dog History | Tagged A Dog-Puncher on the Yukon, Arthur Treadwell Walden, Chinook, Helen Hegener, mushing, Northern Light Media, sled dogs | 1 Comment

Looking for Lizzy

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Helen Hegener

As an author of books on the history of Alaska, I often receive inquiries from people seeking information about long-lost relatives, and I’m always happy to help whenever I can. Family connections are important, and helping someone piece together clues … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, News & Information, Roadhouses, Uncategorized | Tagged C.L. Hoyt, Elizabeth Geady, Gulkana, Julie Stricker, Lizzy Geady, Lorne Brown, Sourdough Roadhouse, Valdez-to-Fairbanks Trail | Leave a comment

“A Mighty Nice Place”

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Helen Hegener

“The valley looks great. It looks fine, fine. You got a mighty nice place here.” ~American humorist and commentator Will Rogers, Palmer, Alaska, August, 1935 The newest book from Northern Light Media combines the history of the Matanuska Valley with … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Books, Matanuska Colony, Matanuska Valley, News & Information | 3 Comments

Golden Places

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Helen Hegener

Golden Places: The History of Alaska-Yukon Mining, With Particular Reference to Alaska’s National Parks, was written in 1990 by William R. Hunt, prepared as a special theme study to assist in the assessment of cultural resources associated with metal mining … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Book Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, Cassiar, Chisana, Circle City, Dawson, Fairbanks, Fortymile, Golden Places, Helen Hegener, Iditarod, Iditarod Trail, Kantishna, Klondike gold rush, Kuskokwim, Nabesna, Nizina, Nome, Northern Light Media, Seward-Nome Trail, William R. Hunt | Leave a comment

Gakona Roadhouse

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Helen Hegener

This article is an excerpt from the book by Helen Hegener, Alaskan Roadhouses, Shelter, Food, and Lodging Along Alaska’s Roads and Trails, published in 2015 by Northern Light Media. Ordering information below. The Gakona roadhouse at milepost 205 on … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Books, Roadhouses, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, Arne Sundt, Doyle's Ranch, Gakona Roadhouse, Glenn Highway, Helen Hegener, Henra Sundt, James Wickersham, mushing, mushing history, Northern Light Media, roadhouse, Valdez to Eagle Trail, Valdez-to-Fairbanks Trail | Leave a comment

1912 All Alaska Sweepstakes

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Helen Hegener

An old friend, Robert Lutz, sent me the link to an article which appeared in the March 27, 1912 issue of the newspaper, The San Francisco Call, which noted entries for the 1912 All Alaska Sweepstakes race. The article read, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, All Alaska Sweepstakes, Baldy of Nome, Charles Johnson, Esther Birdsall Darling, Helen Hegener, mushing, mushing history, Nome, Northern Light Media, sled dog race, sled dog racing, sled dogs | Leave a comment

Seppala Kennels Advertising Card

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Helen Hegener

I often stumble across interesting websites in my research, and one I’ve returned to a number of times over the years is the Alaskan Heritage Bookshop website, which sells Alaskan books, Alaskan art, vintage Alaskan memorabilia and photographs, and much … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Sled Dog History, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, All Alaska Sweepstakes, Helen Hegener, Leonhard Seppala, mushing, mushing history, Nome, Northern Light Media, sled dogs | Leave a comment

Horse Snowshoes

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Helen Hegener

The photos and information here are borrowed from the Alaskan Heritage Bookshop website, which sells Alaskan books, Alaskan art, vintage Alaskan memorabilia and photographs, and much more. Based in Juneau, the site bills itself “The Museum of Alaska History Where … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, Alaskan Heritage Bookshop, Helen Hegener, Horse snowshoes, Klondike, Northern Light Media | 1 Comment

Crow Creek Pass, Iditarod Trail

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Helen Hegener

Crow Creek Pass is a popular summer destination with hikers and backpackers, crossing a scenic pass high in the great Chugach Range of mountains which overlooks Anchorage and separates the Matanuska Valley from Prince William Sound. Crow Creek pass, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Roadhouses, Sled Dog History, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, Chugach Mountains, Crow Pass, Eagle River, Eklutna, Fire Lake, Fred Taulman, Helen Hegener, Iditarod, Iditarod Trail, John Muir, Knik, mushing, mushing history, Northern Light Media, Peters Creek, S. Hall Young, Seward, Sled Dog History, sled dogs | 2 Comments

Joe Redington’s Iditarod Booklet

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Helen Hegener

A slim little booklet came to my attention at the Palmer library recently; if memory serves me it was tucked into their collection which cannot be checked out of the library but must remain in the building. Titled Iditarod Trail, … Continue reading →