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David Reamer

@anchistorian.bsky.social

1.3K followers 200 following 2.5K posts

Historian with daily Alaska history posts & weekly column (https://www.adn.com/author/david-reamer/). Black Lives in Alaska (2022) co-author & 2023 co-Alaska Historian of the Year. Support at Buy Me a Coffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/davidreamer).

www.adn.com

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 12d

Will I read 1950s Alaska poetry about sex workers? Possibly!

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 7h

Color ones are by the late Stephen Cysewski.

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 7h

No dogs, but 1965 and 1977, maybe same one repurposed as an srtmobile.

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 12h

Late 19th century 4-piece silverware set by Tlingit artist Silver Jim Jacobs (Yéilnaawú, Kichshaak), (1846-1941). Via Hood Museum at Dartmouth. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 14h

Making sure I quote Sir Mix A Lot--and not that one song you're thinking of--in my portion of this event tomorrow. It's an important etymological example.

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 16h

1983 Anchorage classified: "I have a pet wolf, who needs to get out of Anchorage." There's a long history of pet wolves in Alaska, and plenty of horror stories. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 20h

Gold Rush-era sex workers have been referred to as "good time girls" but that's mostly anachronistic. A good time girl then was a sexually active lady but not for money. The distinction is clear on these 1940s Army VD posters. Want to know more? Come to this fundraiser tomorrow!

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 1d

Vintage (1960s/70s?) pennant for the Alaska ferry. the M/V Malaspina. #alaskahistory #alaska

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 1d

Decals or ashtray available!

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 1d

Circa 1960s Alaska Marine Highway matchbook. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 1d

This is on my article to do list.

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 1d

Since the palm tree sign has been reinstalled, here's Anchorage's Paradise Inn in 2009. It was built in 1962. Owner forfeited property in 2017 after selling 327 grams of meth to a federal informant. Photos by late great Stephen Cysewski.. #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 1d

Oct 8, 1915, SS Mariposa of the Alaska Steamship Company line hit rocks off British Columbia. Passengers uncomfortably gathered on the shore and were picked up two hours later. Ship saved but sank two years later. #alaskahistory #cdnhist #alaska

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 2d

From 1974 to 1979 there was an Anchorage restaurant simply called The Restaurant, something that would never happen now for the obvious SEO failure. It stole its concept from a small chain called 13 Coins then became a 13 Coins in 79 before closing in 1984. #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 2d

On Jan 2, 1898 prospector Doc Tanner killed 2 men. The next day, he was hung from this tree near Valdez. This is part of an album assembled by a member of the California Bears, a prospecting group out of LA. Seller wants $600 for this section. Does anybody love me that much?

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 2d

Three circa 1970s Alyeska Pipeline public safety posters, each delightful. "The Quick Red Fox Carries Rabies" should be a children's book. Via Ebay, not my listings (ebay.us/m/bVWWe0). #alaskahistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 2d

Lovely!

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 2d

June 1976, Anchorage School Board banned American Heritage Dictionary from elementary libraries b/c it included words like "ass" & "tail," and slang definitions for words like "nut" and to "shack up." #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #alaska #BannedBooksWeek

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 3d

Mid 1980s commercial for Alaska Greenhouses and Ortho Weed Killer. Anchorage's horticulture expert Mann Leiser (1921-1992) barely restrains his overwhelming enthusiasm. #alaskahistory #anchoragehistory #alaska

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 3d

Confirmed! I am indeed reading 1950s Alaska construction worker poetry about sex workers and talking old timey slang at this talk Friday. Gonna be a whole thing. This isn't the poem but another from the same book. Hope to see you there!

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 3d

1968 Alaska state bird, willow ptarmigan postcard. #alaska #alaskahistory

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 3d

From Civil War relics to British imperialism to the technological revelation that was ballpoint pens, the history of the bullet pencil covers multitudes. Learn about the forgotten written instrument in my latest article: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 4d

Just bookmarked a Polygon article about that (cause I didn't know)!

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 4d

Bullet pencils. The far majority of you have never heard of them, but they were once common promotional & souvenir items, before an even better writing instrument hit the market. Their story, from battlefields to gift shops, in my latest article: www.adn.com/alaska-l...

David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 4d

There once was an object called a bullet pencil, common and known by nearly everyone, even to Alaska. Then they disappeared. My latest article:

From 19th century battlefield relic to 20th century promotional item: The rise and fall of a forgotten oddity, bullet pencils

The pencils started as high-utility writing utensils but became a popular souvenir and marketing tool, eventually reaching Alaska.

www.adn.com

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David Reamer @anchistorian.bsky.social · 4d

The Alaska iconography. I am reminded of the very pseudo totem pole at Adak, which was immortalized on plates.