Family group with dog and sled

• Main Author: Webster & Stevens
• Other Authors: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Dogsledding > Alaska; Sleds & sleighs > Alaska; Families > Alaska; Coats; Capes (Clothing); Hats; Group portraits; Sled dogs > Alaska; Yukon; Yukon river; Alaska
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/alaskawcanada/id/196

Filed in Alaska--Transportation--Dogsleds By 1900, dog teams were as common in Alaska as cars, ATV's, and snowmachines are today. Almost every winter photograph of early Alaska includes a dog team of some kind. These ranged from small family work teams used for hauling wood and water, to massive freight teams used for long distance movement of supplies, mail, and even passengers. The Iditarod Trail and other winter trails around Alaska (such as the old Eagle Trail from Valdez to Eagle on the Yukon River) were built primarily for the freight mushers, who occupy a special place in Alaska history. They manned Alaska's winter lifelines in the days before airplanes and modern communications. [Source: Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race web site, http://www.iditarod.com/background.html]