Sandhill Cranes at Creamers Field
by Cathy Mahnke
Title
Sandhill Cranes at Creamers Field
Artist
Cathy Mahnke
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
During the Alaska gold rush, Belle and Charles Hinckley brought three cows and some horses to the outpost of Fairbanks to start a dairy. They paid for their sternwheeler passage by selling milk to other passengers. On the journey, they met the Creamers, another family on their way to Fairbanks. In 1928 the Creamers purchased the dairy and continued to operate it until 1966.
As the dairy grew, migratory waterfowl congregated at Creamer's Field in increasing numbers. The grain and large open fields provided the perfect habitat. When the dairy went up for sale in 1966, the community raised money to ensure the farm fields were preserved so the birds would continue to visit along their migratory route.
The farm is now managed by the State of Alaska as a part of the 1800-acre Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. The structures at the refuge are the only surviving pioneer dairy buildings in Interior Alaska and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Uploaded
July 4th, 2020
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