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| Willy's Jeep |
The years of 1957-1967 were a defining time for Valdez. This was a period of struggle, hope, and optimism, punctuated by the devastating loss of life and property caused by the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. The period ended with the relocation of the entire town of Valdez. These years are explored in depth in the Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit at 436 S. Hazelet.
The Historic Old Town Valdez model is a 1:20 scale replica of Old Town Valdez as it appeared just prior to the 1964 Earthquake. The model includes over 400 buildings and 60 city blocks. Details include window boxes, period automobiles, pets, and signs. It is divided into 11 pods along the major dividing streets so visitors can 'walk through town', following the routes that families in Old Town followed for years.
Great care was taken to assure historical accuracy. Buildings were constructed based on original photographs and slides. Former residents were consulted regularly to determine the exact locations of everything, from garden plots to buildings.
The Valdez Museum undertook this project in 1997 in order to provide former residents of Old Town, current residents of Valdez, and others a way to experience, first hand, our community's past. The model has been successful as an educational tool, heritage project, and visitor attraction.
| WHY IS THE MODEL IMPORTANT? |
The only features that can easily be seen at the Old Town site are dock pilings, the foundation of the post office (used as a memorial today), and gravel roads.
The model provides a way for those who were born and lived in Old Town to 'return' to their hometown. Often, the model triggers memories of people and events.
For more recent residents, the model is a chance to visualize the Old Town and develop a sense of the town where the first half of our community's history took place.
Select an image below to view selections from our Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit. |
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