An Alaskan farming community, Palmer is known for its vegetable and hay farms and its Matanuska Dairy products.
It’s
a nice, old fashioned town. Take time to stroll down Palmer’s sidewalks and savor the 1950’s all over again
Be sure to see the
visitor center and garden and the Colony House Museum. You should also try to visit the Musk Ox Farm (shown above).
How Palmer, Alaska Got Its Start
During the Great Depression in 1935, 203 families were brought north from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma
and Michigan to make a new life.
Although a third of the would-be farmers were overwhelmed and left, many descendants of the original colony
farmers are still living in Alaska.
Even before Franklin D. Roosevelt’s colony “experiment,” the region had already been
identified as a good place to grow crops.
In 1915, a rail track was laid through the region to the Chickaloon coal fields. At that time there
were over 300 homesteads in the Palmer area.
Palmer
Colonists Picked From Five House Styles
When the Matanuska Colonists came to Palmer, they lived in a tent city.
Then they chose one
of 5 basic house styles. The Colony House Museum in Palmer represents one of those styles – a small basic farmhouse.
Local people operate
this little museum, which is full of 1930’s
artifacts.
Above is a picture of the museum before it was restored.
Near Palmer are both a musk ox and a reindeer farm.
The Alaska State Fair
The first Alaska State Fair was held in 1936, a year after the Matanuska colonists arrived.
Even today, the giant cabbage
exhibit is known nationwide. The first winning cabbage weighed in at 23 pounds – a record that has since been beaten. In 2000 Barb
Everingham had a 105.6 lb. cabbage.
The world record garden beet weighed in at 42.75 lbs. at the 1999 fair.
GIANT COLD WEATHER CROPS
Massive coddling and closely guarded secret recipes make giants of cold-weather crops.Some look like mutants – such as this 707 lb.
pumpkin. Family rivalries abound and giant veggies attract huge crowds.
+ Places to Go + Things to Do
+ Where to Stay + Where to Eat Best of Palmer
In Palmer, Alaska, don't miss...
• Fresh Palmer Vegetables
• Palmer Visitor Center
• Friday Market
• State Fair
• Views of Pioneer Peak
• Best access to Hatcher Pass
About the Mat-Su Valley
Although these are two distinct river valleys, made by two rivers that don’t cross each other (the Matanuska and the Susitna),
local people treat the two valleys as if they were one, calling them “The Valley.” You’ll also often hear this
region referred to by its shortened nickname, “Mat-Su.” An Alaskan form of government similar to a county (but called
a “borough” here)
covers much of the Mat-Su area. There are two easy to get to visitor centers. One is in downtown Palmer. The other – the Mat-Su
Visitor Center – is just north of the intersection of the Parks and Glenn Highways.
Population: 62,426 Size: 22,683 square miles Starts 35 miles north of Anchorage
1.“Mat” stands for “Matanuska.”
2.“Su” stands for “Susitna.”
3. Known as “The Valley” to Alaskans.
4. Fast-growing bedroom community.
5. Includes Palmer, Wasilla, Big Lake, Houston, Willow,
and Talkeetna.
Palmer Chamber of Commerce
Thinking of visiting Palmer, Alaska? Then stop by this website, which contains detailed information about Palmer that represents "Alaska
at its Best." Includes historical features, events calendar, and business directory.
Alaska State Fair
The annual Alaska State Fair is held in Palmer, and if you're in Alaska during August, you won't want to miss it! Read all about it at the official
website.
The Alaska State Fair 
In Palmer, Alaska, don't miss... 
MAT-SU VALLEY 
ALASKA 101
BEARFOOT GUIDES
DENALI 101
