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Alaska StoriesIt's Free. Alaska Stories, History, Facts, and Pioneers Author: Michael R Dougherty
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Remarkable Pioneering Alaska Aviator, Russel Merrill
Tuesday, 14 January, 2025
In the photo above is Russel Hyde MerrillClick on the following link to listen to Mike and Mary read this Alaska Story.Our story begins in Anchorage in 1923.Because of a thick forest on the south side of Anchorage, Alaska, there was a concern that if a fire started in the woods, the new town would be destroyed.With that in mind, Arthur W. Shonbeck organized the entire town of Anchorage to create a fire break by clearing a large strip of land between what is now 9th and 10th avenue. But as the new town grew, that cleared land became a home for other things.From Fire Break to Golf CourseThe photo above shows golfers on the firebreak in Anchorage, AlaskaOnce tree stumps and other obstacles could be removed, a golf course was created on the fire break.But wait -Except for dog sleds, it was very difficult to get in or out of most places in Alaska. So, adventurous, pioneer aviators began flying into remote areas of the Alaska “bush”. Those early aviators were soon known as “bush pilots”.They Needed a Place to LandAnchorage, and other parts of Alaska were beginning to use aircraft more and more. However, conditions for taking off and landing were primitive and dangerous. So it was decided that the new golf course in Anchorage would also make a great landing strip for bush pilots.By the way, once planes began landing and taking off on their new airfield, golfers were instructed to give planes the right of way. Ya think?Eventually, the presence of aircraft made it obvious that the golf course had to go.In the photo above is the Anchorage airstrip used by early pilots. This field later became Delaney Park, the largest community park in Anchorage.Then, in 1926, Arthur Shonbeck founded Anchorage Air Transport, Anchorage’s first airline.To start his service, Shonbeck hired a pilot from the lower 48 named Russel Hyde Merrill.Earlier, on August 20, 1925, Russel Merrill and his aviation partner Roy Davis had become the first to fly an airplane to Anchorage.Anchorage Air Transport started with two planes named Anchorage No. 1 and Anchorage No. 2.In 1927, Anchorage Air Transport built the first airplane hangar in Anchorage.Merrill’s Life Saving Flight: It’s What Bush Pilots DoIn 1927, Merrill received a Signal Corp radio message.An airlift was urgently needed to transport a critically wounded school teacher in Ninilchick who was near death.It was nighttime when his plane returned to Anchorage. And with his patient onboard, Merrill had to continue circling the new airfield as he tried to find where to land.The citizens of Anchorage realized what was happening and quickly came to the rescue.They set bonfires around the field and used automobile headlights to help guide Merrill’s landing. The results became the first night landing in Anchorage.The teacher recovered.He Transported Many FursThe photo above shows Russel Merrill with a load of furs.By 1929, Merrill was flying 10 to 12 hours a day.Russel Hyde MerrillA true aviation pioneer and Alaska bush pilot, Merrill made the first flight across the Gulf of Alaska in a Curtiss F Flying Boat.He was also the first pilot to cross the Alaska Range.And Merrill survived many forced landings and crashes.The Last FlightOn September 16, 1929, Russel Merrill set out for Bear Creek at Nyac, near Bethel.Merrill was not seen again.While the crash site was never found, a piece of airplane fabric washed up on a beach at Tyonek, on the west side of Cook Inlet. The fabric was identified by Alonzo Cope, the mechanic who had worked on Merrill’s plane.Yes, You Can Share This EditionDid you know that you can share this edition of Alaska Stories with your friends and family?And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you on a first class trip around the world. You’ll follow the famed route of Phileas Fogg and his companion Passpartout in Jules Verne’s 1872 novel, “Around the World in 80 Days”… well, it could happen.Just click on the following link:Thanks for reading Alaska Stories. This post is public, so feel free to share it.Anchorage was GrowingThe town was growing to the south, which meant that it was becoming too dangerous to continue having planes flying in and out of the fire break. So a new airport was needed.Aviation FieldIn the photo above is the first dedicated airport in AnchorageLocated just outside of Anchorage. The new airport, opened in August 1929, and was named Aviation Field.Merrill FieldIn 1930, the Anchorage Women’s Club petitioned to change the name of Aviation Field to Merrill Field.The TowerOn April 2, 1930, Merrill Field was established.A 52 foot tall steel framed tower topped by a rotating aerodrome beacon was erected next to the runway.Memorial PlaqueAlso in 1930, the Anchorage Women’s Club raised funds for a memorial plaque, honoring Russel Hyde Merrill.The date at the bottom of the plaque refers to the day of his last flight.The plaque is now located in the Merrill Field airport control tower.Recognized WorldwideAnchorage’s Merrill Field quickly became the aviation center for Alaska and one of the busiest aviation facilities in the entire world.There is Much More to the StoryWhile Russel Merrill wasn’t in Anchorage for many years, he left an incredible legacy that lives today in Alaska aviation history and Merrill Field.BONUSYou can learn more about Russel Hyde Merrill and his love of aviation.What Became of the Fire Break?The photo above shows the park on a summer dayThe firebreak, first created in 1923, is now called the Delaney Park Strip. Delaney Park, was named after Anchorage, Alaska Mayor, James Delaney, who served from 1929 to 1932.At either 11 or 14 blocks long, it’s the largest city park in Anchorage. There is no longer a golf course in the park, and planes no longer land there.From Our North Stars (that’s you)From our Alaska State Fair edition.Randall has this memory:“I have many memories of the Knik Bridge waiting our turn to cross the Knik hoping the break-up of Lake George wouldn't trap us on the north side of the bridge. Great memories of the ditches filled to overflowing with bright red salmon during spawning season. The salmon used the ditch diversions to continue their run.”The photo above is courtesy of George“There was a Chugiak fair in 1957 that had a stuffed moose you could sit on and have your picture taken.”Connect with Mike and Mary of Alaska StoriesCan you imagine the many adventures of those early Anchorage aviators?Mike and Mary hope you enjoyed this look at the legendary Anchorage pilot, Russel Merrill.Do you have a comment? Just reply to this email. Or you can Contact Us to tell us all about how you, “flew into (*or out of) Merrill Field”.Until Next TimeMike and MaryAlaska StoriesJoin for FREE and get Alaska history, facts and memories from two Alaskans.Alaska Stories is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Anchorage Memories Club at www.anchoragememoriesclub.com/subscribe
