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Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey

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TITLE:
Rabbit Creek White Alice Site, Anchorage Alaska, Anchorage, Anchorage, AK

CALL NUMBER:
HAER AK,2-ANCH,2-

REPRODUCTION NUMBER:
[See Call Number]

MEDIUM:
Data Page(s): 45 plus cover page

DATE:
Documentation compiled after 1968.

CREATOR:
Historic American Engineering Record, creator

NOTE:
Survey number HAER AK-23

Unprocessed field note material exists for this structure (N12).

Building/structure dates: 1959 initial construction

Significance: The White Alice Communications system (WACS) in Alaska is significant in the areas of communications and the military. Although less than 50 years old (the original two installations, Boswell Bay and Neklasson Lake, opened in 1956), the WACS is historically significant because it was perceived as vital to national defense. It is an example of a technology that evolved so rapidly that its development, achievement peak, and obsolescence occurred within 10 years. Militarily, the system is a significant example of the extent to which the nation would go to avoid another Pearl Harbor. During the Cold War Era, the United States kept a high state of military preparedness and the civilian population was psychologically keyed to a state of war. The WACS reflects this period in American history.

SUBJECTS:
ALASKA--Anchorage--Anchorage

COLLECTION:
Historic American Engineering Record (Library of Congress)

REPOSITORY:
Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

DIGID:
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.ak0213

CONTROL #:
AK0213

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