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Samuel "Sam" Lightwood

Sam Lightwood

Sam Lightwood was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He spent his youth in Pennsylvania, graduating in 1950 from Millersville Teachers College with a BS in Elementary Education. He joined his brother in Alaska, working as a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) teacher. In 1960, Sam and Marian Lightwood got married and lived in Girdwood for a year before moving to Kenny Lake, Alaska to stake their homestead claim at 6 1/2 Mile Edgerton Road. Together they faced the challenge of Alaska homesteading to carve out a unique life amidst the beauty of the Wrangell Mountains. Sam made his living homesteading, teaching, and running a local newspaper. For more about Sam Lightwood, please see his obituary in the Anchorage Daily News newspaper.
Date of Birth:
Dec 27, 1927
Date of Death:
Jul 28, 2012
Samuel "Sam" Lightwood appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Sam Lightwood's Slideshow
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Sam Lightwood, Part 1

Sam Lightwood was interviewed by Bill Schneider and David Krupa on October 21, 1993 at his homestead in Kenny Lake, Alaska. His wife, Marian, was present during the interview, but didn't talk on tape. Sam made his living homesteading, teaching, and running a local newspaper. Marian taught school at Kenny Lake for many years before retiring. Their post and beam construction house and the impressive homestead is a tribute to the Lightwood's skill and perseverance. In this first part of a two part interview, Sam talks about what brought the Lightwoods to Kenny Lake and about the community spirit that makes this area special.

 95-71-14-01 Wrangell-St.Elias National Park Oct 21, 1993
Sam Lightwood, Part 2

This is a continuation of an interview with Sam Lightwood by Bill Schneider and David Krupa on October 21, 1993 at his homestead in Kenny Lake, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Sam talks about the Kenny Lake community, development, guiding, farming, and the impact of the establishment of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

 95-71-14-02 Wrangell-St.Elias National Park Oct 21, 1993