Rasmussen-Kennedy-Alsworth Complex Cultural Landscape: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Region 11 Park Cultural Landscapes Program

Inventory Unit Description: The Rasmussen-Kennedy-Alsworth Complex is located on the north shore of Lake Cark, in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The boundary encompasses four acres which includes all known historic resources associated with the Rasmussen-Kennedy-Alsworth periods. The complex is a historic vernacular landscape and is significant at the local level. Thomas Rasmussen constructed the first recorded cabin on the site in 1906. He remained on the site year round until his death in 1917. Jim and Glenna Kennedy begin living at the site in 1935 and construct the Kennedy-Alsworth Cabin. They reside on the site until 1941. In 1942, the Kennedy family sell the property to Leon Alsworth. The Alsworths live on the site for two years before trading the cabin with Lake Clark resident Joe Thompson or his help in preparing the logs for their new home across the lake on Hardenberg Bay. The period of significance starts with the date of construction of the Rasmussen Cabin in 1906 to 1944 when the Alsworths left the site. A National Register for Historic Places nomination was submitted to the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) in 1990 for consideration under Criterion A. The site was determined ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI) agrees with the determination made by the SHPO in 1990. It is recommended that the complex it be managed as a cultural resource. A treatment plan accompanies this CLI providing guidance on how to maintain the site as a cultural resource. The proposed treatment of this site follows the Secretary of the Interior Standard’s for Treatment of Historic Properties on preservation with rehabilitation measures. The cache is the only structure on site that remains intact and in 2017, the park completed stabilization measures on the structure. This CLI finds that the site does not possess integrity due to the deterioration and loss of many character-defining features. The site’s landscape character-defining features are described under the following characteristics: archeology, buildings and structures, circulation, constructed water features, natural systems and features, small-scale features, vegetation, and views and vistas. The Rasmussen-Kennedy-Alsworth Complex is in poor condition due to the deteriorated state of the majority of the remaining character-defining features, namely the Kennedy Cabin, cache, and associated outbuildings after over 60 years of neglect and disuse. For the few landscape features that remain, many are nearly lost.

Rasmussen-Kennedy-Alsworth Complex Cultural Landscape: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

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