Artifact of the Month: January 2026

Turner's Sled

Sledding on one of the steep hills surrounding Ketchikan is a common, if fleeting, winter activity before the rain washes the snow away. An all-wood sled built by Lloyd Turner and painted red is this month's featured artifact. Wood sleds are a classic design known for being resilient and durable.

Lloyd Hiram "L.H." Turner was a farm kid turned home builder from Des Moines, Washington. When the Great Depression hit, he came to Alaska to try fishing. In 1931, Turner and his wife Sigrid and son Harold moved to Kasaan aboard a fishing boat he built. Lloyd used his carpentry skills to trade repairs on a little home for rent. After a few years, Lloyd concluded that fishing was not for him, but he was aware of the need for quality oars for fishing.

In 1934, the family moved to Ward Cove where Lloyd built a shop and residence where the Pulp Mill was later built. There he began making oars and other wood products from Sitka Spruce that he either acquired from the Spruce Mill or from trees he chopped down himself with the approval of the U.S. Forest Service. A decade later the family moved onto five acres of land off Ward Lake Road where Lloyd built a large shop and the family raised livestock. Lloyd's quality craftsmanship was known around town. In addition to oars, he made tables, cupboards, sleds, and other useful items like broomstick handles.


Object ID #: THS 80.2.8.1