The Richard “Dick” Proenneke Story
He made his home in the wilderness of Alaska
Pictured above is Dick Proenneke working on his cabin
From the age of 51, he lived alone for around 31 years, from 1968 to 1999. His home was a log cabin that he built at Twin Lakes in Alaska.
Twin Lakes is about 150 to 200 miles southwest of Anchorage. It’s located in the deep wilderness of Lake Clark National Park and Reserve.
Who was Dick Proenneke?
He was of German descent and was born in Primrose, Iowa, in 1916.
Having quit high school, he was a self-educated man. He was a naturalist and conservationist. During his years in the wilderness, he also kept journals, took photographs and filmed the surrounding area and wildlife.
Besides his journals, Proenneke had a wind-up 16mm Bolex camera and a tripod. With that setup, he could start filming and then walk into the shot. For that reason, a lot of film was shot all around his cabin and the Twin Lakes area that includes footage of Proenneke.
YES, You Can Share This Edition
And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you to visit the Proenneke cabin… Well, it could happen.
Arriving in Alaska
He first came to Alaska in 1950 and went to Shuyak Island, located about 54 air miles north of the city of Kodiak.
At some point, a friend and the friend’s wife invited Proenneke to be their guest at their cabin in the Twin Lakes area of Lake Clark National Park and Reserve. Around 1968, the park permitted Proenneke to build his own cabin in the area.
A skilled carpenter, Proenneke's cabin is noted for its handmade craftsmanship. He also used his 16mm camera set up to film himself while building his cabin.
Proenneke also built most of the furnishings for his cabin.
Dick Proenneke and his well-built cabin.
What Did He Do in Twin Lakes?
He fished and hunted. He also gathered and raised much of his own food. However, sometimes he had supplies flown in.
Proenneke had this to say about his life:
“I have found that some of the simplest things have given me the most pleasure. They didn't cost me a lot of money either. They just worked on my senses. Did you ever pick very large blueberries after a summer rain, walk through a grove of cottonwoods, open like a park, and see the blue sky beyond the shimmering gold of the leaves? Pull on dry woolen socks after you've peeled off the wet ones? Come in out of the subzero and shiver yourself warm in front of a wood fire? The world is full of such things."
A Connection to the Outside World
Leon Reid “Babe” Alsworth was a bush pilot and a friend of Proenneke. He would fly in with his seaplane once in a while, land on the lake and check on his friend.
Alsworth brought the mail, food, and things that Proenneke had bought through the Sears catalogue.
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Visits to the Lower 48
After about 16 months of being in the wilderness, Proenneke went home to the Lower 48 for a brief visit and to get more supplies.
When he returned to Twin Lakes, he stayed there for 30 more years. During that time, he would travel back to the Lower 48 from time to time to visit family.
Proenneke and the Park Service
He had a close relationship with the Park Service.
Proenneke assisted them by filming sensitive areas and notifying them when poachers were nearby.
Leaving Alaska
For health reasons, in 1999, at the age of 83, Proenneke left Twin Lakes and Alaska to live with his brother in California.
The Legacy of Dick Proenneke
His journals and the film he shot were later turned into a documentary titled “Alone in the Wilderness.” And, there was enough film and journaling left over to produce a second documentary.
Proenneke bequeathed his cabin to the National Park Service, and it’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can visit Dick Proenneke’s hand-built log cabin inside Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska. In fact, his cabin is a very popular place to visit.
BONUS
Take a look at this film, featuring Dick Proenneke and his time at Twin Lakes.
From Our North Stars (that’s you)
From our edition about Carl “Ben” Eielson
William had this to say:
“Great read. I always wondered how Eielson Air Force Base got its name.”
Connect with Mike and Mary Jane
There aren’t many people who could, or would live Dick Proenneke’s dream. It’s a good thing we have his film and his journals. And it’s wonderful that we can still visit his cabin.
Until Next Time
Mike and Mary Jane
Alaska Stories