In 1912, President William H. Taft created the Alaska Railway Commission to study the feasibility of rail transport in the northern territory. Two years later Congress authorized construction of the Alaska Railroad. Major John C. Gotwals, an Army Corps engineer, was a member of the Alaska Engineering Commission that oversaw completion of the 470-mile segment between Fairbanks and Seward. The cost for the railroad was $65 million and it took eight years to build.

This portrait of Gotwals is part of a collection from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began working in the photography field in 1909 when she managed the Edward Curtis Studio. She opened her own studio in 1917 with Wayne Albee. Albee moved to San Diego in 1925, and McBride continued to operate a studio in various Seattle locations. In 1932 she partnered with Richard Anderson; they continued to work together until she retired in 1954 due to her failing eyesight. She died in 1965 at the age of 102. Taken before the McBride-Anderson partnership began; it is not known which partner was the photographer.

Handwritten on image: Major John C. Gotwals
Handwritten on sleeve: Maj. John C. Gotwals 3/30/1926