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Issues of The Palmyra Circle
From 1948 to 1949, a colony of several dozen families working for the CAA (forerunner to the FAA) lived and worked on Palmyra. While there, they published a weekly periodical with news and highlights on events around the atoll.
The small paper…
The small paper…
CAA Colony Collection (Island Life)
From our photo collection of the CAA Colony who occupied Palmyra from 1948 to 1949. All materials were generously donated to us by Eugene Norton's family, by way of the Nature Conservancy in Hawaii, to whom we are very grateful. For more information…
CAA Colony Collection (Portraits)
From our photo collection of the CAA Colony who occupied Palmyra from 1948 to 1949. All materials were generously donated to us by Eugene Norton's family, by way of the Nature Conservancy in Hawaii, to whom we are very grateful. For more information…
Search for Captain Ulm
In 1934, Captain Charles Ulm and his fellow crew members were flying from California to Hawaii, when they disappeared over the ocean. They had radioed in to report they were having problems and landing in the ocean, not exactly sure where they were.…
CAA Colony Collection (Buildings and Nature)
From our photo collection of the CAA Colony who occupied Palmyra from 1948 to 1949. All materials were generously donated to us by Eugene Norton's family, by way of the Nature Conservancy in Hawaii, to whom we are very grateful. For more…
CAA Colony Reunion Visit
In 1980, members of the CAA families who lived on Palmyra from 1948 to 1949, reunited for a visit the atoll. These photos show them wandering the atoll, exploring the few buildings and structures to survive the years of exposure in the Pacific. …
Shrimp Mariculture Survey
In 1980, the owner's of Palmyra granted a lease to the Undersea Resources Ltd company to farm shrimp in the lagoons of Palmyra. These photos were part of the extensive survey report, created to describe to potential investors what such a farm would…
Palmyra from the Air
This interesting and extensive article describes the voyage and work of the cargo ship US Eagle 40's crew while on an aerial photography mission to Palmyra. Included is a spread of photographs from the trip, showing the wildlife, scenery, crew, and…
Harry Setzer Collection
These photos were taken by Naval Photographer Harry Setzer during May and June of 1944, while he was visiting Palmyra on his tour through the Pacific with USN Scouting Squadron VS-47. They feature several very unique images:
1. Actress and Singer…
1. Actress and Singer…
Excerpt from Air Pilot Manual of the Pacific Islands
This book was published throughout World War 2, and gave pilots general overviews of friendly island facilities throughout the Pacific, and instructions for landing on them.
Unfortunately the scan is lower quality, but the text and images are…
Unfortunately the scan is lower quality, but the text and images are…
Coconut Crab Specimen
This jar from the Bishop Museum's specimen collection dates to the early 1900s, and contains 3 Palmyra coconut crabs donated at various times between 1904 and 1924.
Our suspicion is the crabs came to Hawaii from Captain Weisbarth in 1904, Judge…
Our suspicion is the crabs came to Hawaii from Captain Weisbarth in 1904, Judge…
Palmyra Isle Land of Wonders
Extensive piece covering the return journey and discoveries of Judge Henry Cooper on his initial visit to Palmyra, after purchasing it for $750. He sailed aboard his ship the Luka, with a small crew that included the then curator of the Bishop…
Correspondence on visit to Palmyra
This newspaper account comes from a letter, presumably written by a crew member of the USS Portsmouth while on their surveying mission. It describes several details not mentioned other places, and is one of the earliest recordings of certain bird…
A Fish Story (pt. 2)
This is part 2 of 4, from an article series written by Lorrin Thurston, on his recent trip to Palmyra. It describes, in colorful detail, several methods for dealing with sharks while wading on reefs like those at Palmyra.
Thurston owned the…
Thurston owned the…
Documents of Executive Order 8616
This group of memos and letters trace the development of Executive Order 8616, which put Palmyra under the official management of the US Navy. Most date from 1939 offer a unique view into the process of how land was acquired by the military during…
QSL 10/21/1958
Palmyra Call Sign: KP6
Operator Call Sign: K6IGP
Operator Name: Donald Richtenburg
Operator Call Sign: K6IGP
Operator Name: Donald Richtenburg
QSL 6/29/1957
Palmyra Call Sign:
Operator Call Sign: W7FNK
Operator Name: Jack Wheeler
Operator Call Sign: W7FNK
Operator Name: Jack Wheeler
Field Notes of Max Thompson
As part of the Pacific Ocean Biological Survey Program, Research Curator Max Thompson spent 3 days on Palmyra in March of 1967, cataloguing birds with other project members.
This excerpt from his field journals described the activities and various…
This excerpt from his field journals described the activities and various…
Roland Champlagne Collection
These photos were taken by Corporal Roland Champlagne while he was stationed on Palmyra, during World War 2. They have been wonderfully preserved by his son, Carl, who generously shared them with us. Interestingly, there is some overlap between this…
Driver's License issued on Palmyra
This rare document was donated by the son of Corporal Roland Champagne, who was stationed on Palmyra from 1942 to 1943. He served as a clerk, but also received his drivers permit while on the atoll, so he could make deliveries around the…
