Mine sights in Alaska
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Kennicott
In 1900 miners 'Tarantula Jack' Smith and Clarence Warner reconnoitered Kennicott Glacier's east side until they arrived at a creek and found traces of copper. They named the creek Bonanza, and was it ever - the entire mountainside turned out to hold some of the richest copper deposits ever uncovered. In the Lower 48, mines were digging up ore that contained 2% copper. Here, the veins would average almost 13%, while some contained as much as 70%.
Eventually, a group of investors bought the existing stakes and formed the Kennecott Copper Corporation, named when a clerical worker misspelled Kennicott (which is why, nowadays, the town is spelled with an 'e' while the river, …
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Kennicott
In 1900, miners discovered the rich Kennicott copper deposit and built 315km (196mi) of railroad through wilderness to take the ore out. For 30 years, the mining town worked around the clock but, in 1938, management shut it down, giving workers two hours to catch the last train out. Despite pilferage, Kennicott is a remarkably preserved piece of mining history.
The mill towers above the surrounding buildings and still has tram cables leading up to the mountain mines. The rest of the buildings, including bunkhouses, workers cottages, the train depot and power plant, perch high above Kennicott Glacier. Strewn among these structures are countless antique mining relics such a…
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Alaska-Juneau Mine
What's in them thar hills? Many visitors passing through the Southeast are fascinated with gold-rush history. Two of the Juneau area's most successful historic mines were the Alaska-Juneau Mine, on the side of Mt Roberts, and the Treadwell Mine, across Gastineau Channel near Douglas. The Alaska-Juneau Mine closed in 1944 after producing more than around US$80 million in gold, then valued at around US$20 to around US$35 an ounce.
For more information about these mines and what you can see of them today, stop by the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.
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Treadwell Mine
Two of the Juneau area's most successful historic mines were the Alaska-Juneau Mine, on the side of Mt Roberts, and the Treadwell Mine, across Gastineau Channel near Douglas. The Treadwell Mine closed in 1922 after a 1917 cave-in caused the company's financial collapse. During its heyday at the turn of the 20th century, the Treadwell made Douglas the channel's major city, with a population of 15,000.
For more information about these mines and what you can see of them today, stop by the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.
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Crow Creek Mine
Girdwood was named for James Girdwood, who staked the first claim on Crow Creek in 1896. Two years later the Crow Creek Mine was built and today you can still see some original buildings and sluices at this working mine. You can even learn how to pan for gold and then give it a try yourself (adult/child around US$5/around US$4) or pitch the tent and spend the night ($5).
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Indian Valley Mine
Indian Valley Mine, a lode mine originally blasted out in 1901, still produces gold. You can buy bags of ore (around US$3 to around US$50) and see for yourself. The wonderful proprietors are extremely knowledgeable on the history and science of Alaskan gold mining; ask about the potato retort.
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Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp
Offers a miner's show, a turn at gold panning and Skagway's salmon bake.
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