If you are craving an escape to a simpler time when Alaska was wilder, more rugged and even less populated, look no further. These vintage photos show snippets of Alaska from long ago, and you will be enchanted. Before cell phones and high-speed internet, Alaska was a remote and quiet land where you went to disconnect from the outside world and immerse yourself in the natural beauty around you. Although it’s still true in many respects, the Alaska of the past will always be preserved as a quieter, simpler time. Explore Alaska in these vintage photos for an escape in history.
A mighty ship unloads passengers and supplies, undoubtedly those seeking their fortunes in the gold rush. Skagway was a hot spot for prospectors heading into the gold fields of the Klondike.
The White Pass Stage Coach carried people up the treacherous Chilkoot Trail and toward Dawson City, and their fortunes in the Klondike. The coach is now a railroad you can ride and see the beauty of the area.
This gelatin silver photograph by Sheelor, F. W. shows the town of Wrangell as a thriving and vibrant community in 1915. The panorama encompasses the entire town, a coastal spot tucked away on the Inside Passage.
The Kennecott Copper Mine was in full swing in 1918, with workers in bunk houses and long days of mineral extraction from the craggy ground. Visit this location now and you will see many of the historic buildings preserved.
This photo shows "The Pipeline," as it's commonly known, in all its shiny new glory. Construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline primarily took place between 1975 and 1977; it is over 800 miles long and still runs crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.
