These 17 Rare Photos Show Alaska's Mining History Like Never Before
By Courtney|Published January 21, 2017
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Courtney
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Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
The United States’ northernmost state of Alaska has a rich and prominent mining history that is impossible ignore. In fact, the mining industry is to thank for the city of Juneau being Alaska’s capital. The nearby gold deposits at AJ and Treadwell mines show just how fertile Alaska’s land is for precious metals. Just about every type of mining operation under the sun can be found in the mighty Last Frontier.
From gold, to silver, zinc, copper and coal, the mining industry in Alaska has employed hundreds of thousands of hardworking people and has produced hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Even up until this very date, the mining industry continues to be a major player in the economic pool. However, these 17 very rare photos will show you a side of Alaska’s mining history you’ve never seen before. Get ready to be blown away!
1. The Nome Dredge pictured just 24 years ago in 1993.
Fure was born in 1885 in Lithuania, and came to Alaska in the early 1900s seeking his fortune in the mining industry. He supplemented his income though hunting and trapping, but spent the majority of his time searching for precious metals in an effort to 'make it big'.
6. The town of Hope on the Kenai Peninsula was established in 1896 and a base camp was set up near the shores of Resurrection Creek.
The village of Richardson was located on the Tanana River, approximately 18 miles northwest of Big Delta, on the Valdez-Fairbanks summer trail (a predecessor of the Richardson Highway).
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14. Placer mine near Alaska's 'Golden Heart City' of Fairbanks shows ore falling from apron into the sluice-box.
