Research Highlights Series, No. 7
MINERS & MINING IN ALASKA
The following are brief descriptions of a number of the collections at UAA relating to mining in Alaska and the Yukon.
Alaska Pacific Consolidated Mining Co.
Independence Mine. Records; 1930-1987.
63 cu. ft. Inventory.
This was the largest hard rock gold mine in southcentral Alaska.
The state acquired the mine buildings and 271 acres in 1980 and
established a historic park (opened in 1982). The collection
includes administrative records, operations records, historic
files, and photos (mining activities, personnel, and other mines
in the district).
Kenneth D. Andress (b. 1915). Reminiscences;
1937-1943. 4 audiocassettes. .1 cu. ft. Inventory.
Kenneth Andress worked for the Alaska Juneau Mine (1939-1941)
and for Independence Mine (1941-1942). The collection consists
of his reminiscences, including comments about his work experiences
at both mines.
Lawrence and Olga Doheny Family. Papers; 1917-1980. 21.85 cu. ft. Inventory. hmc-0355.
Papers and photographs of an Alaskan mining family from Anchorage. Olga Doheny was the eldest daughter of David and Jenny Strandberg.
Russell W. Dow (1915-1992). Papers. 1917-1992. 18.5 cu. ft. Inventory.
Russ Dow settled in Alaska in 1936, and worked in mining
and construction. He was an avid photographer. Among his papers
are photos and materials relating to the Ruff & Tuff Mine,
Independence Mine, and the Cripple Creek Gold Mine near Aniak.
Richard Tighe Harris Family. Papers;
1853-1969. 3.5 cu. ft. Published Guide.
In 1880, Dick Harris
(1831-1907) and Joe Juneau discovered gold near present day Juneau.
The collection consists of correspondence, mining and legal papers,
financial records, and other papers. Among the records is an
account book covering the period 1881-1885.
Mildred B. Hendricks (1898-1986). Letters;
1936-1937, 1939-1940.
.1 cu. ft.
Mildred Hendricks came to the Yukon in 1936 to be with her
husband at various mining camps. The collection contains letters
written by her while at Walkers Fork, Fairbanks, and Coal Creek.
They concern her living conditions, activities, the people she
met, and other subjects.
Charles Goodyear Hubbard II (1869-1969).
Papers and Photographs; 1897-1987.
.25 cu. ft. Inventory.
Charlie Hubbard prospected in the western states and in Alaska.
He and his partner, Harry Elliot, were involved in copper mining
in Alaska until Elliot=s death (1909). Hubbard later became involved
in placer gold operations on the Upper Kenai River near Seward,
on Cooper Creek, and on the Kenai Peninsula. The collection consists
of papers relating to Hubbard's work as a miner and prospector
in Alaska.
Johanson-Erickson Family Family. Papers; 1887-1971. 2.8 cu. ft. Inventory. hmc-0356.
Papers and photographs of Arne Erickson and his wife Jenny Johanson Erickson, who operated the Crow Creek Mine near Girdwood. He was also a mining partner with the David Strandberg in Flat.
A. G. Maddren. Photograph Albums; 1906-1914. .65
cu. ft. (An APU Col.)
Maddren was a geologist and photographer with the U.S. Geological
Survey. He took part in several USGS expeditions to various areas
including the Koyukuk-Chandalar Region (1909), the Innoko-Iditarod
Region (1910); the Alaska/Canadian Boundary Region (1911-1913),
Yakataga (1913); and to the Kuskokwim (1914). The collection
consists of copies of photo albums relating to those trips; includes
many relating to mining.
George and Julia Musgrave. Papers; 1898-1903. .25 cu. ft. Calendar.
The Musgraves came to the Yukon Territory in 1898 to prospect
for gold. After unsuccessful prospecting attempts, they moved
to Dawson in 1899 where he set up a store. In 1903, they moved
to California. The collection contains over thirty letters to
friends concerning the trip to Dawson, prospecting, and life
in Dawson. Also, there are clippings about mining, business,
and events in the area.
George Pilz (1845-1926). Reminiscence;
1922. .1 cu. ft.
George Pilz came to Sitka
in 1879. In the early 1880s, he financed a number of prospectors
including Richard Harris and Joe Juneau, who made a major gold
strike in 1880 near the present site of Juneau. In 1881, he chaired
the miners' meeting which organized the Harris Mining District.
The collection consists of a typescript copy of George Pilz's
reminiscence written at the request of Dr. A. H. Brooks around
1922.
Josette and William Stoll. Papers; 1914-1987,
1997. .7 cu. ft.
Inventory.
William M. Stoll is the son of Walter W. Stoll, General Manager
of Alaska Pacific Mines (1936-1943), later known as the Alaska
Pacific Consolidated Mining Co. The company operated Independence
Mine. After his father died (1949), he ran the company until
its close in 1951. The collection includes papers concerning
mining operations, maps and plans of properties in the Willow
Creek and Hatcher Pass mining areas, and photographs of Independence
Mine.
David and Jenny Strandberg Family. Papers; 1897-1970. 3.1 cu. ft. Inventory. hmc-0357.
Papers and photographs of an Alaskan mining family. Family members have mined in the Dawson, Ester Creek, Flat, Manley Hot Springs, and other areas.
Bartlett L. "Bart" Thane (1877-1927). Letters; 1911-1915. .2 cu. ft. List. hmc-0913.
Letters to family in California by family members of Juneau mining engineer and Alaska-Gastineau Mine
manager.
Joe Thome. Letters; n.d., 1984. .1 cu. ft.
Joe Thome moved to Alaska in 1893. He worked for the Treadwell
Mining Company in Douglas
and prospected for gold near Dawson and in the interior of Alaska.
The collection consists of two letters written by Thome to his
family and friends in which he describes his prospecting efforts,
his plans for future prospecting, and his work for the Treadwell
Mining Company.
Other Related Collections:
Chititu Mines Co. Records; 1925-1949. .4 cu. ft. Inventory. [Nizina Mining District]
Harry and Ruth Dobson. Papers; 1906-1973. .35 cu. ft. Inventory. [Seward Peninsula]
Holmes Family. Papers; 1915-1966. 1 cu. ft. Inventory.[Rex Creek Mining Co.]
Howard and Mabel Jonish. Papers; n.d., 1910-1989. 1.2 cu. ft. Inventory. [Kougarok River area]
Joseph H. Murray (1877-1944). Papers, 1909-1933. .5 cu. ft. Inventory. [Valdez and Calamity Gulch]
J.B. and C.T. O'Neill. Papers; n.d., 1929-1947. .5 cu. ft. Inventory. [Dan Creek Mining Co.]
Walter Poppe. Historical Account; n.d. .1 cu. ft. [Klondike] Ak. Histl. Soc.
Lynn Smith (1871-1933). Papers; 1926-1933. .1 cu.ft. [Central and Western Alaska]
Harold Strandberg (1909-1995). Papers; 1923-1985. 8.5 cu. ft. Inventory.[Central and Western Alaska]
Clarence J. Tjernagel. 1 Diary, 1906-1909. 1 volume, copy. [Nome and Teller] UAF
Joseph Turnidge. Letter-Reminiscence; 1932. .1 cu. ft. [Chilkoot Pass and Alaska]
U.S. Dept. of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. Bering River Coal Field. Records; 1909-1961. 1.5 cu. ft. Inventory.
Julia Willma Weber (b. 1904). Papers; ca. 1890-1901. .25 cu. ft. [Myrtle Ryan's trip to Klondike and Nome]
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Last updated November 24, 2008.