June 23, 2010 Juneau

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Before the late 19th Century, southeast Alaska was virtually unsettled. Only the Tlingit Natives utilized the area, coming to the Gastineau Channel to take advantage of the abundant salmon found in the waters. But in 1870 rumors of gold in the area began to circulate. A German engineer named George Pilz, who was already working in Sitka, decided to offer a handsome reward to any natives who could produce gold ore samples. When the Auk Tlingit Tribe’s Chief Kowee responded to the challenge, he handed Pilz rich samples his tribe had found from deep inside the mountains. Pilz was joined by prospectors Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau, who left Sitka in August 1880. The going was slow and frustrating as they searched for gold with the help of Indian guides. Finally after climbing mountains, forging streams and facing countless difficulties the found nuggets “as large as beans.” They revealed a 100 miles belt of gold that became the three largest gold mines in the world earning more than $150 million dollars. This was the first major gold discovery in Alaska but not the last.

Mining remained a mainstay of Juneau’s economy until 1944 when increased operating costs and manpower shortages associated with WWII forced the AJ mine to close. By 1959, when Alaska became the 49th state, state government had filled much of the void left by the end of the mining era.

Some 30,000 people live in Juneau and its total area (3,108 square miles) makes it one of the biggest towns, in size, in the world. Only Kiruna, Sweden and Sitka, Alaska exceed Juneau’s 3,248 square miles. Today Juneau is not only famous for gold and government, but also for its breathtaking beautiful glaciers and stunning view of both water and mountains.