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Weekly UpdatesMore than 125 years ago, the discovery of gold brought waves of prospectors and adventure-seekers to Southeast Alaska, seeking dreams of wealth and a new life on the northern frontier. This month, visitors and Alaskans can celebrate that past and the region's future during the 18th Annual Juneau Gold Rush Days.
The celebration begins at Juneau's Dimond Park at the Gold Rush Fields on June 30 and runs through July 1. The event offers food, exciting mining and logging competitions and a wide range of things to do. Organizers said there is something for all ages, even hand-mucking and spike-driving events for children. Over the years, the celebration has grown into much more than delving into the nostalgic gold rush past.
The capital city's history is built on gold. Alaska's first big strike came in Juneau around 1880 when two prospectors guided by Tlingit Chief Kowee found gold in what is now Gold Creek. On their initial trip, Joseph Juneau and Richard Harris-who gave his name to the Harris Mining District-collected about 1,000 pounds of ore. A first rush of about 40 gold miners brought trading posts, saloons and missionaries.
Harrisburg was the city's first name. But when Harris fell out of favor with locals, the name was changed to honor the city's co-founder, Joe Juneau. Juneau soon became a supply center and staging area for the Klondike Gold Rush.
The Treadwell and Ready Bullion Mines operated across the Gastineau Channel in the community of Douglas from 1882 to 1917. According to historians, the Treadwell produced $66 million in gold in its 35 years of operation before a cave-in and flood closed it. The Alaska-Juneau gold mine was built in 1916 and became the largest operation of its kind in the world. It produced more than $80 million in gold before it was closed in 1944.
Gold had been the key to opening a vast region rich in natural resources.
Late in 1989, the Juneau Gold Rush Commission was organized to plan and promote a series of celebrations during the 1990s featuring Juneau's golden past. The commission was incorporated July 20, 1990, to commemorate the role of Juneau in the gold rush, promote tourism and to conduct activities to strengthen Alaska's mining and other environmentally sound resource projects.
According to Kevin Torpy, the commission's vice chair, the competitive action during Juneau's Gold Rush Days now includes axe-throwing, jack-leg drilling, log-rolling and more. This year Michael Orelove will present a gold-panning competition for gold panners of all ages Saturday afternoon. There will be vendors under a tent at the park and children can play at the Ruth Roberts Carnival.
The 18th annual event is sponsored by the Juneau Gold Rush Commission and the city and borough of Juneau. The Gold Rush Commission can be reached by calling 523-3333 or emailing juneaugoldrush@gmail.com.
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