1898 Gold Rush

Brave souls determined to find gold rushed to Alaska in 1898. Some arrived in Valdez on ships.

Click on photo's to view full size.

After arriving they unloaded their possessions on the shore ice and prepared to journey north.

Trekking over mountain ranges and dangerous glaciers they finally arrive back at tree line and set to work building their own boats out of freshly sawn timber taken from the surrounding area.

Once the boats are complete the miners float down the Klutina river in them to the confluence of the Copper River.

Once they reached the Copper River some hauled their boats upstream to the Chistochina River and up that river to Slate Creek.  Some gave up and went downstream to Cordova. Some just gave up and went home the way they came.

Find out much more about the history of the 1898 Alaskan Gold Rush at the
George I. Ashby Museum
located next to the Copper Center Lodge.

All photos courtesy of Fred Williams
Copper Valley Historical Society

Created by:
Julie Williamson

Copper Center Lodge
Drawer J, Copper Center, Alaska, 99573
Ph: 907-822-3245 - Toll-Free: 866-330-3245
Toll Free Fax: 866-347-9565
Email: info@coppercenterlodge.com

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