Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – Long before Juneau was Juneau, it was Dzantik’i Héeni (“Base of the Flounder’s River), for literally thousands of years, a famous Native fishing ground.
In 1880, two prospectors, Richard Harris and Joe Juneau, guided by Tlingit Chief Kowee, struck gold at the mouth of Gold Creek, and the rush was on (and the town was built). During the next six decades, Juneau produced $150 million of gold, worth $7 billion today.
The government eventually replaced mining as the main industry, followed by tourism. Attracting visitors with its Native heritage, prospector history and incredible scenery, Juneau has been a world-class travel destination since the early 1900s.
The Juneau Gold Rush Days celebration, presented every mid-June by the non-profit organization Juneau Gold Rush Days, Inc., honors Alaska’s deep mining history in an event marking its 32nd year.
When news of the gold find at Gold Creek first emerged, it set off a frantic gold rush that brought people worldwide to what is now the Tlingit Indian Nation.
A few years before the California Gold Rush, this place was ‘open season’ for miners and prospectors looking to make their fortunes in gold. What followed after those initial discoveries led to a stampede of people intent on finding their fortune.
Established in 1881, the Treadwell Complex represented one of Alaska’s most significant mining efforts. Even among Alaska miners, Treadwell was a legendary operation, famous for its size and efficiency.
In its day, it employed thousands; at its peak, it employed over 4,000 men using four distinct mines—Treadwell, Mexican (1200 Foot), Ready Bullion (Ready Liard), and 700 Foot—that supplied several stamp mills with crushed ore from which gold was extracted as much as anything else in the world to make it into gold coins.
The Treadwell Mine was a driving force behind Juneau’s economy and development. It pumped money into the local community, creating hundreds of jobs directly and indirectly. During its heyday between 1899 and 1920, it is estimated that over $15 million worth of gold was taken from these mines (equivalent to over $200 million in today’s dollars).
Although safety concerns were always a significant problem at the Treadwell Mine—an investigation after an improper blasting procedure went awry on August 31, 1917, led former U.S. Attorney General James H. Cox to call it “the most dangerous mine in the country”—it managed to operate for many years despite numerous close calls with disaster.
In 1916, the Alaska-Juneau Mine opened another major mining operation for Juneau. Despite being one of the largest low-grade gold mines globally, it struggled financially and ceased operations in 1944.
Like many of its contemporaries, AJ Mine number 2 used hydroelectric power to run its mills and supporting equipment—an innovative and cost-effective setup by early-20th-century standards.
In the early 1990s, the non-profit organization ‘Juneau Gold Rush Days, Inc.’ was established to honor and educate the public about the two industries that built Juneau – mining and logging.
The free public event is supported by the City and Borough of Juneau and community donations. It serves as a celebration and an educational platform, helping visitors understand how vital those industries have been to the area’s history and economy.
Savikko Park offers stunning views of the event and is a fantastic venue due to its beach location and various facilities, such as covered shelters, playgrounds, and the Treadwell Mine Trail. The combination of nature and history allows attendees to multitask in taking in the surroundings while checking out what’s happening at the event.
Juneau’s Gold Rush Days is more than just a festival; it is a tribute to the spirit of adventure and determination that defines the history of mining in Alaska. Registration opens on Saturday and Sunday morning at 8. The event runs both days 8 am to 6 pm. For more details, visit Junueagoldrushdays.com.
