Alaska Facts and History

Did you know that the Kennecott Mines, northeast of Valdez were one of the richest copper deposits ever discovered?

It all began in the summer of 1900.

“Tarantula” Jack Smith and Clarence Warner were prospecting along the east edge of the Kennicott Glacier when they discovered green cliffs of exposed copper.

They took samples of what would become known as the “Bonanza Mine Outcrop”. Those samples turned out to be 70 percent pure Chalcocite, one of the richest copper deposits ever found.

Where?

The Kennecott Mines are located in the Copper River area, northeast of Valdez in what is now the Wrangell, St. Elias National Park and Reserve.

A Clerical Typo

The Kennecott Mines were named after Kennicott Glacier.

However, as things sometimes happen, a clerical error resulted in the use of an “e” where the “i” was supposed to be. And that’s the reason for the difference in the spelling of the names.

How to Bring Out the Ore

In the years that followed, a railroad was constructed to bring out the copper.

Meanwhile, a man named Stephen Birch was in Kennecott to start developing the mine claims. But how was he going to get the ore to market before the railroad was a reality?

Birch actually decided to bring an entire steamship over the mountains from the port of Valdez. How did he do that? One piece at a time, and he put them together on the Copper River.

Dog Sleds and Horses

Birch used dog sleds and horses to haul up the mining equipment he needed to get the mining operation up and running.

You Can Share This

Do your friends and family know about Alaska’s Kennecott Mines?

You can easily share this story… but be careful because they might want to become Alaska prospectors. But if they do, be sure you get a cut of whatever they find.

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11 Years Later

The photo above shows two miners who were working in one of the mines.

When Kennecott was up and running, there were about 600 men, often working 7 days a week in the mines and mill town.

11 years after the two prospectors first discovered the rich copper cliffs, the first train left Kennecott. It was filled with 250,000 dollars worth of copper.

In the photo above, to the left is the Hospital. It was the only whitewashed building in the entire complex.

Five Mines

The Kennecott Mines included the Bonanza, Jumbo, Mother Lode, Erie, and Glacier.

1916 was the peak year for production in the mines, when the mines yielded 32.4 million dollars worth of ore.

Altogether, the mines took out around 200 million dollars in ore.

1938 – the Last Train

By 1938, the mines had played out and the last trainload of ore chugged away.

The Kennecott Mines became a ghost town.

1939 to the Mid-1950s

The only people living in the Kennecott Mines buildings from 1939 to the mid-1950s was a family of 3, who served as watchmen.

New Life

In the 1980s, the Kennecott Mines became a popular destination for tourists.

And in 1986, the area was designated a National Historic Landmark.

BONUS

Discover the whole Kennecott Mines Story and enjoy

From Our North Stars

From our look at the Hillside Star

“Thank you so much. 

I spent most of my years living at Sand Lake, moving to "homestead" in the 50's. One day, there was a star, from then on, I looked for her each season. Being born here before Statehood, I am privileged to experience a wonderful place to grow up, and return to.”

Rozanne

“Thank you for sharing the history about the Star... I didn't know that!”

Michael

Contact Mike and Mary

It’s time to put your pick and shovel away.

We know… you were just one scoop away from finding the Mother lode.

Did you enjoy learning about Alaska’s Kennecott Copper Mines?

We love to hear from our North Stars (that’s you). Do you have a comment, or a suggestion for a future story? Or would you just like to say, “I’ve been to the Kennecott Mines”.

You can reply to this email or Contact Us right now.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com