Twin Lakes in Juneau in Juneau Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Wagner Mine

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 3, 2009

1. Wagner Mine Marker

Inscription. In 1880 a local inhabitant, Chief Kowee, revealed to prospectors Joe Juneau and Richard Harris the presence of gold in what is now named Gold Creek in Silver Bow Basin. The city of Juneau was founded there that year. The strike sparked the Juneau gold rush which resulted in the development of many placer and lode mines including the largest gold mines in the world, in their time, the Treadwell complex of lode mines on Douglas Island (across a narrow sea channel from Juneau) and the AJ lode mine, in Juneau itself.

By October of 1880 the Harris Mining District had been established, and the first claims staked by Harris & Juneau. A lot of controversy surrounds the early discovery and establishment of the district, but one fact remains clear: gold was discovered—and it brought an influx of people to this wild land to seek their fortune.

Other mines were quickly discovered and camps sprung up like mushrooms near Mount Roberts, Douglas Island and Gold Creek. The Chilkoot Shaft, seen here at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, is a remnant of an airshaft that served the Wagner Mine, which was part of the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Company (A-G Mining). The $38 million dollar investment was abandoned in 1930 after running out of profitable ore.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1880.

Location.

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58° 19.933′ N, 134° 28.057′ W. Marker is in Juneau, Alaska, in Juneau Borough. It is in Twin Lakes. It is on Salmon Creek Lane. The marker is on the grounds of the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1061 Salmon Creek Ln, Juneau AK 99801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Alaska,

in Tlingit and Haida & Tsimshian Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Inside Passage,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pelton wheels (a few steps from this marker); Alaska Governor's Mansion (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Governor's Totem Pole (approx. 2.8 miles away); Alaska Native Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); Calhoun Ave. Overpass (approx. 2.9 miles away); Aleut American World War II Removal Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); St. Nichlolas Russian Orthodox Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Harvesting of the Atom (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Juneau.

Chilkoot shaft that served the Wagner Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 3, 2009

2. Chilkoot shaft that served the Wagner Mine

Entrance to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake-location of the Wagner Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 3, 2009

3. Entrance to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake-location of the Wagner Mine

Gold Strike Saloon-Gold Creek Salmon Bake image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 3, 2009

4. Gold Strike Saloon-Gold Creek Salmon Bake

Salmon cooking at the Bake image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 3, 2009

5. Salmon cooking at the Bake

Black Bear Crossing sign near the Wagner Mine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 3, 2009

6. Black Bear Crossing sign near the Wagner Mine

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,675 times since then and 158 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 14, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.