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1850
Gold was discovered by the Russians on the Kenai Penninsula on the Russian
River and near what is now Hope.
1861
Gold was discovered at Telegraph Creek near the former Russian settlement
of Wrangell, gold seekers turned new attention to Alaska's mineral wealth.
1867
Alaska was purchased from Russia. American prospectors came north to
explore the new territory.
1880
Major gold strikes on Gold Creek near what is now Juneau inspired more
mineral exploration in the North.
1886
Gold found in the Fortymile
River by Howard Franklin started the first rush to interior Alaska, setting
the stage for further strikes throughout the region.
1893
Gold was found on Birch Creek and in 1894 on Crooked Creekwhich lead to
Circle becoming the supply point
for the mines in that part of the Yukon River drainage.
Discoveries were made near Rampart.
1896 ~ 1898
The enormous Klondike strike in nearby Canada on Bonanza Creek, a tributary
of the Yukon River, drew thousands of new prospectors to Alaska.
1898 ~ 1899
Gold discoveries at Nome by the "Three Lucky Swedes" caused another
massive rush north with prospectors continuing to search all parts of Alaska
for gold. In 1899 more gold was discovered on the beaches of Nome.
Gold discoveries in the Koyukuk drainage brought prospectors to the foothills
of the Brooks Range, the northern-most extent of Alaska's gold rushes.
Small strikes led to short-lived mining camps at Beaver City, Dillman
Creek and Coldfoot.
1902
Italian immigrant, Felix Pedro, discovered gold on Pedro Creek, and Fairbanks
was founded. Gold is still being mine there today.
1903
Discoveries at Valdez Creek, near the current Denali Highway, set off
a small stampede to a district that by the late 1980s and early 1990s
contained the largest gold placer mine in North America, before being
mined out in 1995.
1905
Tanana
( P
266 ).
1906
Ruby was initially a small rush that brought more prospectors to the area
which later led to discoveries on Long Creek and Poorman. Ruby became
the supply point for the area mines.
1909
Gold discoveries at Iditarod and Flat set off another rush, sometimes
called "The Last Great Rush."
1910
Long Creek (Ruby mining district). New discoveries on nearby creeks continues
for the next five years including Poorman area creeks in 1913.
1913
Chisana is the location of
Alaska's last significant gold rush with as many as 8000 gold seekers
taking part.
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