Juneau Empire: History of Juneau

Visitors Guide

A first rush of about 40 miners brought trading posts, saloons and missionaries. Within a year, the tent camp became a small town, the first founded after Alaska's purchase from Russia.

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History of Juneau

General Historical Information

Timeline

1990: More stores, ships as economy diversifies
1980: Building booms, capital celebrates
1970: Oil flows, Juneau grows amid capital move woes
1960: Juneau beats the capitol move, grows into government town
1950: The cold war chills Juneau; statehood warms it up
1950: Jukeboxes, out-of-town radio brought rock n' roll
1940: Years that changed Juneau forever
1930: Mining helped ease impacts of Depression
1930: 1935 miners' protest ends in riot
1930: Mining helped ease impacts of Depression
1920: A-J mine powered Juneau's economy
1918: 1918 sinking of Princess Sophia Southeast Alaska's worst maritime disaster
1910: Gold boom turns bust when war, Treadwell cave-in strike town
1910: Where hungry men are welcome: Restaurants catered to appetite, health
1900: Becoming the capital of the Last Frontier
1890: Some came to stay, and some moved on
1880: 1880 gold discovery creates town called Juneau
1880: Early Juneau life lacked medicine, insulation
1870: Juneau geography of 1870's vastly different from present day

Flash Maps

Historic Juneau Map

Find the best route to hit all the historic hot spots on the Historic Juneau Map.

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Video Tours

Juneau Totem Poles

View Juneau totem poles as you hear from Tlingit tribe master carver Amos Wallace.

Gold Mine Tour

Tour the original AJ Gold mine as described by Jerry Harmon.

The Shrine of St. Therese

The Shrine of St. Therese is a place of special beauty. JuneauAlaska.com takes you on a tour of this remote retreat.

Juneau - Douglas City Museum

Discover Juneau's history at the Juneau - Douglas City Museum. JuneauAlaska.com takes you there.

Alaska State Museum

Discover Alaska's diverse history at the Alaska State Museum. JuneauAlaska.com takes you inside.

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Virtual Tour

The Shrine of St. Therese

The Alaskan

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JUNEAU WEBCAMS

Juneau Harbor Cam

View of the downtown boat dock from the top of the Juneau Public Library.

Eaglecrest Cam

View of Eaglecrest Ski Area from the base lodge.

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