A Trip Into Alaska's Copper River Valley in 1902

The Klondike Gold Rush at the turn of the 19th century saw around 100,000 hopefuls flood into Alaska and Canada's Yukon. Not only did prospectors seek gold, but many also stumbled across valuable copper deposits along their grueling journey. This surge prompted the U.S. Army to develop the Valdez Trail as a primary transportation route, spurring competition among businesses eager to build railroads. In 1902, the Miles Brothers documented this transformative period through photography, capturing life along the trail and the interaction between new arrivals and local communities. This collection of images, recently digitized at the U.S. National Archives, offers invaluable insights into the era.

The Klondike Gold Rush attracted approximately 100,000 prospectors by the end of the 19th century, leading to significant developments in Alaska's transportation infrastructure and new discoveries.

The photographs taken by the Miles Brothers provide a crucial visual record of the interaction between gold seekers, local residents, and the evolving landscape of the Yukon during the Gold Rush.

Read at The Atlantic