“Ghosts of the old territorial days are here!”
In June of 1998, the National Park Service acquired many of the significant buildings and lands of the historic mining town of Kennecott. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and designated as a National Historic Landmark since 1986, Kennecott is considered the best remaining example of early 20th Century copper mining. The Kennecott mill town and mines are an extraordinary relic from America's past. The impressive structures and artifacts that remain represent an ambitious time of exploration, discovery, and technological innovation. They tell stories of westward expansion, World War I politics and economy, the lives of men, women, and children who lived there, and the rise of a multinational corporation. Each link in the historical chain connects to another until we realize that this remote Alaska mining venture was intricately connected to the world around it. The Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark includes the land and mining claims that formed the foundation for the Kennecott Copper Corporation, later the Kennecott Minerals Company. The operation had two components: the mines where ore was extracted from the mountains, and the mill town where the ore was processed. From 1911 to 1938, nearly $200 million worth of copper was processed. At the peak of operation, approximately 300 people worked in the mill town and 200-300 in the mines. Kennecott was a self-contained company town that included a hospital, general store, school, skating rink, tennis court, recreation hall, and dairy.
Nothing short of amazing, need to book a flight to get there or drive but old rail road ties make up a lot of the road way driving, make sure to be in a SUV and have an extra tire. I was there in summer 2013 but the national park service has since purchased it and closed it for renovations, not sure when it will re open to the public. The copper mill is 14 floors they take you thru from the top (not handicapp accessible at all) and you walk down the floors as you go through the different processes of how the ore rocks and minerals were process from large rocks and broken down sorted and filtered until you reach the bottom. Historically interesting as well as amazing views of the glaciers mountains and a piece of history. Feels like you are back in the 20s, Very rustic.
I just got back from Kennicott last week. Yes, it is a National Park but there are also private areas such as the Lodge where I stayed. If I call this location awesome that is an understatement. It is difficult to get there but worth the trip. I have some drone footage as well as some footage of the buildings interiors. Some building are open to the public, but the 14-story Concentration Mill requires a tour and that is well worth it.
Kennicott Alaska 2017: https://youtu.be/0X9-uN3_Nh8
Abandoned in 1938 the Kennecott Mines are now a National Historic Landmark with it's abundance of historic buildings. The focus of my video is the massive 14-story Concentration Mill where copper ore was processed. You will also see other historic buildings such as the Power Plant, Ammonia Leaching Plant, General Managers Office, Refrigeration Plant, and East Bunkhouse across from the Hospital (just to name a few). National Creek runs between the ruins of the Hospital and Bunkhouse. The Wrangell Mountains stand 14,000 feet above the mining camp which is within the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Looking west from the Mill toward the Power House you can see large mounds of soil and rock which cover the ice. These mounds are deposits left by the Kennicott glacier.
This is nowhere near Anchorage. It's in McCarthy , AK - an amazing and very remote spot. McCarthy is at the end of a 60 mile or so road from the nearest main paved highway. It's a jumping off point to Wrangell- St. Elias NP. There are bush pilots that can fly you over it - it's vast compared to all other NP's - or drop you off.
Definitely worth a trip - but hundreds of miles from Anchorage.
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Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
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