Along the Valdez Trail
A trip into Alaska’s Copper River Valley in 1902
At the end of the 19th century, an estimated 100,000 people joined the Klondike Gold Rush, seeking their fortunes in the interior of Alaska and Canada’s Yukon territory. Many gold seekers who chose the arduous path inland from Alaska’s port of Valdez also discovered rich copper deposits along the way. The U.S. Army soon started work on the Valdez Trail, which would become the main route between the mining fields and Valdez. Several competing businesses rushed to build a railroad along the route. In 1902, one of those groups sent a team of photographers, the Miles Brothers, to document the town, the growing trail, the landscape, its newly arrived residents, and Alaska Natives. Prints of these photographs were collected into an album I was able to digitize recently at the U.S. National Archives, giving us a remarkable glimpse into daily life along a rough trail into the Alaskan interior, nearly 125 years ago.
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Several members of the group gather around a campfire while in Alaska’s copper country. Original caption: “Camp fire yarns.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
In June of 1902, the Miles Brothers boarded the steam schooner Santa Ana, sailing north to Valdez, with others.
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Yakutat natives selling curios aboard the steamer.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
The view of Valdez from the Santa Ana. At the time, the town was only a few years old. Unfortunately, this original town was built on low, unstable land at the end of a long and narrow fjord, and was devastated by the massive 1964 earthquake. The townsite was moved several miles west, to more solid ground, before rebuilding. Original caption: “Port of Valdez and pier, October, 1902.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Melvin Dempsey (not pictured) was born in North Carolina as a slave. After working varied jobs across the Midwest and West as an adult, he joined thousands of others in the Gold Rush, landing in Valdez in 1898. After some success at mining, he became involved in the community of Valdez, opening several endeavors, including a reading room, an inn, and this church. Original caption: “A Valdez Sunday School. Church built by Melvin Dempsey from his first clean-up on Slate Creek.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Some of Valdez' summer beauties”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Benjamin Franklin Millard (standing with arm against the door frame) was born and raised in Wisconsin, where he grew from poverty to become a successful businessman and politician. He moved to Alaska during the Gold Rush in 1898, setting up several mining concerns in and around Valdez. Original caption: “Resident Mgr. B.F. Millard and Mr. F.C. Helm and families in front of Mr. Millard's summer home in Valdez.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
About 15 miles from the Port of Valdez, the steep-walled and narrow Keystone Canyon was one of the only routes available for travelers headed inland. Original caption: “Looking south toward upper entrance of Keystone Canyon.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Many roadhouses like this one, operated by Mrs. E. E. (Nelly) Doty, popped up along the growing Valdez Trail as more and more prospectors and others began traveling along it. Original caption: “Nell Doty’s Roadhouse, 21 miles from Valdez.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
A person wearing a backpack crosses a log bridge over a creek, leading a group of at least eight dogs carrying packs. Original caption: “Dog pack train crossing the Stuart.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
People gather outside a combination roadhouse, store, and hotel in Tonsina, about 65 miles from Valdez. Original caption: “At Tonsina City, October 1902.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Telegraph station No. 4, 53 1/2 miles from Valdez.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Members of the Loomis family tend to a garden in Tonsina. Original caption: “Vegetable garden at Tonsina City.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Master Eddie Loomis and his pets at Tonsina city”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Three men ride horses, leading at least seven pack horses across a wooden bridge over a river. Original caption: “V.C.R. & Y.R.R. Party crossing Tiekel River.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
A family of Ahtna natives encountered along the trail. Original caption: “Native wiki-up on the Tonsina.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Roadhouse at the junction of the Tonsina and Copper Rivers”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Ethlota and family”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Tsacotna and Matsanila”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Members of a family sit with their dogs beside the Copper River.
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “At Fish Rock on Copper River”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
A group of pack horses swim and clamber across the Kotsina River. Original caption: “Horses fording the Kotsina.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Nugget Creek, 175 miles from Valdez”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Two men (possibly two of the Miles Brothers) pose while sitting on an enormous nugget of copper in a dry creek bed. Original caption: “Three ton nugget of native copper found in bed of Nugget Creek.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
A person poses while standing beneath a tall waterfall. Original caption: “Water power on the Nikolai.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “Oat field near the mouth of the Tonsina”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Several drivers stand on carts behind teams of draft horses, outside of the headquarters of a local shipping office. Original caption: “Valdez, 1902.”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Original caption: “The O.A.M. social order of Copper River Prospectors at Valdez”
Miles Brothers / U.S. National Archives
Schoolchildren, along with several sled-pulling dogs, pose in front of their schoolhouse. Original caption: “Public school Valdez, October, 1902.”
