KENNICOTT WORLD HERITAGE SITE

We took a rough unpaved road through part of Wrangell-St Elias National Park to the Kennicott Copper Mine World Heritage Site.        The mine-site, the Kennicott Company town, and the small old village  of McCarthy lie within the National Park.  Gold was first discovered near here during the Klondike Gold Rush, but it soon became evident that the rich copper deposits were far more valuable.  (The highlighted link here is a good overview of the history.)

 

 

This narrow passage marks the end of the paved road.  From here it is 62 miles to McCarthy.  The road overlies the old railroad built to transport ore from the Copper Mine to a steamship port on the Alaska coast.

The story is that the builder -- in a hurry to get the railroad through to the new mine -- put a case of beer on the far side of these rocky cliffs.  He told the crew they could have it when they blasted through the rocks-- so they cut the minimal amount to clear the train.

 

  

This single lane steel span-wood decked bridge, with low guard rails, replaced the wooden trestle across the Gilahina river.  The train ran from Cordova up the Copper River to Kennicott.

 

 

This is the  copper ore mill building.  At 14 stories it is the tallest all-wood building in this country.

We climbed pretty much the whole thing -- on some very narrow, rickety stairs.  It was kind of amazing to me that people are actually allowed to tour this old mill. (We did have to sign waivers and wear hard hats in parts of this building.)

 

Our guided tour of the entire old company town was excellent. It included the old company store,  several various shops, housing (barracks for the workers, fairly nice old homes for the bosses).   A pretty building that had served as a hotel/temporary housing has been renovated and restored and is again an inn with a nice restaurant. We ate lunch there. 

 

I plan to link this post to next week's  OUR WORLD TUESDAY.  Thank you to the lovely ladies who host this great meme.

 

Comments

[diane]

That looks like a steep and dangerous climb. Thanks for taking me along on this amazing trip of yours.

[Jean Pell]

Interesting info about this area. Love your wanderlust natures!

[Michelle RW]

whoops...I would not be as brave as you...

[Michelle RW]

http://travelingrainvilles.typepad.com/traveling_home/2014/08/kennecott-world-heritage-site.html

[Joe Todd]

I really love places like this

[orchid]

Wow!!! Another amazing places in Alaska, Sallie.
I've learned the word "rickety" here and I am happy you could tour this fascinating places and safely♡♡♡

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs to my dear Japanese friend in America, xoxo Miyako

[Barb]

What an adventure, Sallie! I love that end-of-the-road shot! The old mining structures do look ramshackle! Glad your heads were protected.

[Carver]

I love the story of the road. Great shots.

[Dianne]

Awesome photos, amazing place to live.

[Marie]

What a fascinating place to get to tour! It does look dangerous! Wow! Really neat though. Beautiful photos! Yes, we DID see the goats on Mt. Evans! :-) As you can see when you visit back, I was saving that for the next post. It was AWESOME! But, I asked my hubby if he remembered a sign about altitude sickness, and neither of us had seen it. Considering he was having difficulty, I think that's interesting that there's a warning! I can't believe we missed that!

[EG CameraGirl]

Whoa! The passage really IS narrow! I love the third photo especially!

[Rainfield M Penang]

The old mill beautiful.

Old is beautiful.

[Yogi]

What a trip. Over 60 miles of dirt road. I love the bridge, single lane and all and I would love to see the mine facilities.

I had a job offer right out of college at a copper mine in New Mexico. I would have hated to work there but loved the tour of the smelter, roller mill, and other things that had going on there.

[NatureFootstep Memes]

ooops! That was steep. Fine village. But I´m not sure I would dare the bridge. Does not feel safe. :)

[Gattina]

Wow, what an amazing place !

[Mickie Brown]

Sallie, It looks like you are seeing some wonderful sights and learning a lot along the way. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. That is quite the bridge!!!! Take care, be safe, and keep on enjoying yourself. Mickie ;)

[Ida P. Krause]

Wow that is an amazing place. I can't imagine climbing those stairs especially if you had to sign a waiver first. I'm pretty much a "chicken liver" when it comes to stuff like that.

[Felicia]

Looks like a great place to visit. wish it was closer to me I would love to tour it. Your images are beautiful Sallie.

[Penny]

Kudos to you, Sallie, for making that climb. Phew! It is incredibly picturesque and impressive. I can't imagine working here.

[artmusedog and carol]

Wow! What wondrous country you are seeing and taking fantastic photos ~ enjoy!

artmusedog and carol ( A Creative Harbor)

[Gaelyn]

I like the looks of this drive and sounds like an interesting tour.

[TexWisGirl]

wow, i'm amazed you could tour, too! steep cliffs, rickety buildings. neat!

[Sondra-SC]

It does look sketchy! I bet it was an awesome tour!! You guys are showing me a part of Alaska I would love to see, so thanks!!

[Eileen]

Wow, what a cool tour.. The mill is awesome and I love the old train bridge.. Great shots, thanks for sharing! Have a happy day!

[Mary Howell Cromer]

The photos almost made me feel a little height afraid, they are so wonderful. What a wonderful old mill~

[Amy]

oh that is seriously cool! don' tknow if You'd get me on that bridge though.

[Hazel]

Looks unreal!Photos of truly another era. You certainly have a head for heights,and nerves of steal if you drove here......
Thanks for sharing!!!

[Aimee]

What a wonderful place! I would want to explore it too, but I would also breathe a BIG sigh of relief when I was out of there safely! Loved your first photo--definitely my kind of road (well except for that bridge)LOL
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: This has been an AWESOME tour of Alaska--thanks and more please:)

[DeniseinVA]

Fascinating buildings aren't they? Great shots of them and the bridge too. Must have been very dangerous work to build those. You would certainly have to have a good head for heights.

[Lady Fi]

Gosh - what an amazing old mill. It's so lovely, although it doesn't look that safe...