Independence Mine is an Alaska State Historical Park. There is more information about the gold-mine's history in an earlier post from while we were on the road (HERE). This is more about the structures on the old mine site.
This pretty chain-link fence bordered the walkway to the Visitor Center, which is in what was the Mine Supervisor's home when this was an active gold mine.
As we walked toward the Center, some of the other mine buildings were visible. ... housing and offices for the various occupations and professions that it took to run this kind of operation.
\
This is a view from the Visitor Center window... It would have been the Supervisor's living room window ... he and his family could have sat in comfort and seen quite a bit of the site.
(From all accounts, he was a good supervisor well-liked by the people who worked there.)
A few more of the buildings are open to the public and there are great informational posters in the Center and along the pathways. We also walked up the hill to where the actual mining operations took place.
The fencing here really didn't seem quite adequate to protect visitors. Notice the people on the left of the picture -- no fence at all between them and the mine-shaft ruins.
Poignant and almost elegant in decay, not to mention hazardous. We were surprised (but pleased) that the State has left these ruins standing for the public to see.
LINKING TO OUR WORLD on TUESDAY (thank you to Lady Fi, Arija, Gattina, Sylvia and Sandy) to Roan's RUBBISH TUESDAY and Tex's GOOD FENCES. Thank you all.
Even though all the buildings are in demise, it gives for interesting pics!
Posted by: Jesh. StG | November 14, 2014 at 02:41 PM
Seeing the rest of the mine site, I feel better about the ruins! :-) They do need to fence it off better, but I too am glad they left them for people to see. Loved all the photos!
Posted by: Marie-AZ | November 14, 2014 at 09:18 AM
What a great part of history this place is. The ruins seem sad and yet strangly fascinating.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | November 13, 2014 at 04:18 PM
Even though the last shot probably is dangerous, it is a marvellous shot.
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | November 13, 2014 at 09:36 AM
I loved the earlier post on this great place and I love this one also. The history of this place is amazing. It is also great that so much of it is still standing. REALLY nice photos!
Posted by: Pat | November 12, 2014 at 04:20 PM
I love looking at old mines and old buildings and wondering about the people who lived and worked there. Great shots!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | November 12, 2014 at 03:23 PM
I find places like this quite interesting. There are many places we have walked that I jokingly tell Hubby, 'There would be a fence there in America!' (mostly drop-off into water). So, here you can fall to your death by misstep but the government will stop you from smoking. Strange.
Posted by: bettyl - NZ | November 12, 2014 at 01:08 PM
I love this old mine! Interesting history and beautiful scenery, too. Great post! Thanks for linking up!
Posted by: Roan | November 12, 2014 at 05:08 AM
Terrific shots, Sallie!
Posted by: Penny | November 11, 2014 at 07:20 PM
What cool shots! I love photos like this. History captured!
Posted by: McGuffy's Reader | November 11, 2014 at 06:07 PM
Wow! I love history. These photos are great.
Posted by: Gail | November 11, 2014 at 01:32 PM
That last building sure is coming from together!!!
I think it is the most fascinating of the bunch!!
Posted by: Judy | November 11, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Dust to dust...but it looks dangerous.
Posted by: Dianne | November 11, 2014 at 07:12 AM
Not an occupation I would envy.
Posted by: fun60 | November 11, 2014 at 05:41 AM
You are so right. How dangerous!
It is poignant.
My brother works in a fly-in gold mine in N. Ontario. He lives in B.C.!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | November 11, 2014 at 04:59 AM
Great shots, but I would hate to get too close to those mine shafts.
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | November 11, 2014 at 03:26 AM
I surprised that they are not fenced off. My wife would have been telling me off for getting too close!!
Please send through the pelican poem!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | November 10, 2014 at 10:59 PM
What a mixture of the run-down and the lovely! I really like that white building.
Posted by: Lady Fi | November 10, 2014 at 08:35 PM
Have to be careful there
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | November 10, 2014 at 06:23 PM
I love to visit old mining towns. The old buildings are so neat. Its great to see how they lived so long ago.
Posted by: Felicia | November 10, 2014 at 05:25 PM
A great place - I would love to explore it. And incredible scenery!
Posted by: Al | November 10, 2014 at 04:41 PM
Interesting and historical post. I like seeing the ruins too.
Posted by: Photo Cache | November 10, 2014 at 04:33 PM
Wonderful captures and such an interesting post for the day!! I do find it amazing that the ruins have been left as they are! A dangerous area it is indeed for those who don't take care in visiting a place like this! Thanks as always, Sallie, for sharing!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | November 10, 2014 at 02:44 PM
Great shots and interesting history.
Posted by: Carver | November 10, 2014 at 02:35 PM
It is really cool to see the old buildings. Otherwise, it would be just a field of grass. Love that last shot.
Posted by: Dina Johnston | November 10, 2014 at 02:30 PM
Great shots of a fascinating place and great post too!
Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
A Creative Harbor
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | November 10, 2014 at 02:02 PM
Wow- that is awesome. I wish I could tour the park before it completely falls into ruins.
Posted by: Coloring Outside the Lines | November 10, 2014 at 01:48 PM
I agree. It would be a shame to have torn them down. I bet it was fascinating to visit! It's almost hard to imagine what a bustling site it must have been.
Posted by: Cranberry Morning | November 10, 2014 at 01:08 PM
Ha, one hard blow and the walls would fall over. I love how you used "elegant" to describe the ruins. I have to agree!
Posted by: Gail Dixon | November 10, 2014 at 12:47 PM
I think it would only take a feather to fall on it to implode!
Posted by: Sharon Wagner | November 10, 2014 at 12:09 PM
I hope to one day visit Alaska. There is so much about the state I find appealing. I would really enjoy exploring around the mining towns. Such a marvelous history there! I really liked your phrase "elegant in decay." It surely is!
Posted by: Debra | November 10, 2014 at 11:32 AM
Yes, seems like there's be a big wall or something around it...or that they would fix it up! :-) Great post for Rubbish Tues and Good Fences!
Posted by: Marie-AZ | November 10, 2014 at 09:15 AM
What an interesting looking place. Mining is an industry where they dig up wealth out of the ground and leave a mess behind. The American Way!!! Tom The Backroads TRaveller
Posted by: Tom The Backroads Traveller | November 10, 2014 at 08:29 AM
Now you see it, now you don't.
Posted by: Rainfield | November 10, 2014 at 05:25 AM
Could fall at any minute...so you got to see it while still standing!! I'd love to sang some of that weathered wood..awesome!
Posted by: Sondra-SC | November 10, 2014 at 05:09 AM
This is a marvelous place and wonderful photos. Very interesting history also. Thank you Sallie and have a great week!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | November 09, 2014 at 11:45 PM
Does look a bit dilapidated.
Posted by: Gaelyn | November 09, 2014 at 10:07 PM
I come upon these mining remains her in CO and can hardly imagine the hard work and hazards of such a life. These are great photos, Sallie. They show such detail of the old structures.
Posted by: Barb | November 09, 2014 at 07:49 PM
they are pretty amazingly decrepit! and i can't imagine being that supervisor - talk about bringing your work home with you!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | November 09, 2014 at 07:40 PM
Nice shots, those ruins look like they could collapse any time.
Posted by: Yogi | November 09, 2014 at 07:02 PM