![]() Unfortunately for many young Americans, these types of railroads have been completely removed in many places. In the early days of gold mining in the United States and in Alaska by extension, the railroad used were the narrow gauge types which are quite different from the railroads you know today. 8 you will board a replica of the famous Tanana Valley Railroad. If you would love to visit the dredge then here is what you will do at the mine: ![]() While exploring the area, visitors also get to enjoy the beautiful views and to try their luck at panning for gold. The Gold Dredge Number 8 is in excellent condition and is a pleasure to see. ![]() Viewing the dredge is a special treat, especially considering that most of the gold dredges in Alaska were torn down, destroyed, or simply decayed over time. Today this historic gold mine is a popular recreational site with many people coming from all over the world to learn about the history of gold mining in Alaska. Two years later in 1986, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers named mine as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.Īlso Read: The SS Islander – Ship Carrying Millions in Gold Lost at SeaĪnd: Alaskan Gold – Historic Mining in the Heart of Juneau In 1984 the Gold Dredge No.8 was officially recognized as a historic place and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It reopened in 1946 and continued with production until 1959.īy the time it was being closed down in 1959 the dredge had produced well over 7.5 million ounces of gold.Īfter 1959 the mine remained closed down for several years before a few gold prospectors began recreational mining on its mine tailings. It was operated between 19 closing down briefly due to the Second World War. Gold Dredge Number 8 was one of the most productive in Alaska. They could be used to mine even marginally rich gravels and still operate profitably. The huge volume of gravel that they were able to process meant that the recovered a lot gold. They were giant floating barges, designed to scoop up river gravels and process the material to remove gold. Long after most of the miners had left the area, others considered working the areas using a different method.ĭredges were used throughout the world, mostly during the first half of the 20th century. It took just a few years for the easy gold, recoverable by traditional placer methods, to decline. Within the next fewer years there were miners all over creeks, streams, and rivers within Fairbanks region panning for gold. Many of the miners were already in Alaska working areas that the richest ground was starting to get mined out. The news of this discovery caused a local gold rush that brought in thousands of gold miners. Gold was discovered in the Fairbanks region in the early 1900s. The dredge sits along the old Steese Highway, midway between Fox and Fairbanks. The site has a lot of historical significance when considering the gold mining history in Alaska as a whole, as it was the site of one of Alaska’s richest gold rushes.Įach year the dredge attracts thousands of visitors who come to not only learn about the history of gold mining in Alaska but to try their hands at panning for gold. Gold Dredge Number 8 is a popular tourist destination in the Fairbanks area of Alaska.
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