The Indian Valley Mine is a historic quartz mine located at 27301 Seward Highway (mile marker 104) near the community of Indian in the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, between the main area of Anchorage and the city of Seward on the north shore of Turnagain Arm.[3]

Indian Valley Mine
Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
LocationAddress restricted[2]
Nearest cityIndian, Anchorage, Alaska
Area5 acres (2.0 ha)
Built1920 (1920)
NRHP reference No.89001762[1]
AHRS No.SEW-412
Added to NRHPOctober 25, 1989

Location and Discovery

edit

The mine sits on a 5-acre site along the north side of Turnagain Arm, between Anchorage and Seward.[3] It was discovered in 1910 by Peter Strong, who arrived in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1998. Strong initially staked a small gold claim in the area before discovering the quartz vein that would become the Indian Valley Mine. He operated the mine through the 1920s and 1930s, during which time he built a cabin and an assay house. These buildings are considered the oldest known structures in the Turnagain Arm region.[4]

Historical Significance

edit

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since October 25, 1989,[1] the Indian Valley Mine represents a significant historical site in Alaska's mining history. it provides a tangible link to the era of gold mining the early 20th century and the perseverance of individual prospectors in the rugged Alaskan wilderness.

Tourist Attraction

edit

Today, the Indian Valley Mine serves as a popular tourist attraction. It is open seven days a week during the summer season (mid-May to mid-September), offering visitors a glimpse into Alaska's mining heritage. Tourists can explore the historic buildings, learn about the mining techniques of the time, and experience the natural beauty of the Turnagain Arm region.[5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Federal and state laws and practices restrict general public access to information regarding the specific location of this resource. In some cases, this is to protect archeological sites from vandalism, while in other cases it is restricted at the request of the owner. See: Knoerl, John; Miller, Diane; Shrimpton, Rebecca H. (1990), Guidelines for Restricting Information about Historic and Prehistoric Resources, National Register Bulletin, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, OCLC 20706997.
  3. ^ a b "Indian Valley Mine". indianvalleymine.com. Indian Valley Mine. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "Mine history". indianvalleymine.com. Indian Valley Mine. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "Contact". indianvalleymine.com. Indian Valley Mine. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
edit