"Lucky Shot" Mine
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of large buildings in a summer alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with mountains in background. An ARRC bus is in foreground with people standing in front and others visible inside.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Aerial Tram
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a building in a summer setting, identified as part of the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with a large collection of steel barrels and lumber in the foreground, wires and an aerial tram car overhead, and mountains in background.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Alpine View
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of buildings in an alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with power poles, electric lines, and a roadway in the foreground. Alpine vegetation is visible in foreground and rounded mountains in background.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Buildings
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a rugged mountainside with large tailing piles spilling down and buildings, covered stairways and tramways adjacent. Identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, (Upper Lucky Shot above and Lower Lucky Shot below). A wooden tower and power poles are visible, and alpine vegetation is in foreground.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Buildings 2
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of buildings in a summer alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with mountains in background.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine Buildings 3
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows a collection of buildings in an alpine setting, identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, with mountains in background. A bus (probably an ARRC bus) and an automobile are visible near the buildings.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
"Lucky Shot" Mine from a Distance
Louis Odsather
Mine
Image shows an alpine valley a with a rugged mountainside and large tailing piles spilling down its side. Buildings are visible above the tailings and in the valley below. Identified as the "Lucky Shot" Gold Mine, (Upper Lucky Shot above and Lower Lucky Shot below). Alpine vegetation is in foreground.
Hatcher Pass Area, Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 065
Alaska Road Commission
Two men prepare to load rocks onto a dump truck in a rock quarry.
This image shows a Ford dump truck parked in a rock quarry while two men standing at the rear of the truck prepare to load rocks into it. Rocks of all sizes are scattered around in the photo with larger ones in place on the hill behind the truck. The apparent nature of the rock source suggest it may be the bottom of a landslide on the mountain near the bridge. The large rocks will be hauled to the Knik River bridge and placed to provide protection for the concrete bridge piers.
Knik River area near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 066
Alaska Road Commission
A boulder is being suspended by cables and chains for loading onto a truck.
This image shows a large boulder being lifted for loading onto the bed of a truck. A chain is visible around the rock and attached to an overhead pully on a suspended cable. The rear of the truck is apparent at left with the light-colored boulder suspended behind it. A long-handled hand shovel is visible at right with gravel and angular rock close in front and back of the truck. Broken tree limbs and debris on the rock pile in middle ground suggest this rock source is a landslide on Pioneer Peak near the Knik River bridge.
Knik River bridge near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 067
Alaska Road Commission
A large boulder is being loaded onto a truck for transport to the Knik bridge site.
This image is of a dump truck parked at the location of many large boulders and rocky debris. A large boulder, suspended from a cable, is being loaded onto the bed of the truck. Smaller fractured rock and woody debris is visible in foreground and heavy forest is on the steep slope closely behind the truck.
Knik Bridge near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 068
Alaska Road Commission
The driver of a dump truck appears ready to haul a load of large rocks.
This image is a near driver's side view of a Ford dump truck with boulders and large rocks in the bed. The door to the cab is removed and the driver is visible inside and appears ready to haul his load to the new Knik River bridge.
Knik River Bridge near Palmer, Alaska
Bridge-Knik 072
Alaska Road Commission
Gravel is being loaded on dump trucks to be hauled to the bridge site or connecting roads.
Image shows a mechanical shovel and two dump trucks in foreground at a location on the river bar from which they are hauling gravel, likely for fill to finish the approaches to the bridge. Heavy forest is just beyond in middle ground and up the mountain slope in background.
Knik River near Palmer, Alaska
Bunkhouse 1
Diane Sallee
Springtime view of one of the newer bunkhouses at the Independence Mine north of Palmer.
Image is a springtime view of one of the bunkhouses at the Independence Mine in the Hatcher Pass area of the Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska.
Hatcher Pass area north of Palmer, Alaska
Bunkhouse 2
Diana Sallee
View of a large bunkhouse at the Independence Mine complex
Image is of a large bunkhouse building in the Independence Mine complex in the Hatcher Pass area of the Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Bunkhouse 3
Diane Sallee
Springtime view of one of the "Old" bunkhouses at the Independence gold mine
Springtime view of one of the "Old" bunkhouses at the Independence Mine
Hatcher Pass area, Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Bunkhouse 4
Diane Sallee
View of an "Old Bunkhouse" at Independence Mine
View of "Old Bunkhouse" at the Independence Mine complex in the Hatcher Pass area of the Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Bunkhouse 5
Diane Sallee
Bunkhouse/warehouse building at Independence Mine site
Early spring view of a bunkhouse/warehouse building at Independence Mine site
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Bus 1
Louis Odsather
Bus, Automobile
Image shows an ARRC Bus parked with open door at the Independence Gold Mine, partial buildings are visible behind the bus. Mountains are in background.
Independence Mine in Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Chickaloon Coal Mines
Keystone View Company
View of Chickaloon coal mining community
Image shows a man standing in foreground near the mouth of a mine tunnel structure. Rail tracks used by mine cars accessing the tunnel are evident. Lumber and logs are stacked nearby. In middle ground a train with several passenger cars is apparent on the flat land below, as well as numerous large and small buildings. Power poles are evident near the train and at the mine mouth. The community is located on the Chickaloon River floodplain with steep bluffs rising on both sides topped with heavy forest. Mountains are faintly visible in background.
Chickaloon, Alaska
Hatcher Pass Outing
Neil Miller
Margaret Miller & son Tim on Hatcher Pass outing
Image shows Margaret Miller and her five year old son, Tim, perched on the front of a General Motors pickup truck in foreground. Location is on the road over Hatcher Pass. In background buildings of Independence Mine and Gold Chord Mine are visible. Mountains form the far background.
Hatcher Pass in Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 10
Diane Sallee
Summer view of Independence Mine manager's house, now used as a Visitor Center
Independence Mine manager's house now used as a Visitor Center
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 11
Diane Sallee
Log house in snow and mountain setting, identified as associated with either the Gold Cord or High Grade mines.
Early spring view of a log house with attached shed roof room, snow on ground and mountain behind. Identified on slide as a Gold Cord mine cabin, a sign on the structure identifies it as associated with the High Grade mine.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 12
Diane Sallee
Log house with attachments in a snow-covered mountain environment and identified as associated with the "High Grade" mine
Log house with attachments in a snow and mountain environment. Identified as associated with the "High Grade" mine, but other photos in the collection identify it as associated with the "Gold Cord" mine.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 13
Diane Sallee
Summer view of a log house in an alpine setting, identified as associated with the Gold Cord mine.
Summer view of a log house in an alpine setting. Identified as a cabin associated with the Gold Cord mine
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 14
Diane Sallee
Log house associated with the "High Grade" gold mine
A log house in a summer alpine setting identified as associated with the "High Grade" gold mine in the Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 15
Diane Sallee
Fall view of a log cabin in an alpine setting in the Craigie Creek Valley of the Talkeetna Mountains
Log cabin located in the Craigie Creek valley of the Talkeetna Mountains likely associated with past gold mining activity in the area.
Craigie Creek valley of the Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 16
Diane Sallee
A log cabin located in a snow-covered alpine setting
A log cabin, identified as the "Lane Hut", located in a snow-covered alpine setting in the Archangel Valley of the Talkeetna Mountains.
Archangel Valley of the Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 17
Diane Sallee
Summer view of a log cabin in rocky terrain, identified as the "Lane Hut"
Summer view of the log "Lane Hut" in rocky alpine terrain
Archangel Valley, Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
House 9
Diane Sallee
Independence Mine manager's house, now used as the Visitor Center
Summer view of the Independence Mine manager's house, now used as the Visitor Center
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 1, Independence
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Mine
Image is a major portion of the large print showing tailing dumps, buildings, covered stairways and corridors, and other structures on the Independence Gold Mine facility as it appeared in 1945.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 10, Independence
Diane Sallee
Tailings and ruins of buildings associated with Independence gold mine as viewed in 1995
Tailings and ruins of buildings associated with Independence gold mine as viewed in 1995
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 11, Independence
Diane Sallee
Ruins of buildings associated with Independence gold mine
Ruins of buildings associated with Independence gold mine with patches of snow on the ground.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 12, Premier
Unknown
Premier coal mine and buildings on Moose Creek
Image is a winter view down into the creek bottom showing cabins and other buildings associated with the Premier coal mine on Moose Creek about ten miles north of Palmer. Foot trails are visible descending the far stream bank from flat land above.
Matanuska Valley, Alaska
Mine 13, Premier
Alaska Road Commission
Mining activity appears to be at a standstill at the Priemer coal mine.
Image is a summer view of several mine buildings arrayed at the base of a steep gravel hillside at near middle ground. A narrow-gauge rail track runs from left foreground to a high-roofed structure at the left end of visible buildings, apparently the entrance to the mine. This track is supported by a collection of rough ties and is paralleled on the right by a wide, low deposit of light-colored broken rock. A rail track is visible running parallel to the buildings at middle ground with a rail car at extreme left on it and a speeder car on the rail at center. Two plumes of white steam or smoke arise from small buildings at center and a larger building with a large, tall smokestack occupies the rest of the building array visible at right. Two men in white shirts are visible standing at center near the large building, a third leans on a pole nearby, and three or four sit at extreme right.
Moose Creek Valley, Alaska
Mine 14, Gold Mint
Alaska Road Commission
A narrow, broken rock roadway leads to the mill at the Gold Mint gold mine.
Image shows a rough single lane road leading up to a building, identified as the Gold Mint Mill, at near middle ground on the steep slope at far right. The building is wood-sided with numerous windows on the side and an aerial cable attached at the right side, apparently running up the mountain out of sight to the right. The rest of the view looks down an alpine valley with mountains in background.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Mine 15, Gold Cord
Howard Doster
Buildings of the Gold Cord mine blend into their snow-covered alpine setting.
This image is a winter view of an alpine setting with snow on the ground and much dark rock showing through. Foreground is a rising snow field with numerous angular rocks protruding. The far middle ground mountain ridgeline begins at extreme left in mid frame and rises across the image to a peak at right. Just below the ridge at extreme left is a large silver mine building and a silver fuel tank. At approximately the center of the image is another white multi-story building at the base of the mountain shoulder.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Mine 16 Independence
Vern Brickley
The large Independence Gold Mine in the Talkeetna Mountains above the Matanuska Valley is near the end of its operational life after producing over 165,000 oz of gold.
This westerly summer view shows most of the lower buildings and development associated with the Independence Gold Mine on the valley floor with rugged mountains in near background. Various milling facilities and tailing deposits are apparent on the slope above the collection of administrative buildings and bunkhouses. A building is visible perched on the mountainside at left center at the mouth of an "adit", or horizontal tunnel to extract the gold ore. Access to the site was by tram not apparent in the photo. Waste rock from the mining is visible as a cone-shaped pile dumped at the base of the mountain. A similar operation is apparent on the mountain at right center with a larger extent of waste rock below the adit. This site was accessed by means of stairs and enclosed walkways visible leading up to a white building near the adit. Snow is gone from the valley but lingers at the higher elevations just above the mine workings. Low alpine vegetation is apparent on the valley floor in foreground but no trees exist as the whole scene is above timberline.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 17
Hitchen
A far view of Independence and Gold Cord gold mines is had from the Hatcher Pass Road to the southwest.
This summer color photo shows the alpine Talkeetna Mountain valley location of the Independence Mine and the Gold Cord mine. Taken from the road extension climbing to cross Hatcher Pass (behind and left of the photo), it shows the light colored mine facilities in the background near the valley floor. Independence mine buildings are the lighter structures at the lower level. Gold Cord facilities are slightly higher on the bench above. The Independence Mine excavation of gold ore comes from the mountain at left out of view in this photo. At right in immediate foreground a portion of the gravel Hatcher Pass Road (only open during summer) is apparent. Rugged mountains form the background side of the valley with blue sky and fluffy white clouds above.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 2, Independence
Howard Doster, Army Photographer
Mine
Image is a major portion of the larger print showing tailing dumps, buildings, covered stairways and corridors, and other structures of the Independence Gold Mine facility in its rugged mountainous environment as it appeared in 1945.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 3, Independence
Cliff Marcus, USDA Soil Conservation Service
Mine
Image is a southerly view of a mountain valley containing numerous buildings associated with the Independence Gold Mine. Several vehicles are visible. A small stream is evident as are roads leading up to the mine and to Hatcher Pass on the right. The photo was taken from the area developed for skiing at the time.
North of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 4, Lucky Shot
Unknown
Winter view of the “Lucky Shot” gold mine complex
Image is a winter view of the “Lucky Shot” gold mine in the Craigie Creek drainage of the Talkeetna Mountains north of Willow, Alaska. Shown are the buildings of the mine complex at the base of the mountains and tailings from the lower Lucky Shot adit on the mountainside above.
Talkeetna Mountains North of Willow, Alaska
Mine 5, Independence
Malita & Sparks
Overview of Independence gold mine buildings in 1948
Photo is a color view of the buildings of Independence gold mine taken from the north above as it appeared in 1948. The view includes bunkhouses and administration buildings, fuel tanks, ore processing buildings and mine timber piles.
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 6, Independence
Diane Sallee
Some buildings and ruins of Independence Mine
Buildings and ruins of Independence Mine
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 7, Independence
Diane Sallee
Visitor Center and other buildings, and ruins, at Independence Mine site
Visitor Center and other buildings, and ruins, at Independence Mine
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 8, Independence
Diane Sallee
Summer view of the historic Independence Mine headquarters site
Low oblique view of the Independence Mine headquarters site serving as the management headquarters of the Independence Mine State Historical Park
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Mine 9, Independence
Diane Sallee
Tailings and building ruins of Independence gold mine in 1995
Tailings and building ruins of Independence gold mine
Talkeetna Mountains north of Palmer, Alaska
Misc.-Coal Washery-002
Alaska Road Commission
The concrete foundation remains are all that are left of the large building in Sutton used to clean coal from the Chickaloon mines until its closure in 1922.
Railroad tracks of the Matanuska branch of the Alaska Railroad cross the foreground of this summer image. In middle ground stand the concrete ruins of the Sutton Coal Washery including low walls paralleling the tracks with a slightly elevated platform with concrete steps at far left. The upper story and roof of a building are partially visible above the wall at right middle ground and tall power poles are apparent in front of thick cottonwood forest forming the backdrop in near background.
Sutton, Alaska
Road-35D-016
Alaska Road Commission
A cat road/foot trail leads up the treeless Cragie Creek valley with scattered tents along the way.
This image is a view looking down Cragie Creek valley from the cat trail in the upper reaches. The snow is gone except for a small patch on the background mountain. The creek is visible at left middle ground and the cat trail is visible from the foreground and winding down hill in middle ground. The trail or creek can be seen winding down the valley floor in far middle ground. A group of four tents is visible next to the trail in near middle ground and enlargement of the image shows other tents scattered along the trail farther down the valley.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Road-35DA-001
Alaska Road Commission
The initially established cat tractor trail past the Independence Mine buildings appears to be now maintained as a foot travel or horse trail.
This image shows a section of the cat trail above two buildings of the Independence Mine complex. The trail shows foot traffic use, and the caption suggests hand maintenance. Portions of two mine buildings are visible in middle ground. Numerous snow patches are evident.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Road-35DA-003
Alaska Road Commission
Development of the Independence Mine base complex is partially shown as well as part of the access road descending from Hatcher Pass.
Image is an alpine mountain setting with three white buildings, one apparently still under construction, evident in center middle ground. Several smaller buildings and tents are downhill to the left. A portion of another structure is visible at right and a small structure next to a road stands at left. Five metal cylindrical structures stand isolated at right as well. Together, the buildings form much of the Independence Mine base complex to date. In far middle ground a portion of the access road is evident as it descends from the pass which is now referred to as Hatcher Pass.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Road-35DB-002
Alaska Road Commission
Buildings associated with a gold mine are located in an alpine setting in the Talkeetna Mountains.
Image is a summer alpine view of a complex of buildings in middle ground associated with an unidentified gold mine (possibly Lucky Shot mine). Foreground is covered with low alpine vegetation with scattered large boulders evident. Three small ponds are at left slightly below the buildings. A steep mountainside rises beyond the buildings occupying the upper two thirds of the far middle ground with a horizontal road at its base. No trees are apparent.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Road-35DB-010
Alaska Road Commission
Location of the warehouse down near the railroad would have become the staging area for making up wagon and sled loads of supplies as needed to be hauled up to the mine.
This winter image shows a medium sized frame building at right foreground identified as a warehouse associated with the Lucky-Shot gold mine. At immediate left of the building is a cat tractor with an enclosed cab and wide tracts. At immediate left of this tractor stands a man and to the immediate left of him is a brown, white-faced horse. In middle ground behind the horse stands a second cat tractor. A stack of lumber and a couple of oil barrels are at the far left of the image. In background is a sharp bluff with spruce forest on top. Snow covers the ground.
Willow Creek, Alaska
Road-35DB-011
Alaska Road Commission
Some of the buildings and material stores are viewed at the Lucky Shot gold mine base facilities.
This winter view shows some of the buildings in middle ground associated with the Lucky Shot gold mine. Careful examination of the upper part of the image reveals the skyline cables that run from the cable house at far left up to the "workings" high on the mountainside. Also notable are the piles of logs in the foreground, likely to be installed as support timbers inside the mine tunnels. While the ground and background mountains are covered with snow, the buildings are remarkably clear.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
Road-35DB-012
Alaska Road Commission
Some of the buildings are viewed at the Lucky Shot gold mine base facilities.
This late winter view shows some of the buildings of the Lucky Shot gold mine base complex in middle ground. Close examination reveals the highline cables running from the cable house up to the "workings" high on the mountainside out of sight at left. Material attached to these live cables, pulled back and forth by machinery in the cable house, supplied the mining activity. Sled tracks in the snow at left foreground, and stakes alongside, indicate an access route to the site. A rocky mountain slope forms the background. Snow covers all except the buildings.
Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
