Mimi Rothchild

Juneau AK Real Estate

Juneau Area Guide

The capital of Alaska since 1906, Juneau is nestled at the base of Mount Juneau, across from the Douglas Island channel. With its population of over 30,000, the area of Juneau is almost larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

Sophisticated and vibrant, Juneau has the distinction of being the only capital in the United States not accessible via a road. Picturesque, with steep narrow roads that were built the hard way, gold is weaved throughout its history. The first gold strike was made in 1880 along the banks of the Gastineau Channel and until the last mine closed in 1944, Juneau was the world’s largest producer of low grade ore.

Today, the state government is Juneau’s main employer and tourism is the main draw with its drive-to Mendenhall Glacier and the charms of the Tracy Arm fjord as major attractions to visitors from all over the world.

To learn more, visit: http://www.juneau.lib.ak.us/

History

Originally fishing grounds for local Tlingit Indians, the Gastineau Channel area became a focus of attention in the late 1800 's when a Tlingit named Kowee of the Auk Tlingit Tribe provided gold ore samples in response to a reward offered by George Pilz, a Sitka engineer. Pilz grubstaked prospectors Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau in August 1880. They found plenty of color in Gold Creek, but did not follow the gold to its source. At Kowee 's urging, Pilz sent the pair back again. Harris and Juneau climbed Snow Slide Gulch at the head of Gold Creek and looked down into the mother lode of Quartz Gulch and Silver Bow Basin.

On October 18, they staked a 160 acre town site on the beach where, the following month, they were joined by the first boatloads of prospectors bound for the new strike on Gastineau Channel. The stampede was on. The discovery was the first that resulted in the founding of an Alaskan town.

Juneau grew from a boomtown to a center for large-scale hard-rock mining when the loose gold in the stream beds ran out. On the mainland side of the Channel, two great mills were created: the Alaska-Juneau at the south end of Juneau and the Alaska-Gastineau at Thane, farther south. On Douglas Island, the ground reverberated with 960 stamps of the world-renowned Treadwell Gold Mining Company.
Treadwell production peaked in 1915. Two years later, a cave-in flooded three of the four mines, effectively ending the Treadwell era. In Juneau, the Alaska-Gastineau folded from high costs in 1921. A-J was halted by the war in 1944.

Juneau was established as Alaska 's capital in 1906 when the government was transferred from Sitka. Today, federal, state and local government employs one out of every two Juneau workers. Tourism is the largest private employer and continues to grow. Commercial fishing and mining continue to play a role in Juneau 's economy.
Information from: http://www.juneau.org/history-old/junhist.php

Attractions & Activities

Juneau-Douglas City Museum
Its mission to foster awareness of Juneau’s cultural heritage, the Juneau-Douglas Museum offers its collection to preserve, interpret and exhibit materials that document the cultures and history of the Juneau and Douglas area.

To learn more, visit: http://www.juneau.org/parksrec/museum/

Patsy Ann Statue
The official greeter of Juneau, Patsy Ann was a bull terrier who came to Juneau as a puppy. She was stone deaf from birth, but somehow always heard the whistle of approaching ships long before they came into sight and always quickly made her way to docks. Between visits, she would make the rounds of local businesses and spent most of her nights at the Longshoreman’s Hall. With no actual address, Patsy Ann considered Juneau’s people her people and they in turn thought of them all as hers. When she passed, a ceremony was held as her coffin was lowered into Gastineau Channel.
Today, her statue stands in memoriam of Juneau’s Official Greeter, her face more famous than any human.

To learn more, visit: http://www.patsyann.com/story/index.htm

Mount Roberts Tramway

Breathtaking views of the harbor, sea and mountains await aboard the Tramway, Juneau’s top attraction. Enjoy native and historical art and artist demonstrations, bear viewing platforms, and hiking trails just to name a few.

For more information, visit: http://www.goldbelttours.com/mount-roberts-tramway

Tongass National Forest
The Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States, covers most of Southeast Alaska, surrounding the Inside Passage. Offering one of a kind chances to see eagles, bears, spawning salmon and the majestic vistas of “Wild” Alaska, visitors can take a sled-dog ride on a glacier, hike trails and fish in streams or the ocean or enjoy a relaxing evening at a remote cabin.

Fore more information, visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/

To learn more about attractions and activities in Alaska, visit: http://www.juneau.org/visitors/index.php

Parks & Recreation

Parks and the recreation that are enjoyed there are a major park of the cultural opportunities offered by Juneau. The City Parks and Recreation department’s mission is to promote these opportunities as well as to maintain and enhance the City and Borough of Juneau facilities and resources.

To learn more, visit: http://www.juneau.org/parkrec/index.php

Events Calendar

For events in Juneau, from Chamber meetings to festivals and concerts, please visit:
http://business.juneauchamber.com/events/

To learn more about Juneau, please visit: http://www.juneau.org/