Current Projects
There are several initiatives underway by the members and volunteers of the Treadwell Historical Society. Here are a few of the larger efforts currently underway (last updated January 2013):
Treadwell Mine "New" Office Building Restoration Project
The Treadwell Historic Preservation and Restoration Society, Inc. plans to restore the "New" Office Building in the Treadwell Mine Historic Park for use as an open-air recreational shelter.
From 1882-1922, the Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Company developed Alaska's first successful large-scale development project – a world-class gold mine on Douglas Island. A century ago, this was the site of the largest gold mining operation in existence, drawing the best and brightest from the entire world.
The mine's original office and vaults were located inside the company store. The New Office Building was constructed next to the store in 1914. The building housed mine management offices for engineers, accountants, clerks and bookkeepers. On October 10, 1926 a fire destroyed nearly every wooden building in Treadwell. Because of its concrete construction, the New Office Building survived (see photos below). It was also used as a temporary hospital following the 1937 fire that destroyed what was left of Treadwell and Douglas.
The building is currently abandoned, deteriorating and subject to vandalism. The Treadwell Society recently contracted for a structural analysis of the building which details its condition and presents preliminary plans for building preservation. We are currently pursuing a grant to fund engineering, final design, and bid documents for the preservation project.
The roof of the building is rapidly deteriorating, and gaping holes are open to the weather. Once the protection of the roof is gone, the concrete walls will quickly succumb to the forces of snow, rain, and high winds. Without this preservation project, the building will crumble into the forest, as have all of the neighboring structures in the Park.
The stabilization and preservation of the New Office Building will prevent the complete loss of this historic structure. The concept for future use is as an open-air recreational structure in the Park that could be used as an outdoor shelter for picnics, parties or other gatherings.
This project will provide a place to allow more enjoyment of this historic area in imperfect weather. In addition, it will keep alive the incredible early mining history of Alaska and the Juneau area, foster residential pride, and present a restored view of that history to educate and entertain local residents and visitors alike.
Funding for this project is expected to come from a variety of sources. If you would like to contribute to this preservation project, please contact the Treadwell Society.
Link to the Office Bldg Historic Resources Report (PDF)
Link to the 2010 Treadwell Office Building Report (PDF)
Pump House Preservation
The Treadwell Mine's salt water Pump House has stood sentinel on the 80-acre Sandy Beach in Douglas for nearly 100 years. It has been the subject of paintings, prints and photographs and even serves as the Island Pub's business logo. The Pump House's well known image has been captured at sunrise and sunset, at low tide and high, with dogs and kids in the foreground, and with fishing boats, barges and cruiseships sailing by.
While the iconic structure and surrounding pilings appear firmly anchored in the tailings of Sandy Beach, the passage of time and pummeling wind, rain and snow have taken a toll on the historic structure. Most of its metal roofing has blown away and the concrete building is deteriorating. Once the roof is gone, erosion of the concrete structure will accelerate and the historic landmark will be lost. The structure identifies the location of the Treadwell Mine Complex and celebrates the role of hard rock mining in the development of our community. The Treadwell Historic Preservation and Restoration Society seeks to preserve the Pump House as a symbol of the great mines that prospered here in the early twentieth century.
During the heyday of mining on Douglas, the bustling Treadwell wharf welcomed steamships, freighters, ferries and fishing boats to what was then the largest and most productive gold mine in the world. The Pump House was constructed in 1914 at the end of the 600-foot long pier. The building's three centrifugal pumps lifted 2,700 gallons of water a minute from Gastineau Channel. Salt water pumped from Gastineau Channel was used for milling and fire protection during the winter hen fresh water from the Treadwell Ditch was frozen in snow pack.
The cave-in of 1917 resulted in the closing of three of the Treadwell's mines. The fourth ceased operation in 1922. In October 1926 a huge fire driven by a Taku wind destroyed most of Treadwell's wooden buildings, boardwalks and wharf. The Pump House is one of the remaining structures, and serves as a visual reminder of the area's rich history. The Treadwell Historic Preservation and Restoration Society plans to remove what remains of the deteriorated roofing and roof structure. They will be replaced with new wood trusses and corrugated dark red metal roofing. To secure the structure and prevent further deterioration, black wood or metal panels will be installed in the door and windows.
To fund the preservation of this historic landmark, the Treadwell Society will solicit both in-kind and monetary donations from the community. Total cost is expected to be about $30,000 – about $1 per resident.
It's hard to imagine Sandy Beach without the Pump House. The Treadwell Society welcomes participation in this restoration effort from individuals, businesses or organizations willing to assist. Please help us preserve this historic reminder of the roots of our community.
Link to the Treadwell Salt Water Pump Preservation Overivew (PDF)
Artifact Catalog
This ongoing project involves the collection, cataloging, photographing and preserving of artifacts in private collections in the hopes of one day providing a public collection. If you believe you have an artifact from the Treadwell Mine era and are interested in more information or helping the society to document and preserve this item you can contact Paulette Simpson at paulettem@gci.net at any time.
There are several initiatives underway by the members and volunteers of the Treadwell Historical Society. Here are a few of the larger efforts currently underway (last updated January 2013):
Treadwell Mine "New" Office Building Restoration Project
The Treadwell Historic Preservation and Restoration Society, Inc. plans to restore the "New" Office Building in the Treadwell Mine Historic Park for use as an open-air recreational shelter.
The mine's original office and vaults were located inside the company store. The New Office Building was constructed next to the store in 1914. The building housed mine management offices for engineers, accountants, clerks and bookkeepers. On October 10, 1926 a fire destroyed nearly every wooden building in Treadwell. Because of its concrete construction, the New Office Building survived (see photos below). It was also used as a temporary hospital following the 1937 fire that destroyed what was left of Treadwell and Douglas.
The building is currently abandoned, deteriorating and subject to vandalism. The Treadwell Society recently contracted for a structural analysis of the building which details its condition and presents preliminary plans for building preservation. We are currently pursuing a grant to fund engineering, final design, and bid documents for the preservation project.
The roof of the building is rapidly deteriorating, and gaping holes are open to the weather. Once the protection of the roof is gone, the concrete walls will quickly succumb to the forces of snow, rain, and high winds. Without this preservation project, the building will crumble into the forest, as have all of the neighboring structures in the Park.
The stabilization and preservation of the New Office Building will prevent the complete loss of this historic structure. The concept for future use is as an open-air recreational structure in the Park that could be used as an outdoor shelter for picnics, parties or other gatherings.
This project will provide a place to allow more enjoyment of this historic area in imperfect weather. In addition, it will keep alive the incredible early mining history of Alaska and the Juneau area, foster residential pride, and present a restored view of that history to educate and entertain local residents and visitors alike.
Funding for this project is expected to come from a variety of sources. If you would like to contribute to this preservation project, please contact the Treadwell Society.
Link to the Office Bldg Historic Resources Report (PDF)
Link to the 2010 Treadwell Office Building Report (PDF)
Pump House Preservation
The Treadwell Mine's salt water Pump House has stood sentinel on the 80-acre Sandy Beach in Douglas for nearly 100 years. It has been the subject of paintings, prints and photographs and even serves as the Island Pub's business logo. The Pump House's well known image has been captured at sunrise and sunset, at low tide and high, with dogs and kids in the foreground, and with fishing boats, barges and cruiseships sailing by.
During the heyday of mining on Douglas, the bustling Treadwell wharf welcomed steamships, freighters, ferries and fishing boats to what was then the largest and most productive gold mine in the world. The Pump House was constructed in 1914 at the end of the 600-foot long pier. The building's three centrifugal pumps lifted 2,700 gallons of water a minute from Gastineau Channel. Salt water pumped from Gastineau Channel was used for milling and fire protection during the winter hen fresh water from the Treadwell Ditch was frozen in snow pack.
The cave-in of 1917 resulted in the closing of three of the Treadwell's mines. The fourth ceased operation in 1922. In October 1926 a huge fire driven by a Taku wind destroyed most of Treadwell's wooden buildings, boardwalks and wharf. The Pump House is one of the remaining structures, and serves as a visual reminder of the area's rich history. The Treadwell Historic Preservation and Restoration Society plans to remove what remains of the deteriorated roofing and roof structure. They will be replaced with new wood trusses and corrugated dark red metal roofing. To secure the structure and prevent further deterioration, black wood or metal panels will be installed in the door and windows.
To fund the preservation of this historic landmark, the Treadwell Society will solicit both in-kind and monetary donations from the community. Total cost is expected to be about $30,000 – about $1 per resident.
It's hard to imagine Sandy Beach without the Pump House. The Treadwell Society welcomes participation in this restoration effort from individuals, businesses or organizations willing to assist. Please help us preserve this historic reminder of the roots of our community.
Link to the Treadwell Salt Water Pump Preservation Overivew (PDF)
Artifact Catalog
This ongoing project involves the collection, cataloging, photographing and preserving of artifacts in private collections in the hopes of one day providing a public collection. If you believe you have an artifact from the Treadwell Mine era and are interested in more information or helping the society to document and preserve this item you can contact Paulette Simpson at paulettem@gci.net at any time.