![]() Some are in need of immediate stabilization to keep them standing, while other structures have deteriorated beyond the point of saving. Many of the buildings in Kennecott have been abandoned for decades. By that time, the corporation was well on the way to becoming a multinational giant. Declining profits and increasing costs of railroad repairs led to the eventual closure of the Kennecott operation by 1938. Kennecott was a self-contained company town that included a hospital, general store, school, skating rink, tennis court, recreation hall, and dairy.īy the late 1920s, the supply of high-grade ore was diminishing, and Kennecott Copper Corporation was diversifying into other North American and Chilean mines. ![]() At the peak of operation, approximately 300 people worked in the mill town and 200-300 in the mines. From 1911 to 1938, nearly $200 million worth of copper was processed. The operation had two components: the mines where ore was extracted from the mountains, and the mill town where the ore was processed. The Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark includes the land and mining claims that formed the foundation for the Kennecott Copper Corporation, later the Kennecott Minerals Company. Each link in the historical chain connects to another until we realize that this remote Alaska mining venture was intricately connected to the world around it. They tell stories of westward expansion, World War I politics and economy, the lives of men, women, and children who lived there, and the rise of a multinational corporation. The impressive structures and artifacts that remain represent an ambitious time of exploration, discovery, and technological innovation. The Kennecott mill town and mines are an extraordinary relic from America's past. Check out the Blackburn School, Recreation Hall, Refrigeration Plant, Railroad Depot, Power Plant and Residential Cottage as well. Catch a glimpse of what life was like for a secretary at Kennecott through the letters and photos of Nell Nicklas. Observe the changes to both the mill town and the glacier over the years through the display of panoramic photos hanging on the walls. The General Manager’s Office is where it all began, the oldest building in Kennecott and the place where the big bosses worked.Take a peek into the flotation plant and explore other exhibits also housed in this building. Follow the tunnels, tramways and trails of the mining operation on our scale model of Bonanza Ridge, located in the North Sacking Shed.This is also where you can view the short but informative film, “The Kennecott Mill”, bear safety videos and the park movie, “Crown of the Continent”. The General Store and Post Office has the most extensive collection of exhibits.When in Kennecott, please visit the interpretive exhibits at the various structures: If you'd like to use the Kennecott Recreation Hall, please contact the Wrangell Mountains Center. If you're interested in visiting Kennecott, here are directions on how to get there.įor trip-planning questions, contact the Kennecott Visitor Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and designated as a National Historic Landmark since 1986, Kennecott is considered the best remaining example of early 20th Century copper mining.ĭownload The Kennecott Story (pdf format, 563 KB) or the Kennecott Site Map & Walking Tour (pdf format, 2 MB). In June of 1998, the National Park Service acquired many of the significant buildings and lands of the historic mining town of Kennecott. Scheduled and charter flights are available from Anchorage and Chitina.Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark Approximate drive time is 7 hours from Anchorage, 5 hours from Valdez, and 9 hours from Fairbanks. Kennicott is located 314 miles east of Anchorage. Or spend your time flight seeing, alpine hiking, or river rafting. Learn about the unique history of the National Historic Landmark of the Kennicott Copper Mine. Try glacier hiking or ice climbing on the Root Glacier, one of the few easily accessible glaciers in North America. We are the only lodge in the historic town of Kennicott, Alaska and most of the activities in the area begin right across the street from us. Kennicott Glacier Lodge is a family owned lodge featuring gracious hospitality, breathtaking Alaska scenery, and access to lots of outdoor activities. Imagine yourself at the center of America’s largest national park, overlooking 25 miles of glacier, and surrounded by 14 of the highest mountain peaks on the continent! You could be one of the few people to explore this spectacular part of Alaska when you stay at Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Welcome to Kennicott Glacier Lodge in Wrangell-St.
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