Emily grew up just a few blocks away from the Treadwell mine complex. The mines of Douglas Island operated at full speed until a disastrous flooding and collapse all but shut down mining in 1917. Much of the equipment was moved across the channel to the mines around Juneau. However, a fair amount still remains. The cyanide and other contaminants also still remain at the site.
The gravel road/path into the complex.
Some big old hunk of steel.
Pilings sticking out of the sand. The sandy beach was created by mine tailings. It’s the only sand beach in this part of Alaska.
Looking straight up through a hole in a decaying building.
The Glory Hole. It goes way, way into the ground. Lots of gold was pulled out of this hole.
A mine shaft filled with water. Someone threw a bunch of scrap metal into it perhaps to keep people from falling too far into the watery depths.
The old hospital or administration building.
The blowout where the sea swept into the mine.
A big motor in the bushes.
The old gold storage facility.
A blown out safe. Nothing was left inside.
Lots of levers to pull!
Another set of pilings for another long-gone pier.
An area contaminated with cyanide. The signs warning people of the risks were taken down when a zip line was built for tourists directly over this contaminated site. I wonder if the cruise ship passengers realize exactly what they are suspended over. The air on the site smelled of cyanide and other nasty chemicals. While the ground might be green, it doesn’t mean it’s save.
A big pipe running through the woods.