Kennecott
Kennecott produced 1.183 BILLION pounds of copper—over $200 million (>$2.5 billion today). The 14-st
State: Alaska
County: Valdez-Cordova Census Area
Founded: 1900
Abandoned: 1938
Peak Population: 1.183 billion pounds copper, $200+ million
Kennecott produced 1.183 BILLION pounds of copper—over $200 million (>$2.5 billion today). The 14-story concentration mill still stands in the Alaskan wilderness. Guggenheim and J.P. Morgan built a 196-mile railroad to haul it out. Last train left November 1938; now a stunning National Historic Landmark.
Timeline
- 1900 - Discovery Prospectors found 70% pure copper ore—one of richest deposits ever.
- 1906 - Alaska Syndicate Guggenheim and J.P. Morgan formed Kennecott Copper Corporation.
- 1911 - First Shipment 196-mile Copper River & Northwestern Railway completed. First copper shipped.
- 1915-1922 - Peak Among nation's largest copper producers.
- 1925 - Warning Geologist predicted ore depletion.
- November 10, 1938 - Abandoned Last train left. Town abandoned.
- 1986 - National Historic Landmark Designated NHL.
- 1998 - NPS Acquisition National Park Service acquired mill town buildings.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: June-September (summer only)
Difficulty: Moderate - remote access
Time Needed: Full day or overnight
Tips
- 14-story concentration mill is centerpiece
- Inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- McCarthy is nearest services
- Tours available—some buildings open
Quick Facts
- Copper ore was 70% pure—mistaken for green grass from distance
- Produced over 1 billion pounds of copper
- 14-story concentration mill still stands in wilderness
- Last train left November 10, 1938—town left fully stocked
Location
Address: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Coordinates: 61.4369, -142.8869