National Register of Historic Places

Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District

Nabesna, Fairbanks North Star County, Alaska
Listed
May 24, 1979
Type
District
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
79003755

About this property

Nabesna (Nabaesna’ in Ahtna; Naambia Niign Daacheeg in Upper Tanana) is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in northern Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States, in the northern part of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It lies along the Nabesna Road, a gravel road that connects it to the Tok Cut-Off at Slana. Its elevation is 2,979 feet (908 m). Founded by and named for the Nabesna Mining Company, the community received a post office in 1909. Located at the base of White Mountain in the Wrangell Mountains, it lies west of the Nabesna River. As of the 2020 census, Nabesna had a population of 2. Gold was discovered at White Mountain in 1891, and the site was first developed in the early 20th century. Through the efforts of Carl Whitham, the Nabesna Mining Company was formed in 1929, resulting in an expansion of the camp and the construction of Nabesna Road. The mine was closed during World War II, and only briefly reopened afterward, closing permanently after Whitham died in 1947. The location was used as a secret supply cache by the United States Army during the Cold War. The mine produced 2.5 short tons (2.3 t) of gold during its active period, as well as many tons of silver, copper, and lead. The old mining camp, now a ghost town, and the mine were listed as the Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Location

Nabesna, Fairbanks North Star County, Alaska
62.37570, -143.00121

Categories

INDUSTRY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Kansky's
Industrial
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District listed on the National Register?

Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 1979.

What type of historic resource is Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District?

Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District?

The period of significance for Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1909.

Can I research the history near Nabesna Gold Mine Historic District?

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