They Found Gold ‘As Big as Beans’ — The Discovery That Built Juneau, Alaska
Discover the real story behind the Juneau Gold Rush — a tale of grit, gold, and growth in the wilds of Southeast Alaska. In 1880, prospectors Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau set out from Sitka, Alaska by canoe, paddling the rugged Inside Passage in search of gold. After spotting promising signs in a remote mountain creek, they returned with over 100 pounds of quartz and fine gold, setting the stage for one of Alaska’s most important gold discoveries.
They soon returned to stake their claims near the creek that would become the heart of Harrisburg—later renamed Juneau. This early strike marked the beginning of the Juneau Gold Rush, eventually leading to the rise of the Treadwell Mine on Douglas Island and the AJ Mine (Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company), two of the largest gold mines in the world at the time.
Learn how Juneau served as a vital regional hub during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896–1899—even though no roads ever led to the city, then or now. By 1890, the population was just 1,200, growing slowly to about 6,000 by 1940. You’ll also hear about the Alaska-Gastineau Mine, the infamous fire of 1898 that devastated downtown Juneau, and how the town evolved through mining booms, disasters, and wartime shutdowns.
Though large-scale mining has largely moved away from the city itself, operations like Hecla’s Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island still carry the legacy forward. Today, Juneau thrives on tourism and government work, welcoming thousands of cruise ship visitors each summer heading to Skagway and beyond.
Whether you're a history buff, gold rush enthusiast, or just curious about Alaska’s rich mining past, this video dives deep into the untold story of Juneau’s golden beginnings.
They Found Gold ‘As Big as Beans’ — The Discovery That Built Juneau,