Module V: American Period - Exploration and Economy

I. How are the major components of the economy interconnected?

Alaska appears to be the best example of economical interconnectedness in the 19th and 20th centuries.  All movement to and within Alaska was dependent on transportation.  The transportation centers sprung-up in places to support the early economic pursuits of the early explorers and merchants.  One of the major reasons for the annexation of Alaska was to derive economic benefit from Alaska's resources. (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-1).

Immediately after annexation of Alaska from the Russians, American sent soldiers, sailors and government officials to the state.  These peoples needed the infrastructure to support supply shipments and early economy.  Settlements thrived around military posts.

New Alaskan began to settle near the lines of transportation and resources.  Port towns established to support the shipment of people and goods into Alaska.  There were new settlements established along waterways (ocean ports and rivers) to support the local economy.  Alaskans needed food, clothing and shelter and needed to bring many of these items to Alaska.  The transportation companies flourished during the time of expansion.  One of the first mail-order catalog companies brought needed clothing and other goods to Alaska in the early 1900s (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-4).

As mines became centers of attention in the late 1800s and early 1900s, roads were built to support the mining community.  Some of these were "company towns" like Treadwell on Douglas Island. (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-3).

As Alaska expanded the trading and trapping as well as fishing industries, more and more people came to Alaska for economic advantage.  Each of these pursuits was interconnected with every other economic avenue, and each expanded the infrastructure and supply channels for the state.  The fishing industry impacted the transportation industry in Alaska, growing naval vessels for transport of goods and people to Alaska from Seattle/San Francisco, and other companies with smaller vessels began the regular service of transportation on the navigable waterways.

As commercial pursuits grew, the government began to provide additional support and regulations.  Government "support" brought more people to Alaska and more need for interconnectedness with transportation, commerce, and communication (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-16, Chpt 4-17).  In every commercial/economic industry, including farming, herding and lumber, the government decided to add more control and regulations.  

In modern days, the Alaskan economy is interconnected by international travel and tourism.  These continue to define the centers of commerce for the State (Alaska's Heritage, Chpt 4-18)


II. What were the primary motivations for Americans moving to Alaska in the late 1800's?
Monday, June 4, 1902
It was quite a difficult day as the whole family gathered at the dock to see Uncle Charles and Uncle Theodore board the ship headed for Alaska.  Imagine that... Alaska.  It surely must be at the end of the world.  The stories they told of an earlier trip made the life should difficult and very dangerous.  I must admit, a few of the stories caught my interest and intrigued me.  I can sorta imagine myself, living with the trappers near the Yukon River.

Early Naval Transportation to Alaska c1860 (Google Image)

My Uncles were dressed with more layers of clothing and more boxes than I have ever seen.  Even when our family crossed the US on the Oregon trail, we didn't have the quantity of tools and provisions that my Uncles had.


Aunt Tessie and Aunt Margarite cried and cried as did all the rest of the family as the last goodbyes were given.  Of course, at my almost adults age of 14 I did not cry... or at least when nobody was lookin.  Half of me wanted to be with my Uncles and the other half of my heart was relieved that I could stay in Portland.  Why it was just a little over 6 years ago that we left Kansas for the great wild west.


I think they told us that the trip would take about a month and they were hoping to be in their camp prior to the first freeze.  I cannot imagine ice and snow the way they tell the tales.

Thursday, September 19,

I can't believe my eyes.  Up to the porch can the mailman with a letter from Uncle Charles.  He was always the better writer.  Look at that stamp and marking from Anchorage, Alaska.  I am so excited but need to wait for my folks and Aunt Tessie and Aunt Margarite to gather.  I wonder what Uncle C has to share.  I am so excited I can hardly wait.  I wonder what my life would be a trapper in Alaska.  I can see all those fox and otter and beaver skins all piled-high just ready for shipping to market.  They will have thousands of dollars when all the skins sell. 


With the family gathered, Aunt Tessie said to my parents, you read the letter. I am just so nervous to hear what has been happening...

Typical Trapper Clothing (Google Image)

"To my dear, dear family.  Life here in Yukon Alaska is rewarding and at the same time very difficult.  After almost 6 weeks, we make the long trip from Portland on boat, then to land, then to smaller boat, then to horseback, then to footpath.  It is already cold in the morning and early afternoon.  We have found the local people very quiet and reserved with the other trappers much more boisterous.   Our living arrangement is a bunkhouse, filled with men from all over the USA.  The men all work in secret locations with their traps and rifles.  When they get together in the late evenings, they is much trading to happen.  Fox for beaver, beaver for food, wolf tails for money.  Everyone will sell what they can to make money for the other necessities of life. 

We wish we could tell you more, but time and strength fail faster than desire.  With much love, Charles.

Monday, November
Dearest family,
We are freezing today and have been for several weeks. We have lost all our skins to other trappers for food and warmth and well as thieves.  We are doing so miserable.  We don't have the money to return to Portland or would head that direction immediately.  Pray for us, Theodore.

Saturday, February 7
Dear family,
We are sorry to have not been much in writing for the past weeks.  We met some others that gave-up trapping and trading and have found work at one of the local fisheries.  They go out early each week, fish for five to seven days, and return to the port with a boat load of fish.  They have invited us to join them tomorrow on a new trip.  Since we are not making a living on furs, we have decided to take the offer from Captain Hubbard.  His ship is called Ol' Miss Molly, and it is a well-constructed vessel.  Charles and I don't know much about fishing, but we have to make some money to get home.
Love, Theodore

Early Alaskan Commercial Fishing (Google)

Sunday, April 2

Dearest Family,
I though I almost lost Theodore.  While fishing for herring and halibut, Ol' Miss Molly was hit broadside by an unexpected giant wave.  Theo went overboard.  That old son-of-a-gun.  I felt sick inside that he would surely die in the very cold waters off the boat.  But that old brother had tied a rope around his ankle when he noticed the waves and water coming into the boat.  That old rope saved his neck and kept my brother alive.  I am so thankful. Uncle Charles

The ship is heading back to port.  We have bellies full of halibut and the hold is completely full of fish.  It will be a ton of money when we return.

A Typical Trapper's Cabin (Google Images)

Wednesday, April 5
We got our pay today.  Mother of God... I have never seen so much money.  We found a small cabin on the outskirts of town and struck a deal with some trappers to stay in the cabin for a couple of weeks.  We have hidden our money in a trunk in the ground near an old tree.  Uncle Theodore

Early Military in Alaska (Google Images)

Monday, September 17
We have been working on fishing for almost a half-year.  Can hardly believe that time has gone.  We are much stronger and more able to handle the constant motion of the ship and the cold-icy spray as it hits the ship.  This will be our last trip on the Ol' Miss Molly as the captain has sold the ship to John Sutton out of Virginia.  He is using the ship to transport the new military and soldiers to the area.  We hear the government wants to maintain the safety of the land from possible invasion, now that gold is on everyone's mind.  We don't know exactly what we will do, but have to find word.  The quantity of one thousand dollars each is still our goal.  With that we can buy those new homes in Portland and start a new business together.

Alaskan Cannery near Kenai (Google Image)

We have heard of a cannery that is hiring, but we are really tired of the smell of fish.  The cannery owners really take advantage of the poor ship captains, paying them the smallest amount possible and then canning and selling the fish for top-dollar.

January 4, 1905
We have acquired 100 acres of land from Marshall Sam Wright.  The Alaskan government is giving land to all men that can go establish a homestead within a year.  We took all our earnings from the fishing, and the canning, and some additional we got from selling some tools that were needed by newcomers.  Man, are the newcomers green.  They don't know a thing about life in Alaska.  We were able to sell our tools and some household goods for top-dollar.  With some hard work, we can establish that homestead in a town called Juneau.  We have heard of a new mine called Treadwell, in a town called Douglas.  We are excited to see what lies ahead.  Much love, Charles

March 31
We signed with the Treadwell goldmine and they provide a daily rate of 2 dollars plus housing.  We are excited about finding gold.  Once we learn the skill of goldmining, we hear there are other areas full of gold.  This will be our great opportunity to exceed that thousand dollar goal.  We sure miss you all.  Our best... Theodore and Charles

Treadwell Mine c1910 (Google Images)

May 7
Life is sure great.  We work hard during the day in the mine.  The Treadwell crew treat us mighty fine.  On our time off we meet with traders, fishers and buy what they have to sell.  Some days we find great deals in the Juneau-Douglas area.  We would love to have a fresh raspberry pie!!!  We heard of honey called fireweed and have eaten our share of bear.  Life is great.  We want to invite our nephews to join us in Douglas.  Now that they are almost seventeen, it will be a great time for them to travel and become real men.  We will wire the money soon.  Uncle Charles

I couldn't believe what I had heard.  Would my folks let me go with my cousin Mark?  What an adventure that would be.  We could fish and trade furs that we get from our trapping.  I have read some books and articles about business life in Alaska and I think I will be a great businessman.

August 12

Reindeer Herding in Alaska (Google Image)

As we were packing, we received a letter from Uncle Theodore.  They have moved their home to a place called Kodiak where they have joined a reindeer rancher.  The rancher purchased 3,000 acres of timberland.  They initially began to sell the timber.  Logging is really important and very lucrative in Alaska.  As the trees were cut-down and sold, the land was fenced for a new ranching enterprise of raising reindeer.  I thought reindeer were only in the Christmas story.  When I went to the library and saw a picture of a true reindeer I could not believe my eyes.  Those antlers looked so dangerous.  I cannot believe my uncles are now headed to ranching in the great northwest and I am leaving day after tomorrow to join them.  The trip is now much shorter, with only 3 weeks boat.  They are even talking about having a railroad linking parts of Alaska.  What changes!!!

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III.  Describe the economic base for your area of Alaska and share any current issues confronting the local residents.

Juneau's economic base is primarily government and tourism.  Government jobs amount to approximately 33% of the local economic base with tourism providing a close second at about 30%.  Retail trade is about 14% of the economy and the remaining balance is in multiple areas: Forest, fishing, mining, manufacturing, finance, military and transportation.  (Juneau Economic Council Publication, 2010)

Juneau as Commercial Center of SE Alaska
(Google Image)

Issues confronting the local residents include:
[1] lack of affordable housing
[2] cost of transportation to and from Juneau
[3] increased cost of living due to having to ship commercial goods via barge or plane
[4] Increase of government presences January to April, affecting housing and transportation
[5] positive and negative impacts of tourism in May through September
[6] shortage of trained craftsmen (blue-collar jobs)

(Juneau Economic Development Council, 2010)

Evaluation:  This week I began to see the first interconnectedness in the late 1800s/early 1900s in Alaska.  I had always wondered why Alaska developed commercial centers in remote places.  I see the connections between transportation and economic pursuits in the state.  Although the data we reviewed in the module were complex, it helped understand the progression of commerce in the state.