Archives West Finding Aid

The Chancellor Gold Mining Company operated primarily in Okanagan and Whatcom counties in Washington State in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1902, it held eight claims spread over 160 acres in Washington State, named "Hidden Wealth," "Rising Sun," "Good Hope," "Chancellor," "American," "King Solomon," "Defender," and "Gold Sledge."

The North Star and Alexander Griggs were both sternwheeler steamboats, owned by the Columbia and Okanogan Steamboat Company. The company was owned by Captain Alexander Griggs (the founder of Grand Forks, ND) and based out of Wenatchee, Washington. Both boats operated on the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers between April and July of each year. The North Star was 84' 6" long and was built in 1902. It was wrecked later that year but was salvaged. Its fate after that is debated as some suggest it was rebuilt, renamed, or replaced with another vessel of the same name all in 1907. However, a report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lists it was operating in 1904. Alexander Griggs was 111' long and was built in 1903, being wrecked two years later in 1905.