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Nome, Alaska, Photograph Collection, approximately 1902-1913

Overview of the Collection

Title
Nome, Alaska, Photograph Collection
Dates
approximately 1902-1913 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 folder (21 photographic prints)
Collection Number
PH0602
Summary
The collection contains images of Nome, the Iñupiat people, dogsleds, and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundson's sloop GJOA, the first to travel the Northwest Passage from east to west
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Selections from the collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Background

In July, 1898, gold was discovered on Anvil Creek near what was to become Nome, Alaska. The prospectors soon began to arrive, and by 1900, U.S. Census statistics listed Nome as the home of one-third of Alaska's white population. Little is left of the architecture from these early years, primarily because of large fires in 1905 and 1934, as well as violent storms in 1900, 1913, 1945, and 1974.

Due to the harsh climate for most of the year, ships were vital to Nome. Mail arrived via ship and dog team throughout the winter months, and there were long delays between deliveries. The S.S. Corwin delivered mail starting in late May or early June, following the revenue-cutter Bear through the ice to Nome. If the ice was unnavigable for either ship, dog teams would bring the mail ashore.

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Content Description

The collection contains photographs of Nome, Alaska, and vicinity. Included are images of Nome street scenes, dogsled teams running the mail ashore from the Corwin , and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundson's sloop GJOA , the first to travel the Northwest Passage from east to west.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series.

  • Views of Nome, Alaska
  • Iñupiat people of Nome, Alaska
  • Bringing Mail Ashore from the Steamer Corwin
  • Ships & Miscellaneous
  • Dogsleds

Acquisition Information

Source: Robert Tat, 2002.

Processing Note

Processed by Sandra MacLaren (2002), Jocelyn Spicer (2003), and Linda Corets (2003).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 


2003 (Last modified: 7/9/2025)

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