WAUNomeAlaskaPHColl602.xmlGuide to the Nome, Alaska, Photograph Collection approximately 1902-1913Nome, Alaska, Photograph CollectionFunding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries© 2003 (Last modified: 7/9/2025)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special CollectionsPH0602Nome, Alaska, Photograph Collectionapproximately 1902-19131 folder (21 photographic prints)Collection materials are in English.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

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.

Arranged in 5 series.

Views of Nome, AlaskaIñupiat people of Nome, AlaskaBringing Mail Ashore from the Steamer CorwinShips & MiscellaneousDogsleds

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.

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

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

Source: Robert Tat, 2002.

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

Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)Inuit--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsFrontier and pioneer life--Alaska--Nome-PhotographsSled dogs--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsSleds--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsStreets--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsBuildings--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsShips--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsFreight and freightage--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsGold rushes--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsNome (Alaska)--PhotographsPhotographsAlaskaPhotographsPioneersExpeditions and AdventuresNative Americans

 

Views of Nome, Alaska11Horse drawn wagon delivering waterbetween 1910 and 1913Lomen Bros 12Panoramic street viewbetween 1910 and 1913 13Panoramic street view of crowdbetween 1910 and 1913 14Panorama of First Avenue after storm1913[Lomen Bros.?] 15Alaska Native family with dogs in front of sod house, NomeMay 1902

Photos 5 & 6 were made by the same photographer

16Iñupiat people and others in front of sod house with sled and dogs, Nome, Alaskabetween 1900 and 1910

Photos 5 & 6 were made by the same photographer

Iñupiat people of Nome, Alaska17Fish hanging in front of housebetween 1906 and 1907? 18Iñupiat man, Chief Klatsutararat, Nome, Alaskabetween 1897 and 1907MacDonald 19Two Iñupiat children wearing fur parkas, vicinity of Nome, Alaskabetween 1900 and 1910 110Iñupiat man dressed in fur parka, vicinity of Nome, Alaskabetween 1898 and 1908 111Two Iñupiat children, probably Nome, Alaskabetween 1902 and 1913112Iñupiat women and children in front of sod and plank house, Nome, Alaskabetween 1900 and 1909 1**5Iñupiat family in front of homeMay 1902 1**6Iñupiat people in front of house with sled 1907? Bringing Mail Ashore from the Steamer Corwin115Men with dogsled teamJune 2, 1907MacDonald

Caption on photo: Sport Smith bringing ashore first mail from SS Corwin, 5 miles on Bering Sea.

116Men with sled and dog teamJune 2, 1907MacDonald

Caption on photo: Sport Smith transporting the mail using a dogsled team from the steamer CORWIN over ice on the Bering Sea, near Nome, Alaska, June 2, 1907

117Men with sled and dog teamJune 2, 1907MacDonald

Written on verso: Freighting from steamer Corwin with dog teams.

Ships & Miscellaneous118aAugust 31, 1906MacDonald

Caption on photo: Sloop GJOA arriving Aug. 31/06 after completing Northwest Passage.

118b1906MacDonald

Caption on photo: The GJOA, Nome, Alaska, Capt. Amundson commanding.

119Sloop Sequoia on icy water in capebetween 1906 and 1907 120Man in front of tar paper hut1907MacDonald121Two men on ice with boatJune 9, 1907MacDonaldDogsleds113Two men fishing on ice, Nomebetween 1900 and 1910?114Men with sled and dog teambetween 1900 and 1910?