WAUNomeAlaskaPHColl1239.xmlGuide to the Photographs of Nome, Alaska approximately 1900Nome, Alaska (Photographs of)Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries© 2020 (Last modified: 3/17/2025)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special CollectionsPH1239Photographs of Nome, Alaska approximately 19006 photographic prints (1 folder) ; 3.5 x 3.5 in.Collection materials are in English.Buildings, people and waterfront of Nome, Alaska

For centuries Inupiaq people lived in Nome, Alaska before Russian fur traders and whalers created a settlement in nearby St. Michael in the 18th century. In 1898 gold was found at Anvil Creek and by the following year the population had grown to 10,000 people. More gold was found along the Nome coast and more people moved to the city, doubling the population by 1909. To accommodate the growth, tent cities were constructed on the beaches to hold the prospective gold miners. By the 1920s Nome's population had decreased considerably partly due to storms and fires such as the September 1934 fire that destroyed most of the business district.

Arranged in 2 series.

Series 1, BusinessesSeries 2, People and Events

Businesses, buildings, Fourth of July celebration and passengers and freight arriving in Nome, Alaska.

Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission is 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.

Photographs were transferred from the Alaska subject files, 2014.

Processed by Stefanie Terasaki, 2014; Processing completed in 2014.

Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)Nome (Alaska)--PhotographsCommercial buildings--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsFourth of July celebrations--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsFreight and freightage--Alaska--Nome--PhotographsPhotographsPhotographsAlaskaPhotographic prints

 

Series 1, Businesses11Bank of Cape Nome1900? 12Horse drawn carts in front of the North American Transportation and Trading Company building1900? 13Men standing outside Commerical and Transportation Company building1900?

Sign on building reads: S.J. Heron M.g.r. Ticket Office S.S. Nelson and Cleveland sails for Seattle. E.G.McMicken Gen. AGT. Lumber in any quantity, Roslyn Coal by sack or ton.

Samuel J. Heron was working as a miner in 1900 after moving from Seattle the previous year. He was born in Indiana circa 1856. Edgar G. McMicken was a passenger on the S.S. Cleveland from Seattle to Nome 1900?. He later moved to San Francisco with his wife circa 1910 where he worked as a clerk for a steamship company.

Series 2, People and Events14July 4th celebration at the Olympia theater1900? 15Men on beach with boats unloading supplies and luggage1900? 16Passengers and freight from arriving SS Tacoma from Victoria, B.C. and Olympia, Washington1900?