Walter R. Bennett Nome and Fort Davis photograph collection, approximately 1900-1905

Fort Davis, just outside of Nome, Alaska, was established in 1900 and named after the former commander of the military district of Alaska, General Jefferson Columbus Davis. Fort Davis and several other military bases in Alaska, were established in the late 19th and early 20th century as a result of the gold rush. Both the military base and the town of Nome grew following the discovery of gold in 1898 by Jafet Lindeberg, Erik Lindblom and John Brynteson, know collectively as the "Three Lucky Swedes." By 1905, the town of Nome had become more established, with houses and buildings replacing the tents originally used by prospectors.