Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesSeveral members of the group gather around a campfire while in Alaska’s copper country. Original caption: “Camp fire yarns.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesIn June of 1902, the Miles Brothers boarded the steam schooner Santa Ana, sailing north to Valdez, with others.Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Yakutat natives selling curios aboard the steamer.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesThe view of Valdez from the Santa Ana. At the time, the town was only a few years old. Unfortunately, this original town was built on low, unstable land at the end of a long and narrow fjord, and was devastated by the massive 1964 earthquake. The townsite was moved several miles west, to more solid ground, before rebuilding. Original caption: “Port of Valdez and pier, October, 1902.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesMelvin Dempsey (not pictured) was born in North Carolina as a slave. After working varied jobs across the Midwest and West as an adult, he joined thousands of others in the Gold Rush, landing in Valdez in 1898. After some success at mining, he became involved in the community of Valdez, opening several endeavors, including a reading room, an inn, and this church. Original caption: “A Valdez Sunday School. Church built by Melvin Dempsey from his first clean-up on Slate Creek.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Some of Valdez’ summer beauties”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesBenjamin Franklin Millard (standing with arm against the door frame) was born and raised in Wisconsin, where he grew from poverty to become a successful businessman and politician. He moved to Alaska during the Gold Rush in 1898, setting up several mining concerns in and around Valdez. Original caption: “Resident Mgr. B.F. Millard and Mr. F.C. Helm and families in front of Mr. Millard’s summer home in Valdez.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesAbout 15 miles from the Port of Valdez, the steep-walled and narrow Keystone Canyon was one of the only routes available for travelers headed inland. Original caption: “Looking south toward upper entrance of Keystone Canyon.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesMany roadhouses like this one, operated by Mrs. E. E. (Nelly) Doty, popped up along the growing Valdez Trail as more and more prospectors and others began traveling along it. Original caption: “Nell Doty’s Roadhouse, 21 miles from Valdez.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesA person wearing a backpack crosses a log bridge over a creek, leading a group of at least eight dogs carrying packs. Original caption: “Dog pack train crossing the Stuart.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesPeople gather outside a combination roadhouse, store, and hotel in Tonsina, about 65 miles from Valdez. Original caption: “At Tonsina City, October 1902.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Telegraph station No. 4, 53 1/2 miles from Valdez.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesMembers of the Loomis family tend to a garden in Tonsina. Original caption: “Vegetable garden at Tonsina City.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Master Eddie Loomis and his pets at Tonsina city”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesThree men ride horses, leading at least seven pack horses across a wooden bridge over a river. Original caption: “V.C.R. & Y.R.R. Party crossing Tiekel River.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesA family of Ahtna natives encountered along the trail. Original caption: “Native wiki-up on the Tonsina.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Roadhouse at the junction of the Tonsina and Copper Rivers”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Ethlota and family”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Tsacotna and Matsanila”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesMembers of a family sit with their dogs beside the Copper River.Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “At Fish Rock on Copper River”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesA group of pack horses swim and clamber across the Kotsina River.Original caption: “Horses fording the Kotsina.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Nugget Creek, 175 miles from Valdez”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesTwo men (possibly two of the Miles Brothers) pose while sitting on an enormous nugget of copper in a dry creek bed. Original caption: “Three ton nugget of native copper found in bed of Nugget Creek.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesA person poses while standing beneath a tall waterfall. Original caption: “Water power on the Nikolai.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “Oat field near the mouth of the Tonsina”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesSeveral drivers stand on carts behind teams of draft horses, outside of the headquarters of a local shipping office. Original caption: “Valdez, 1902.”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesOriginal caption: “The O.A.M. social order of Copper River Prospectors at Valdez”Miles Brothers / U.S. National ArchivesSchoolchildren, along with several sled-pulling dogs, pose in front of their schoolhouse. Original caption: “Public school Valdez, October, 1902.”
