In 1906, high on Skyscraper Park, Robert Lee
Hatcher staked the area's first hard-rock gold claim - gold contained in
quartz veins within solid rock-hard rock or lode gold. Hatcher's early discoveries
would later become part of the Independence Mine. By 1941, the Independence
Mill, Camp, and Mine employed 204 men. It was the second largest hard rock
gold producer in Willow Creek mining district, extracting over 181,000 ounces
of gold in the late 1970's. 271 acres of land, including the Independence
Mine camp was donated to the State of Alaska and in 1981, the Independence
Mine State Historical Park was dedicated. |