FACT SHEET—JUNEAU, ALASKA
Juneau, Alaska’s capital since 1900, sits at the base of Mt. Juneau. This capital blends its history as a mining town with old storefronts and saloons with the modern architecture of government and Native corporations.
History
In the late 1800s, gold became the foundation of Juneau. The town contained a variety of gold mines with the Alaska-Juneau, or A-J, mine the most successful. The A-J mine buildings are still visible above town. Other gold mines include the Treadwell Mine complex at Douglas and the Alaska-Gastineau mine south of town. A massive cave-in occurred at Treadwell in 1917 and the mine closed. When gold content dropped below profitable margins in 1921, the Alaska-Gastineau mine closed. The A-J mine continued operations until World War II when labor shortages and high costs forced its closure.
Visitor Centers
Located in downtown Juneau, the Davis Log Cabin Information Center is operated by the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau. A free brochure is available at the center that includes a walking tour map and information about other Alaska communities. The Davis Cabin is open every day in the summer.
The USFS Information Center is located at the corner of Eagan Drive and Willoughby Avenue. Visitors can view films and videos on Glacier Bay National Park, bald eagles, humpback whales, the Tongass National Forest, mountain goats, Admiralty Island, Dall sheep, and life in logging camps.
The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is located at the base of the glacier and is open every day in the summer from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can take a guided tour and learn about moraine ecology. Films and videos are available that provide information on the glacier and mountain goats.
Transportation
City buses transport visitors in and around Juneau as well as to and from the airport. Visitors can also choose to take a taxi or airport shuttle. In the summertime, a shuttle service is available between Juneau and the Alaska Marine Highway system ferry terminal at Auke Bay.
Museums
Juneau is the proud home to the Alaska State Museum featuring permanent displays of Eskimo and Southeast Indian artifacts. The museum also offers changing displays of Alaska’s political and natural history.
Visit the Juneau Douglas Museum and learn about Juneau’s history. Exhibits include features on gold mining and Juneau’s historic past. A small admission fee is charged to adults. Children under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge.
The Alaska Maritime Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit group, is planning to build a tall ship for Alaska. It will be used to train sailors and people with disabilities in seamanship, environmental studies, goodwill trips, and charter work.
Visitor Attractions
Walking, hiking, and biking trails abound in and around the Juneau area. Scenic flights take visitors over the spectacular ice fields and the Glacier Bay National Monument. Take an exciting boat ride along Juneau’s wilderness waterways.
Tour buses take visitors to Mendenhall Glacier where they can climb moraines left by receding glaciers, hike nearby trails, and visit the U.S. Forest Service observatory where guides and exhibits explain glacier features. Along with buses, visitors can reach the glacier by driving or taking a charter flight.
Reminders of Juneau’s past abound in the city. The Davis Log Cabin, built in 1881, was the community’s first church and is now the visitor information center. Consider a visit to the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, which was built in 1894 and is considered the oldest original Orthodox Church in Southeast Alaska. Other city attractions include the Juneau Douglas City Museum that specializes in mining history, the pioneer cemetery, and the Wickersham House.
The Mendenhall Valley, located outside Juneau and below the Mendenhall Glacier, contains a residential area, a commercial business complex, and the Juneau Airport. Across Gastineau Channel from downtown Juneau is Douglas, a community that served the Treadwell Mine, but is now a part of incorporated Juneau.
Visitor Services
Juneau offers a variety of comforts and services to visitors. Two major commercial areas offer several hotels and stores. One area, located downtown, caters to tourists’ tastes for mementos, from souvenirs to Native arts, crafts, and contemporary art. The other area, located near the airport, offers lodging, camping, and picnicking services.
Accommodations in and around Juneau include hostels, bed and breakfast facilities, budget motels, and luxurious hotels. Restaurants offer food to satisfy a variety of palates, and facilities range from fast food to steak and seafood houses.
Points of Interest
Alaska State Museum Downtown
Davis Log Cabin Visitor Center Downtown
Mendenhall Glacier 14 miles from Juneau
St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church Downtown
U.S. Forest Service Information Center Centennial Building
Gastineau Salmon Hatchery 3 miles from Juneau
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