If you are curious about the eeriest place in Alaska, look no further than the abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This structure was left for decades and fell into disrepair. The faded red buildings across the bright mountain backdrop make a stunning and eerie spot to behold.
The historic and abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine is far off the beaten path in America’s largest national park.
The Kennecott Copper Mine is on the edge of the spectacular Kennicott Glacier. Its history is a long and interesting one that began when copper was found in 1900.
This copper mine had its heyday in the early 1900s.
Kennecott was once a bustling town and employed hundreds of people. The city and mines ran in operation for 27 years, and the company that owned it, the Kennicott Copper Corporation, made over 100 million dollars.
In 1938 the copper deposits became exhausted, and the mine was shut down.
The railroad discontinued service, and the people quickly abandoned the town. It remained abandoned and forgotten for decades.
The long years, and extreme weather in the area, have been the demise of these structures in Kennecott.
Without constant care and repair, the harsh winters of Interior Alaska caused its collapse. These bright red buildings have faded and begun to break down on the hillside.
Kennecott was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 and began to draw visitors from all over.
In June of 1998, the National Park Service purchased the buildings and area and began restoring a majority of the buildings. They now offer town tours and have extensive General Store and Post Office exhibits.
The National Park Service has been doing a great job restoring the town, which many consider the best remaining example of early 20th Century copper mining.
Hike around the area and see the remnants of the mine on the nearby mountainside, or check out the buildings that have already been fixed up and repaired. There are several ways to check out the eerie remnants of this abandoned mining town.
This stunning place is worth a closer look.
Suppose you can make the trip all the way out to Wrangell-St. Elias, you will love it! It’s a magical place with a deep and fascinating history in the middle of Alaska’s wilderness.
Have you ever visited the eeriest place in Alaska? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay while exploring a piece of Alaska’s history, check out this stunning lodge in Alaska.
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