Wickersham State Historic Site
(Southeast Alaska)
(Printer
version Wickersham State Historic Site)
Gold and Law in Alaska
The gold discoveries of the Klondike and Nome had attracted hordes of
prospectors and, along with them, corruption and claim jumping. By 1900, new
criminal and civil codes, as well as the expansion of the U.S. District Court
system brought the first law and order to the Interior. The 3rd Judicial
Division, comprised of 300,000 square miles, was the responsibility of the new
District Court Judge, James Wickersham.
Eagle City, a town on the Yukon River, was the official headquarters for the 3rd
Judicial District. Here, after building his modest log home, Wickersham began
settling mining claim disputes and collecting saloon license fees.
Climbing McKinley
At age 45, Wickersham was the first white man to attempt to climb up Mount
McKinley. He had climbed every major peak of the Olympic Peninsula before coming
to Alaska. While delegate to congress, Wickersham won legislation creating Mt.
McKinley National Park.
Fairbanks
The new Tanana Valley gold strikes had started a stampede in 1902, and gold
seekers poured into the area surrounding Barnette's Cache. Wickersham struck a
bargain with Barnette that if he would rename the townsite Fairbanks, after the
senator from Indiana, he would move the district headquarters from Eagle to
Barnette's Cache. In 1903, the headquarters were moved to Fairbanks.
Delegate to Congress (1909-1920 and 1931-1933)
During his seven terms as Alaska's non-voting delegate to Congress, he was able
to persuade an uninterested Congress to pass legislation of major importance to
Alaska.
Home Rule 1912 - Wickersham prized most of all his accomplishment of
winning an elected legislature for Alaska. As part of the Organic Act of August
24, 1912 (Wickersham's 55th birthday), Home Rule brought to Alaskans a privilege
that had been denied for 45 years.
Alaska Railroad 1914 - In the face of bitter opposition from powerful
private corporations, Wickersham, an eloquent speaker, delivered a 5 1/2 hour
successful speech to Congress, which appropriated funds for construction.
Alaska Agricultural College & School of Mining 1917 - Wickersham believed
that with a college, railroad and Home Rule, Alaska would move closer to
becoming the independent state it deserved to be. Later, the college became the
University of Alaska.
First Statehood Bill 1917 - Wickersham introduced the idea of statehood
to congress 43 years before it became a reality.
House on the Ridge
Some of Juneau's most prominent early residents lived in this Victorian home.
Frank Hammond - Superintendent of the Sheep Creek Mining Co. wanted a
residence suitable for a mine official. The house was built on the ridge
overlooking town in 1898.
John Malony - Lawyer for Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Co. & founder of
Juneau Cold Storage. Malony was persuaded to sell the house to Bartlett Thane
who needed a big place in which to entertain.
Bartlett Thane - Manager & Director of the Alaska Gastineau Mining
Company. Thane, a highly respected promoter of the mines, entertained Charles
Haden, New York investment banker and Daniel Jackling, comptroller of the
nation's copper industry.
James Wickersham - Lawyer, judge, delegate to Congress, collector and
author. Wickersham purchased the home in 1928 and lived there until his death in
1939 at age 82.
Preserving The Past
Upon Judge Wickersham's death, the house passed to his wife and eventually to
her niece, Ruth Allman. Recognizing the historical value of the Judge's
accomplishments and the collection of historical photographs, artifacts, diaries
and scrapbooks she now possessed, Mrs. Allman opened her home to visitors. For
over 25 years she shared her stories of the Judge's life and Alaskan history
with hundreds of tourists.
In 1984, the house and its contents were purchased by the State of Alaska with
the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation designated as the managing agency.
Today the stories surrounding James Wickersham and the Gold Rush Era are told
through historical photographs, Alaskan artifacts, memorabilia, and the period
furnishings on display at the house.
House of Wickersham
Step back in time thorough the doors of the House of Wickersham, the first large
Victorian home built on "Chicken Ridge", the "Nob Hill" of Juneau, Alaska. Sip
tea from an elegant bone china cup and drink in the history of Alaska's
territorial days as seen through the life of the man responsible for "Home
Rule", the Alaska Railroad, the University of Alaska and Mount McKinley National
Park (now known as Denali National Park).
Wickersham Society
A non-profit volunteer organization, the Wickersham Society sponsors events and
solicits funding to assist with the operation of the house.
Source: Alaska State Parks.
For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit the Alaska State Parks web site.
Alaska
National Parks
Denali National Park,
Kenai Fjords National Park,
Lake Clark National Park,
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska State
Parks by Region
Anchorage,
Interior Alaska,
Kenai Peninsula,
Kodiak,
Mat-Su
Valley,
Prince William Sound,
Southeast Alaska,
Southwest Alaska
Alaska State Parks by Name
Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski SRS,
Birch Lake
State Recreation Site,
Caines Head State Recreation Area and Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks,
Captain
Cook State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Site,
Chilkat Bald
Eagle Preserve,
Chugach State Park,
Clam Gulch
State Recreation Area,
Deep Creek
State Recreation Area,
Delta
Junction Area State Parks,
Denali State Park,
Haines Area State
Parks,
Harding
Lake State Recreation Area,
Independence Mine State Historical Park,
Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park,
Kasilof Area State
Parks,
Kenai
River Special Management Area,
Kodiak Area State
Parks,
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area,
Ninilchik
State Recreation Area,
Point Bridget
State Park,
Salcha
River State Recreation Site,
Sitka Area State Parks,
State Marine Parks in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay,
Summit Lake
State Recreation Site, Tok
Area Parks,
Totem Bight
State Historical Park,
Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site,
Wickersham State Historic Site,
Wood-Tikchik
State Park
