Mining Town Welcomes Visitors

It was in the early 1900's when several copper mines and a camp were established across the Kennicott Glacier. Located nearly 5 miles from the town of McCarthy, the town of Kennicott grew, serving as a peaceful home for the miners in the area. There was no gambling or drinking allowed in the town, so when the miners were through with their day in the Kennecott mine, they would head into McCarthy for some fun. Knowing this, McCarthy welcomed miners and soon the town was bustling with restaurants, saloons, hotels, stores, and even a red light district. The mine closed in 1938 after $200 million of copper was extracted, making it the most affluent copper mine in the entire world. The mine stands 14 stories tall and is a frequently photographed building in the town. Following the closure of the mine, Kennicott and McCarthy became ghost towns. Realizing people had an interest in these mining ghost towns, a tourist market has popped up in the area in recent years. There are guided tours of the towns and the mining buildings, and guests are invited to ride on the Kennicott River Trams that were built in 1983. There are also lodge accommodations in the area, as well as a museum. The museum is open seven days a week during the summer months and is filled with charts, maps, documents, and pictures, all giving visitors a look into mining life.