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History
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Rumors of the gold discoveries in the
Gastineau Channel area reached San Francisco, and a group of mining
investors sent John Treadwell to investigate in August of 1881. He staked
some claims in Silver Bow Basin and purchased Erussard's claims on Douglas
Island. Treadwell returned to San Francisco with some ore samples that
showed promise of good returns when tested. The Alaska Mill and Mining
Company was soon organized with Treadwell appointed as superintendent of
mining operations. He returned to Douglas in May of 1882 with a 5-stamp
gold concentrating mill to test the ore on the Paris Lode claim and
purchased additional adjoining claims. By 1884 a 120-stamp mill was
completed, and the Treadwell mines were on their way to fame. The success
of the first development drew hundreds of prospectors to the area. In 1889
the recently incorporated Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Company bought out
all investors, including John Treadwell, for $4,000,000. In the early
1890's two mining companies initially financed by the Treadwell Company
were incorporated, the Alaska Mexican Gold Mining Company and the Alaska
United Gold Mining Company. Each of the three companies was financially
separate, but the Treadwell Company managed all of them. The Treadwell
mines pioneered in the field of low cost mining and the use of
hydroelectric power. The power was used to convert all of the steam-run
hoists and mills into economical electrically driven machines. Under the
guidance of Frederick .W. Bradley (who has signed this piece as the company
President), world famous mining engineer, the Treadwell complex reached
peak capacity in 1915. Over 2,000 men worked above and below the ground and
supplied the mills with 5,000 tons of ore daily, which was a world record
at that time. The mills and mines ran 24 hours a day seven days a week,
except for the Fourth of July and Christmas. The Treadwell complex which
included four major mines consisting of the Treadwell, 700-Foot, Mexican,
and Ready Bullion, was a first class, innovative mining and milling operation
that spanned 36 years until 1917 when a disastrous cave-in flooded all but
the Ready Bullion mine which ran until 1922. Fortunately no lives were
lost, but one man was reported missing. From a simple beginning of the
discovery of placer gold in a creek, grew a world famous mining and milling
complex commonly referred to as "Treadwell." All certificates are
sold only as collectible pieces, as they are either canceled or obsolete.
Certificates carry no value on any of today's financial indexes and no transfer
of ownership is implied. Unless otherwise indicated, images are
representative of the piece(s) you will receive. When a representative
image is presented in one of our listings, you will receive a certificate
in similar condition; however dating, denomination, certificate number and
issuance details may vary.
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