- 1886

Juneau Fire Department on Front Street with hose cart, ca. 1890. Alaska State Library, Winter & Pond Photo Collection, P87-1186.

A volunteer fire department was organized in Juneau. Sisters of St. Ann established a hospital and school in Juneau. The one judge in Alaska, based in Sitka, agreed to hold a court term once a year in Juneau.

In August, anti-Chinese sentiment induced a mob from Juneau to cross over to Treadwell to oust Chinese working at the mine. Eighty-seven men were forced aboard two small sailboats and ordered to leave. Old-time miners protected “China Joe,” a Chinese baker who remained the only Chinese person left in town. They remembered his generosity in sharing his food supplies with them one winter at Dease Lake during the Cassiar gold rush, which had prevented starvation for area miners. Deported workers were replaced with mainly Native workers.

The steam ferry Marion provided regular service between Juneau and Douglas Island. Douglas City experienced a building boom as the town site was surveyed and lots were going for $25 – $250 each. Petition by local citizens asking to increase mail service from once to twice a month was turned down in Washington D.C.