- 1893

The “telephone craze” hit Juneau with several private wires installed and plans to connect Juneau and Douglas were being made. Alaska Electric Light & Power was formed in October to provide electric lights to subscribers in Juneau with power generated by the Nowell mining company. Power was turned on to Juneau city street lights for the first time November 21 and many residents came out just to view the new novelty.  Juneau’s first bank was opened late in the year by the Harrison Brothers; previously, merchants provided informal banking services. The Juneau townsite survey began in November and, once completed, lot owners could get title to their property. New federal court house was built on the naval reserve hill (aka Telephone Hill) to house district court offices and jail, with room for other federal employees.

Russian Orthodox Church and vestry, Juneau. Alaska State Library, William Norton Photo Collection, P226-225.

The St. Nichols Russian Orthodox Church was completed August 5.

A phonograph concert September 9 impressed locals with the new musical technology.

The Mexican mine, part of the Treadwell complex, began operation with 60-stamp mill late in the fall. A short railroad was built to connect the Comet mine on Sherman Creek just north of Berners Bay to the beach camp known as Seward City or Comet, which served mines in the area.