- 1898

The Juneau federal court house and jail burned to the ground January 25 after an office lamp exploded. The Douglas Volunteer Fire Department was organized February 28 with twenty five residents as original members.

On February 5,the steamer Clara Nevada blew up in a fiery explosion near Eldred Rock in Lynn Canal. All aboard were lost. The ship was heading southbound from Skagway and reportedly was carrying a large amount of Klondike gold, but was also rumored to be carrying an illegal cargo of dynamite.

Ready Bullion 120 stamp mill. Case & Draper photograph.

Alaska United Mining Company began operation of a 120-stamp mill at the Ready Bullion mine, as part of the Treadwell complex. Treadwell company constructed its first hydroelectric plant at the mine complex to power its operations.

Juneau Chamber of Commerce sponsored a crew to reconnoiter a trail from mouth of the Taku River to Atlin BC for a future transportation route beneficial to Juneau commerce. A few parties used the route as a winter sled route to the Canadian gold fields. Indigenous peoples traditionally had used the trail for trading between coast and interior tribal people.

Douglas Island News newspaper started in Douglas November 23. Douglas began work to establish a new cemetery.