- 1916

Annex Creek Project Power plant construction camp and dock. Alaska State Library, Emile Gastonguay Photo  Collection, 1912-1916, P119-233.

Annex Creek Lake was tapped from underneath to supply water for the new power plant of the Alaska Gastineau Mining Co. This was the first lake tap in North America, and the first to use a lake as a reservoir rather than to drain it. Transmission lines connected the plant on Taku Inlet to the company’s mill at Thane. (Today, the plant still provides a small portion of Juneau area electricity.)

Douglas and Treadwell mail deliveries from Juneau increased from one to two a day. A large saltwater pump was installed in Douglas to fill a reservoir for city fire protection. Juneau area was now served by five steamship companies. A new territorial school was opened at the Perseverance camp.

Territorial voters approved a referendum for alcohol prohibition to go into effect in 1918. Socialist Party candidate, Lena Morrow Lewis, was the first Juneau women to run for elective office, in the election for Territorial Delegate to Congress. Delegate James Wickersham introduced in Congress the first bill providing for statehood for Alaska.

The Auk Bay Salmon Canning Co. built and began operating a new cannery at Auke Bay.