Treadwell: Alaska’s Lost Mine

From 1880 to 1917, Treadwell was both the largest city in Alaska and the most profitable gold mine. Operating in Juneau, AK before, during, and after the more famous Klondike Gold Rush era which happened roughly 120 miles North. In 1917, tragedy struck the Treadwell community when a high tide flooded over 100 miles of underground mine tunnels. The city was abandoned and nature overtook the site. We concepted, designed, and developed a two hour walking tour that takes you through the original Treadwell town. Each guest receives an iPad to engage with the eleven augmented reality stories the tour encounters over the two hour tour. The models show the town at its full size and scale 100+ years ago and contrasts with the ruins you can still explore onsite.