Juneau, Alaska After the California gold rush, miners migrated up the Pacific Coast and explored the West, seeking other gold deposits. In 1880, Sitka mining engineer George Pilz offered a reward to any local chief in Alaska who could lead him to gold-bearing ore. Chief Kowee (Tlingit "Kaawa.ée") arrived with some ore, and several prospectors were sent to investigate. On their first trip to Gold Creek, they found deposits of little interest. However, at Chief Kowee's urging, Pilz sent Joe Juneau and Richard Harris back to the Gastineau Channel, directing them to Snow Slide Gulch (the head of Gold Creek). There they
William Ford (prospector) built a sandstone Federation house called 'Wyckliffe' in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood. Built predominantly of stone, the house is single-storeyed with a turret. It has elaborate wrought iron balconies as well as floral detailing around the turret. Ford and his wife had a baby girl in 1906; a son followed not long after. Ford lived quietly at 'Wyckliffe' until his death, which was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald; the paper described him as the discoverer of Coolgardie. 'Wyckliffe' is listed by Willoughby Council as a heritage item of local significance under Willoughby LEP 2012 (edocs.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/DocumentViewer.ashx?dsi=3539298). William Ford (prospector)