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
Richard Harris (prospector) name immediately; originally, it was known as Harrisburg, Pilzburg, and Rockwell. Apparently, Juneau was able to buy votes from enough of his fellow miners for it to be changed. Today, Harris Street still exists in Juneau. Harris lived the rest of his life in Juneau (actually, he was later moved to a nursing home in Oregon, where he died) his children and descendants stayed in Juneau for many years. Both Harris and Juneau are buried in the city's Evergreen Cemetery. Richard Harris (prospector) Richard Tighe Harris (October 31, 1833 – October 11, 1907) was a Canadian miner and prospector. Richard