Joe Juneau (prospector) Joe Juneau (prospector) Joseph Juneau (1836–1899) was a miner and prospector from Canada who was born in the Quebec town of Saint-Paul-l'Ermite (later renamed Le Gardeur and now incorporated into the city of Repentigny) to François Xavier Juneau dit Latulippe and Marguerite Thiffault Juneau. He is best known for co-founding, with Richard Harris, the city of Juneau, Alaska, United States. The first major gold discovery in Juneau or Douglas Island (across from Juneau) was circa 1880. It has been the political capital of Alaska since 1900. Juneau's Native American guide in southeastern Alaska was Chief Kowee, who is credited with
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