Richard Harris (prospector) Richard Harris (prospector) Richard Tighe Harris (October 31, 1833 – October 11, 1907) was a Canadian miner and prospector. Richard Harris was born in Drumadonald, County Down, Ireland. He then attended Girard College, a private boarding school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is most famous for co-founding, with Joe Juneau, the city of Juneau, Alaska. The first major gold discovery in Juneau or Douglas Island (across from Juneau) was around 1880. It has been the political capital of Alaska since 1906. His Native American guide in southeastern Alaska was Chief Kowee. Kowee is credited with discovering much of the Juneau area.
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