Gold mining in Alaska Juneau, and Nome are responsible for most of Alaska's historical and all current gold production. Nearly all of the large and many of the small placer gold mines currently operating in the US are in Alaska. Six modern large-scale hard rock mines operate in Alaska in 2008; four of those are gold-producing mines (an additional gold mine suspended production in late 2007). There are also some small-scale hard rock gold-mining operations. Alaska currently produces more gold (in 2015: 873,984 troy oz from hard rock mines, and 74,360 troy oz (five-year average) from placer deposits) than any state except Nevada. In
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)