Gold Dredge 8 is a lasting tribute to Alaska’s rich gold mining history. Established during the gold rush era, it played a vital role in extracting precious gold from the earth, shaping the region’s mining legacy.
While the gold rush is over, this Alaska landmark draws visitors to experience the thrill of gold panning. We visited the historical site, saw an iconic piece of machinery, and got a glimpse into the gold rush era.
I came away with an appreciation for miners’ daily work and the challenges they faced. Visiting Gold Dredge 8 is not just about the history of mining; it’s about immersing ourselves in Alaska’s adventurous spirit.
Where Is The Dredge?
Located in Fairbanks, Gold Dredge 8 operated from 1928 to 1959 and has since been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. So, if you’re looking for something unique to do in Fairbanks, Alaska, this gold dredge tour is a must-do.
If driving, the 11-mile journey from downtown takes about 20 minutes on Steese Highway. Its address is 1803 Old Steese Hwy. Travelers in a tour group stop at the Alaskan pipeline to learn more about its construction and production.
The Alyeska Pipeline Service Company owns and operates the pipeline. While most of the 48″ pipe runs underground, it surfaces in areas of permafrost.
History of Gold Dredge 8
Gold Dredge 8 has a rich history rooted in Alaska’s early 20th-century gold mining industry. After visiting a steam field and learning about thaw points, I realized that gold mining was harmful to the environment.
But it wasn’t the mining practices that shut down the dredges, but the cost of gold. At USD 35 an ounce, mining the precious metal was no longer viable. The high cost of operation and the low price of gold made it economically unfeasible to continue dredging for gold.
Construction And Purpose
This massive dredge was constructed by the Fairbanks Exploration Company in 1928. The purpose of this gigantic dredging boat was to mine gold from the rich earth along the creeks of the Fairbanks area.
It was a marvel of engineering, designed to tackle the unique challenges of mining in Alaska’s harsh conditions. Its intricate system of massive buckets and heavy chains worked in unison, scooping up tons of earth and sifting through it to extract gold.
The dredge remained in operation until 1959, playing a crucial role in Alaska’s gold mining industry for decades. Extracting gold from permafrost-laden ground was no easy feat. However, Gold Dredge 8’s innovative system made it possible to recover significant amounts of the precious metal.
Gold Dredging And the Alaska Gold Rush
The late 1800s and early 1900s Alaska Gold Rush set the stage for operations like Gold Dredge 8. The region experienced a surge of individuals hoping to strike it rich, attracted by the allure of gold, which created a demand for effective mining solutions.
As thousands flocked to Alaska, traditional mining methods became increasingly insufficient. The introduction of dredging technology represented a significant advancement, enabling miners to access previously unreachable gold deposits.
Gold Dredge 8 became an iconic symbol of this era, demonstrating how mechanized methods transformed the gold mining landscape. It allowed miners to operate more efficiently, directly impacting Fairbanks’ growth and Alaska’s overall economy.
Types Of Dredging
Bucket-line dredging was prominent in the early 20th century. This method involves a series of buckets attached to a continuously moving chain. As the dredge moves through the water, these buckets scoop up sediment, which is then processed on board to separate gold.
Another technique is suction dredging, commonly used in smaller-scale operations. This method employs a pump to draw material from the riverbed. The gold is then separated using screens and sluices, making it a very effective way for prospectors to capture gold in rivers and streams.
Modern dredging also involves innovations like hydraulic dredging, which uses high-pressure water jets to dislodge material. This technique can increase efficiency but may raise environmental concerns.
Visiting Gold Dredge 8 Today
I’ve done gold panning before and always found the experience a bit cheesy, maybe because the water was artificially laced with gold flakes and wasn’t in an area where gold was mined.
However, this experience was very different. The presentations were informative, and we felt transported back to the Gold Rush era.
Tanana Valley Railroad
Our adventure began with a scenic ride on the Tanana Valley Railroad. The train transported us along historic tracks, which showed the importance of railroads in transporting goods during the gold rush.
Our first stop was a mine area, where prospectors worked during the winter to extract metal from the permafrost. Given that Fairbanks experiences temperatures of -15F to -25F and can get as cold as -40F, we greatly respected those who labored there.
The next stop was the steam fields, where the land degradation caused by the use of water cannons was obvious. The last stop before the mining museum was the dredge itself.
Gold Dredge 8 is massive and sits where it was last used. The rusted machine has sunk below the water line, but that doesn’t detract from its impressive presence.
At the dredge, we watched a demonstration on how to pan for gold using a poke sack, water, and a gold mining pan. Once we disembarked at the museum, we were handed some poke, and we were able to put our gold panning skills to the test.
Mining Museum
An enthusiastic group of staff welcomed us to the museum. Outside, the mining museum features some old dredge buckets and authentic mining equipment.
Inside, amongst the gift shop items, were an old gold safe, cash register, and artifacts from the gold rush. A display featured bones and ivory from woolly mammoths, reindeer, and bison from the Pleistocene era.
Outside, a large, covered area featured the water troughs to turn our poke into gold. Every panner was guaranteed to find gold, although how much was completely random.
Hands-On Gold Panning
A highlight of our visit was the opportunity to try our hand at gold panning. Guided by experienced instructors, we received a brief but thorough lesson on the techniques.
It may look easy, but we needed to learn to hold the pan at the right angle and swish the water around to separate the sediment. Gold is heavier than dirt and the small gravel in the pan, so if we used the correct technique, the gold settled to the bottom.
Each swish of the water removed sand and gravel, eventually leaving the gold. The process was slow, and although my back ached, I found it easier to stand than sit.
My sister, who has an arm injury, needed help to finish her gold panning. We put our metal in a film canister and took it inside to be weighed and valued.
Gold panners got to keep whatever they found. We each panned USD 10 worth of gold. Someone in our group hit the jackpot, as their gold was valued at USD 60.
We could purchase additional poke bags if we wanted to keep panning. We could also turn our gold into jewelry or purchase a glass locket to keep it in.
Lockets came in the form of earrings, bracelets, tie-tacks, key chains, magnets, and other items. Ultimately, we came home with the film bottles. If you want to purchase a locket at home, their online store sells them in gold-filled, sterling silver, and 14K gold.
See A Large Gold Nugget
After our panning experience, we browsed the extensive gift shop and enjoyed the complimentary cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate.
Don’t miss the chance to get a selfie with the large gold nugget at the jewelry counter. This 19-ounce ingot was discovered in 1995 and is believed to be the 25th largest nugget found in Alaskan gold fields. If you have the budget, it’s priced at USD 75,000.
The nugget is part of a collection that showcases significant finds and highlights the potential rewards of mining. While the dredges no longer operate in Alaska, gold mining is still ongoing by individuals hoping to strike it rich.
After we had completed our gold panning experience, we boarded the Tanana Valley Railroad to return to our starting point.
Combining Your Tour With The Riverboat Discovery
The Gold Dredge 8 tour, a unique two-hour experience, is perfect for a family outing. You’ll even get to take home souvenir gold that you personally panned. It’s no wonder this tour is highly rated on TripAdvisor.
Since Fairbanks has a lengthy winter, this tour is offered in summer between mid-May and mid-September. They offer two daily tours at 10:30 am and 1:45 pm.
However, combining gold panning with the Riverboat Discovery excursion provides an all-day adventure. We did the paddle wheeler excursion with lunch and the Gold Dredge 8. The combined tour lasted six hours, which was the highlight of our time in Fairbanks.
We did the paddle wheel boat, lunch, and the gold dredge last. Some combined tours do the sequence the other way around.
Who Should Do This Tour?
The dredging tour is suitable for all ages. Its wheelchair-friendly train and sun-protective covered cars ensure accessibility for everyone.
If you’re doing the tour and want someone at home to have a gold panning experience, poke bags and gold pans are available for purchase.
