Area less than one acre NRHP Reference # 78003419 Added to NRHP 13 September 1978 | Built 1911 (1911) Opened 1911 Nearest city Hope | |
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The Hirshey Mine was one of the major gold mines in the northern mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska in the first half of the 20th century. The mine, unlike many local claims an underground operation, is located in the mountains of what is now Chugach National Forest, on the east side of Palmer Creek about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of the community of Hope. The claim was staked in 1911 John Hirshey, who arrived in the area in 1895 and was one of the early settlers of Hope. He called the claim his "Lucky Strike", and it was worked until all mines were closed in the area in 1942. When the area was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, remnants of two buildings survived, along with the entrance to one of the tunnels and discarded equipment.