Bartlett Lee Thane (1877-1927) was born in California. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he was the quarterback for the football team, graduating with a degree in mining engineering in 1898. Thane first came to Alaska in 1897 to work for Herman Tripp running and maintaining the shaft pumps at the Sumdum Chief Mine south of Juneau. He then served as superintendent of the Eagle River Mining Company (1903-1910), before moving on to head the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Company. By 1911, Thane had gained controlling interest in six different gold mines in the Juneau area. At the Preservation Mine, Thane and his associates excavated a tunnel to provide tide water access from the Sheep Creek Valley, constructed the Salmon Creek Dam supplying hydroelectric power, and built a rotating mill that processed gold ore at the rate of 10,000 tons per day. Thane then added additional hydroelectric power by constructing a second dam at Annex Creek. These and other efforts made the Alaska-Gastineau Mine the largest gold mine in the world for a short period just prior to World War I. The Alaska-Gastineau Mine shut down in 1921 when it became unprofitable. Thane then attempted to develop his hydroelectric plants, mill town, and support facilities for a new pulp mill, but a deal with Japanese investors failed in 1923. Bart Thane died in New York City in 1927. Thane, Alaska, a small town south of Juneau, and Thane Road, running south of Juneau on Gastineau Channel, were named for Bart Thane. Information from: Archives and Special Collections Department, UAA-APU Consortium.