Juneau, the capital of Alaska, after a steady growth of thirty years, is at the present day a model American city. Following the discovery of gold in Silver Bow Basin, in the year 1880, a settlement sprung into existence on the present site of Juneau, which rapidly developed into a well organized township. The rough log cabins of the early days have gradually given way to the more substantial dwellings and business blocks of a thriving city. The people of Juneau now enjoy every modern convenience in their homes. A bountiful supply of fresh, pure water from mountain springs, electric lights, telephone system, steam heat, dairy produce, and a market well supplied with the best of clothing, fruits and provisions.

A town council of seven citizens, elected annually by the residents, administers to the municipal affairs of Juneau. A volunteer fire department consisting of four companies, is well supplied with chemical engines, hose carts and other apparatus.

The Juneau Public school affords a complete course of study in grade and High School work. A corps of seven teachers is employed. A separate Government School is maintained for the education of the natives.

Two daily newspapers publish the news of the world from press dispatches received through the United States Cable Office. Mail steamers arrive on an average of every four days. Freight and passenger rates compare favorably with mileage tariff on either the Atlantic or Pacific coasts.

Juneau is the official seat of government for Alaska, and residence of the Governor and staff, Surveyor-General, Land Office Registrar, Collector of Customs, Judge of the First Division of the District Court and officers of the Court.

At present there is but one Federal building in Juneau, the Court House and jail, which occupies a prominent site on the west side overlooking the town.

A bill appropriating $240,000.00 for the construction of public buildings was passed by the 61st Congress, $40,000.00 of which is to be expended in the purchase of a site and erection thereon of an Executive Mansion, and $200,000.00 for a site and buildings suitable for the offices of the various Administrative departments. It is expected that work on these buildings will commence early in the spring of 1911.

The principal church structures are those of Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian and Greek denominations.

A substantial two-storey building, erected by the Oddfellows, is the home of that order. The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in 1908 dedicated a $30,000.00 building, the lower floor of which is completely arranged as a club room, with billiard room, bowling alley and reading room. The entire space on the second floor is given to an auditorium 48 x 70, while the third floor is used as a lodge room and banquet hall.

Juneau is surrounded by gold producing mines of great magnitude. Across the channel the Treadwell group of mills are steadily dropping 880 stamps on pay ore. In Silver Bow Basin, north of Juneau, the Alaska Perseverance Gold Mining Company having found a 100 stamp mill inadequate for the reduction of its vast ore bodies, has commenced the construction of an additional mill, to be completed in the summer of 1911.

The California-Nevada Copper Company are at work on the construction of a 200 stamp mill, in Last Chance Basin, two miles from Juneau.

The Treadwell Company, operating the Alaska Juneau Mine in Silver Bow Basin, announce that plans are completed for the construction of a 200 stamp mill near the south limits of the Juneau township.

Numerous prospects lying between Juneau and Eagle River, have been rendered more accessible by the completion of the United States Government trail. The Road Commission has completed a survey for a boulevard to extend from Juneau to the Mendenhall Glacier. The construction of this highway will prove to be the greatest industrial development ever accomplished for the advancement of the business interests of Juneau.

The industries adjacent to Juneau are not entirely mining. A fleet of small vessels engaged in halibut fishing, ships its catch from this point, which is also the headquarters of the cannery fleet in the summer time. A great number of prospectors, loggers and hunters are constantly coming and going at all seasons of the year, giving Juneau a floating population of several hundred. A fair estimate of permanent residents may be placed at 2,000.