In gathering material for the three albums, Mr. Snyder obtained material from five people with whom he had worked during the Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Co.’s peak in 1916: Virgil G. Moore, former electrical foreman; Leo J. Higley, an ore hoist operator; Alex Morgan, a machinist; George E. McConnell, an electrician; and Bob Traver, formerly of the Treadwell supply department. All men were present during the cave-in of the Glory Hole in 1917.

Album 1 contains pictures of the four mines that were in operation near Douglas, including the Treadwell, Mexican, 700, and the Ready Bullion.

The second album contains a number of pictures of the Treadwell mine before and after the cave-in, which occurred shortly after midnight April 12, 1917. Also included are photographs of the 700 mine, the Perseverance Gold Mine, the Alaska Juneau Gold Mine, and the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Co.

The third album contains, primarily, pictures of the powerhouse Mr. Snyder helped install at Nugget Creek, near the Mendenhall glacier, as well as pictures taken in Douglas and near Treadwell. Also included are some color photographs of the Treadwell area taken by Mr. Snyder in 1967 when he made a return trip to the area where he had worked nearly fifty years previously.

During this trip, Mr. Snyder became concerned that too few were aware of the history of Treadwell and prepared these albums to convey the color, flavor, and magnitude of an era along the Gastineau Channel that is long gone. The albums include 170 photographs. Detailed captions and explanations identify buildings, mining activities, town events, and individuals. The albums also compare photographs taken by Mr. Snyder in 1916 with those he took fifty years later in 1966-67.