Juneau Borough, Alaska Genealogy

United States &gt; Alaska &gt; Juneau Borough

Juneau, AK Courthouse &amp; Jail Fire, Jan 1898
Jail Delivery At Juneau.

Tacoma, Washington, Feb. 5.-Fire destroyed the Court House and jail at Juneau Sunday night. All records were lost. No one was injured. Fourteen prisoners had to be released and made their escape. Some were recaptured.

The New York Times, New York, NY 6 Feb 1898

Fire At Juneau.

The Government Building and Records are Destroyed.

Victoria, B.C., February 5.-A special from Juneau, Alaska, says: The most severe conflagration that ever occurred in Alaska, next to the burning of Baranoff Castle, the old Russia Capitol building at Sitka March 17, 1894, visited Juneau, January 31.

The Government building and court house, occupying the most conspicuous elevation in the city, was burned to the ground. Nearly all the Government records were lost. A heavy gale was blowing and no fire department on earth, leaving out of consideration the two-hose carts that Juneau has, could have extinguished the castle of roaring fire.

The illumination was seen for forty miles up Lynn Canal, and it lighted up beautifully the surrounding mountains of snow.

The Evening News, San Jose, CA 5 Feb 1898

No Records Destroyed.

Seattle, Feb. 5.-Advices received here to-day from Juneau, Alaska, on the steamer City of Seattle, state that there were no records destroyed by the burning of the court house. The safe containing them was saved. The fire originated in the marshal’s office and was caused by the explosion of a lamp.

Butte Weekly Miner, Butte, ID 10 Feb 1898 (source:GenDisasters)

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Family History Library Catalog. Salt Lake City, Utah.