Page 66 - Parks Highway Bearfoot

PARKS HIGHWAY
ESTER
Gold town on the Parks Highway south of Fairbanks.
GOLD HISTORY
There's Still Gold In Ester Some people don 't realize that in Alaska , gold mining is still alive and well. There are over 4 square miles of gold claims in this area alone. Near the Ester truck weigh station, out on the Parks Highway, not that many years ago, there was a lucrative mining operation. Gold finds in the region are so common- place as to make a good story. For example, the first volume of The Ester Republic in 1999 re- ported: "Frank Therrel wowed the tourists last summer by panning gold in and around his recently excavated hou se foun- dation ."
Come to the Red Caboose for Alaskan Ra ven's Brew Coffee & Espresso Drinks. Breakfast Items, Gourmet Sandwiches, Alaskan Specialty Items & Baked Goods. Fast & Friendly.
Acenturyago,gold wasdiscovered near Fairbanks on Cripple Creek, Eva Creek , and Ester Creek . There was plenty to be found in this region, and the town of Ester was formed to outfit the miners. As mining evolved, from simple panning to steam hoists, hydraulic cannons and dredges, Ester developed too. In 1936, Ester Gold Camp was opened, with bunkhouses, homes, shops arestillhere.
Large selec tion oflocal beers & wines and spirits. Craft and domestic brews. Meads and ciders. Growler bar & kegs available. Family owned since 7987.
Bearfoot Checkpoint: Est er is locat ed at Mile 352 of th e Park s High way outside of Fairbanks. Population about 2,500.
and offices. In 1987, 11 buildings in Ester were put on the National Register of Historic Places. Two of the original camp buildings - the assay office and blacksmith shop -
Gold Hill Imported Beers and Fine Wines I 3040 Parks Highway Fairbanks, AK 907.479.2333 Iwww.goldhilialaska.com·facebook.com/GoldHiIlExpress
ESTER
There's Still Gold I In Ester