11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Kennecott Mines
Year Listed: 1990, 1991
Location: Kennecott, Alaska
Threat: Deterioration, Neglect
Photo: Brian Turner
Significance
The privately-owned Kennecott Mines site was one of the largest and richest copper mines in the world and, once defunct, became a virtual time capsule of the mining era. Located within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. The Kennecott Mines site was listed as one of America's Most Endangered Historic Places because of serious deterioration and vandalism, which occurred since its closure in 1938.
