11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Kennecott Mines
Year Listed: 1990, 1991
Location: Alaska
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 is listed because of serious deterioration and vandalization which has occurred since closure in 1938.
