Alaska - Gold Creek Valley Gold Creek Valley Lakes Home Page Juneau was established as Alaska 's capital in 1906 when the government was transferred from Sitka. Today, federal, state and local government employs one out of every two Juneau workers.
Tourism is the largest private employer and continues to grow.
Commercial fishing and mining continue to play a role in Juneau 's economy. Originally fishing grounds for local Tlingit Indians, the Gastineau Channel area became a focus of attention in the late 1800 's when a Tlingit named Kowee of the Auk Tlingit Tribe provided gold ore samples in response to a reward offered by George Pilz, a Sitka engineer. Pilz grubstaked prospectors Richard Harris and Joseph Juneau in August 1880. They found plenty of color in Gold Creek, but did not follow the gold to its source. At Kowee 's urging, Pilz sent the pair back again.