The Nome nugget., 1922-07-15
General Description Home District

miles of territory occupies large section or Northwestern Alaska known geographically Seward Peninsula bounded by the Arctic Ocean the North and Boring Sea the West and 600 miles Of line. Nome with population varying from $50 in winter 2O00 in summer is the chief port and com mercal center of the entire district the regions farther north and vast section of the Northeast coast of Siberia Nome the mail distributing center for the entire district also the judicial headquarters for the Second Al aska Division. In practically all things the entire divi sion is served from this The country generally is rolling character with wide valleys and lakes and streams The owands into low rounded hills fronting single lofty which the heart of the district The summer temperature ranges be- 40 and 50 degrees the annual temperature 40 degrees. Extremes of temperature corded around 7 degrees in July to 30 de- grees January. Annual precipitation is about IS inches.
 ii The district is unquestionably of the most k highly mineralized regions of the known earth. Gold the chief but numerous varieties of lesser minerals found large portion of the district petroleum is known to exist in the region of Point short distance to the north of the peninsula oil indications found within the district at points, The only real tin mines in Alaska and the largest known deposits of tin in America are located in Clarence section and coal beds of important exist in the Kugru and Cape Lsburne regions near the northern coast.
 , Since the discovery of gold 22 years ago, the Nome District produced than $S1 100000 in gold silver in addition to n tungsten antimony and other metals valued at several millions Copper and graphite known to exist in explotabe Quant1es and gold quartz in small bodies and low grade quartz in large bodies has been found at points Almost all the best known metals are found in e1ploita- " ble quantities The gold produced is almost entirely placers quartz mining not having reached state active development yet Dredging has become the chief method gold extraction although numerous hy draulic and "open cut" plants are operated very large part of the known mneraized areas have been hardly than prospected remoeness and inadequate transportation facilities having greatly hindered develop ment in the past many pacers and other min discoveries be expected in the future when the }, district is thoroughly exploited.
 l. In addition to its great mineral resources. the Nome District tremendously important abilities thriving reindeer industry. which. altho hardly than started commercial scae has al h ready yielded revenues approximating $s.oooooo I Fish of various species abound in the lakes. streams and coastal waters and form the basis for great industry. Herring particularly plentiful and pronounced by experts unexcelled by any herring to the worlds markets. Salmon and other va rieties also plentiful.
 r. The district also produces a large variety of fur bearing animals which yield large annual revenue. in addition game animals and wild fowl large numbers Berries and wild flowers in abundance in the un- - ending daylight of Although the district whole devoid of timber larger than willows plant life exists profusion and the low hills and valleys are covered with vast carpet of thick moss and grasses Tsansnorfafion Roads the first essentials to development of new territory As result or an extremely sighted and iberal policy on the part the federal government inadequate and costly trans poration facilities the chief drawback to ex- tensve exploitation of the great mineral wealth known to exist in the Nome District Within the nearly 2300O square miles territory less than 250 miles of and than 25 per cent of the total i mileage is found within 20 miles of Nome. Develop ment proceed at slow under such con- , ditions During the past two the government has inclined liberal spirit and prospects are now bright for important extensions of present highways which will prove of vast benefit. projected govern ment extension the Nome-Kougarok railway through the heart district to the Kugruk coal fields will not Huv open great area mineral lands to exploitation hut will also enable acquisition of cheap fuel the a
 sence of which has been powerful deterrent to mining and industrial development in all lines
 Hold n1inino The Nome District has been the duced in the Alaska territory during the past 20
 Yet witha developed portion of the country
 This is largely the fact that only the districts cas- jest of access have attention of the miner and prospector. still hundreds of square
 mineral bearing territory untouched by
 the industry owing to the absence of roads and resultant difficulties of transportation.