Overview:
This informative text is a comprehensive travelogue, penned in 1886, that takes readers on a journey through the majestic Northwest, spanning from the Great Lakes to the breathtaking Alaskan Inside Passage. The author provides a vibrant account of the region’s diverse landscapes, from the fertile plains of Dakota to the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains. He explores the burgeoning cities of the era, highlighting the rise of mining towns like Butte, Montana, and the booming wheat trade in the Palouse region. The text also delves into the fascinating culture of the indigenous people, particularly the T’linkit tribes of Alaska, with detailed descriptions of their customs, art, and social structures.
The second half of the text focuses on the captivating Alaskan Inside Passage, showcasing its unique natural wonders, including glaciers, icebergs, and the majestic Mount St. Elias. The author offers personal anecdotes and insights from his own travels, painting a vivid picture of the rugged beauty and cultural richness of this remote region.
Key Findings:
- The Northwest, encompassing regions from the Great Lakes to the Pacific coast, is experiencing a period of rapid expansion and development, fueled by the growth of cities, agriculture, and mining.
- The text provides a snapshot of the Northwest’s economic landscape in 1886, highlighting the importance of the wheat trade, the booming mining industry, and the emerging salmon canning industry.
- The text offers a detailed account of the T’linkit culture, their customs, art, and social structures, providing insight into the lives of the indigenous people of Alaska during this era.
- The Alaskan Inside Passage is a remarkable natural wonder, showcasing stunning glacier formations, icebergs, and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Learning:
- The Northwest’s Rapid Growth: The reader learns about the rapid expansion and development of the Northwest in the late 19th century, driven by the pursuit of resources, the growth of cities, and the establishment of new industries.
- Details: The text highlights the dramatic population increases in cities like St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Fargo, driven by the wheat trade, mining, and other industries. The development of the Northern Pacific Railroad played a pivotal role in connecting these communities and opening up new areas for settlement.
- The Diversity of the Northwest’s Landscape: The reader learns about the diverse natural features of the Northwest, from the Great Plains to the towering Rocky Mountains and the Alaskan Inside Passage.
- Details: The author provides vivid descriptions of the Badlands of the Little Missouri, Yellowstone National Park with its geysers and canyons, and the stunning waterways of the Alaskan Inside Passage.
- The Complexities of Native American Culture: The reader gains insight into the rich and multifaceted culture of the T’linkit tribes, learning about their social structures, art forms, and customs.
- Details: The text provides descriptions of totem poles, traditional T’linkit clothing, social ceremonies, and their unique trade practices.
- The Wonders of the Alaskan Inside Passage: The reader experiences the awe-inspiring beauty of the Alaskan Inside Passage, encountering glaciers, icebergs, and magnificent mountain scenery, all accessible by steamboat.
- Details: The author vividly describes the grandeur of Muir Glacier, the majestic Mount St. Elias, and the captivating interplay of ice, water, and mountain in this unique ecosystem.
Historical Context:
- The text was written in 1886, a period of rapid westward expansion in the United States, fueled by the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the discovery of new resources.
- The Northwest, once considered a frontier, was undergoing a dramatic transformation, with cities growing rapidly and new industries taking shape.
- The United States had recently acquired Alaska from Russia in 1867, a move that spurred exploration and settlement in the region.
- The T’linkit tribes were experiencing the impact of Western expansion, with their traditional way of life facing significant changes.
Facts:
- Dakota’s Wheat Production: Dakota’s annual wheat crop had reached 25,000,000 bushels by 1886, making it a major agricultural producer.
- Montana’s Livestock: Montana had 900,000 cattle, 1,200,000 sheep, and 120,000 horses by 1886, signifying the growth of its ranching industry.
- The Yellowstone National Park: Established in 1872, the park is a unique natural wonder, renowned for its geysers, canyons, and other extraordinary geological formations.
- The Buffalo’s Decline: The buffalo was practically extinct in the United States by 1886 due to extensive hunting, except for a small herd in the Yellowstone National Park.
- The Snake River: The Snake River, a major tributary of the Columbia River, is longer than the Rhine and more than three times the length of the Hudson River.
- The Columbia River: The Columbia River is navigable for 725 miles, excluding portages and rapids.
- Mount Hood: Mount Hood, a dormant volcano, stands at 11,225 feet above sea level, making it one of the most prominent peaks in the Cascade Range.
- The Dalles of the Columbia River: The Dalles, a narrow gorge where the Columbia River flows through a constricted channel, is a remarkable geological feature.
- Portland’s Growth: Portland, Oregon, had a population of 30,000 in 1886, a significant increase from its population of 1,103 in 1871.
- The Salmon Canning Industry: The salmon canning industry on the Columbia River had grown significantly by 1886, producing over half a million cases annually.
- Mount Tacoma: Mount Tacoma, also known as Mount Rainier, stands at 14,444 feet, making it the highest peak in the Cascade Range.
- The Puget Sound: Puget Sound, a deep and sheltered inlet, is home to several major cities and is an important shipping route.
- The Alaskan Inside Passage: The Inside Passage, stretching for over a thousand miles, offers breathtaking scenery, including glaciers, icebergs, and mountain ranges.
- The T’linkit Tribe: The T’linkit tribe, encompassing various sub-tribes, are known for their artistic traditions, particularly their totem poles and carved items.
- The Cassiar Mines: The Cassiar Mines in British Columbia were a major source of gold in the late 19th century, but their production had declined by 1886.
- The Stickeen River: The Stickeen River, a major tributary of the Pacific Ocean, is known for its scenic beauty and abundance of salmon.
- The Muir Glacier: Muir Glacier, located in Glacier Bay, Alaska, is one of the largest glaciers in the world.
- Mount St. Elias: Mount St. Elias, rising to nearly 20,000 feet, is the highest peak in North America and a prominent feature of the Alaskan landscape.
Statistics:
- Dakota’s Population: Dakota had a population of 415,664 in 1886, with an average of less than three people per square mile.
- Montana’s Livestock: Montana’s livestock population had grown to 900,000 cattle, 1,200,000 sheep, and 120,000 horses by 1886.
- Yellowstone National Park’s Area: Yellowstone National Park covers an area of over 3,472 square miles, providing a vast expanse of wilderness.
- The Snake River’s Length: The Snake River is 1,038 miles long, longer than the Rhine and more than three times the length of the Hudson River.
- The Columbia River’s Length: The Columbia River is 1,243 miles long, draining a vast area almost equivalent to the combined area of France and Germany.
- Mount Hood’s Height: Mount Hood stands at 11,225 feet above sea level, towering over the surrounding landscape.
- Portland’s Population Growth: Portland’s population grew from 1,103 in 1871 to 30,000 in 1886, a testament to its rapid expansion.
- The Salmon Canning Industry’s Output: The salmon canning industry on the Columbia River produced over half a million cases of canned salmon in 1886.
- Mount Tacoma’s Height: Mount Tacoma, also known as Mount Rainier, stands at 14,444 feet above sea level, making it the highest peak in the Cascade Range.
- The Alaskan Inside Passage’s Length: The Inside Passage stretches for over 1,000 miles, providing a stunning scenic route through the Alaskan archipelago.
- The T’linkit Tribe’s Population: The T’linkit tribe, encompassing various sub-tribes, had a significant population in Alaska, with some villages housing over a thousand individuals in the winter.
- The Cassiar Mines’ Production: The Cassiar Mines in British Columbia produced a significant amount of gold in the 19th century, but their output had declined by 1886.
- The Stickeen River’s Navigability: The Stickeen River is navigable by small steamers for 150 miles, offering access to the interior of Alaska.
- The Muir Glacier’s Size: Muir Glacier, located in Glacier Bay, Alaska, is estimated to extend back 40 miles.
- Mount St. Elias’s Height: Mount St. Elias, rising to nearly 20,000 feet, is the highest peak in North America and a prominent feature of the Alaskan landscape.
Terms:
- Totem Pole: A tall, carved pole representing the lineage and history of a Native American family or clan.
- T’linkit: A Native American tribe inhabiting Southeastern Alaska, known for their distinct culture and artistic traditions.
- Potlatch: A traditional T’linkit ceremony involving feasting, gift-giving, and social displays of wealth.
- Tyee: A T’linkit chief or leader.
- Glacier: A large mass of ice formed by compacted snow that slowly moves downhill.
- Iceberg: A large piece of ice that has broken off from a glacier and floats in the sea.
- Fjords: Deep, narrow inlets formed by glacial erosion, often characterized by steep cliffs and narrow channels.
- Archipelago: A group of islands, often clustered together in a sea or ocean.
- Kuro-Siwo: A warm ocean current originating in the western Pacific Ocean, also known as the Japanese Current.
- Aurora Borealis: A natural light display in the sky, often seen in high-latitude regions, caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere.
Examples:
- The Dalrymple Wheat Farm: The text describes the vast wheat farm owned by Oliver Dalrymple, encompassing over 50,000 acres and producing millions of bushels of wheat.
- The Alice Mine: The author details the impressive machinery and output of the Alice Mine in Butte, Montana, showcasing the scale and technology of the mining industry in the region.
- The Anaconda Copper Mine: The text highlights the Anaconda Copper Mine, the largest copper mine in America, and its enormous smelting works, demonstrating the significance of the copper industry in the Northwest.
- The Stickeen River: The author provides a vivid description of the Stickeen River, emphasizing its stunning scenery, navigable waters, and abundance of salmon.
- Muir Glacier: The text showcases the grandeur of Muir Glacier in Glacier Bay, Alaska, describing its immense size, the thundering sound of falling ice, and the breathtaking spectacle of icebergs breaking off from its front.
- Mount St. Elias: The text emphasizes the majesty of Mount St. Elias, highlighting its towering height and its prominent position in the Alaskan landscape.
- The T’linkit Potlatch: The author describes a traditional T’linkit potlatch ceremony, showcasing the importance of feasting, gift-giving, and social displays of wealth in their culture.
- The Indian River: The text describes the Indian River, a picturesque mountain stream near Sitka, showcasing its beauty and the unique accessibility of its trails for travelers.
- The Hot Springs Bay: The text discusses the abandoned Russian American Fur Company hospital at Hot Springs Bay, highlighting the therapeutic properties of its hot springs.
- The Japanese Junk: The text recounts the story of a Japanese junk that drifted across the Pacific Ocean and was stranded near Sitka, showcasing the impact of ocean currents and the long-distance voyages of traditional vessels.
Conclusion:
“Wonderland; or, Alaska and the Inside Passage” offers a captivating glimpse into the rapidly evolving Northwest of 1886, a region brimming with potential and natural beauty. The text reveals the dynamic interplay of economic growth, geographical marvels, and cultural diversity, showcasing the fascinating mix of bustling cities, rich agricultural lands, booming mining towns, and the enduring spirit of the Native American people. The grand Alaskan Inside Passage stands out as a highlight, a unique and awe-inspiring landscape filled with majestic glaciers, awe-inspiring icebergs, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, the author transports the reader to this remarkable region, leaving them with a lasting impression of its grandeur and intrigue.