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The native group called the Ahtna settled in this area who knows how long ago... Chief Nicholai developed the plentiful copper and traded it with various other peoples. Later, miners came and the rush was on. Enormous amounts of copper, the richest ever discovered anywhere brought western "civilization" into this area. The Kennecott mine lured men from the gold fields to the mountains of the Wrangells. Along with the copper, enough silver was found to pay for the mining plus the tens of thousands of miners. They in turn spread through the country looking for their own claims. We have found some of those spots, seen the old cabins and mines, broken down by time, but still telling the story of enormous hope and broken dreams. As the dream of riches faded, some turned to trapping, another type of mining, their story is found here too. We go to these places and try to listen to their stories.
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