On March 30, 1867 The United States bought Alaska from the Russians... for less than 2 cents an acre, for a total of 7.2 million dollars.
Alaska became an offical U.S. Territory.

When the U.S. first obtained Alaska, it was unsure of exactly what to do with the land. It was so far away from the rest of the United States that some people seemed to wonder what laws would actually work there.

Curiousity made a lot of people want to go there. But, how? There were no trains to board and get to your destination. Traveling to that frozen land in a covered wagon was out of the question for most of the people, especially since there is another country (Canada) inbetween Alaska and the United States. Planes? Nope. They were not even available at that time. So the people that wanted to make Alaska their new home simply used the ocean as their means of transportation.

GOLD!!

Gold was found several time between 1870 and 1895. Including in Juneau in 1880.
But the BIG find was in 1896, near the Yukon River... not in Alaska, but actually in Canada. This find was the cause of the "Klondike Gold Rush of 1898".

Word of the Gold spread fast, with people rushing to Alaska to find their little bit of happiness in a small chunk of the gold.

Skagway was a small town that grew to a number in the thousands with people stopping on their way to find this gold.

Gold was also found in Nome in 1898.

During World War II, Alaska was not ready for war, (then again, who ever really is?) so the United States sent some troups there. With troups in Alaska, there was a need for constant supplies to be delivered. To help with getting supplies there, they really needed a road. This is were the Al-Can (Alaskan-Canadian Highway) can to be. 1,500 miles of the Al-Can had to be built fast... in line nine (9) months.

Alaska actually became a State in January 1959.

Wanted:
Someone to help with Alaska's History. Do you have a story to tell about Alaska? We want to hear from you, the people of Alaska. Please submit your story/knowledge here .
Thanks

In the meantime, here are some books that I have heard about that seem to be a good source of information.

Alaska : A History of the 49th State by Claus-M. Naske, Herman E. Slotnick (Contributor)

Alaska : A Photographic Journey Through the Last Wilderness by Leonard Lee, III Rue (Introduction), John, Jr Pezzenti (Photographer)

Chilkoot Pass, the Most Famous Trail in the North; The Most Famous Trail in the North by Archie Satterfield