Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Early color film showing gold mining operations in the Fairbanks, Alaska, area, during the late 1930s. Scenes include hydraulic giants and a bulldozer at work; a man standing in a large sluice box; a miner displaying a large pan of gold; and people working at a smaller sluice box.
Portions of this film were likely shot by Fred Torsak, a friend of the Lee family. The original film container was labeled “Gold mining with great cleanup gold,” and was postmarked February 13, 1939.
Source & Format
Color, silent, 16mm film
Arnie M. Lee and Family Collection (AAF-16336)
Alaska Film Archives
Repository
The Alaska Film Archives is a unit of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives Department, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Contact
If you have additional information or can help further identify what’s seen here, we welcome your insights. Please contact us using the information in the “About” section.
Support the Alaska Film Archives
The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. Donations of any amount help us preserve and share Alaska’s audiovisual history. Visit the “About” section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help. Thank you!
Early color film showing gold mining operations in the Fairbanks, Alaska, area, during the late 1930s. Scenes include hydraulic giants and a bulldozer at work; a man standing in a large sluice box; a miner displaying a large pan of gold; and people working at a smaller sluice box.
Portions of this film were likely shot by Fred Torsak, a friend of the Lee family. The original film container was labeled “Gold mining with great cleanup gold,” and was postmarked February 13, 1939.
Source & Format
Color, silent, 16mm film
Arnie M. Lee and Family Collection (AAF-16336)
Alaska Film Archives
Repository
The Alaska Film Archives is a unit of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives Department, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Contact
If you have additional information or can help further identify what’s seen here, we welcome your insights. Please contact us using the information in the “About” section.
Support the Alaska Film Archives
The Alaska Film Archives appreciates your support. Donations of any amount help us preserve and share Alaska’s audiovisual history. Visit the “About” section of our YouTube channel to learn how you can help. Thank you!
