About Discovery Claim on Pedro Creek
Historic, Archaeology, Interesting Places, Other Archaeological Sites
The Discovery Claim on Pedro Creek is a historic gold mining site in central Alaska. It is located at mile 16.5 of the Steese Highway, northeast of Fairbanks. It is a 19-acre (7.7 ha) site on what is now called Pedro Creek, that was where Felix Pedro made the first major discovery of gold in the area on July 22, 1902. His discovery drew large numbers of gold prospectors to the area, and led to the establishment of Fairbanks as a major community in Alaska. Most of the claim site is located south of the highway, which crosses one corner. There is a commemorative marker placed at the side of the highway in 1952. The claim is now owned by the Pioneers of Alaska Igloo #4; there is no substantial evidence of the mining activities that took place there.
