Description
This collection of photographs taken by Charles O. Farciot documents Edward Schieffelin’s gold prospecting trip through Alaska
via the Yukon River in 1882 and 1883.
Views include many close portraits of Alaskan natives and their families; the towns of St. Michael, Nuklukayet, and Anvik;
trading stations; Schieffelin and his dog sled team; and Fort
Yukon missionaries interacting with Alaskan natives.
Background
Charles O. Farciot was born in Switzerland in 1840 and became a United States citizen in 1858. In the course of his life,
Farciot learned enough to
become a photographer and steamship engineer. After opening photography studios in Arizona, he met Edward Schieffelin, the
founder of Tombstone, Arizona.
Schieffelin, who was interested in searching for gold in the Yukon, took Farciot along as part of his gold prospecting party
to Alaska in 1882.
Discouraged by the harsh environment, Schieffelin left in 1883, but Farciot stayed behind to work as a steamship engineer
on the Yukon River until
at least 1886. Upon leaving Alaska, Farciot opened photograph studios in San Francisco.
Extent
45 photographs in 1 album; album 24 x 30 cm. (9 x 12 in.)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.