The Kink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Kink
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A miner's cabin at The Kink
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 Location in Alaska
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| Location | Along the North Fork Fortymile River, about 21.5 miles (34.6 km) north of Chicken |
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| Nearest city | Chicken, Alaska |
| Area | 280 acres (110 ha) |
| Built | 1904 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002161 |
| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1975 |
The Kink is a special channel dug by people in eastern Alaska. It's located along the North Fork Fortymile River. Gold miners created this channel in 1904. They hoped to find gold by changing the river's path. However, their big effort did not lead to finding more gold.
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What is The Kink?
The Kink is a man-made channel. It was blasted through a rocky ridge. This ridge is found in a very remote part of eastern Alaska. The channel was built to change how the North Fork Fortymile River flowed.
Why Was The Kink Built?
Miners built The Kink to look for gold. The river naturally made a big curve, shaped like a horseshoe. This curve is called a meander. The miners believed that if they could make the river flow straight, they would uncover new gold deposits. They thought the gold might be hidden in the bypassed riverbed.
The Miners' Big Plan
In 1904, miners used explosives to blast through the rock ridge. This created a new, straighter path for the river. It was a huge engineering project for its time. Imagine doing this in a faraway place with harsh weather!
The Mining Camp
Near The Kink, you can still see parts of a small mining camp. This camp was where the miners lived and worked. It shows how people lived and tried to find gold over a hundred years ago.
A Historic Place
The Kink is recognized as an important historical site. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place that helps us understand the past. It's protected because of its history and the amazing effort it took to create it. Even today, the area is still remote and has tough weather conditions.
