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Fish Creek
Fish Creek flows into Fritz Cove and drains a
sizable valley on the northern end of Douglas Island. The name first appeared in
the mining records on August 25, 1885, when the water of Fish Creek was claimed
for use at the Treadwell Mines. It subsequently became the northern terminus of
the great Treadwell Ditch. Homestead claims at the mouth of the creek were filed
as early as 1800 and in later years a settlement, known as Fish Creek, grew up
there. A school was established in 1937. Ferry Way - a narrow street now running
from South Franklin Street to Marine Way and the waterfront. Originally this was
the approach to the wharf and float of the Juneau Ferry and Navigation Company
and today it is the principal reminder of the passenger ferry service operated
for many years between Juneau, Douglas, Treadwell, and Thane. Ferry service
across the channel began soon after the opening of the Treadwell mines and was
first conducted with rowboats and sailing sloops. By 1887 there was a steam
ferry making three scheduled trips a day. At sailing time, however, the ferryman
went around town blowing a horn and if too few customers showed up to make a
trip pay, he postponed the sailing until the number increased sufficiently.
Although there were several rival ferry companies at different times, the
longest lived was the Juneau Ferry and Navigation Company which operated an
number of vessels including the Lone Fisherman, Flosie, Teddy, Amy, and Alma.
The last ferry trip was made on October 31, 1935, following the opening of the
Douglas Bridge.
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