Homer Alaska - Arts

A new history book on the Yukon by Michael Gates, "History Hunting in the Yukon," includes a chapter on Homer pioneer Della Banks. Banks and her husband Austin Banks were part of the 51-person Alaska Gold Mining Company that came to Homer in April 1896 on the Excelsior and settled on the Homer Spit. Della Banks described in her diary the naming of Homer in honor of Homer Pennock, the leader of the company.

In his book, Gates relates colorful historic accounts of life in the Yukon Territory. The chapter on Della Banks, "One Woman's Gold Rush," describes her trip over the Dalton Trail from Alaska into the Yukon Territory in 1898, after she left Homer. Banks cooked for an 11-person group heading to the Klondike gold fields.

The chapter includes three photographs of Banks, including one of her on her horse, Polly. "History Hunting in the Yukon" is published by Harbour Publishing, Medeira Park, B.C., Canada. For more information visit www.harbourpublishing.com.