Gold Steel & Ice - 1Chris Allan received his PhD in Public History from WSU in 2010.  Dr. Allan is currently a Research Historian with the National Park Service in Alaska.  His book entitled  “Gold, Steel & Ice – A History of Mining Machines in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve” was published in November 2015.  A copy is housed in the main office of the Department of History – WSU.  The book examines one of the three parks that was expanded in size when President Jimmy Carter signed the Antiquities Act in 1980 to preserve the land as a National Monument.  Chris specifically targets the mining machinery used in the Yukon-Charley Rivers area dating back to the 1890s.  More information about the book can be found here.  Photos and sketches included in the book are found  at this site.  Dr. Orlan Svingen was Chris’ mentor and advisor during his years spent at Washington State University.