Alexander Malcolm "Sandy" Smith was born Jan. 1, 1858 in Inverness, Scotland. At the age of sixteen he served an apprenticeship with the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada for three years. He made gold strikes in the Klondike and Nome, built several roadhouses (including Snyder House at Flat City) and discovered oil seepages that are now the United States Naval Oil Reserve. He was second in command for the Wilkins Detroit Arctic Expedition of 1926-1927, made mineral discoveries in Siberia, and was honored by many groups, including the Royal Geographical Society, American Geographical Society, and Explorer's Club. In Alaska, Sandy Lake, Smith Bay, Malcolm River and a town named Smith, were all named in his honor. He died June 24, 1958 [1957?]. His ashes were scattered over the Brooks Range.
From the description of Alexander Malcolm Smith photograph collection [graphic], ca. 1920's. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 60405375
