The Tlingit knew the bay as Sum Dum, reportedly referring to the sound of ice falling off glaciers into the water.

[6] Holkham Bay served as one of the operational bases for Canadians working to define the Canada–United States border to resolve the Alaska boundary dispute in the late 19th Century.

Supporting structures included a 10-stamp mill, four large Frue Vanners, two Pelton wheels, a wagon road, a short tramway, and a wharf.

[8] Gold was mined by the Portland Group from a siliceous schist ore body containing gold-bearing pyrite, galena, and sphalerite.[when?

][8] Holkham Bay sits about 45 miles (72 km) south of Juneau, Alaska on the east side of Stephens Passage across from the Class Peninsula of Admiralty Island.