Did Richard Willoughby really photograph a mirage in the sky, or was he conning the residents of Juneau, Alaska, and the many people who paid dearly for a copy of his photograph?
Richard G. Willoughby was hardly what many residents of Juneau called a model citizen - even in the 1880s. What he did was absolutely reprehensible - unless, of course, you happened to have an exquisite sense of humor. Or were an Alaskan.
While today he is only remembered only as the namesake of a street in Juneau, in his day he was known as the creator and shameless promoter of Alaska's best-known Fata Morgana. Cursed by some and revered by others, there are few who would dispute Richard G. Willoughby added to the charm and folklore of Alaska.