Skagway Alaska: Gold Rush History, Facts, and Legends

When the steamship Queen unloaded hundreds of stampeders in 1897, Skagway Alaska became the front door to the Klondike Gold Rush.

Almost overnight, the small frontier town turned into a crowded, dangerous funnel for dreamers chasing gold. Hard mountain passes, explosive growth, and notorious figures define its wild past.

The first people to settle in the area were the Tlingit.

The name Skagway came from the Tlingit word Skagua, meaning “place where the north wind blows.”

The World Gets Gold Fever

There were many beginnings, but gold was what drew people to what would become Skagway.

Captain William Moore founded the town in 1887.

Moore anticipated a gold rush and wanted to be ready to cash in as stampeders arrived and needed supplies for the trip to the gold fields.

But the Klondike Gold Rush didn't happen until 1896.

In August 1896, Skookum Jim, George Carmack, and Dawson Charlie discovered gold in a tributary of the Klondike River called Rabbit Creek.

But Skookum Jim had claimed to strike gold before, and those claims had turned out to be false. So this time, people didn't believe him.

When they discovered his claim was true, they changed the name of Rabbit Creek to Bonanza Creek.

Bonanza Creek is 600 miles from Skagway.

The Famous “Ton of Gold”

In 1897, two steamships, the Portland and the Excelsior, headed from Alaska to Seattle and San Francisco.

Before the ships arrived, a Seattle newspaper headline told the story:

“Gold, Gold, Gold – A Ton of Gold”

The steamship Portland docked in Seattle carrying prospectors returning from the Klondike and not one but two tons of gold.

Hundreds of people were on the docks to greet Portland.

News of the strike had set off gold fever.

The Klondike Gold Rush was on.

Stampede to the Rich Gold Fields

On July 26, 1897, the steamship Queen came to rest at Captain William Moore's dock in Skagway.

Hundreds of stampeders were on the ship looking to strike it rich.

People heading to the Klondike gold fields came through Skagway, and the town soon became overrun.

In the fall of 1897, a post office, church, and the Skagway News, a local newspaper, had sprung up.

By 1898, Skagway had become the largest city in Alaska, with a population of 8,000 to 10,000 all crowded into the tiny town.

It was a Long, Hard Climb 
to Get to the Gold Fields

The White Pass
and the Chilkoot Pass

During the gold rush, stampeders used two trails as they headed for the Klondike gold fields.

The first was the 40-mile White Pass, which became known as “Dead Horse Pass” because it was so steep that many horses died along the way.

The second trail, and the more famous of the two, was the 33-mile Chilkoot Pass.

Dangerous and Notorious
Soapy Smith

A smooth-talking con man named Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith came to Skagway from Colorado to take control of the lawless town.

But he didn't come alone.

Soapy brought his gang of thugs, thieves, and card sharps to help him.

To establish himself as a legitimate businessman in the eyes of the good citizens of Skagway, Alaska, he opened “Jeff Smith's Parlor,” a saloon and gambling hall that also served as a front for his many cons.

Soapy was successful at taking over the town. He was even the Grand Marshal of the 4th of July parade.

But some of his men went too far when they mugged a young miner fresh from the gold fields, robbing him of his gold poke.

The town decided to put an end to Soapy and his men, assembling at the far end of Juneau Wharf to make their plans.

When Soapy heard what the townspeople were up to, he grabbed a rifle and, along with his heavily armed men, headed for the wharf.

Once there, Soapy ended up in a shootout with Frank Reid, a surveyor who had laid out the town of Skagway.

Both Soapy and Reid died.

Skagway Alaska

• In May 1899, a fire destroyed seven downtown buildings.
• On June 28, 1900, Skagway became the first city to incorporate in Alaska. They beat Juneau by only one day.
• From 1903 to 1905, a 22-year-old Skagway resident named Bobby Sheldon built the first automobile in Alaska. His car was featured in the 1905 4th of July Parade.

Interesting Facts:

One gold rush miner struck $13,000 in gold and headed back to Seattle. His name was John W. Nordstrom, and he would later create Nordstrom's department store.

The town of Skagway is one of only three cities in Southeast Alaska that are accessible by road.

Skagway, Alaska, is home to the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, also known as the “Scenic Railway of the World.”

The Golden North Hotel in Skagway is the oldest hotel in Alaska.

What's the Weather Like in

Skagway Alaska

Skagway has a humid continental climate and lies in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains.

The hottest temperature ever recorded was 92 degrees F, most recently in 2019.

The coldest temperature ever recorded was -24 degrees F on February 2, 1947.

SKAGWAY WEATHER

“Gold Fever, Skagway and Soapy Smith” is an adventure-filled short story that takes you to the gold strike and the rough town of Skagway, Alaska, where you come face-to-face with Soapy Smith.

A Short Story from Michael R Dougherty

Gold fever gripped the world.

Many gold seekers headed for Skagway, Alaska, in 1897.

A few chapter titles from the table of contents:

• Bare Knuckles
• Trouble at the Golden Mule
• The Eagle was in on It

And much more.

Gold Fever, Skagway and Soapy Smith is an adventure-filled short story that takes you to the gold strike, the rough town of Skagway, Alaska, and face-to-face with the notorious Soapy Smith.