July 2018 -- Skagway is a small city in southeast Alaska. It is along the route of cruise ships. It was our second stop on our 2018 Alaska cruise. It's home to many gold rush era buildings and is part of the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park.
Gateway to the Klondike
Population: ~1179
Skagway marina
Docked in Skagway
Skagway was an important port during the Klondike Gold Rush. The Klondike Gold Rush was the mass migration of an estimated 100,000 prospectors to the Klondike region of Yukon between 1896 and 1899. To reach the gold fields, many prospectors took the route through the port of Skagway.
Statue of discouraged miner
Mining mural: I like murals.
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Centennial monument honoring the Tlingit
The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad is another part of the area's mining past. It operates throughout the summer months for tourists. We took the train ride when our ship stopped in Skagway. It was miserably weather for a train ride. Visibility was poor. We still enjoyed it. Afterwards, we had time to walk around the town and see the many historical buildings and learn about the gold rush.
White Pass and Yukon
Direction sign
Scenery along the train route
Rail cars
Motto for boys and girls
Border between US and Canada
All tuckered out
Shiny cars
Skagway has about 100 historic buildings, mostly related to the gold rush. One of them is the Arctic Brotherhood Hall (Camp Skagway #1). It is one of the most photographed buildings in Alaska. The Arctic Brotherhood was a fraternal organization founded by a group of gold seekers in 1899. The unique driftwood decorated frame underwent restoration in 2004-2005.
Arctic Brotherhood Hall, c. ~1900
Built in 1897 during the height of the Gold Rush, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one of the finest Bordellos in town. Now it's a saloon, restaurant, and museum. Yes, you can take a "brothel" tour (for $10 according to the sign). We didn't. The White Pass & Yukon Route Administration Building (railroad building) is still in its original location. It was built around 1900. It's now a visitor's center and park headquarters. The oldest structures in Skagway are the Moore homestead. William Moore was the founder of Skagway.
Brothel tours are $10.
Old Railroad Building (c. 1900)
Oldest structures in Skagway
Skagway residents
The old snow plows were built in 1898 and cleared the tracks until 1964. They were restored in 1995 and were on display for all to see.
Old snow plow trains
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