Stories

The first plane(s) in Skagway, Alaska! Not only the first to fly over the city, but also the first to come here as parts in a crate and the first to land. Read more about these stories and the people behind them during this exciting time in Alaska.

The rich and unique stories of the Klondike Gold Rush have attracted visitors to Skagway for over a century. Although tourism has drastically changed since the late 1800's, the history of Skagway has remained as alive and vibrant as when it first began. Learn more about the people who helped kick-start the tourism industry within Skagway and Alaska.

There were many ways to get to the gold fields, and one of them was by bicycle. Although the world was excited about a new way of transportation, this historic vehicle proposed a whole new set of challenges for the eager stampeders as they transported their supplies over the pass.

Stampeders from all over the world came to seek their fortunes during the Klondike Gold Rush but many were unprepared for the dangers ahead. Violence, disease, and Mother Nature waited for them, and many stampeders would die before they even set foot in the gold fields of Dawson City.

The Alaska Railroad and Transportation Company was just one part of the vast Pacific Coast Steamship Company. Their tram, powered by a gasoline engine, was one tram carrying supplies up the Chilkoot Pass.

As thousands of stampeders headed north during the Klondike Gold Rush, they faced the challenge of moving "one ton" of goods over the towering Coast Mountains. Seeking to make this easier, and make money, a number of tramways sprang up along the Chilkoot Trail.

The tramway system, with its powerhouse, its cables and the small towers was erected during the winter of 1897-1898. Today this tram provides some of the most visible reminders of this part of gold rush history. Learn about the short life of the Dyea-Klondike Transportation Company's tramway.

April 3, 1898. After ignoring warnings from the local Alaska Native trail veterans, hundreds of stampeders were caught off guard by an avalanche. Dozens of people were killed in the most publicized casualty event of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98.

From professionals to amateurs, the Klondike Gold Rush was well documented through photographs. After the rush, recreational photography was a popular hobby in Skagway, Alaska. The Skagway Camera Club organized outings, hosted lectures, and left behind many images of early life in post-gold rush Alaska.

Gardening has a long history in Skagway dating back to the Klondike Gold Rush. Explore how this town gets the nickname "Garden City" of Alaska and this tradition continues today.