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Downtown Skagway
Skagway became a boom town in 1897 because it was a jumping off point for traveling the 600 miles to reach the Klondike gold fields in the Yukon Territory. There were two ways to get to the Yukon Territory. One was through Skagway and the other through Dyea. The second route required crossing a very high summit, while Skagway, even though its trail, The White Pass, was 36 miles further, provided an easier route. The miners were required to bring a ton of supplies with them to get into the Yukon, and the trail from Skagway made that task slightly easier.
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William Moore Cabin
In 1887, Capt. William Moore, came to this area with his son, Bernard. They claimed 160 acres in the valley floor and begin work on a cabin and dock as they believed it would have value as an entry point to the Great Northwest. They called the place Mooresville. When the gold rush started in 1897 it became known as Skagway (same as the local river).
Since there was no real law in the area, and certainly no one to enforce it anyway, the Moores' had no way to hold onto the 160 acres when the Gold Rush began. However, they were able to make their fortune by charging for the use of the harbor and through their lumber and supply business.
This cabin is the original cabin built by William Moore. It has been restored by The National Parks Department, and is part of their tour of the town. It sits next to the home built by Bernard Moore for his own family. Bernard thought that the original cabin would become a museum, but the home he built is now a museum and the cabin is available for viewing.
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Days of 98
The Gold Rush brought a lot of people seeking their fortunes in ways other than prospecting for gold. Skagway has a theater performing "Days of 98" now in it's 87th year. It tells the true story of a con man - Soapy Smith and his unsavory activities in his saloon. Soapy controlled Skagway until a local group, led by Frank Reid, decided to take that control away from him. The result was that both men met an untimely death in a gunfight. Because Reid was able to get rid of the scoundrel, he became a local hero. Both men are buried in the local Gold Rush Cemetery. Reid, in a prominently placed grave with a large momument, and Soapy, off in the corner with bars surrounding his small grave. It made a great story, even if it is true!
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Don't Shoot the Piano Player
Nancy even got into the act while we were at the "Days of 98" production.
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Alaska Brotherhood
This is the Alaska Brotherhood building. It is said to be one of the most photographed buildings in the world because of all the driftwood that has been nailed to the front.
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Rotary Snowplow
There is a narrow gauge rail line that takes tourists through White Pass (summer only). Since snow can get to 27 feet during the winter, they can open the pass using this rotary snowplow.
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Cruise Lines
While we were in town there were 3 cruise ships in the harbor. Although, there are only 800 permanent residents of Skagway, the population swells to several thousand in the summer when the cruise industry brings in the tourists.
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Reid Falls
Behind the Gold Rush cemetery, which has the graves of Soapy Smith and Frank Reid, is Reid Falls. There is a great hiking trail up to the Fall, and benches for enjoying its beauty.
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