Skagway, AK; Juneau, AK & Whitehorse,YT

Skagway, AK

Skagway is derived from shԍagéi, a Tlingit people, who can be traced to prehistoric times, idiom which figuratively refers to rough seas in the Taiya Inlet, that are caused by strong north winds.  Skagway has 920 year-round residents. However, the population doubles in the summer tourist season in order to deal with more than 900,000 visitors.  WikiMiniAtlas

The port of Skagway is a popular stop for cruise ships. Skagway is also part of the setting for Jack London's book The Call of the Wild and for Joe Haldeman's novel Guardian.

In 1896, the Klondike gold rush changed everything. On July 29, 1897, the steamer Queen docked at the wharf with the first boat load of prospectors. More ships brought thousands of hopeful miners into the new town and prepared for the 500-mile journey to the gold fields in Canada. 

Gold Rush-era advertisements made on one of the mountains forming the eastern wall of the valley

Skagway rests in a valley between 2 mountain ranges.  This view is from the Dyea Road.

Looking down the Taiya River into the Taiya Inlet

Arctic Brotherhood Hall turns 115 years old this year. On February 26, 1899, on board the ocean steamer City of Seattle, en route from Seattle to Skagway and filled with gold seekers headed for the Klondike the brotherhood was born.  The Ship’s captain suggested forming a great, social ‘brotherhood of the North, where men from all parts of the world could meet and get to know one another’.  . The preamble of its constitution states: “The object of this organization shall be to encourage and promote social and intellectual intercourse and benevolence among its members, and to advance the interests of its members, and those of the Northwest section of North America.”  Camp No. 1 was established in Skagway soon after the ship docked.

Looking away from the docks on Broadway

Original log cabin built by Captain William Moore, visionary founder of Skagway.  

Restored Moore home, era 1904.  House has many original family possessions.  National Parks now have responsibility for the property.

Skagway Museum and Archives - Granite Building was erected 1899 - 1900 as a Methodist college-preparatory school.  The building has also served as a public school and US Court House.  City offices are now on the 2nd with the museum on the 1st.

We actually met the gal on the right in church.  Since it was a small missionary church, Father asked if someone would like to lead the singing.  She was the obvious choice since the rest of us had no clue.  She is originally from Carmel, IN.
The Days of '98 Show - Between 1897-1898, Skagway was a lawless town, described as "little better than a hell on earth." Fights, prostitutes and liquor were ever-present on Skagway's streets, and con man "Soapy" Smith, who had risen to considerable power, did little to stop it. Smith was a sophisticated swindler who liked to think of himself as a kind and generous benefactor to the needy. He was gracious to some, giving money to widows and halting lynchings, while simultaneously operating a ring of thieves who swindled prospectors with cards, dice, and the shell game. His telegraph office charged five dollars to send a message anywhere in the world. Consequently unknowing prospectors sent news to their families back home without realizing there was no telegraph service to or from Skagway until 1901. Smith also controlled a comprehensive spy network, a private militia called the Skaguay Military Company, the town newspaper, the Deputy U.S. Marshall's office and an array of thieves and con-men who roamed about the town. Smith was shot and killed by Frank Reid and Jesse Murphy on July 8, 1898, in the famed Shootout on Juneau Wharf. Smith managed to return fire — some accounts claim the two men fired their weapons simultaneously — and Frank Reid died from his wounds twelve days later. Jesse Murphy is accredited as the man responsible for killing Smith.

A group of British financiers began construction of a narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon Route Railway in 1898.  It was completed to Whitehorse in 1900.  It carried passengers and freight to the Yukon until roads were built.  

Today the train is strictly a tourist ride 

Hiked to Lower Dewey Lake, southeast of town.  Beautiful day!  What no jacket Cheryl!

Another view of the lake

Shot of the mountains from the trail.

Lower Reid Falls located by the Gold Rush Cemetery.  The Cemetery dates back to the late 1800's, Soapy Smith is buried here.

We also completed a tour of the ghost town of Dyea, just outside of Skagway.  Dyea - During the Klondike Gold Rush prospectors disembarked at its port and used the Chilkoot Trail, a Tlingit trade route over the Coast Mountains, to begin their journey to the gold fields around Dawson City, Yukon, about 500 mi away.  During its peak the swelled to 10,000+ in population from the few 100 1st Nations who built the town.  The Gold Rush people pushed the 1st Nations out.  The town died when the railroad put in a rail to Dawson City a year later.  The area also has a cemetery that holds the 100 + bodies lost in an Avalanche while traversing the Chilkoot Pass.      

Day trip to Juneau -  Joe Juneau and Richard Harris discovered Gold in the area in 1880 and started the rush for Gold.  Local mines produced 20,000 tons of ore daily during their peak.  

Cessna 207 on Wings of Alaska, Skagway yo Juneau.  4 Passengers + the pilot.  We got the middle row!

Skagway docks as we left, only 4 cruise ships!

State Capitol Building built in 1931.  No Dome.  It was built as a Federal building to support the territory, when Alaska became a state they made it the capitol.

Wood carved panel doors on the Governor's office.

This 49 star flag was short lived since Hawaii became the 50th state shortly after Alaska was admitted.

Hand-stenciled ceiling in the Financial Committee Room has been restored to the original building style. 

State Representatives and Senators meet in the early part of the year to conduct their duties. This Representative was clear what he would be doing!    

Governor's House was built in 1912 and still the first family's home.

View from the Federal Building looking out over Gastineau Channel.

??? !!!

Hillside Juneau, colorful homes. 

This is the only type of bear Cheryl wants to see, Bronze!

Enjoying a local brew at the Historic Red Dog Saloon. 

Mendenhall Glacier located northwest of downtown. 

Haines, AK Airport - Our return trip from Juneau included a stop here to drop a passenger, mail, and supplies.

Our RV park was located straight across from the end of the runway by 2 blocks.

Final approach

We departed Skagway on May 28 with Whitehorse, Yukon as our destination.  Besides the numerous road construction delays and waiting for customs to check the White Pass train at the border, we were also asked to open up the RV for inspection.  We had a few extra ounces of wine, but the Canadian border patrol let us enter Canada with no other hassle then time waiting.   

Driving scenery along Route 2 between Skagway and Alaska Highway (Route 1)

Whitehorse, total area population 27,889, is the capital and largest city of Yukon, Canada and the largest city in northern Canada.  Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas occupy both shores of the Yukon River, which originates in British Columbia and meets the Bering Sea in Alaska. The city was named after the White Horse Rapids for their resemblance to the mane of a white horse, near Miles Canyon, before the river was dammed.  Whitehorse became a major stop for the early stampeders who arrived via steamship.  

SS Klondike was the name of two sternwheelers, the second now a national historic site located in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Both ran freight between Whitehorse and Dawson City along the Yukon River from 1921-1936 and 1937-1950, respectively.  Passengers could also travel between these two ports on the Klondike, accommodations for the 1st class was pretty nice!

The Miles Canyon Basalts is a cluster of basaltic lava flows and cones were thought to be Pleistocene age.  The sternwheeler had to pass through this narrow passage which also had strong currents.  They built a series of cables and pullies to assist navigation in the early years 

Bridge over the canyon

Yukon Capitol Building - seems the further north we travel government buildings become more functional then decorative. This building did have some nice decorations inside.

The stain glass windows depict the history of the Yukon.  

This needlepoint is displayed in the Legislative Assembly Room.  Unfortunately they were using the the room for a meeting and had the screen blocking part of the needlepoint. 

There are five hand stitched wall hanging that display women's role in the development of the north.  Work, sport, survival, culture and family are shown.  The five were completed over a year's time-span by over 3000 volunteers.  Every area of the territory worked on the hangings. Each hanging was divided into three parts so each town could participate.   They are approximately 6.5 x 14 feet. 

World's largest wooden fish-ladder. 

This is the dam where ladder is located.  Maybe on our return trip we will be able to see some salmon going up the ladder.

The Old Log Church is the oldest building in Whitehorse standing on its original site.  Rev. Richard Bowen built the church in 1900 to help bring a place of worship to the newly formed community.  He would also go on long mission journey to all areas of the Yukon.  

World's largest weather vane.  DC-3 located at the Whitehorse airport.  This actually functions, as we drove past it the next morning it was facing the opposite direction.