Cracking Fun!
The Arctic Brotherhood Hall
The Arctic Brotherhood Hall, with its more than 8,883 driftwood sticks nailed to it, is thought to be the most photographed building in Alaska
Soapy Smith
Our Most Famous Citizen is a Criminal and Villain, Jefferson Randolph Smith (AKA Soapy Smith)
Nordstrom Department Store
The founder of the department store Nordstrom, John W. Nordstrom, spent two years in the Klondike during the Gold Rush. He earned $13,000 from a gold-mine stake before returning to Seattle and starting Nordstrom.
Golden North Hotel
The haunted Golden North Hotel is the oldest hotel in Alaska.
Visitors
Nearly 1 million people visit Skagway annually.
Boom of the Gold Rush
During the Boom of the Gold Rush Skagway had a population of around 10,000 people. By June 1898 Skagway was the largest city in Alaska. Today, the year-round population is around 900 people and we can host just over 10,000 people a day!
Incorporated City
Skagway was the first incorporated city in Alaska, June 28,1900. We beat Juneau by ONE day!
Civil Engineering Landmark
Skagway’s White Pass & Yukon Tour is designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. A title shared with only 35 others, including the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and the Panama Canal.
Road Access
Skagway is one of only three cities in Southeast Alaska accessible by road.
Home of the North Wind
Skagway’s original name, Skagua, means “Home of the North Wind” in Tlingit.
2,000 lbs
Officials in Canada required prospectors to carry 1 ton (2,000 lbs) of food and gear with them when entering Canada, to ensure they did not starve during the winter.
Jack London
Jack London, the Author of The Call of the Wild, traveled the Chilkoot Trail. There are even scenes from some of the movie adaptations that were shot in Dyea.
McCabe College
The McCabe College, located on 7th Avenue, was the first school in Alaska to offer a college preparatory classes.
Frank Reid
The surveying equipment used to layout Skagway’s grid-like pattern was won in a poker game by Frank Reid.
Lynn Canal
The Lynn Canal is the deepest and longest fjord in North America.
