DAVE HERE: We arrived at Skagway the next morning to ride the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, started in late 1800’s and completed at beginning of 1900’s. Gold was discovered in the Yukon in 1894. The rush was on a couple years later and Skagway was the closest port to get to the gold fields but up and over a very high mountain pass. They also had to bring a years worth of food with them around 2000 pounds. Some would hike the 40 miles carrying 100lbs to the Canadian border where they would stockpile it and then return tor another load until they had all they needed to continue. A railroad obviously would make this a lot simpler so one was started. Unfortunately the rush was over before the railroad was completed. It is still a thrilling ride, often just feet from the edge of cliffs, thru tunnels and over tressles. It rises 2,888 ft. and was built with great courage and effort.
“At the peak of the Gold Rush, Skagway was the largest city in Alaska wukon ith over 10,000 residents, about ten times more than today. This area is also where Jack London got his inspiration for Call of the Wild while seeking his fortunes and where John W. Nordstrom earned enough from a gold mine stake to open his first department store in Seattle in 1901.”
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