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Skagway Alaska
Location and Climate
Skagway is located 90 miles northeast of Juneau at the
northernmost end of Lynn Canal, at the head of Taiya Inlet.
It lies 95 air miles north of Juneau, and 108 road miles
south of Whitehorse, just west of the Canadian border at
British Columbia. Skagway is located in the Skagway
Recording District. The area encompasses 455 sq. miles of
land and 11 sq. miles of water. Skagway experiences a
maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Average
summer temperatures range from 45 to 67; winter temperatures
average 18 to 37. Within the shadow of the mountains,
Skagway receives less rain than is typical of Southeast
Alaska, averaging 26 inches of precipitation per year, and
39 inches of snow.
History, Culture and Demographics
"Skagua" was the Tlingit name, which means "the place
where the north wind blows." The first non-Native settler
was Buddy Moore in 1887, who is credited with discovery of
the White Pass route into Interior Canada. In July 1897,
gold was discovered in the Klondike, and the first boatload
of prospectors landed. By October 1897, according to a
Northwest Mounted Police Report, Skagway "had grown from a
concourse of tents to a fair-sized town with well-laid-out
streets and numerous frame buildings, stores, saloons,
gambling houses, dance houses and a population of about
20,000." Five thousand stampeders alone landed in February
1898, according to Customs Office records. Two trails were
used by the gold seekers to reach the headwaters of the
Yukon River. The 33-mile-long Chilkoot Trail began at nearby
Dyea; and the 40-mile White Pass Trail began at Skagway and
paralleled the present-day route of the White Pass &
Yukon Railway. Thousands of men carried supplies up the
33-mile Chilkoot Trail, or took the 40-mile White Pass trail
to Lake Bennett, where they built boats to float down the
Yukon River to Dawson City and the gold fields, 500 miles
distant. In 1898 a 14-mile, steam-operated tramway was
constructed, which eased the burdens of those able to pay.
Skagway became the first incorporated City in Alaska in
1900; their population was 3,117 at that time, the
second-largest settlement in Alaska. Tales of fortune
seekers, lawlessness, and Soapy Smith are legendary. Once
the gold rush ended in 1900, Skagway might have become a
ghost town if not for the White Pass and Yukon Railroad
construction in 1898. The railroad was the first in Alaska,
and provided freight, fuel and transportation to Whitehorse
and served the Anvil Gold Mines in the Yukon. It employed
many locals until 1982, when the Mine closed. Construction
of the Klondike Hwy. in 1979 gave Skagway a link to the
Alaska Highway and State ferry connection to Southeast. It
is now supported primarily by summer tourism.
5.5% of the population are Alaska Natives. A federally
recognized tribe is located in the community. Skagway is
predominantly a non-Native tourist community, with
historical Tlingit influences. Downtown buildings have been
colorfully restored to reflect the history of the gold rush
through the Chilkoot Pass.
Economy and Transportation
The tourist industry flourishes in Skagway, as a port of
call for cruise ships and a transfer site for interior bus
tours. During 1999, 430,000 cruise ship passengers and over
150,000 independent travelers are expected to visit Skagway.
Trans-shipment of lead/zinc ore, fuel and freight occurs via
the Port and Klondike Hwy. to and from Canada. The State
ferry connects independent travelers to Southeast Alaska.
The Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park brought a restoration
of downtown buildings in 1976. The White Pass and Yukon
Railroad is open seasonally, providing 3-hour tours through
the range. Two residents hold commercial fishing
permits.
The Klondike Highway and Alaska Highway provide a
connection through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory,
Canada, to the lower 48 states or north to Interior Alaska.
Skagway is accessed by air, road, water, and rail services.
The State owns the 3,750' paved runway and a seaplane base
at the boat harbor, with scheduled air taxis. Skagway
receives regular State ferry and barge services. A
breakwater, ferry terminal, cruise ship dock, small boat
harbor, boat launch, and boat haul-out are available. The
White Pass and Yukon Route Company owns two deep draft docks
for cargo loading and storage.
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Communities
Source: Department of Community & Economic
Development
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