Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the history of the Klondike gold rush of 1898. The Park in Alaska consists of the Chilkoot and White Passes, the former town-site of Dyea, and a portion of Skagway.
The discovery of gold in Canada’s Yukon brought thousands of gold hungry stampeders to Skagway and Dyea, Alaska. The White Pass Trail from Skagway, and the Chilkoot Trail from Dyea were the most popular overland routes to the gold fields. Today the park has a visitor center in Skagway, and administers the Chilkoot Trail and White Pass Trail units.
Fortunately, the United States and Canada have been able to preserve a wealth of historic structures and artifacts within this unspoiled geographic setting. Visitors, particularly those that hike the Chilkoot Trail, are likely to see these last tangible reminders to the gold rush days: telephone wire and poles, boots, bedsprings, horse-shoes, and rusty cookware, to name a few. The park preserves a dozen gold rush era buildings, forming the heart of the historic district.
For more information, write Box 517, Skagway, Alaska 99840.
