See photographs of the Klondike Gold Rush, California, Oregon and Washington taken by Arthur C. Pillsbury (1870-1946) between about 1896 and 1900.
Wave at Sun Rise Falls on Skykomish River, ca. 1900
Identifier: spl_ap_00152
Date: 1900?
View this itemMan on bicycle pulling sled near summit of White Pass Trail, ca. 1899
During the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass was one of the routes used by prospectors to travel from Skagway to the Yukon gold fields.
Identifier: spl_ap_00115
Date: 1899?
View this itemSkagway, Alaska and Chilkoot Inlet looking south, ca. 1899
Identifier: spl_ap_00134
Date: 1899?
View this itemIndigenous women in Nome, Alaska, ca. 1899
The same photograph was published on page 279 of the ""Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine,"" Volume 29. An illustration based on the photograph appeared in the June 1900 issue of "McClure's Magazine." Gold was discovered near Nome in the summer of 1898. Prospectors rushed to stake claims and Nome's population quickly ballooned to 10,000 people. In 1899, more gold was discovered on beaches near the town and spurred an even greater rush of visitors. By 1900, an estimated 1000 people a day were arriving in Nome. Pillsbury took some of the first available photographs of the city. Following his departure, the winter conditions made it too difficult for others to reach the area.
Identifier: spl_ap_00177
Date: 1899?
View this itemGroup outside North American Transportation & Trading Company in Circle City, Alaska, ca. 1899
The United States Marshal office appears on the left and the North American Transportation & Trading Company warehouse appears in the center of the photograph. A sign reading "Forest Fires! Warning!" is posted on the outside of the Marshal's building. A group including four men and one woman stands outside of the warehouse and a sign at the doorway advertises fresh potatoes for sale.
Identifier: spl_ap_00185
Date: 1899?
View this itemAerial view of Skagway, Alaska, ca. 1899
View of Skagway, Alaska looking SW towards the Chilkoot Inlet. The White Pass and Yukon Railway roundhouse can be seen at the lower right and many tents and other homes can be seen in the distance. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass was one of the routes used by prospectors to travel from Skagway to the Yukon gold fields. In April 1898 the White Pass and Yukon Railroad Company was formed in an effort to establish an easier way through the pass. Construction on the railroad began the following month. Thousands of workers worked around the clock in treacherous conditions to complete the project. The railroad track was completed at White Pass on February 20, 1899 and reached Lake Bennett on July 6, 1899. The final spike on the railroad was placed on July 29, 1900 in Carcross, B.C.
Identifier: spl_ap_00133
Date: 1899?
View this itemLogs at Circle City waterfront, Alaska, ca. 1899
Identifier: spl_ap_00174
Date: 1899?
View this itemDancers at Klukwan Potlatch ceremony, Alaska, October 14, 1898
Identifier: spl_ap_00109
Date: 1898-10-14
View this itemWhite Pass, ca. 1899
During the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass was one of the routes used by prospectors to travel from Skagway to the Yukon gold fields.
Identifier: spl_ap_00116
Date: 1899?
View this item