Klondike City facts for kids

A photo of Klondike City in 1898 by Eric A. Hegg, showing how busy it was during the gold rush.

Klondike City was a small town that grew up quickly during the exciting Klondike gold rush in the late 1890s. It was located right outside Dawson City in the Yukon Territory, which is in northern Canada. Many people came here hoping to find gold. This area is even mentioned in the famous adventure novel White Fang by Jack London.

What Was Klondike City?

Klondike City was a busy place on the edge of Dawson City. It was a hub for people involved in the gold rush. Many businesses were set up here to support the thousands of gold seekers. For example, the O'Brien Brewing and Malting Company was located in Klondike City. This company was mostly owned by Thomas W. O’Brien, who also owned a lot of land in the area.

Other Names for the Town

Because it was a very crowded and sometimes rough place, Klondike City had a few nicknames. People sometimes called it White Chapel or Louse Town. These names give us a hint about the conditions and challenges people faced during the gold rush.

History of Klondike City

Before the gold rush, the land where Klondike City grew was already home to people. It was a traditional settlement of the Hän people, who are a Native group from Alaska and Yukon. Their settlement was known as Trochutin. When the gold rush began, many new people arrived, and Klondike City quickly developed on this historic site.