Skagway Historic District and White Pass facts for kids
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Skagway Historic District and White Pass
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Alaska
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| Nearest city | Skagway, Alaska |
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| Area | 3,140 acres (1,270 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| Part of | Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (ID76002189) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000943 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | June 13, 1962 |
| Designated CP | June 30, 1976 |
The Skagway Historic District and White Pass is a special area in Alaska, USA. It's known as a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important place in American history. The district includes a big part of Skagway, Alaska, and the nearby White Pass valley. This whole area was super important during the exciting Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s.
Many people came here hoping to find gold. The district still has parts of the old trails they used. It also has the route of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. Almost 100 buildings from the Gold Rush time are still standing. Some parts of this historic district are now protected as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
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What is the Skagway Historic District?
The Skagway part of this historic district is the old center of the town. It covers about 23 blocks. Many of these blocks are protected by the National Park Service. The buildings here are usually made of wood and have one or two floors. They are often painted in bright colors.
Skagway's Historic Buildings
Shops and other business buildings often have special "false fronts." These make them look taller and more impressive. They also have big windows to show off goods and doors that are set back from the sidewalk. Houses, on the other hand, are usually set back a bit from the street. There are over 350 historic buildings in Skagway itself.
One famous building is the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, built in 1899. Its front is covered with pieces of driftwood, which makes it look really unique!
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The White Pass Trail to Gold
The valley that goes up steeply from Skagway was one of the main ways people traveled to the gold fields. These gold fields were far away in the Yukon River area. Another famous trail, the Chilkoot Trail, is west of Skagway. It's part of a different historic district.
Routes Through White Pass
Two main land routes went up White Pass. One was a trail from 1897, and the other was the Brackett Wagon Road. There was also a water route along the Skagway River. Later, the White Pass and Yukon Railroad was finished in 1900. Today, part of the valley also has the Klondike Highway.
Along these old routes, you can still find many places where gold seekers camped. You can also see other signs of the Gold Rush. Some of these old routes might have changed a bit over time, as people found the easiest ways to travel.
