See photographs of the Klondike Gold Rush, California, Oregon and Washington taken by Arthur C. Pillsbury (1870-1946) between about 1896 and 1900.
Dyea, Alaska from Dyea Mt., ca. 1899
Dyea was a short-lived town used by prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush as an entrance to the Chilkoot Trail. It became less popular after a large avalanche blocked much of the trail on April 3, 1898 killing over 70 prospectors. In May 1898 White Pass & Yukon Route railroad route opened in the neighboring town of Skagway, offering a faster, safer way for prospectors and their gear to reach the gold fields.
Identifier: spl_ap_00136
Date: 1899
View this itemTaku Glacier, Alaska, ca. 1899
The original Tlingit name for Foster Glacier was Taku Glacier. It was also known as Schulze Glacier in the 1880s and Foster Glacier in the 1890s before reverting to its first name.
Identifier: spl_ap_00099
Date: 1899
View this itemGroup of indigenous children at Fort Yukon, Alaska, ca. 1899
Identifier: spl_ap_00183
Date: 1899
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 itemSeattle waterfront from the foot of S. Main St., ca. 1899
The Pacific Coast Steamship Co. Pier B, located at foot of S. Main St. appears on the right. The Washington Hotel, also known as Hotel Denny appears in the distance in the center of the photograph at the top of the hill. The King County Courthouse appears at the top of the hill at the right of the photograph.
Identifier: spl_ap_00061
Date: 1899
View this itemDancers at Klukwan Potlatch ceremony, Alaska, October 14, 1898
Identifier: spl_ap_00109
Date: 1898-10-14
View this itemJuneau, Alaska harbor and the Gastineau Channel looking NW, ca. 1899
In 1880, gold was discovered at Silver Bow Basin by Richard Harris and Joe Juneau. The gold discovery led to the development of the nearby town of Juneau.
Identifier: spl_ap_00068
Date: 1899
View this itemNome flats from near Anvil Creek, ca. 1899
Gold was first discovered at Anvil Creek in the summer of 1898 setting off the Nome Gold Rush. Prospectors hurried 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 1,000 people a day were arriving in Nome. Pillsbury took some of the first available photographs of the Nome. Following his departure, the winter conditions made it too difficult for others to reach the area.
Identifier: spl_ap_00013
Date: 1899
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