See photographs of the Klondike Gold Rush, California, Oregon and Washington taken by Arthur C. Pillsbury (1870-1946) between about 1896 and 1900.
Juneau, 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 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 itemDiscovery City on Pine Creek, British Columbia, April 24, 1899
Discovery City was a short-lived settlement located halfway between Atlin and Surprise Lake. A gold rush began at Atlin in August 1898 and lasted through 1900.
Identifier: spl_ap_00050
Date: 1899-04-24
View this itemBeaver family totem pole and buildings in Wrangell, Alaska, ca. 1899
The photo caption reads "Bear family totem pole" but actually shows the Beaver family totem pole. A second totem pole, possibly the Raven totem pole appears to the right.
Identifier: spl_ap_00076
Date: 1899
View this itemView north on 1st Ave. from Pioneer Square, March 18, 1899
The New York Mutual Life Building and the Starr Boyd Building appear on the left and the Hotel Seattle appears on the far right followed by the Pioneer Building, the Howard Building, the Lowman and Hanford Building and the Lowman Building. The 110 Cherry Building appears in the center of the photograph. There are several signs catering to prospective prospectors venturing to Alaska and the Klondike including "Klondike Outfitters," "Alaskan Maps and Guides," and "Alaska Tickets."
Identifier: spl_ap_00054
Date: 1899-03-18
View this itemMountains and snowy forest, ca. 1899
Location is likely Alaska, British Columbia or Yukon Territory based on other photographs in the collection but the exact location is unknown.
Identifier: spl_ap_00048
Date: 1899
View this itemMen sitting on train tracks at Index, Washington, ca. 1900
Identifier: spl_ap_00070
Date: 1900
View this itemFive indigenous women at Alert Bay, B.C., ca. 1899
Identifier: spl_ap_00091
Date: 1899
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