Arthur C. Pillsbury Collection
See photographs of the Klondike Gold Rush, California, Oregon and Washington taken by Arthur C. Pillsbury (1870-1946) between about 1896 and 1900.
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View 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
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Unidentified islands, ca. 1899
Islands are presumed to be in Alaska but exact location is unknown.
Identifier: spl_ap_00118
Date: 1899?
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Nevada Falls in Yosemite, ca. 1897-1900
No caption is provided for the photograph but it appears to show El Capitan in Yosemite. Pillsbury had a lifelong interest in the park and established his own photograph studio there in 1897.
Identifier: spl_ap_00165
Date: 1897?; 1900?
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Miles Canyon on Yukon River, ca. 1899
Miles Canyon and the Whitehorse Rapids were two of the most treacherous points for ships traveling the Yukon River in an effort to reach the Klondike gold fields. This photograph was published in the June 1900 issue of Harper's Weekly.
Identifier: spl_ap_00160
Date: 1899?
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"Ora" at Five Finger Rapids on Yukon River, ca. 1899
This photo shows the "Ora" taking the water route along the Yukon River to reach the Klondike gold fields. This route started at St. Michael, Alaska and took longer than the overland routes along the Chilkoot or White Pass trails. It was also more expensive because it saved travelers from the hardships of overland travel while carrying their prospecting gear. A photographer and onlooker can be seen on the cliff at the right of the photograph. The "Ora" was one of three steamboats constructed by the Bennett Lake & Klondyke Navigation Company in 1898 The others were named Flora and Nora. This photograph was published in the June 1900 issue of Harper's Weekly.
Identifier: spl_ap_00158
Date: 1899?
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Man riding on Chilkoot Pass tramway, ca. 1899
During the Klondike Gold Rush, several hoists and tramways were constructed to help prospectors transport heavy loads of supplies and cargo over the pass. Prior to the construction of the tramways, prospectors carried their supplies themselves or with packhorses. Peterson's Hoist was constructed in 1896 and relied on a pulley and sled system. In 1897, Archie Burns' Tramway, a horse-powered system, went into operation. In March 1898 the Dyea-Klondike Transportation company opened up their own tram, the first electric-powered version in the world. Later that year the company merged with the Alaska Railroad and Transportation Company and Chilkoot Railroad and Transport Company to expand tram operations. In June 1899, the tram was purchased by the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad and the tram system was torn down, soon to be replaced by a narrow-gauge railroad.
Identifier: spl_ap_00125
Date: 1899?
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Sea Serpent and Grizzly totem poles outside Chief Shake's house in Wrangell, Alaska, ca. 1899
The pole on the left is the ""Sea Serpent"" pole and the pole on the right is the ""Bear up Mountain"" pole.
Identifier: spl_ap_00075
Date: 1899?
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