Skagway Alaska Lodging Accommodations
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Westmark
Hotels
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Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging
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(800)
544-0970 |
| At
The White House |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(907) 983-9000 |
| Gold
Rush Lodge |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(907) 983-2831 |
| Golden
North Hotel |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(907) 983-2451 |
| Historic
Skagway Inn |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(888) SKAGWAY |
| Skagway
Bungalows |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(877) 983-2986 |
| Wind Valley Lodge |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(907) 983-2236 |
| Sgt. Preston's
Lodge |
Skagway Alaska Hotels and Lodging |
(907) 983-2521 |
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Skagway, Alaska
Bed & Breakfasts
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Cindy's
Place
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Skagway Alaska Bed and Breakfasts
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| Chilkoot
Trail Outpost |
Skagway Alaska Bed and Breakfasts |
(907) 983-3799 |
| Mile
Zero |
Skagway Alaska Bed and Breakfasts |
(907) 983-3045 |
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Skagway Alaska Tours, Sightseeing and Fishing Charters
Skagway
Alaska Bed and Breakfasts,
Alaska Charters
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Skagway, Alaska
Tours and Sightseeing
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| Chilkat Bald Eagle Rafting & Tours |
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| Book Independent Shore Excursions |
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White
Pass & Yukon Route
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"Scenic
Railway of the World"
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(800)
343-7373 |
| Alaska's
Glacier Bay Travel |
Skagway Tours and Sightseeing
Adventures |
(907)
697-2475 |
| Klondike
Gold Dredge Tours |
Skagway Tours and
Sightseeing Adventures |
(907)
983-3175 |
| The
Skagway Street Car Tour |
Skagway Tours and
Sightseeing Adventures |
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| Chilkat
Cruises |
Skagway Tours and
Sightseeing Adventures |
(888)
766-2103 |
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Skagway, Alaska
Restaurants
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Skagway, Alaska
Attractions
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Skagway, Alaska
Other Information
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| Skagway is located 90 miles northeast of Juneau at the
northernmost end of Lynn Canal, at the head of Taiya Inlet.
It lies 108 road miles south of Whitehorse, just west of
the Canadian border at British Columbia. It lies at approximately
59.45833° North Latitude and -135.31389° West Longitude.
(Sec. 11, T028S, R059E, Copper River Meridian.) Skagway
is located in the Skagway Recording District. The area
encompasses 452.4 sq. miles of land and 11.9 sq. miles
of water. |
| Skagway experiences a maritime climate with cool summers
and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from
45 to 67; winter temperatures average 18 to 37. Within
the shadow of the mountains, Skagway receives less rain
than is typical of Southeast Alaska, averaging 26 inches
of precipitation per year, and 39 inches of snow. |
"Skagua" was the Tlingit name, which means "the
place where the north wind blows." Capt. William Moore
and Skookum Jim, a Tlingit from the Carcross-Tagish area
of the Yukon Territory, discovered the White Pass route
into Interior Canada in June 1887. Capt. Moore and his
son Bernard staked a claim and built a cabin on the waterfront
in October 1887. They called the place "Mooresville." In
July 1897, gold was discovered in the Klondike, and the
first boatload of prospectors landed. By October 1897,
according to a Northwest Mounted Police Report, Skagway "had
grown from a concourse of tents to a fair-sized town with
well-laid-out streets and numerous frame buildings, stores,
saloons, gambling houses, dance houses and a population
of about 20,000." Five thousand stampeders alone landed
in February 1898, according to Customs Office records.
Two trails were used by the gold seekers to reach the headwaters
of the Yukon River. The 33-mile-long Chilkoot Trail began
at nearby Dyea; and the 40-mile White Pass Trail began
at Skagway and paralleled the present-day route of the
White Pass & Yukon Railway. Thousands of men carried
supplies up the 33-mile Chilkoot Trail, or took the 40-mile
White Pass trail to Lake Bennett, where they built boats
to float down the Yukon River to Dawson City and the gold
fields, 500 miles distant. In 1898 a 14-mile, steam-operated
tramway was constructed, which eased the burdens of those
able to pay. Skagway became the first incorporated City
in Alaska in 1900; their population was 3,117 at that time,
the second-largest settlement in Alaska. Tales of fortune
seekers, lawlessness and Soapy Smith are legendary. The
City was formed in 1900. Once the gold rush ended in 1900,
Skagway might have become a ghost town if not for the White
Pass and Yukon Railroad construction in 1898. The railroad
was the first in Alaska, and provided freight, fuel and
transportation to Whitehorse and served the Anvil Gold
Mines in the Yukon. It employed many locals until 1982,
when the Mine closed. Construction of the Klondike Hwy.
in 1979 gave Skagway a link to the Alaska Highway and State
ferry connection to Southeast.
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| A federally recognized tribe is located in the community
-- the Skaqua Traditional Council. 5.1% of the population
are Alaska Native or part Native. Skagway is predominantly
a tourist community, with historical Tlingit influences.
Downtown buildings have been colorfully restored to reflect
the history of the gold rush through the Chilkoot Pass.
During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 502 total
housing units, and 101 were vacant. 47 of these vacant
housing units are used only seasonally. 478 residents
were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
14.1%, although 32.2% of all adults were not in the
work force. The median household income was $49,375,
per capita income was $27,700, and 3.69% of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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Skagway Alaska Facilities:
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Water is derived from three wells near 15th and Alaska
Streets, is stored in a tank and piped throughout Skagway.
Piped sewage receives primary treatment with an ocean outfall.
Demands of the system nearly double each summer, with the
influx of tourism business operators. Almost all homes
are fully plumbed. Some houses use individual wells and
septic systems. The landfill is closed, however, the City
operates a new incinerator, baler, and ash fill facility.
The community participates in recycling and annual hazardous
waste disposal events. Alaska Power & Telephone Co.,
based in Skagway, provides power to Southeast and the Interior.
It owns and operates diesel and hydro systems in Skagway,
and diesel systems in Tok, Hydaburg and Craig.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power & Telephone.
There is one school located in the community, attended by 125 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Skagway Medical Clinic (983-2255/2418).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center Auxiliary health care
is provided by Skagway Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS (983-2450/983-2300).
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| The tourist industry flourishes in Skagway, as a port
of call for cruise ships and a transfer site for rail and
interior bus tours. Cruise ships inject over $60 million
into the local economy. In 2002, 590,000 cruise ship passengers
are anticipated and over 150,000 independent travelers.
The State ferry connects independent travelers to Southeast
Alaska. Trans-shipment of lead/zinc ore, fuel and freight
occurs via the Port and Klondike Hwy. to and from Canada.
The Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park brought a restoration
of downtown buildings in 1976. The White Pass and Yukon
Railroad is open seasonally, providing 3-hour tours through
the range. Four residents hold commercial fishing permits. |
Skagway Alaska Transportation:
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| The Klondike Highway and Alaska Highway provide a connection
through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, Canada,
to the lower 48 states or north to Interior Alaska. Skagway
is accessed by air, road, water, and rail services. The
State owns the 3,750' paved runway and a seaplane base
at the boat harbor, with scheduled air taxis. Skagway receives
regular State ferry and barge services. A breakwater, ferry
terminal, cruise ship dock, small boat harbor, boat launch,
and boat haul-out are available. The White Pass and Yukon
Route Company owns two deep draft docks for cargo loading
and storage. Freight arrives by barge, ferry and truck. |
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