Native Americans
Before 1887, the Tlingit called the area Skagua, or "windy place." The Tlingit people favored the area for fishing and hunting.
Newspapers
The "Daily Alaskan" newspaper appeared in the community of 8,000 to 10,000 people in 1898. A year later, the "Alaska Traveler's Guide" newspaper made its debut to promote the friendly community.
Early Tourism
In the 1920s and 1930s, Skagway capitalized on tourism possibilities. Ships were encouraged to dock at Skagway for 36 hours so visitors could ride the new passenger trains or make a side trip on the Yukon River.
Highways
In 1974, Central Construction of Seattle began building the $10.9 million stretch of the famous Klondike Highway. The highway opened in the spring of 1979, connecting travelers to the Alaska Highway.
Gold Rush
Skagway's mining past is visible in the 100 gold rush-era buildings in the town's historical district. In the 1890s, nearly 1,000 gold prospectors passed through Skagway each week looking for gold.
Article Written By Angela Tague
Angela Tague has worked in news writing and photography since 1998. After attaining a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications at the University of Iowa, her journalism career has led to positions at two daily newspapers and several weeklies in the Midwest. She currently freelances in editorial writing, photography and Web content.
