Skagway Historic District and White Pass

Skagway Historic District is an area with over 350 wooden buildings painted in bright colors, featuring commercial structures with false fronts and residential houses. The district spans 23 blocks and preserves the typical layout of a late-1800s Gold Rush settlement with authentic street patterns and building arrangements.

The location emerged in 1897 as the main entry point for prospectors heading to the Yukon goldfields via the White Pass route. The rapid growth during the Klondike Gold Rush led to the creation of this well-preserved settlement layout that survives today.

The wooden buildings with their distinctive painted fronts shape the streetscape and show how people built quickly and practically during the Gold Rush era. The structures reveal how settlers adapted to harsh conditions and organized their daily lives in this remote location.

The area is best explored on foot since all main sights are close together and most paths are level. The best visiting time is between May and September, when weather is milder and more businesses and museums are open.

The White Pass Railway, climbing from sea level to about 900 meters along a winding route, was built as a transportation solution for gold seekers and is considered a late-1800s engineering achievement. The line remains a popular tourist experience that takes passengers through dramatic mountain scenery.

Location: Alaska

Inception: 1897

Part of: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

GPS coordinates: 59.52130,-135.23600

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06