Skagway

Great news, we didn’t have to get up early for this tour!!! Our bus tour of Skagway started at 10:30am this morning so we got to sleep in for a bit. We decide to take the guided city tour on the Alaska Street Car Tour. Not really a street car like in San Francisco, it’s a bus. But the woman driving is dressed like she is from the 1800’s so there’s a bit of entertainment value added to the price of the ticket.

The famous Skagway Street Car. (Yep, that’s the Misses by the window!)

If you’ve never been to Skagway, here’s the skinny. Incorporated in 1900, Skagway was at the heart of the gold rush from 1897-1907. This was the jumping off point for all those miners (not minors) seeking fame and fortune. This was where the famous “golden staircase” began and continued over the Chilkoot Pass. Miners had to climb a stairway that was cut into the ice and snow for more than 1,000 feet, all the while carrying 1 years worth of provisions. Well, not all of the provisions. They would carry all they could to the collection point then go back down to bring up another load, but each person had to bring 1 years worth of food, clothing, tools, shelter and other supplies or they couldn’t climb the staircase. Many gave up along the way and left their belongings. The Chilkoot Pass trail today is known as the longest outdoor museum in the world.

Skagway airport runway at bottom, our cruise ship mid-screen

Close-up of cruise port

Highlight of the tour was the old cemetery where Soapy Smith and Frank Reid are buried. These two got into the “great shootout” of Skagway and, as a result, both died. Soapy was a con man that got his name in Denver by selling bars of soap that were said to not only get you clean, but also reward you with up to $100. The bars of soap were said to be wrapped in anything from a $1 bill to a $100 bill and sold for only $5. After a few select customers unwrapped their soap and found $10 bills and even a $100 bill, there was a mad rush to buy Soapy’s soap. He quickly sold all his soap and then he and the “select customers” made a run out of town. Soapy settled in Skagway while the others simply disappeared.

Soapy Smith – RIP

Frank Reid was a brute that was also a bit of a con man. Frank claimed to be a surveyor engineer and was allowed to lay out the town of Skagway. He also bought most of the land for next to nothing before laying out the town limits, which just happened to include all his property. BTW- he had stolen the surveyors transit from a prospector who asked him to watch it while he headed to the gold fields. Frank was posted as guard during a town council meeting and given instructions that no one was to enter. Use of deadly force was authorized. Here’s where Soapy and Frank had a disagreement. Soapy wanted to enter the meeting, Frank said no. Soapy hits Frank over the head with his rifle, Frank pulled his 6-shooter, pulled the trigger, nothing happened. This gave Soapy time to load his rifle while Frank reloaded his pistol. Both shot at the same time. Soapy was killed instantly with a shot to his heart, Frank, unfortunately, was shot in the groin. He died 12 agonizing days later of infection. That was the “Great Shootout” of Skagway!

Con man considered hero, Frank Reid

We drove through town, went to a view point outside of Skagway, took a quick tour through the old cemetery, then…Sarah Palin’s childhood home! Wow! We all took turns standing on the steps to see if we could find Russia, no luck.

Child died 1 day after being born

US Marshall killed in the line of duty

The Marshall was killed just after his child was born

Sarah Palin’s childhood home

First child to die during the meningitis epidemic

After a very informative tour, we had to hit up the Red Onion, a well known spot in Skagway for drinks, food and some naughty, naughtiness. Claims to be the oldest bordello in town still operating, as a restaurant. Grabbed a small pizza, glass of wine and enjoyed a little people watching before heading back to the ship.

Saloon and brothel

Building covered in driftwood

Another brothel

Capt. Moore’s house

Downtown Skagway

Old steam train and snow plow

Inside the Red Onion

Working ladies

Tomorrow, Glacier Bay cruising all day. One of the largest national parks in the United States, and one of the most spectacular. Stay close to your screens for some really great pics.

Til then…