Many who made a fortune were reckless with their money, thinking that the gold was limitless. Hear the story Johnny Lind who staked his claim in 1896 on Bonanza Creek and make a fortune. The Stampeders realized the difficulties of mining, and the risks that were involved even after they reached the city.

Hear an excerpt of Tappan Adney's account of the river. White Horse Rapids (03:23)Īfter reaching the summit the Stampeders had to build their own boats to get to the gold fields. Dahlstrom was one of the 60 killed in a single avalanche. Pam Steneck learns that her ancestor, W.A. Avalanches on the Trail (02:31)Īvalanches killed many on the Chilkoot Trail. White Pass was easier, but longer, and required money. The Chilkoot Trail was the shorter, but much harder route, done without pack animals. The journey to the Yukon began the law requires 800 pounds of supplies per traveler. The Chilkoot Trail and White Pass (04:44) Miners were dropped in Skagway, where the realities of gold mining began to set in. Mass hysteria brought ill-equipped dreamers and gamblers north by boat, a two-week journey ending in Dyea or Skagway. Miner George Carmack is credited with finding gold on Rabbit Creek. Hopefuls headed north even though nearly all the streams of the Klondike had been staked and claimed a year before. One of the first moving films, shot in 1897 in Seattle, shows a ship leaving for the Klondike. Unemployment was high in the 1880s through 1890s, Popular music reflected the desperation of the time.

National Park Service Museum seeking information about her ancestor and Klondike Stampeder, Werner Dahlstrom. The journey north held the potential for reward, but not without risk. Hear a brief overview of the Klondike Gold Rush and view archival footage.

Klondike forever unknown publisher