Skagway, Alaska

 city, borough

Skagway is a borough in Alaska, on the Alaska Panhandle. It an incorporated city from 1900-2007, when it re-incorporated as a borough.

The permanent population was 968 at the 2010 census. The population doubles in the summer tourist season to accommodate more than 900,000 visitors, mostly from cruise ships.

Skagway was originally a Tlingit Native area called "Skagua", which was also used by the Chilkoot and Chilkat Natives as a hunting and fishing camp.

In 1896 after gold was discovered in the Yukon, Skagway became a primary starting-off point for prospectors. In 1897 a post office, a church, and a newspaper were founded in Skagway, and its population rose to 10,000. In 1900, Skagway became the first incorporated city in Alaska. The population dropped quickly after the gold rush fell off. Skagway housed up to 3,000 troops during World War II.

Overview & History:
www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_name=...

See also:
www.skagway.com
www.postalmuseum.si.edu/gold/skagdyea.html



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Photo Credit:
Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs