Frank Childs Collection of Klondike Gold Rush Photographs

Frank Childs Collection of Klondike Gold Rush Photographs, circa 1898-1899

Overview of the Collection

Title: Frank Childs Collection of Klondike Gold Rush Photographs
Dates: circa 1898-1899 (inclusive)
18931904
Quantity: 23 glass negatives (1 box)
modern prints (1 box)
Collection Number: PH0302
Summary: Klondike gold rush photographs, ca. 1898-1899.
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Frank Childs lived in Geneva, Washington (Bellingham) and was a local handyman and contractor. Child's had a father and two brothers who were in the Klondike Gold Rush and maybe in some of the photographs. Frank Childs died around 1947.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Yukon gold rush began in 1897, when news of the previous year's gold discovery in the Canadian Klondike region finally reached Seattle, prompting thousands to make the journey to the Yukon. Two trails were popular routes. The Skagway route went over White Pass, while the Dyea route took miners over the Chilkoot Pass, both on the way to Lakes Bennett and Lindeman. At this point, miners stopped to "whipsaw" logs used for building the boats they needed to haul their supplies down the Yukon River. They navigated the treacherous Whitehorse rapids and Miles Canyon on their way down the river to Dawson and then ultimately, the gold mines.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains 23 glass plate negatives documenting activities and places during the Klondike gold rush. The images reveal the arduous journey thousands of prospective miners experienced on their way to the Yukon gold fields near Dawson. The images begin with the Chilkoot Pass and end with images of Dawson and the Grand Forks Hotel near the gold fields. The photographs may be by Cantwell.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Photographic prints made from the glass plate negative originals are available for reference purposes.

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Douglas Smith, 1960. The photographs were found in Smith's house when it was torn down.

Processing Note

Processed by Jocelyn Spicer, 2002.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

From the Chilkoot Pass to a miner's cabinReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description
Folder	item
1	1	Canyon City tent city at the head of the Chilkoot Trail (Childs 8)
1	2	Tents, men, and freight ascending the Chilkoot Pass (Childs 11)
1	3	Piles of freight on the summit of Chilkoot Pass (Childs 6)
2	4	The tent city at Lake Lindeman, B.C., part of the Chilkoot Trail from Dyea, Alaska (Childs 10)
2	5	Whipsawing logs in preparation for boat building (Childs 4)
2	6	Boatbuilding, possibly at Lake Bennett (Childs 5)
3	7	Three boats with people and freight--probably on Lake Bennett or Lindeman (Childs 21)
3	8-9	A boat caught in the White Horse rapids (Childs 18 and 22)
4	10	Boat navigating Miles Canyon near White Horse, Yukon Territory (Childs 17)
4	11	A large crowd of people at First Avenue in Dawson (Childs 23)
4	12	At Grand Forks, showing the Grand Forks Hotel (Childs 3)
4	13	Interior of a miner's cabin (Childs 13)

MiscellaneousReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description
Folder	item
5	14	A dog (Husky) in harness (Childs 1)
5	15	River (Childs 2)
5	16	Small boat with freight on shore of lake (Childs 19)
6	17	Boats and tents on the shore of a river or lake (Childs 20)
6	18	Unidentified lake with tents on the shore (Childs 14)
6	19	A log cabin covered with snow (Childs 16)
7	20	Cabins in the winter (Childs 12)
7	21	A woman in furs with a dog in the snow (Childs 15)
7	22	A man on snowshoes with a gun (Childs 9)
7	23	A dogsled team pulling a load of freight (Childs 7) Cantwell (photographer)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Boatbuilding---British Columbia--Photographs
Boats--British Columbia--Photographs
Boats--Yukon Territory--Photographs
Dogs--British Columbia--Photographs
Dogs--Yukon Territory--Photographs
Gold miners--Yukon Territory--Photographs
Gold rushes--Yukon Territory--Photographs
Lakes--British Columbia--Photographs
Rivers--British Columbia--Photographs
Rivers--Yukon Territory--Photographs
Tents--British Columbia--Photographs
Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Other Names

Cantwell (photographer)

Geographical Names

Bennett, Lake (B.C.)--Photographs
Chilkoot Trail--Photographs
Dawson (Yukon)--Photographs
Grand Forks (Yukon)--Photographs
Klondike River Valley (Yukon)--Gold discoveries--Photographs
Lindeman Lake (B.C.)--Photographs
White Pass Trail (Alaska and Yukon)--Photographs

Archives West Finding Aid

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