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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)
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.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Historical Note

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.

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Historical Background

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.

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Content Description

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.

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

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.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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


2016 (Last modified: 11/27/2017)

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