Klondike Gold Rush Artifacts at Seattle’s National Historical Park

The Klondike Gold Rush ushered in a burst of economic activity and growth for Seattleites that put the city on the map as a place to prepare for expeditions in the late 1800s. Gold fever sparked the imagination of thousands of people from around the world, and a majority of them stopped in Seattle first to prepare for the difficult trip to the Yukon in 1897. It was an era of swindling entrepreneurs, innovative survival tools, and dangerous journeys—most of which didn’t end in riches. In fact, by the time many stampeders made it north, most of the gold had already been claimed.

Due to its significant role in shaping Seattle, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park was established by Congress on June 30, 1976, to provide a glimpse of life during the Gold Rush era through preserved artifacts used during the time, along with archived stories that paint a rich picture of this extraordinary era. The height of the gold rush lasted only two years, but its impact was large enough to transform what was once a small town on the Puget Sound into a thriving city for the adventure-bound. Seattle became—and remains—a hub for those chasing opportunity and the great outdoors.

Thermal Shirts and the Tale of the Klondike Rose 

One of the more curious items in the park’s collection is a thermal shirt that was often used by miners like Bill Johnson, known as the “Klondike Rose.” Johnson was infamous for his peculiar odor, which stemmed from wearing thermal shirts for months without removing them. Johnson’s mining claim contained uranium, which reacted with the zinc ointment he used for sores, and led to erratic behavior that worried the community. His antics and odors reached a peak when locals forced him to take a bath.    

These thermal shirts were made of cotton with an extra fleece lining to keep miners warm during the freezing northern winters. To paint a picture of the conditions miners would eventually face, one advertisement from a business called the Stewart & Holmes Drug Co. read, “The Skagway winds blow hard and cold and reach the bones thro’ blankets, woolens and mackinaws”. To stay warm, clothing made from heavy, dense, water-repellent wool cloth was sought after at outfitters in Seattle, some of which are still popularly visited for outdoor gear today.

Bars of Soap and an Infamous Con 

Con artists flourished during the Klondike Gold Rush; between sales of “gold-sniffing” gophers and bicycles promised to scale snowy mountains, unsuspecting buyers were often duped into buying unnecessary items for their journey. The most infamous con was centered around bars of soap and an infamous figure named Jefferson “Soapy” Randolph Smith II. He and his gang were masters of deception. By selling bars of soap for five dollars a piece, members lured buyers with the chance of winning soap supposedly wrapped with hidden money amounting to $50 to $100. With some theatrical performances from his gang members and an expert sleight of hand, Smith created a kind of rigged lottery that earned him infamy. With a gang of 300 men, he ran other scams, including a fake telegraph office in Skagway, Alaska, that offered to send messages that never got to their destination. Smith’s scams were one of many that exploited gold seekers’ hopes and desperation during the Depression era.

Eventually, the citizens of Skagway tired of his thievery and formed a vigilante committee. Local business owners were especially concerned because his scams gave Skagway a bad name and scared off business from new travelers. One night at the wharf, Smith tried to crash a vigilante meeting, hoping to use his con-man skills to convince them he was not a threat to the community. This ended in a shootout that killed Smith.

Despite his criminal schemes, Smith was also a philanthropist. After his death, his funeral service was held at the church he helped build with the money he earned from his notorious scams. 

Dog Sleds to Transport Goods

The Klondike Gold Rush and other gold rushes that happened in the area paved the way for mushing trails and infrastructure that are still used to this day. The dog sled is a great example of the modes of transportation travelers used to navigate these trails during incredibly challenging journeys known for harsh weather and difficult terrain. 

While people came from around the world to strike it rich, many were wildly unprepared for their journey to the gold fields. To ensure that travelers were better prepared for the journey, the Northwest Mounted Police required each person to bring a year’s worth of supplies, which amounted to 2,000 pounds per person, to stop them from freezing or starving to death. People often used pack animals or sleds like this one to carry those goods. 

Sled dogs were better adapted to the environment than horses or mules and were more capable of carrying heavy loads of equipment and supplies across the rough terrain.  Even still, some travelers used goats instead of dogs to help carry heavy loads on sleds. Since most stampeders were not experienced in sled travel, many chose to learn quickly or hire local Indigenous guides or seasoned mushers. 

Footwear for Sled Dogs 

This dog shoe highlights how important sled dogs were in moving goods during the harsh winters. Similar to why humans wear shoes, dog shoes were used to protect the dog’s feet from being scraped by the cold snow and rough, abrasive ice. At times, the shoes stopped ice balls from accumulating between the dog’s toes and causing blisters on their paws. 

Mushing dogs were in such high demand that pets in Seattle were at risk of being stolen and shipped off to the Klondike to be part of a sled dog team. People would use any breed to pull their hauls, even if they weren’t built for the tough work or cold weather; this included dogs that were not much larger than pugs.  

In his 1898 memoir, prospector William B. Haskell wrote that native sled dogs were “a prime necessity…and are sometimes worth their weight in gold. They do nearly all the packing in the summer, and they will carry from 40 to 50 pounds, keeping up with a man. In the winter, they do all the freighting, haul all the wood, and carry all the mails.”

One of the most famous dogs during the Klondike Gold Rush was a giant 200-pound mastiff named Julian, who set a record for pulling the heaviest load of any dog in the area. Julian is known for having pulled a sled that weighed over 1,000 pounds all by himself while battling strong winds and ice.

Goggles that Prevent Snow Blindness 

Wooden snow goggles were made to protect people’s eyes from the intense reflection of the sun on the snow during long journeys to the Klondike. These goggles have long, skinny slits, large enough for a person to see without being harmed by the bright snow. 

The slits also act like a pinhole camera and help sharpen a person’s vision and improve depth perception. Some goggles also include soot or other dark materials on the inside to further reduce glare, a similar method that football players use when wearing black paint under their eyes. 

This design was created by the Inuit who lived on the tundra where “snow blindness” was a serious problem. Miners would trade with Alaska Natives and Yukon First Nations people for items like goggles and fur coats to survive the winter. The new gold rushers, or “Stampeders,” were unprepared for the extreme climate and relied on essential gear like these goggles to survive. 

Experience History Up Close 

Explore more stories of perseverance, ingenuity, and deception at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, where historic artifacts bring to life a defining chapter of North American history.

Located in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square district, and free to the public, the park features hands-on exhibits, rare artifacts, and stories of ambition, resilience, and deception. Don’t miss the Trail to Treasure walking tours, where you can explore Seattle’s oldest neighborhood and its role in this legendary gold rush. Learn more about the Klondike Gold Rush and discover year-round programs at the park that continue to connect the past to the present.

Explore more stories that highlight the distinctive characteristics of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area and use our itineraries to find your next adventure.