gold was discovered in canada’s yukon territory in 1897 the city exploited the discovery ›...
TRANSCRIPT
Seattle and the Klondike Gold Rush
Gold!!!
Gold was discovered in Canada’s Yukon Territory in 1897
The city exploited the discovery› Stores opened that sold supplies to the
prospectors› Hotels housed the miners before they left› Ships left from Seattle to the Yukon
Seattle was the closest port to the Yukon
Miners Rush North
Tens of thousands fled north› 1,500 on the first ship from Seattle, 9
more followed › Even the mayor of Seattle quit his job and
headed north to the gold fields Each miner had to take about 2,000
pounds of supplies with him› This included 1,000 pounds of food
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Seattle billed itself worldwide as “The Gateway to the Klondike”› Advertised in newspapers and magazines,
even sent letters to other world leaders People stampeded to Seattle
› They were actually called “Stampeders”› People were under the impression that gold
nuggets were lying all over the ground People brought gunny sacks expecting to just
pick them up and take them home
Tough Journey
Less than half of the 100,000 people the set out, actually got there
The “Rich Man’s Route” was an all water route that included 2,000 miles on the Yukon River
The “Poor Man’s Route” was shorter but much harder› They had to climb over steep mountains and then
build a boat and travel 500 miles down the Yukon River
Most arrived to find the best claims were already staked
Some Found Success
John Nordstrom invested $13,000 into a shoe store
in Seattle› Became the Nordstrom department store chain› The Nordstrom’s actually owned the Seattle
Seahawks for a time Edward Nordoff turned his small store into
the Bon Marche The Klondike gold rush turned Seattle into the
biggest city in the Pacific Northwest by 1910› A title it has yet to relinquish