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57-514: Ketchikan Gateway Borough is a borough located in the U.S. state of Alaska . As of the 2020 census its population was 13,948, up from 13,477 in 2010. The borough seat is Ketchikan . The borough is the second most populous borough in Southeast Alaska , the first being Juneau Borough . Ketchikan Gateway Borough comprises the Ketchikan, AK Micropolitan Statistical Area . The borough has

114-709: A 160-acre (650,000 m ) homestead at the mouth of the Skagway River in Alaska. Moore settled in this area because he believed it provided the most direct route to the potential goldfields . They built a log cabin, a sawmill, and a wharf in anticipation of future gold prospectors passing through. The boundary between Canada and the United States along the Alaska Panhandle was only vaguely defined then (see Alaska boundary dispute ). There were overlapping land claims from

171-459: A borough. Boroughs are usually the populated center of a town that decided to incorporate in order to have more responsive local government. When a borough is formed, it is still part of and dependent on its town. There are nine boroughs in Connecticut. One borough, Naugatuck , is coextensive and consolidated with its town. The other eight boroughs, such as Woodmont , have jurisdiction over only

228-541: A census-designated place (CDP). As of 2010, it is the 71st largest community in Alaska. As of the census of 2000, there were 862 people, 401 households, and 214 families residing in the city. The population density was 1.9 people per square mile (0.73 people/km ). There were 502 housing units at an average density of 1.1 per square mile (0.42/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% White , 3.0% Native American , 0.6% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 0.8% from other races , and 3.0% from two or more races. 2.1% of

285-463: A city-wide district attorney 's office. Instead, each borough elects a district attorney whose title is named after the respective county: Bronx County District Attorney , Kings County District Attorney , New York County District Attorney , Queens County District Attorney , and Richmond County District Attorney . Boroughs do not exist in any other part of the state of New York . In Pennsylvania 's state laws that govern classes of municipalities,

342-538: A college preparatory high school curriculum, began in 1899. The school was completed in 1900. By 1899, the stream of gold-seekers had diminished and Skagway's economy began to collapse. By 1900, when the railroad was completed, the gold rush was nearly over. In 1900, Skagway was incorporated as the first city in the Alaska Territory. Much of the history of Skagway was saved by early residents such as Martin Itjen , who ran

399-531: A group of investors saw an opportunity for a railroad over that route. It was not until May 1898 that the White Pass and Yukon Route began laying narrow gauge railroad tracks in Skagway. The railroad depot was constructed between September and December 1898. This destroyed the viability of Dyea, as Skagway had both the deep-water port and the railroad. Construction of McCabe College , the first school in Alaska to offer

456-452: A historical district of about 100 buildings from the gold rush era. It receives about a million tourists annually, most of whom (about three quarters) come on cruise ships . The White Pass and Yukon Route operates its narrow-gauge train around Skagway during the summer months, primarily for tourists. The WPYR also ships copper ore from the interior. The Days of '98 Show is performed in Skagway's Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall. Skagway

513-412: A part of their town. Boroughs in Connecticut are counted as separate municipal governments, but governmental functions performed in other parts of the state by town governments are performed by the parent town of the borough. In Michigan , the term borough only applied to Mackinac Island from February 2, 1817, to March 25, 1847. The Borough government was established by William Henry Puthuff after

570-512: A population between 8,000 and 10,000, Skagway was the largest city in Alaska. Due to the sudden influx of visitors to Skagway, some town residents began offering miners transportation services to aid them in their journeys to the Yukon, often at highly inflated rates. A group of miners upset with the treatment organized a town council to help protect their interests. But as the members of the council moved north to try their own hands at mining, control of

627-503: A sixth as much as Yakutat . Although winters are too cold for the classification, precipitation patterns resemble a mediterranean climate due to the summer precipitation minimum. The highest temperature recorded in Skagway is 92 °F or 33.3 °C in three separate years, most recently in 2019, and the lowest is −24 °F or −31.1 °C on February 2, 1947. North winds prevail at Skagway from November to March. South winds prevail from April to October. Skagway first appeared on

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684-422: A total area of 6,654 square miles (17,230 km), of which 4,858 square miles (12,580 km) is land and 1,795 square miles (4,650 km) (27.0%) is water. On May 19, 2008, a large part of the former Prince of Wales–Outer Ketchikan Census Area was annexed, including the remainder of Misty Fjords National Monument that was not already in the borough, making the current figures much larger than these. A map of

741-441: A tour bus around the historical town. He was responsible for saving and maintaining the gold- rush cemetery from complete loss. He purchased Soapy Smith's saloon (Jeff Smith's Parlor) from going the way of the wrecking ball, and placed many early artifacts of the city's early history inside and opened Skagway's first museum. In July 1923, President Warren G. Harding visited Skagway while on his historic tour through Alaska. Harding

798-502: A town featured in the computer game The Yukon Trail . Skagway and the surrounding region is a campaign available in a modification of the helicopter combat simulator "Enemy Engaged: Comanche vs. Hokum" (version 1.16.0) In an episode of Homeland Security USA , the border crossing in Skagway was featured as being the least-used crossing in the United States. Chief Inspector Fenwick often dryly referred to nearby "big city" "Skagway" when sending his mounty, Dudley Do-Right , to capture

855-460: Is a verbal noun which means pretty woman . The verbal noun was derived from the Tlingit finite verb theme -sha-ka-li-ԍéi , which means, in the case of a woman, to be pretty . The story behind the name is that Sha-ka-ԍéi or Skagway ["Pretty Woman"] was the nickname of Kanagoo, a mythical woman who transformed herself into stone at Skagway bay and who (according to the story) now causes

912-400: Is a featured setting in the 1946 film Road to Utopia , starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby . In Jack London's short story "The Unexpected," the main characters spend the winter of 1897–98 in "the mushroom outfitting-town of Skaguay" before moving on to stake a gold-mining claim elsewhere. Skagway is featured in the 1955 Western The Far Country , directed by Anthony Mann . Skagway is

969-525: Is a first-class borough in Alaska on the Alaska Panhandle . As of the 2020 census , the population was 1,240, up from 968 in 2010. The population doubles in the summer tourist season in order to deal with the large number of summer tourists each year. Incorporated as a borough on June 25, 2007, it was previously a city (urban Skagway located at 59°27′30″N 135°18′50″W  /  59.45833°N 135.31389°W  / 59.45833; -135.31389 ) in

1026-469: Is divided into six boroughs, one corresponding to the former city of South Norfolk and one corresponding to each of the five magisterial districts of the former Norfolk County . In Virginia Beach , the seven boroughs were abolished effective July 1, 1998. Wisconsin in the 19th century occasionally used the term "borough" for the type of civil township normally known as a town . Skagway, Alaska The Municipality and Borough of Skagway

1083-584: Is one of three Southeast Alaskan communities that are connected to the road system; Skagway's connection is via the Klondike Highway , completed in 1978. This allows access to the lower 48 , Whitehorse , Yukon , northern British Columbia , and the Alaska Highway . This also makes Skagway an important port-of-call for the Alaska Marine Highway — Alaska's ferry system — and serves as

1140-411: Is served by its local semimonthly newspaper, The Skagway News , as well as regional public radio station KHNS , which has its principal studios in nearby Haines but also has studios and programs based in Skagway. Juneau radio station KINY operates a translator in Skagway which serves the entire town. Skagway also receives copies of the free regional newspaper Capital City Weekly . Skagway and

1197-650: Is the English divergent of sha-ka-ԍéi , a Tlingit idiom which figuratively refers to rough seas in the Taiya Inlet , which are caused by strong north winds. ( See , " Etymology and the Mythical Stone Woman ", below.) Skagway is the English adaptation of sha-ka-ԍéi , a Tlingit idiom which figuratively refers to rough seas in the Taiya Inlet, that are caused by strong north winds . Literally , sha-ka-ԍéi

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1254-556: Is water. It is currently the smallest borough in Alaska, having taken the title away from Bristol Bay Borough at its creation. Skagway has a humid continental climate ( Köppen Dsb ). It is in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains, and though not as pronounced as the rain shadow in Southcentral Alaska in the valley of the Susitna River , this still allows it to receive only half as much precipitation as Juneau and only

1311-558: The Chilkoot Pass , an existing Tlingit trade route to reach the lakes. The Dyea route fell out of favor when larger ships began to arrive, as its harbor was too shallow for them except at high tide. Officials in Canada began requiring that each prospector entering Canada on the north side of the White Pass bring with him one ton (909 kg) of supplies, to ensure that he did not starve during

1368-461: The Klondike region of Canada 's Yukon Territory . On July 29, 1897, the steamer Queen docked at Moore's wharf with the first boat load of prospectors. More ships brought thousands of hopeful miners into the new town and prepared for the 500-mile journey to the gold fields in Canada. Moore was overrun by lot jumping prospectors and had his land stolen from him and sold to others. The population of

1425-622: The 1900 U.S. Census, having incorporated as a city that same year. It was the 2nd largest city in Alaska, behind fellow Gold Rush boomtown Nome. It reported 3,117 residents, of which 2,845 were White, 113 were Native Americans, 98 were Black and 61 were Asian. It rapidly declined to 872 residents by 1910, falling to the 8th largest city. It reported 802 Whites, 61 Native Americans and 9 Others. It would be 90 years (until 2000) before it would almost reach that population again (862). It fell to 15th largest community overall in 1920. By 1930, it bottomed out at 492 residents, although it rose to 13th largest in

1482-748: The Bronx , and Staten Island . Each of these is coterminous with a county : Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Bronx County, and Richmond County, respectively. There are no county governments within New York City for legislative or executive purposes. The powers of the boroughs are inferior to the powers of the citywide government, but each borough elects a borough president , who in turn appoints some members of local community boards (see Government of New York City ). The boroughs of New York City are generally treated as separate counties for judicial purposes and for some legal filings. New York City does not have

1539-633: The Klondike Gold Rush Cemetery, also known as "Skagway's Boot Hill ." The prospectors' journey began for many when they climbed the mountains over the White Pass above Skagway and onward across the Canada–US border to Bennett Lake , or one of its neighboring lakes, where they built barges and floated down the Yukon River to the gold fields around Dawson City . Others disembarked at nearby Dyea , northwest of Skagway, and crossed northward on

1596-622: The Skagway-Yakutat-Angoon Census Area (now the Hoonah–Angoon Census Area, Alaska ). The most populated community is the census-designated place of Skagway. Skagway, on the Taiya Inlet , was an important saltwater port during the Klondike Gold Rush . The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad , part of the area's mining past, now in operation purely for the tourist trade and running throughout

1653-403: The United States' purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 and British claims along the coast. Canada requested a survey after British Columbia united with it in 1871, but the idea was rejected by the United States as being too costly, given the area's remoteness, sparse settlement, and limited economic or strategic interest. The Klondike gold rush changed everything. In 1896, gold was found in

1710-428: The age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56, and the average family size was 3.10. In the borough, the population was spread out, with 28.20% under

1767-441: The age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.30 males. Ketchikan Gateway Borough is strongly conservative, and has voted Republican all but once since statehood in 1959. Ketchikan Gateway Borough has mirrored Alaska’s choice for

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1824-541: The borough. The Municipality of Anchorage is a consolidated city-borough , as are Sitka , Juneau , Haines , Yakutat , and Skagway . Nearly half of the state's area is part of the vast Unorganized Borough , which has no borough-level government at all. The United States Census Bureau has divided the Unorganized Borough into ten census areas for statistical purposes. In addition to cities, Connecticut also has another type of dependent municipality known as

1881-547: The city was $ 49,375, and the median income for a family was $ 62,188. Males had a median income of $ 44,583 versus $ 30,956 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 27,700. About 1.0% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including none of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over. There are visitors to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and White Pass and Chilkoot Trails . Skagway has

1938-592: The current area can be seen here: As of the census of 2010, there were 13,477 people, 5,305 households, and 3,369 families residing in the borough. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4.2 people/km). There were 6,166 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (1.9/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 68.7% White , 0.7% Black or African American , 14.3% Native American , 7.1% Asian (5.8% Filipino, 0.3% Chinese, 0.2% Japanese), 0.2% Pacific Islander (0.1% Hawaiian), 0.7% from other races , and 8.3% from two or more races. 4.3% of

1995-493: The general area increased enormously and reached 30,000, composed largely of American prospectors. Some realized how difficult the trek ahead would be en route to the gold fields, and chose to stay behind to supply goods and services to miners. Within weeks, stores, saloons, and offices lined the muddy streets of Skagway. The population was estimated at 8,000 residents during the spring of 1898 with approximately 1,000 prospective miners passing through town each week. By June 1898, with

2052-549: The head of the Taiya Inlet, the north end of the Lynn Canal , which is the most northern fjord on the Inside Passage on the south coast of Alaska. It is in the Alaska panhandle 90 miles northwest of Juneau , Alaska's capital city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough has a total area of 464 square miles (1,200 km ), of which 452 square miles (1,170 km ) is land and 12 square miles (31 km ) (2.5%)

2109-448: The island was proclaimed to be a U.S. territory in the War of 1812 . The borough government was replaced by a village government in 1847. In Minnesota , "borough" was applied to one municipality, Belle Plaine , from 1868 to 1974. In New Jersey , boroughs are independent municipalities and are one of five types of municipal government, each operating separately at the equivalent level of

2166-675: The northern terminus of the important and heavily used Lynn Canal corridor. (The other Southeast Alaskan communities with road access are Haines and Hyder .) The White Pass and Yukon Route is a railway that formerly linked Whitehorse , Yukon in Canada to Skagway, the railway's southernmost terminus. Today , trains travel several times a week from May through September from Skagway to the small community of Carcross , approximately 45 miles south/southwest of Whitehorse. There, passengers (mostly tourists) can make connections via bus to Whitehorse. Skagway Airport receives service from two bush carriers: Alaska Seaplanes, and Air Excursions. Skagway

2223-534: The other four types of municipal government available in New Jersey: Township , Town , City , and Village . Many boroughs were formed out of larger townships, but even in such cases there is no continuing link between the borough and the township. Most boroughs were formed during the Boroughitis phenomenon of the mid-1890s. New York City is divided into five boroughs: Brooklyn , Manhattan , Queens ,

2280-430: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 401 households, out of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.4% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

2337-486: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 3.31% reported speaking Tagalog at home, while 1.65% speak Spanish . The median income for a household in the city was $ 61,695, and the median income for a family was $ 45,417. Males had a median income of $ 35,139 versus $ 37,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 29,520. About 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line. In 2000, there were 5,399 households, out of which 36.80% had children under

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2394-545: The show's evil nemesis, Snidely Whiplash . Skagway's Mo Mountain Mutts came to prominence in 2023 when its "puppy bus" video went viral. Skagway is served by Dahl Memorial Clinic, the only primary health clinic in the area. The facility is usually staffed by three advanced nurse practitioners and three medical assistants, and is it open Monday through Friday year-round with limited Saturday hours during summer. The clinic also operates after hours in emergency situations. The borough

2451-602: The state government, the only incorporated town in Pennsylvania is Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania . In August 2005, there were 961 boroughs in the state. In Virginia , under Code of Virginia § 15.2-3534, when multiple local governments consolidate to form a consolidated city, the consolidated city may be divided into geographical subdivisions called boroughs, which may be the same as the existing (i) cities, (ii) counties, or (iii) portions of such counties. Those boroughs are not separate local governments. For example, Chesapeake

2508-493: The state. In 1940, it fell to 16th. By 1950, 19th. 1960, it tied for 29th place (16th largest incorporated). In 1970, it dropped to 45th (24th largest incorporated). In 1980, it rose to 35th place. In 1990, it fell to 53rd place. In 2000, it was at 60th place overall (29th largest incorporated). In 2007, with the creation of the Skagway Municipality out of Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon, it ceased to be an incorporated city and became

2565-418: The statewide presidential winner in every election since 1960. 55°33′N 131°05′W  /  55.550°N 131.083°W  / 55.550; -131.083 Borough (United States) In Alaska , the word "borough" is used instead of "county". Like counties, boroughs are administrative divisions of the state. Each borough in Alaska has a borough seat , which is the administrative center for

2622-414: The strong, channeled winds which blow toward Haines, Alaska . The rough seas caused by these winds have therefore been referred to by the use of Kanagoo's nickname, Sha-ka-ԍéi or Skagway . The Kanagoo stone formation is now known as Face Mountain , which is seen from Skagway bay. The Tlingit name for Face Mountain is Kanagoo Yahaayí [Kanagoo's Image/Soul]. One prominent resident of early Skagway

2679-515: The summer months, has its starting point at the port of Skagway. Skagway is a popular stop for cruise ships , and the tourist trade is a big part of the business of Skagway. Skagway is also the setting for part of Jack London 's book The Call of the Wild , Will Hobbs 's book Jason's Gold , and Joe Haldeman 's novel, Guardian . The John Wayne film North to Alaska (1960) was filmed nearby. The name Skagway (historically also spelled Skaguay )

2736-577: The surrounding goldfields in 1897-8 is the main setting for George Markstein's 1978 novel 'Tara Kane′, which also features fictionalised versions of Jefferson 'Soapy' Smith and his gang, along with photographer Eric A. Hegg (called Ernst Hart in the novel). In the Three Stooges short In the Sweet Pie and Pie , Skagway receives a humorous mention: "Edam Neckties , with three convenient locations: Skagway, Alaska; Little America ; and Pago Pago ." Skagway

2793-436: The term "borough" is used the way other states sometimes use the words "town" or "village." A borough is a self-governing entity that is generally smaller than a city. If an area is not governed by either a borough or city, then the area is governed as a township. Villages or hamlets are unincorporated and have no municipal government, other than the township in which they are found. By tradition, as recognized by publications of

2850-477: The town reverted to the more unscrupulous, most notably Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith . Between 1897 and 1898, Skagway was a lawless town, described by one member of the North-West Mounted Police as "little better than a hell on earth." Fights, prostitutes and liquor were ever-present on Skagway's streets, and con man "Soapy" Smith, who had risen to considerable power, did little to stop it. Smith

2907-404: The two men fired their weapons simultaneously — and Frank Reid died from his wounds twelve days later. Jesse Murphy is believed by some to be responsible for killing Smith, but the official coroner's inquest ruled "that said Smith [died] by reason of pistol wound piercing the heart. The said wound was the result of a pistol shot fired by one Frank H. Reid." Smith and Reid are now interred at

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2964-530: The winter. This placed a large burden on the prospectors and the pack animals climbing the steep pass. In 1898, a 14-mile, steam-operated aerial tramway was constructed up the Skagway side of the White Pass, easing the burden of those prospectors who could afford the fee to use it. The Chilkoot Trail tramways also began to operate in the Chilkoot Pass above Dyea. In 1896, before the Klondike gold rush had begun,

3021-564: Was William "Billy" Moore , a former steamboat captain. As a member of an 1887 boundary survey expedition, he had made the first recorded investigation of the pass over the Coast Mountains , which later became known as White Pass. He believed that gold lay in the Klondike because it had been found in similar mountain ranges in South America , Mexico , California , and British Columbia . In 1887, he and his son, J. Bernard "Ben" Moore, claimed

3078-412: Was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.81. In the city, the population was distributed with 20.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years old. For every 100 females, there were 109.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.7 males. The median income for a household in

3135-472: Was a sophisticated swindler who liked to think of himself as a kind and generous benefactor to the needy. He was gracious to some, giving money to widows and halting lynchings, while simultaneously operating a ring of thieves who swindled prospectors with cards, dice, and the shell game . His telegraph office charged five dollars to send a message anywhere in the world. Consequently, unknowing prospectors sent news to their families back home without realizing there

3192-577: Was no telegraph service to or from Skagway until 1901. Smith also controlled a comprehensive spy network, a private militia called the Skaguay Military Company, the town newspaper, the Deputy U.S. Marshal's office and an array of thieves and con men who roamed about the town. Smith was finally shot and killed by Frank Reid and Jesse Murphy on July 8, 1898, in the famed Shootout on Juneau Wharf . Smith managed to return fire — some accounts claim

3249-418: Was the first President of the United States to travel and tour Alaska while in office. The Canol pipeline was extended to Skagway in the 1940s where oil was shipped in by sea and pumped north. Skagway is located at 59°28′7″N 135°18′21″W  /  59.46861°N 135.30583°W  / 59.46861; -135.30583 (59.468519, −135.305962). Skagway is located in a narrow glaciated valley at

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