Donald Schmechel Oral History Collection
Watch oral histories with prominent figures in the Pacific Northwest including artists Jacob Lawrence and Kenneth Callahan; Governors Albert Rosellini and Dixy Lee Ray and Reverends David Colwell and Samuel McKinney.
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Aerial view of Dawson City across the Yukon River, ca. 1899
Dawson City was originally home to members of the Han Tribe. It became the epicenter of the gold rush in Yukon Territory - established in 1899?and swelling to a population of 40,000 the following year as prospectors flooded the area. The city served as the capitol of the Yukon until 1952.
Identifier: spl_ap_00027
Date: 1899
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Group outside North American Transportation & Trading Company in Circle City, Alaska, ca. 1899
The United States Marshal office appears on the left and the North American Transportation & Trading Company warehouse appears in the center of the photograph. A sign reading "Forest Fires! Warning!" is posted on the outside of the Marshal's building. A group including four men and one woman stands outside of the warehouse and a sign at the doorway advertises fresh potatoes for sale.
Identifier: spl_ap_00185
Date: 1899
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Aerial view of Dyea and Skagway, Alaska from across Chilkoot Inlet, ca. 1899
Dyea and Skagway served as the two main starting points for overland routes to the Klondike gold fields. Dyea was a short-lived town used by prospectors as an entrance to the Chilkoot Trail. It became less popular after a large avalanche blocked much of the trail on April 3, 1898 killing over 70 prospectors. Skagway served as the starting point for the White Pass Trail. In May 1898 White Pass & Yukon Route railroad route opened in Skagway, offering a faster, safer way for prospectors and their gear to reach the gold fields.
Identifier: spl_ap_00042
Date: 1899
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Aerial view of Skagway, Alaska, ca. 1899
View of Skagway, Alaska looking SW towards the Chilkoot Inlet. The White Pass and Yukon Railway roundhouse can be seen at the lower right and many tents and other homes can be seen in the distance. During the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass was one of the routes used by prospectors to travel from Skagway to the Yukon gold fields. In April 1898 the White Pass and Yukon Railroad Company was formed in an effort to establish an easier way through the pass. Construction on the railroad began the following month. Thousands of workers worked around the clock in treacherous conditions to complete the project. The railroad track was completed at White Pass on February 20, 1899 and reached Lake Bennett on July 6, 1899. The final spike on the railroad was placed on July 29, 1900 in Carcross, B.C.
Identifier: spl_ap_00041
Date: 1899
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Sunset on Yukon delta, ca. 1899
Identifier: spl_ap_00190
Date: 1899
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John Rupp Interview, March 24, 1988
John Rupp (1913-1996) was a Seattle native and a prominent attorney, active in a variety of organizations. Rupp graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1937 and joined his father’s firm McMicken Rupp & Schweppe. During World War II, Rupp served in the United States Navy and acted as an aide to the Commander of the North Pacific Fleet. Rupp was president of the Seattle Bar Association from 1956 to 1957 and served on the Washington State Transportation Board from 1957 to 1963. In 1962 Rupp became vice president and counsel for Pacific Northwest Bell. He acted as president of the Washington State Bar Association from 1966 to 1967. In 1989, Pacific Northwest Bell disbanded and Rupp joined the firm of Preston Gates & Ellis. Rupp was also an active member of the Washington State Board of Education, the Seattle Historical Society, the Seattle Yacht Club and the Seattle Municipal League.
Identifier: spl_ds_jrupp_01
Date: 1988-03-24
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Dawson City across the Yukon River, ca. 1899
Dawson City was originally home to members of the Han Tribe. It became the epicenter of the gold rush in Yukon Territory - established in 1899?and swelling to a population of 40,000 the following year as prospectors flooded the area. The city served as the capitol of the Yukon until 1952.
Identifier: spl_ap_00028
Date: 1899
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Nome flats from near Anvil Creek, ca. 1899
Gold was first discovered at Anvil Creek in the summer of 1898 setting off the Nome Gold Rush. Prospectors hurried to stake claims and Nome's population quickly ballooned to 10,000 people. In 1899, more gold was discovered on beaches near the town and spurred an even greater rush of visitors. By 1900, an estimated 1,000 people a day were arriving in Nome. Pillsbury took some of the first available photographs of the Nome. Following his departure, the winter conditions made it too difficult for others to reach the area.
Identifier: spl_ap_00013
Date: 1899
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Pietro Belluschi Interview, November 24, 1986
Pietro Belluschi (1889-1994) was an architect based for many years out of Portland, Oregon. Belluschi was born in Ancona, Italy and came to the United States in 1923 as an exchange student at Cornell University. Belluschi was known for his modern approach to architecture and the design of buildings such as the Equitable Building in Portland and the Pan Am Building in New York City. Over the course of his career, Belluschi designed over 1,000 buildings. He also served as the dean of the MIT School of Architecture and Planning from 1951 until 1965. The American Institute of Architects awarded him their Gold Medal in 1972.
Identifier: spl_ds_pbelluschi_02
Date: 1986-11-24
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White Pass and Yukon Railroad at White Pass, ca. 1899
During the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass was one of the routes used by prospectors to travel from Skagway to the Yukon gold fields. In April 1898 the White Pass and Yukon Railroad Company was formed in an effort to establish an easier way through the pass. Construction on the railroad began the following month. Thousands of workers worked around the clock in treacherous conditions to complete the project. The railroad track was completed at White Pass on February 20, 1899 and reached Lake Bennett on July 6, 1899. The final spike on the railroad was placed on July 29, 1900 in Carcross, B.C.
Identifier: spl_ap_00040
Date: 1899