White Pass, Klondike Gold Rush NHP, Alaska

White Pass, Klondike Gold Rush NHP, Alaska “The day was perfect. A long winding hill, not steep, with rocks and great trees on each side, made the walking easy. We walked the nine miles, but were so tired we sat down on a snowbank to rest. I saw no sign of the #hotel, so asked a man whom we met how far it was to the White Pass Hotel. He said, “Why bless your blue eyes! There it is a hundred feet ahead.” I said, “Oh, is that it? I thought that was a horse stable or pig sty!” Well, I was glad our tramp for that day was over and thought I would rest and have dinner. I went in and asked the landlord if he would please show me to my room, as I was very tired. He looked at me a moment, then roared with several other men who were sitting there. Then he said, “Well, Miss, I’ve only these two rooms. One is a kitchen, the other is a barroom, dining room and settin’ room. You’ll have to sleep here if you stay.” My heart sank, but soon other women came and at 10:30pm the landlord spread some blankets on the floor, with the others to be used as covering, and we all slept side by side – five women with our heads under the bar.” -- Clare Boyntan (a forty-year-old divorcee travelling with three other women along the White Pass trail during the gold rush) #FindYourPark White Pass Yukon Route #history #alaskahistory #goldrush