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Imagine going on the adventure of a lifetime! That's exactly what it was like for thousands of young people in the late 1800s when word got out that gold was discovered in the Yukon.
Imagine going on the adventure of a lifetime! That's exactly what it was like for thousands of young people in the late 1800s when word got out that gold was discovered in the Yukon.
The Discovery of Gold!
The Discovery of Gold!
On August 16, 1896, four people—an American miner, a First Nations man from the Yukon, his sister, who was married to the American, and his nephew, were looking for gold on a creek that flowed into the Klondike River, a few kilometers east of the present town of Dawson. One of them—no one is sure which one it was—looked into the waters of the creek and saw something glittering. Turning over a rock he (or was it she?) saw gold lying “thick as cheese” in the cracks between the rocks and stones. The others came rushing, and with shovel and pan, dug more gold out of the water. Dancing for joy, they realized that they were suddenly rich, that they had found the rich deposit of gold that men and women had been seeking for more than twenty years in this northwestern corner of Canada.
On August 16, 1896, four people—an American miner, a First Nations man from the Yukon, his sister, who was married to the American, and his nephew, were looking for gold on a creek that flowed into the Klondike River, a few kilometers east of the present town of Dawson. One of them—no one is sure which one it was—looked into the waters of the creek and saw something glittering. Turning over a rock he (or was it she?) saw gold lying “thick as cheese” in the cracks between the rocks and stones. The others came rushing, and with shovel and pan, dug more gold out of the water. Dancing for joy, they realized that they were suddenly rich, that they had found the rich deposit of gold that men and women had been seeking for more than twenty years in this northwestern corner of Canada.
What they did not realize was that their discovery had launched one of the greatest gold rushes in world history. Over
What they did not realize was that their discovery had launched one of the greatest gold rushes in world history. Over
Watch the video clips:
Watch the video clips:
4:00 - 19:20
4:00 - 19:20
21:17 - 24:40
21:17 - 24:40
30:50 - 35:30
30:50 - 35:30
39:15 - 40:04
39:15 - 40:04
What should you take to the Klondike?
What should you take to the Klondike?
What should you take to the Klondike in 1897-1898?
What should you take to the Klondike in 1897-1898?
The Northern Pacific Railroad Company published the Chicago Record's Book for Gold Seekers in 1897 and included the following supply list:
The Northern Pacific Railroad Company published the Chicago Record's Book for Gold Seekers in 1897 and included the following supply list:
150 lbs. bacon
150 lbs. bacon
400 lbs. flour
400 lbs. flour
25 lbs. rolled oats
25 lbs. rolled oats
125 lbs. beans
125 lbs. beans
10 lbs. tea
10 lbs. tea
10 lbs. coffee
10 lbs. coffee
25 lbs. sugar
25 lbs. sugar
25 lbs. dried potatoes
25 lbs. dried potatoes
2 lbs. dried onions
2 lbs. dried onions
15 lbs. salt
15 lbs. salt
1 lb. pepper
1 lb. pepper
75 lbs. dried fruits
75 lbs. dried fruits
8 lbs. baking powder
8 lbs. baking powder
2 lbs. soda
2 lbs. soda
1/2 lb. evaporated vinegar
1/2 lb. evaporated vinegar
12 oz. compressed soup
12 oz. compressed soup
1 can mustard
1 can mustard
1 tin matches (for four men)
1 tin matches (for four men)
Stove for four men
Stove for four men
Gold pan for each
Gold pan for each
Set granite buckets
Set granite buckets
Large bucket
Large bucket
Knife, fork, spoon, cup, and plate
Knife, fork, spoon, cup, and plate
Frying pan
Frying pan
Coffee and teapot
Coffee and teapot
Scythe stone
Scythe stone
Two picks and one shovel
Two picks and one shovel
One whipsaw
One whipsaw
Pack strap
Pack strap
Two axes for four men and one extra handle
Two axes for four men and one extra handle
Six 8 inch files and two taper files for the party
Six 8 inch files and two taper files for the party
Draw knife, brace and bits, jack plane, and hammer for party
Draw knife, brace and bits, jack plane, and hammer for party
200 feet three-eights-inch rope
200 feet three-eights-inch rope
8 lbs. of pitch and 5 lbs. of oakum for four men
8 lbs. of pitch and 5 lbs. of oakum for four men
Nails, five lbs. each of 6,8,10 and 12 penny, for four men
Nails, five lbs. each of 6,8,10 and 12 penny, for four men
Tent, 10 x 12 feet for four men
Tent, 10 x 12 feet for four men
Canvas for wrapping
Canvas for wrapping
Two oil blankets to each boat
Two oil blankets to each boat
5 yards of mosquito netting for each man
5 yards of mosquito netting for each man
3 suits of heavy underwear
3 suits of heavy underwear
1 heavy mackinaw coat
1 heavy mackinaw coat
2 pairs heavy machinaw trousers
2 pairs heavy machinaw trousers
1 heavy rubber-lined coat
1 heavy rubber-lined coat
1 dozen heavy wool socks
1 dozen heavy wool socks
1/2 dozen heavy wool mittens
1/2 dozen heavy wool mittens
2 heavy overshirts
2 heavy overshirts
2 pairs heavy snagproof rubber boots
2 pairs heavy snagproof rubber boots
2 pairs shoes
2 pairs shoes
4 pairs blankets (for two men)
4 pairs blankets (for two men)
4 towels
4 towels
2 pairs overalls
2 pairs overalls
1 suit oil clothing
1 suit oil clothing
Several changes of summer clothing
Several changes of summer clothing
Small assortment of medicines
Small assortment of medicines
The Legendary Sam Steele
The Legendary Sam Steele
Sir Sam Steele was a legendary figure and easily the most famous Mountie ever. He was also there at some of the most important moments of Canada’s early history.
Sir Sam Steele was a legendary figure and easily the most famous Mountie ever. He was also there at some of the most important moments of Canada’s early history.
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