So glad we chose this tour. Delightful tour leader dressed in Colonial costume.Did a tour of the township then stopped at the Cemetery, where we were able to walk through and learn the history of some of the people buried there. Most interesting. Then crossed the river and toured some of the outskirts of town and learned more about the past and present.
So many tour groups overwhelm this place most of the day, go early or late to wander up the trail to Lower Reid Falls. There is no handout about the local graves, go to skagwaystories dot org for stories. Best known inhabitants are of course Soapy Smith and his fellow shooter who died "defending Skagway's honor" Frank Reid. Lots of babies and women buried here too.
This little scenic cemetery is on the way out of town, just off of the Skagway River. If you're on foot, it is maybe 20 minutes from the harbour. What you will find here is a collection of Skagway's founders, be it those that died young or those that lived their lives in Skagway. The head stones are an interesting mix of monuments and wooden headstones, making it worth the visit. The most renowned 'residents' of this cemetery are Frank Reid and Soapy Smith.If you're unfamiliar with the story of these two, I highly recommend getting a tour of the Gold Rush Cemetery. Frank Reid and Soapy Smith famously killed either other in a duel and the guides who will take you to the cemetery are often quite skilled at detailing the events around the fateful gun fight. It's said of Reid that he 'gave his life for the honour of Skagway'.Also, after you finish seeing the cemetery, Lower Reid Falls is located a short walk behind. It is absolutely worth the visit as well. Together, they're two of the most interesting and less-known places in Skagway. I highly recommend them. I have been many times and keep coming back.
You can walk here from the cruise ship. Just head down the main street and follow the curve in the street and on the right hand side right before the bridge there will be a few train cars. turn right here. There will be a sign. Walk up the gravel road till you get to the cemetery. You can see the grave sights of Frank Reid and Soapy Smith and other very old grave sights. It is a nice small cemetery. From here you can walk to far back corner of the cemetery to get to reid falls. You will go up a few steps and there will be a sign to Reid Falls. it is a short hike and it is easy. htere are bathrooms in the parking lot
The gold rush cemetery in Skagway was a stop on our tour of the gold rush era. The cemetery had recently made headstones but I guess that they have to remake them due to the harsh winters. I did enjoy the stores our tour guide provided about each one especially Soapy Smith.
There are a couple ways to get here-walk from town or you can drive right up to it. There is a sign that mentions who is buried here. Two of the town's more legendary citizens are buried here-Frank Reid and Jefferson "Soapy" Smith. The cemetery needs some TLC, new headboards, fencing, landscaping. This is a neat little place to visit, especially if you combine it with a short walk to Lower Reid Falls (named after Frank Reid).
History of the early days!, they were so young the adventurers to the West. Cemetery is well maintained in it's original condition.
Cemetery's are one of the bust places to discover the history of a place and the Skagway cemetary is no different.Strolling around and reading the head stones and markers gives an insite into this pioneer town.It is a good to have some with you who can tell the stories and the early day.Tucked away in the valley it is a very beautiful and peaceful setting.Well worth a visit
We decided to hike out to the cemetery while in Skagway. We made a pit stop at the city library which was actually very nice (clean restroom, too). It was a couple miles out to the cemetery,but we needed the exercise and enjoyed seeing the neighborhoods along the way. More people are buried there than are listed, but the markers looked "staged."
Our bus tour guide told us of some of the people buried at the Gold rush cemetery. Soapy Smith, a gold rush con, the man who finally put him in the ground and many others. I do genealogy and this is truly a cemetery, not a "staged" one which some people think. The markers are mostly wooden and worn. It's interesting to read them. You can also walk back to Reid Falls from the cemetery. I truly enjoyed this stop.