The Klondike Gold Rush

June 11, 2022 9:16am

The Klondike Gold Rush (1897 - 1899) was not just an amazing chapter in American and Canadian history. It was one of the greatest adventures of western civilization.

During the depths of the depression brought about by the Panic of 1893, gold was discovered in Canada's Yukon Territory. When news of that find reached the Lower 48, the stampede was on. An estimated 100,000 people raced north towards the gold in hopes of striking it rich. But few had any idea what hardships they were getting themselves into. And almost all went home with far less money than they started with.

On last week's radio show, I interviewed Park Ranger Chris Gibbs at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle. But our discussion only got us to Dawson City. So I aired the second half of our conversation this morning to complete the story. Both episodes are now archived online as podcasts.

The first half is at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/220604. The second half is at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/220611.