Gold rush tent city, probably Lake Bennett, 1898

• Main Author: Unknown
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Camps; Cities & towns; Gold rushes; Tents; Yukon; Yukon river
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/imlsmohai/id/7024

In early spring 1898, an estimated 10,000 gold seekers were camped on the shore of Lake Bennett waiting for the ice to clear. They assembled their supplies and built boats and scows to take them down the Yukon River. Until the railroad was completed in 1900, Bennett continued to be a major jumping off spot for the Klondike gold fields. This photo, probably taken in 1898, shows the tent city at Bennett during the height of the Klondike stampede. In addition to the news depot and stationery store (near center), the town had three hotels, a bakery, a photo studio, and other businesses. 1 photographic print: gelatin, b&w; 20 x 25 cm.