Railroad Avenue during the gold rush, ca 1898 (MOHAI 7152)

Seattle's Railroad Avenue ran along the waterfront. During the peak gold rush period, from 1897 through about 1906, the avenue was busy with people headed to the Klondike and Nome gold fields. Merchants set up shops to sell supplies to the prospectors. Signs advertised last-minute purchases.
This Anders Wilse photo shows Railroad Avenue (now Alaskan Way) in 1897 or 1898, during the Klondike gold rush. A small crowd has gathered to look at the Klondike Home, a box-like aluminum house. The sign above the collapsible house reads "Portable Aluminum Houses. Air, frost, and fireproof. Just the thing for Alaska. Weight 150 pounds."

Subjects (LCTGM): Gold rushes; Houses; Stores & shops