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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Skagway in Skagway County, Alaska — The American West (Northwest) |
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Jeff. Smith’s Parlor
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By Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2010 | |
| | | 1. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor Marker | | |
Inscription. The building before you is an historical structure known as “Jeff. Smith’s Parlor.” It has recently been acquired by Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park Service. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor, a part of the extensive Rapuzzi collection, was very generously donated to Skagway and the National Park Service by the Rasmuson Foundation. It was once the saloon and headquarters for Jefferson Randolf [sic] Smith, better known as “Soapy.” Soapy Smith was Skagway’s most infamous con-man, who lived here throughout the gold rush stampede of 1897-1898. Soapy was killed in a shoot-out by Frank Reid on July 8, 1898, and both are buried in the Gold Rush Cemetery.
In the years following Soapy’s death, this false-front wood-frame building changed hands several times, serving as a restaurant, the Hook & Ladder Truck and Hose shed, and in 1935 was purchased by Skagway resident and tourism promoter, Martin Itjen. Itjen’s reopened the building as Jeff. Smith’s Parlor Museum, and it soon became the highlight of Itjen’s gold rush tours until his death in 1942. George Rapuzzi, a collector of gold rush memorabilia, and Itjen’s long-time friend, took over the museum and moved the building to its present location.
Using historic photographs to guide the process, historic restoration is starting | | | | 
By Nat. Park Service, n/a | |
| | | 2. “Soapy” Smith and several of his gang inside of his parlor, 1898. | | |
this summer with archaeological excavations, followed by construction of a foundation. Original artifacts and memorabilia from Jeff. Smith’s Parlor Museum will be on display once the restoration is complete.
Erected 2010 by National Park Service.
Location. 59° 27.242′ N, 135° 19.15′ W. Marker is in Skagway, Alaska, in Skagway County. Marker is on 2nd Avenue. Click for map. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor is located between Broadway and State Streets. Marker is in this post office area: Skagway AK 99840, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Fatal Duel (within shouting distance of this marker); Arctic Brotherhood Camp Skagway (within shouting distance of this marker); Skagway and White Pass (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); Skagway Centennial Statue (about 400 feet away); Mollie Walsh (approx. 0.2 miles away); Skagway Remembers (approx. 0.3 miles away); Trail of '98 Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Vining and Wilkes Warehouse (approx. 3.6 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Skagway.
Also see . . . Alias Soapy Smith. (Submitted on May 31, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California.)
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By Nat. Park Service, n/a | |
| | | 3. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor, draped in festive bunting for July 4th, 1898. | | The date of this picture is in question. The National Park Service notes it was taken on July 4, 1898. The photograph was likely taken about May 1, 1898. The Parlor was decorated differently on July 4. | | |
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By Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2010 | |
| | | 4. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor | | |
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By Barry Swackhamer, June 14, 2010 | |
| | | 5. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor | | |
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By Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2010 | |
| | | 6. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor, restoration work underway. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on May 31, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 365 times since then. Last updated on July 22, 2011, by Jeff Smith of Corona, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 31, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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