Dyea in Skagway, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
The Garden City of Alaska
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 24, 2024
1. The Garden City of Alaska Marker
In 1916 Dr L.S. Keller, in the Daily Alaskan, began to promote Skagway's gardens in recognition of their importance to the community. Soon after arriving in 1897 stampeders began to plant vegetables. Sunshine, long hours of daylight and area of rich soil provided a variety of produce and flowers. The first city-wide gardening contest in 1902 was organized by Skagway jeweler Herman Kirmse.
Residents wanted to be self sufficient and were so successful that in 1901 the Skagway Chamber of Commerce sent agricultural products to the Portland Exposition. Flowers went to the Alaska-Yukon Exposition in Seattle in 1900. Henry C. Clark, the "Rhubarb King", and Charles O. Walker, became famous for their produce and flowers.
But it was the visitors who spread the word beyond Alaska of Skagway's gardens. In 1900 White Pass & Yukon Railroad promotional materials described the town as offering "a profusion of flowers, trim lawns, and prolife gardens." Between World War I and World War II, the Blanchard garden was a "must-see" for visitors and a 1929 dahlia cultivated by Blanchard was recorded as the world's largest. Local hotel owners,
this page online
World War II with the occupation of Skagway by thousands of US military servicemen disrupted the town's historic gardening cycle. Quonset huts and tents occupied all available space, much of which had been used for gardens. Fifty years later the community has returned to its historic roots and Skagway is again the "Garden City of Alaska."
Erected by the City of Skagway.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 59° 27.362′ N, 135° 18.759′ W. Marker is in Skagway, Alaska. It is in Dyea. It is on 7th Avenue east of Broadway, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 263 7th Avenue, Skagway AK 99840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Alaska, in Tlingit and Haida & Tsimshian Region. It is also on the
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 24, 2024
2. The Garden City of Alaska Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Before the Gold Rush (here, next to this marker); Skagway Remembers (within shouting distance of this marker); Trail of '98 Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Mollie Walsh (within shouting distance of this marker); Peniel Mission (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bank of Alaska (about 300 feet away); Perceptions and Misconceptions (about 400 feet away); Harsh Realities (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Skagway.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Skagway Remembers (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
