Dyea in Skagway, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

From Trouble

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 24, 2024

1. From Trouble Marker

Inscription.
Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith operated this building officially as a saloon for about three months in 1898. But unofficially, the space also served as a gambling den, city hall, and headquarters for Soapy's slippery mafia style gang.

WHO WAS SOAPY SMITH?
A scoundrel. A friend. A good Samaritan. A father. There are so many stories about "Soapy Smith that it is hard to separate fact from legend. Soapy and his gang conned (robbed) gold-rich stampeders on their way back from the Klondike. But some say he also donated to the community, even giving money to build a church. In July 1898, after some of his men swindled the wrong victim, the town rallied against him. Ultimately, Jeff Smith was killed in a shootout.

By [God] trouble is what I am looking for.
Jeff Smith quoted in the Daily Alaskan, July 8, 1898

[Photo captions, counterclockwise from top left, read]
• JEFF SMITH'S PARLORS [business card]

• Jeff "Soapy" Smith. Killed July 8th 1898.

• "Soapy" Smith [portrait] 1860-1898

• The parlor was originally about four blocks from here on Sixth Avenue (formerly Holly Street).

• SKAGUAY NEWS. [front page excerpt]
[Caption

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below newspaper headline reads] "Brave" Frank Reid got the credit for shooting Soapy, but Reid would also die later from gunshot wounds.

• Local doctors perform an autopsy on Soapy. He received three gunshot wounds.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1898.

Location. 59° 27.229′ N, 135° 19.158′ W. Marker is in Skagway, Alaska. It is in Dyea. It is on 2nd Avenue west of Broadway, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 2nd 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 American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Inside Passage,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 24, 2024

2. From Trouble Marker

At distant right, along the boardwalk

marker: To Museum (here, next to this marker); To Treasure (here, next to this marker); Martin Itjen's Skagway Street Car Tour (here, next to this marker); Broadway, Skagway, August 12, 1897 (a few steps from this marker); How far would you go to fulfill a dream? (a few steps from this marker); "The most important item on the list is good advice - (a few steps from this marker); White Pass and Yukon Route Broadway Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Plowing Ahead (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Skagway.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jeff. Smith’s Parlor (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum. (Submitted on September 30, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.