Tucked into the lush forests just outside of Skagway, Alaska, the Gold Rush Cemetery is more than a final resting place — it’s a relic of strife, ambition, and whispering legends. This hauntingly beautiful graveyard is one of the last remnants of the Klondike Gold Rush, a mad scramble fueled by golden dreams that transformed quiet settlements into boomtowns. Today, moss-covered headstones and broken wooden markers tell silent tales of hope, hardship, and in some cases, violent ends. But for paranormal investigators and history buffs alike, the allure of the Gold Rush Cemetery is more than just historical — it’s ethereal, even ghostly.
If you’re fascinated by the past and have an appetite for the paranormal, stepping into Skagway’s Gold Rush Cemetery is like traveling through a crooked portal to a bygone century. In this blog post, we’ll uncover its origin story, explore legendary graves, and peer into the darker shadows that linger after dusk.
The History
A Gateway to the Goldfields
During the late 1890s, gold fever gripped the United States and Canada, thanks to a discovery in the Yukon’s Klondike region. Would-be millionaires flocked to Alaska by the thousands, using Skagway as an important gateway. The once serene village exploded with prospectors, traders, entertainment houses, and, inevitably, crime.
As Skagway grew from a wilderness post to a rough-and-tumble frontier town practically overnight, mortality was high. Disease, mining accidents, and nefarious dealings claimed lives quickly — and many of these souls were laid to rest in the newly formed Gold Rush Cemetery.
Founded in 1898
The Gold Rush Cemetery came into official use around 1898, right at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. Located at the base of a steep wooded hillside just north of downtown Skagway, this graveyard became the final resting place for over 100 individuals. Many of the interred were buried hastily, their headstones carved with eerie epitaphs or left unmarked due to the enigmatic circumstances of their deaths.
Wooden markers and hand-carved gravestones dominate the cemetery. The natural decay and the moist Alaskan climate have left many of the names weathered and stories partially erased, adding an atmospheric melancholy to the area. Some plots were never formally recorded, lending mystery to who exactly lies below certain tilted stones.
Infamous Residents
What makes the Gold Rush Cemetery stand out in Alaskan history isn’t just the number of graves or their age — it’s who is buried there. Most notable is Jefferson “Soapy” Smith, a legendary con man who ran Skagway like his own personal empire.
Soapy Smith made a fortune targeting naïve gold-seekers with scams, shell games, and rigged auctions. He controlled the waterfront, telegraph offices, and local law enforcement — until townsfolk decided they’d had enough. On July 8, 1898, Soapy met his end in a chaotic shootout on Juneau Wharf with vigilante Frank Reid, who also suffered mortal wounds. Both men now rest in the Gold Rush Cemetery — Smith’s grave kept deliberately apart from Reid’s, in a fitting sign of the town’s judgment on their legacies.
Frank Reid, hailed as a local hero, has one of the most prominent graves. His marker reads, “He gave his life for the honor of Skagway.” In contrast, Soapy’s grave is considered a cautionary emblem, fenced in by trees and forever separated.
Forgotten Souls and Tragic Ends
While Smith and Reid headline the site, they are far from the only tales woven into the cemetery’s soil. Dozens of prospectors, many unidentified or long forgotten, were buried in haste, their gold dreams unfulfilled. Some succumbed to harsh weather conditions trying to cross White Pass; others fell victim to violence in a lawless boomtown where treachery often masqueraded as opportunity.
Children’s graves with tiny markers and faded names showcase the toll illness and hardship took on early pioneers. The lack of proper medical care and sanitation made even a minor ailment potentially deadly. The graveyard as a whole offers a grim but compelling snapshot of the human cost of ambition in the far north.
The Haunt
For many visitors, the trip to Gold Rush Cemetery isn’t just about history — it’s about the energy that lingers, a weight in the air that signals you’re not alone. Paranormal investigators and ghost hunters have long speculated that the cemetery is one of the most haunted locations in Alaska.
Chilling Reports and Eerie Encounters
While daylight visits to the cemetery can feel calm and even serene, nighttime tells a different story. Locals, paranormal enthusiasts, and late-night thrill-seekers have described unexplained cold spots, phantom footsteps, and even shadowy apparitions among the graves. Some say they’ve heard the faint twang of a fiddle or ghostly voices echoing from the woods — with no visible source in sight.
One commonly reported entity is a tall shadow figure believed to be a restless prospector searching for his lost fortune. Witnesses say he emerges particularly around the unmarked graves, silently scanning the area before vanishing into thin air.
Soapy Smith’s Restless Spirit
Of all the ghosts allegedly haunting the Gold Rush Cemetery, none is more infamous than that of Soapy Smith himself. His demise — perceived by many as justice finally served — seems not to have pacified his spirit. Tour guides and visitors have reported feelings of unease near his grave, with camera equipment failing inexplicably and audio devices picking up strange bursts of static or disembodied voices.
Several paranormal investigators have claimed to capture EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) near Soapy’s grave, with one recording seemingly whispering, “I run this town.” Whether hoax, illusion, or a genuine slip between realms, investigating Soapy’s plot continues to be a popular activity for ghost hunters visiting Skagway.
The Paranormal Hotspot: Reid Falls
Just past the cemetery lies Reid Falls, a picturesque waterfall named in honor of Frank Reid. While beautiful and calming during the day, this area also plays host to paranormal legends. Some believe the water is imbued with spiritual energy — a “thin spot” between worlds. Visitors have claimed inexplicable emotional shifts and even visual apparitions along the forest path leading to the falls, especially during twilight hours. The combination of natural beauty and ghostly presence makes this a must-see for adventurous spirits and supernatural explorers.
Conclusion: A Ghost Hunter’s Time Capsule
If you’re planning a paranormal-themed adventure to Alaska, the Gold Rush Cemetery should be at the top of your itinerary. With its rich historic backdrop, infamous outlaw lore, and reportedly restless spirits, it’s a place where the past constantly brushes against the present. It’s one of the few places where you can physically stand between two eternal rivals — Soapy Smith and Frank Reid — and literally feel the tension echoing through time.
Wander among the aged tombstones, let the forest silence wrap around you, and keep your senses sharp. Are those footsteps yours — or someone else’s? Did the wind really move that tree branch… or did something unseen just brush past?
For ghost hunters, historians, and brave-hearted travelers alike, the Gold Rush Cemetery in Skagway offers an unforgettable and potentially otherworldly encounter. Pack your EMF meter, bring your flashlight, and step into a story that’s still unfolding, one lingering soul at a time.