The Alaska Steamship Company was formed in 1894, initially to ship passengers and fishing products between Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. In 1896 gold was discovered on the banks of the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory, triggering a stampede of prospectors into Seattle and an era of prosperity that lasted for more than a decade. The Alaska Steamship Company rapidly expanded their fleet of ships to meet the sudden demand for service, and began shipping supplies such as mining equipment, dog sleds, and cattle.

This image features Northern Pacific Railroad Piers 1 and 2 on the Seattle waterfront, operating under the Alaska Steamship Company. The piers were rebuilt in 1902 and numbered 3 through 5 until World War II when the military renumbered them 54 through 56.

Signs in image: Pier 1, Northern Pacific Railway Co., Alaska Pacific Steamship Co., Alaska Coast Company; Lloyd Transfer Co.; Drugs; The Seattle Transfer Co.; Pier 2, Northern Pacific Railway Co., Alaska Steamship Co., Steamers to all Alaska Ports; Express; Cigars; Pacific & Tropical Fruits; Steamer Chairs; Engineers' Supplies, Valves & Fittings.

Caption information source: "Klondike Gold Rush," by Greg Lange, HistoryLink.org Essay 687
Caption information source: "Now & Then — Seattle Waterfront at Northern Pacific Railroad Piers (Pier 56)," by Paul Dorpat, HistoryLink.org Essay 2578