Jeff. Smith’s Parlor

Jeff. Smith’s Parlor was once the saloon and headquarters of Jefferson Randolf Smith, known as Soapy, Skagway’s most infamous con-man, who lived there during the gold rush stampede of 1897-1898. After Soapy was killed in a shoot-out by Frank Reid on July 8, 1898, and both were buried in the Gold Rush Cemetery, the false-front wood-frame building passed through several owners and served as a restaurant and as the Hook & Ladder Truck and Hose shed. In 1935, Skagway resident and tourism promoter Martin Itjen purchased it and reopened it as Jeff. Smith’s Parlor Museum, which became a highlight of his gold rush tours until his death in 1942. George Rapuzzi, a collector of gold rush memorabilia and Itjen’s long-time friend, then took over the museum and moved the building to its present location. The building, part of the Rapuzzi collection, was later donated to Skagway and the National Park Service by the Rasmuson Foundation, and restoration was beginning with archaeological excavations and construction of a foundation, after which original artifacts and memorabilia from Jeff. Smith’s Parlor Museum would be displayed.

Skagway, Alaska · United States