Barley, H. C. (Harrie C.), -1909

In 1898-1899 Harrie C. Barley was official photographer for the White Pass & Yukon Route, a narrow-gauge railroad that ran from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon. In that capacity, he documented the railroad's construction and early operation. He subsequently maintained a photography business at 4th and Broadway Streets in Skagway. He died in San Francisco in 1909.

From the description of H. C. Barley photographs, 1898-1900. (University of Alaska, Fairbanks). WorldCat record id: 235447307

H.C. Barley (also known as Harrie C. and Harry C.) was hired as the company photographer for the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad in the spring of 1898. He worked for two years documenting the construction and early operation of the 110-mile narrow gauge railway which ran from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Barley was known for his daring, often risking his life to get the perfect photograph of the construction of the railway. Some construction crews refused to work when Barley was nearby due to the extreme risks he took. He said, "Put me close enough to the blast and I'll stuff the echo." In one of the first accidents at the Rocky Point blasting site, Barley was struck by a rock from the detonation and was unable to walk for a week. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Barley made Skagway his home after relocating north. His first photography studio in Skagway was on Fourth Avenue between Broadway and Spring Street. He later relocated it to the corner of Broadway and Fourth Avenue. He served for a brief period on the Skagway City Council and was a member of the Skagway Elks Lodge. Barley also photographed in the Atlin, British Columbia, area during the gold rush in 1899-1900. Barley died of tuberculosis at his home in San Francisco on November 22, 1909, shortly after the Klondike gold rush.

From the guide to the H.C. Barley photographs, 1898-1900, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

H.C. Barley (also known as Harrie C. and Harry C.) was hired as the company photographer for the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad in 1898. He worked for two years documenting the construction and early operation of the 110-mile narrow gauge railway which ran from Skagway, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Barley made Skagway his home after relocating north. He served for a brief period on the Skagway City Council. Barley also photographed in the Atlin, British Columbia, area during the gold rush, 1899-1900. Barley died at his home in San Francisco in 1909.

From the description of H.C. Barley photographs, 1898-1900 [graphic]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 76885505