Harriet “Ma” Pullen – Entrepreneur of Skagway, Alaska
In the annals of the Klondike Gold Rush, where tales of prospectors seeking fortune often dominate the narrative, the story of Harriet "Ma" Pullen stands out as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of women in the late 19th century. Arriving in Skagway, Alaska, in 1897 with a mere $7 to her name, Harriet Pullen transformed herself from a penniless newcomer into a successful businesswoman, hotelier, and a beloved figure in the burgeoning town. Her journey exemplifies the opportunities that arose amidst the chaos and fervor of the gold rush, and her legacy continues to inspire generations.
Early Life and Family
Harriet Matilda Smith, affectionately known as "Hattie," was born on August 13, 1860, in Mount Hope, Grant County, Wisconsin. She was the third of five children born to Andrew Jackson and Mary Jane Stewart Smith. The family later migrated westward by covered wagon to the Dakota Territory, where they faced the harsh realities of frontier life, including grasshopper plagues, floods, fires, blizzards, and droughts. These early experiences instilled in Harriet a sense of adaptability and determination that would serve her well in the years to come.
On February 23, 1881, Harriet married Daniel Webster Pullen in Clallam, Washington. The couple established a farm in Cape Flattery, Washington, and together they had four children. However, the allure of economic opportunity would soon beckon Harriet to seek her fortune elsewhere.
Arrival in Skagway and Early Ventures
In the fall of 1897, leaving her children in the care of friends in Seattle, Harriet embarked on a journey to Skagway with the hope of earning money to support her family. Upon her arrival, she found herself in a bustling boomtown teeming with prospectors and adventurers. Undeterred by her meager financial resources, Harriet immediately sought employment.
She was quickly hired by Captain William Moore, a founder of Skagway, to cook for his pier-building crew at a rate of $3 per day. However, Harriet’s entrepreneurial instincts soon led her to explore other avenues for generating income. She began collecting discarded tin cans, which she meticulously fashioned into pie pans. Her apple pies became a popular treat among the gold seekers, and she quickly turned a tidy profit from her culinary creations.
Harriet recognized that the true wealth to be made in Skagway lay not in the distant goldfields but in catering to the needs of the stampeders passing through the town. With this insight, she set her sights on establishing a more substantial business.
Freight Business and the Pullen House Hotel
Using the money she had earned from her pie sales, Harriet invested in a freighting business. She had previously owned seven horses on her farm in Washington, and she arranged to have them transported to Skagway. Her freighting outfit proved to be an immediate success, transporting goods and supplies over the challenging White Pass Trail. Harriet’s hard work and determination paid off, and she was soon earning as much as $25 per day.
In 1898, the completion of the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad marked a turning point for Skagway. As the railroad replaced the need for freight lines, Harriet adapted to the changing economic landscape. She purchased Captain Moore’s home and transformed it into the Pullen House Hotel.
The Pullen House Hotel quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional hospitality and comfortable accommodations. Harriet became known as "Ma" Pullen, a testament to her warm and welcoming demeanor. The hotel boasted hot baths, soft beds, and delectable meals prepared with fresh ingredients from Harriet’s own gardens and a nearby farm in Dyea. Guests were treated to the finest china and silver, and they were transported from the wharf in a horse-drawn coach.
Entertainment and Local Color
Harriet Pullen went above and beyond to entertain her guests and create a memorable experience. She would dress in traditional Tlingit Indian regalia and perform dramatizations of Native oral traditions in the hotel parlor. She also shared her personal stories and experiences with Skagway’s colorful cast of gold rush characters and events.
Personal Life and Legacy
During her time in Skagway, Harriet’s neighbors believed her to be a widow, either by assumption or by her own claim. However, after she had achieved success with her freighting company and hotel, her husband, Daniel, arrived in town. He did not stay long, opting to seek his fortune in the Klondike mines. He later died in Seattle, Washington, in 1910.
As Skagway’s prominence began to wane, Harriet collected gold rush memorabilia and artifacts. She remained at her hotel until her death on August 9, 1947. In accordance with her wishes, she was buried near her beloved hotel.
Harriet Pullen’s story is a remarkable tale of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and community spirit. She arrived in Skagway with nothing but a few dollars and a strong will to succeed. Through hard work, shrewd business acumen, and a commitment to providing exceptional service, she built a successful business, raised her children, and became one of Skagway’s most influential citizens.
Although the Pullen House Hotel is no longer standing, Harriet Pullen’s grave remains along the tracks of the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, a lasting reminder of her extraordinary life and legacy. Her story continues to inspire entrepreneurs and dreamers alike, demonstrating that with determination and ingenuity, anything is possible.