In 1935, the idea to preserve the land around the Chilkoot Trail originated. During the same year, the Historic Sites Act created a movement to preserve places of cultural importance across the United States. In 1962, Skagway Historic District and White Pass National Historic Landmark received federal designation and “enabled local property owners to obtain state and Federal monies in the form of grants and loans to preserve their historic structures. The collection of historic objects by local residents in 1961 allowed for the opening of a new City Museum, and in 1969, the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad donated the original train depot and general office building to the National Park Foundation” (National Park Service KLGO History and Culture
