Skagway, Alaska was born and became a boomtown overnight. Originally the Indians called it Skagua, Moore renamed it Mooresville and the stampeders took over and named it Skaguay, later spelled Skagway. What Moore did not anticipate was the lack of concern for his legal rights in ownership of the land Skagway sat upon.
Skagway, Alaska emerged and rapidly transformed into a boomtown. Initially, it was referred to as Skagua by Native Americans, renamed Mooresville by Moore, and later adopted as Skaguay by the stampeders, eventually becoming known as Skagway. Moore's lack of consideration for his legal rights over the land beneath Skagway went unnoticed.