Harrie C. Barley was company photographer for the White Pass and Yukon Route in the spring of 1898, during the construction and early operation of the 110-mile narrow gauge railway from Skagway to Whitehorse. Barley, whose dangerous risks were well known and documented in company records, was not particularly liked by the construction crews. He injured himself at least once while photographing the railroad. Barley also photographed the Atlin, B.C. area during the gold rush in 1899-1900. [From Roy Minter, former Vice President, WP&YR; and, Camera Workers, the British Columbia, Alaska & Yukon Photographic directory, 1858-1950 (online).]

Barley's first photograph studio in Skagway was maintained on Fourth Avenue between Broadway and Spring Streets (see print # 5111). Later (approximately June 1899) it was moved to the corner of Broadway and Fourth Avenue (prints # 5068 and 5014). A log cabin on the outskirts of Skagway that he may have used as a primary residence is depicted in print # 5021.” [Information compiled by Roy Minter, former Vice President, WP&YR.]