A Walking Tour of Dawson City
We were last here in 2012 ...
... join us as we revisit the streets, the scenes and recall some of the history.
Click on the links for more information.
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Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.
Currently, Dawson City is benefiting from those monies. Roadways and infrastructure are being improved and modernized and a number of the historic sites located in town are under significant renovation. Unfortunately, during our walking tour, entry to some of those sites were closed to the public.
Under the guidance of Parks Canada, town administration has made a conscious effort to retain as much of Dawson's' pioneer spirit as possible. Front Street (that runs through town) is paved, however all other streets are unpaved and feature wooden boardwalks instead of sidewalks. The architecture of buildings and the materials used are very much in keeping with the authenticity of this Canadian Klondike Gold Rush Town.
Design Guidelines for Historic Dawson City
" ... in order to achieve a sensitive re-creation of the character of early Dawson City in at least a visual sense, an awareness of the historic design features is essential. Although alterations to existing buildings and new buildings for modern uses are necessary, the traditional building forms and materials must be respected. Also such characteristic principles as proportion, symmetry, and design elements must be maintained. "
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Front Street
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Looking north and downstream, alongside the Yukon River
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| Gertie's Girls |
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| 1949/1950 Dodge - the mini power wagon on the right. I spoke with the owner; a local miner ... these are both 'working trucks' used daily. |
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" ... the vessel was constructed in 1922, in Whitehorse, by the British Yukon Navigation Company, a subsidiary of the White Pass and Yukon Route railway company. For most of its career it transported silver, zinc and lead ore down the Stewart River from mines in the Mayo district to the confluence of the Yukon and Stewart rivers at Stewart City. It was retired from commercial service in 1951 due to the extension and improvement of the Klondike Highway in the years after World War II. "
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" ... he was responsible for numerous surveys from the 1870s to the 1890s, mainly in the Prairie Provinces. From 1887 to 1889, Ogilvie was involved in George Mercer Dawson's exploration and survey expedition in what later became the Yukon Territory. He surveyed the Chilkoot Pass, the Yukon and Porcupine rivers. Ogilvie established the location of the boundary between the Yukon and Alaska on the 141st meridian west.
During the Klondike Gold Rush, he surveyed the townsite of Dawson City and was responsible for settling many disputes between miners. Ogilvie became the Yukon's second Commissioner in 1898 at the height of the gold rush, and resigned because of ill-health in 1901. "
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| Commissioners House |
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" ... the legendary Sam Steele arrived on 5 Sep 1898 and assumed command as NWMP Commissioner. Steele was a hands-on commissioner who personally created a system that made the Klondike Gold Rush one of the most orderly events of its kind. "
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| The last remaining building of Fort Herchmer is the married officers quarters. |
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" ... valued for its very good aesthetics and its good functional design, the Courthouse is an excellent and rare example of a turn-of-the-century courthouse executed in wood. It is also one of the best examples of the work of architect Thomas Fuller prior to his becoming Chief Architect of the Department of Public Works. Of modest but imposing classical design, the exterior of the building shows careful attention to composition and proportion. Excellent craftsmanship and materials are evident throughout the building. "
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New Hospital
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" ... in 1892 he accepted a posting as a missionary to the Canadian Arctic and spent the majority of his life in northern Canada. In 1905 he was consecrated the second Bishop of Selkirk in the Yukon, a position he held until 1931 when he was named Archbishop of Rupert's Land and relocated to Winnipeg where he died on October 30, 1934.
Stringer was known during his life as "The Bishop Who Ate His Boots" as a result of an incident during a tour of his diocese in 1909. Running low on provisions, he found that the seal skin of his boots was sufficient as emergency sustenance. "
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" ... we love old books and old wisdom; so much more depth than the ongoing capitalistic mindset; the narcissistic tendency of the post modern worldview overshadows the need for integral thinking in every choice we make in our lives. "
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We're LOAFin Around
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For all posts from our latest adventure,
click Trip 145
All photography is by LOAFin Around, unless otherwise noted.
Italicized content is provided by a variety of web based sources.
TEAM: LOAF, Crumby,Wry and Crusty ...
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