Dawson City

Dawson City
What once was a summer fishing camp for of the Han People, quickly became a mining boom-town known as Dawson City. The Han People relocated downstream to Moosehide shortly there after.

The Klondike Gold Rush began when gold was discovered in 1896 on nearby Rabbit Creek (later renamed Bonanza Creek).

Many claims in the Fortymile area were already being worked when the onslaught of gold seekers of the boom arrived at Dawson City.

 

Dawson City, Yukon`s first Capitol City, was staked out by Joe Ladue and named after George M. Dawson, Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, who explored the region in 1887.

In 1898, Dawson City was the largest Canadian city west of Winnipeg (40,000 people). It was modern in its day with telephone service, running water and steam heat. Elaborate hotels, theatres and dance halls (complete with high-kicking Can-Can girls) were erected in short order. Even Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 towards the building of Dawson City`s first library in 1903.

 

The boom ended quickly in 1899, 8,000 people left Dawson City. Many continued their quest for gold and left for Nome, Alaska. Even more left to start another life somewhere else.

Soon after, Dawson City was officially incorporated as a city and as the seat of the Territorial Government of Canada. Many of the Klondike gold beds were taken over by major mining companies, but production declined in the next decade.

 

Rising gold-prices caused a mini-boom in the 1930`s but it didn`t last. 1966 saw the last dredge shut down for good. Gold mining in Dawson City was all but over.

Whitehorse became the capital in 1953 it was more accessible than Dawson City.

 

Dawson City is still home for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Forestry and Mine Recording.