Arriving in Dawson City? What to Expect?
After two weeks canoeing the Yukon River, we finally see Dawson City in the distance. The sense of excitement is overwhelming as we paddle closer, sore muscles forgotten. The Dawson City Landslide is the first thing you see in the distance, not long to go now!
Arriving at this historic town felt like stepping back in time. It is a well-deserved reward after our long journey from Whitehorse and our first shower in 7 days, since Carmacks. As we step ashore, Dawson’s wooden buildings stood before us, like ghosts from another era.
The Origins of Dawson City
Dawson City was established in 1896, at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. Its population quickly swelled, as prospectors from around the world came in search of fortune.
The prospectors crossed the Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush. It was one of the most challenging routes to reach the goldfields in Dawson City, Yukon. This steep, icy pass, located on the border between Alaska and British Columbia, became infamous for its gruelling ascent. Especially the “Golden Stairs,” where climbers had to haul their heavy supplies up a near-vertical slope.
In just a few years, the town transformed into a bustling centre of trade and dreams. At its peak, over 40,000 people called Dawson City home.
Today, fewer than 2,000 residents remain, but the history still lingers in every street.
Historic Wooden Buildings
Dawson City’s historic buildings are some of the oldest in northern Canada. Most were constructed between 1896 and 1904, using timber sourced from the surrounding forests. These structures have withstood harsh winters, strong winds, and the passage of time. The preserved architecture captures the spirit of the gold rush era. Imagine metal cindered walls made from old oil cans.
Why Wooden Stilts?
The buildings in Dawson City sit on wooden supports, raised above the ground. This unique design prevents the warmth from inside the structures from reaching the permafrost below. If the permafrost melted, the ground would sink, causing buildings to slump or collapse. These stilts or supports have saved many of Dawson’s most iconic buildings from destruction.
White Dust Roads
Dawson City’s roads are covered with white dust instead of tarmac. This decision prevents the roads from absorbing heat, which could melt the permafrost below. The dust has become a defining feature of the town, adding to its old-world charm. Walking down the streets feels like being in a western film.
Camera Obscura
What is a Camera Obscura?
The camera obscura is an early optical device that projects an image of its surroundings onto a screen, in this case the wall! It’s essentially a darkened room or box with a small hole or lens on one side. Light passes through this hole, projecting an inverted image of the outside scene onto the opposite wall or surface inside. I guess it must have been like magic in its time!
Collect the key from the Tourist Information centre.
Dawson’s Lasting Legacy -Arriving in Dawson City
Dawson City’s wooden buildings tell stories of gold, adventure, and human resilience. They remind us of a time when people risked everything to pursue their dreams. Despite changes over the years, Dawson remains a testament to the spirit of the North. Its historic structures stand proudly, defying the harsh environment and preserving the memory of the Klondike Gold Rush.
Why is there a mammoth in Dawson City?
The mammoth in Dawson City isn’t a living creature, of course, but a symbol of the region’s rich prehistoric past. During the gold rush and subsequent mining activities, many prospectors unearthed the remains of Ice Age animals, including woolly mammoths. The permafrost preserved these remains remarkably well, making them some of the best-preserved mammoth fossils in the world.
Check out the Tourist Information centre to see a mammoth tooth!
Cheechakos and Sourdoughs
Terms during the Klondike Gold Rush to distinguish between newcomers and seasoned veterans.
Cheechakos (pronounced chee-cha-koes) were the greenhorns, the newcomers who had just arrived in the Yukon. The word “cheechako” is believed to have originated from the Tlingit language, meaning “newcomer.” These were the people who had yet to experience a winter in the harsh, unforgiving Yukon landscape.
Sourdoughs were the experienced miners who had already survived at least one Yukon winter. The name “sourdough” came from their practice of carrying sourdough starter to bake bread during their travels. They were often more knowledgeable about survival, gold prospecting, and the unique challenges of life in the North.
For us the trouble was surviving the heat…not the cold!
Cheechakos reminds us of newcomers to Wester Ross, they had to pass the three winter test, or bye bye!
wee wild adventures
Conclusion: A Town Like No Other
Our journey to Dawson City ended with a warm sense of accomplishment. We stood among history, surrounded by relics of a bygone era. The wooden buildings, perched on their supports, echoed tales of fortune and survival. Dawson City’s legacy endures, frozen in time, just as the permafrost lies (thankfully) frozen beneath our feet.
