WATSON LAKE
HOME OF THE SIGNPOST FOREST
W
atson Lake is the first Yukon community encountered by the northbound traveller. A comfortable day’s drive from Fort Nelson or Whitehorse make it a popular stopover point. There are several hotels, campgrounds and a number of interesting tourist attractions. In 1898, 14 year old Francis (Frank) Gilbert Watson, an American from Lake Tahoe, came to the Yukon with his father Robert Montgomery Watson. They travelled the Chilkoot Trail route to Dawson City and operated a successful Gold Mine in the Klondike. Unfortunately, like many gold miners of the day their mine was flooded out in 1905 and Frank & Robert decided to return home to Lake Tahoe. A few years later Frank returned to The Yukon through Wrangell, Alaska and up the Stikine and Dease Rivers. This brought him to the Liard River Valley near what is now the town of Watson Lake. It was here he met Adela Stone, a formidable & well-known Kaska woman. Because of Frank’s relationship with Adela, the Kaska people allowed Frank to trap, prospect and settle in the area. Frank and Adela Watson have long been recognized as key figures in the early development of this part of the Yukon and there are still several members of the Watson family that live in the area. 36
The Yukon
Watson Lake grew from a small isolated outpost to a thriving community when the Alaska Highway was routed through its center. It became the accommodation and supply center for the building of this section of the highway. The Signpost Forest is Watson Lake’s most famous attraction. It was started in 1942 by Carl Lindley, a homesick American GI, while working on the Alaska Highway. When repairing a directional post, he decided to add a sign for his hometown of Danville, IL, and inadvertently started the huge collection of signs. It is still being added to each year by visitors who wish to promote their own communities. The Town of Watson Lake maintains the Signpost Forest, which is one of The Yukon’s most famous landmarks with over 75,000 unique signs.
Visitor Info The Alaska Highway Interpretive Centre is open daily during the summer months, located behind the Signpost Forest. The center has an exceptional display of photos and other audiovisual presentations. It is managed by Yukon Tourism and is one of six centers in the Yukon. Open May 1st to September 30th from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. 867-536-7469 Bell’s Travel Guides
