WHITEHORSE CAPITOL OF THE YUKON
W
hitehorse is The Capital of the Yukon and has much to offer visitors. Over two-thirds of the Yukon’s residents live in Whitehorse, which has a year-round population of about 34,000. In the late 1800s the wilderness on the east side of the Yukon River gave way to two settlements of cabins, Closeleigh near the present site of Whitehorse and Canyon City five miles upriver. On June 8, 1900 the White Pass & Yukon Railway from Skagway was completed on the west side of the River and Closeleigh was moved to the present town site and became Whitehorse. Whitehorse got its name from the rapids of the Yukon River where the frothing water looked like the manes of white horses. This sparsely populated tent-and-cabin city boomed, and became the terminal for freight being transferred from railway to riverboat for shipment to Dawson City. For over 50 years Whitehorse continued in this vital role. The second great population surge followed the agreement of the U.S. and Canadian Governments to build the Alaska Highway in 1942. During the nine-month construction, population swelled from 500 to 8000.
www.BellsAlaska.com
With building space at a premium, one entrepreneur began building small two and three-story log cabins, or “Log skyscrapers,” which are still in use today. After the war, Whitehorse maintained its importance as a transportation and communications center for the Yukon. On April 1, 1953, the capital of the Yukon was officially transferred from Dawson City to Whitehorse. Today the mainstays of the Whitehorse economy are tourism, government and mining.
Visitor Info Yukon Visitor Reception Centre is on Hanson St. between 1st and 2nd Ave. This is a great place to begin your visit to Whitehorse. The Visitor Centre regularly shows a 15 minute film on the history of the Yukon. Pick up a free Historical Walking Tour map for a self-guided wander through Whitehorse’s many historic sites. There is ample parking for large vehicles on the north side of the building. Each Visitor Center in the Yukon has something different to offer so be sure and visit them when passing through the communities. The Whitehorse centre is open year-round, with extended hours from May to September. 867-667-3084 The Yukon
47
