Brief Dawson City History
It was the discovery of gold on Rabbit Creek later renamed Bonanza Creek in 1896 that sparked the Klondike Gold Rush and transformed Dawson City from Moose Pasture into the "Paris of the North". Before the Gold Rush this area was a native summer fishing camp located on the junction of the Klondike and Yukon Rivers. The Dawson town site was staked by Joe Ladue and named after Dr. George M. Dawson, the Director of the Geological Survey of Canada.
It wasn't until the years following the discovery of Gold, 1897 and 1898, that the rush began. Very quickly Dawson became the largest city West of Winnipeg and North of Seattle. The population reached 30,000 and the city was quickly modernized with telephone service, running water, electric light, and steam heat. Elaborate Hotels, theatres, and dance halls were built as well as a library funded in majority by a $25,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie.
By 1899 the Gold Rush had come to an end. Eight thousand people left Dawson City that summer. They were headed for the sands of Nome, Alaska where another gold strike had been made. In 1902 Dawson was incorporated as a city and held the territorial government seat from 1898 to 1953.
The First Nations people of the Klondike area relocated downstream to an area called Moosehide during the Gold Rush. The Han people continued living in their traditional way at Moosehide. Their original buildings still stand and are in use at Moosehide. The "Moosehide Gathering", held every second year, is a gathering of First Nations Peoples from all over the Yukon and Alaska. Young and old share songs, stories and history. The Dawson area is rich with First Nations Culture and today the Tr'ondek Hwech'in people are proud to share their history with visitors. Dawson City's Cultural Centre is the venue for traditional song and dance performed by the members of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in as well as exhibits, displays and crafts which portray their lives and history.
The Klondike has offered inspiration to a number of writers. Jack London, Robert Service, and Pierre Berton and homage is paid to these men through the restoration of their homes and the interpretation of their lives and work.
Today, gold mining and tourism are still the major industries. Many original buildings throughout Dawson have been restored or are in various stages of restoration. Dawson City has recognized the importance of preserving its history and as a result it is a truly unique city virtually frozen in time.
