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Gold, discovered in 1896 on nearby creeks, caused the Klondike Gold Rush which turned this native summer fish camp at the junction of the Klondike and Yukon Rivers into the "Paris of the North". (The natives moved downstream to Moosehide.) The town 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.
Today, tourism and gold mining are the major inductries, both taking place during the summer months. Approximately 60,000 people visit Dawson City each year.
Numerous old wooden buildings throughout Dawson have been restored and a number of others are in various stages of rehabilitation, the majority of these projects being completed by Parks Canada, Klondike National Historic Sites. Walking tours of historic sites are available to visitors from June to September each year. Restored buildings include the Palace Grand Theatre, Post Office, Dawson Daily News, Bank of British North America, Territorial Government Administration Building, Court House, Yukon Hotel, Commissioner's Residence, Robert Service Cabin, Macaulay House, Black Residence and the CO's residence. Canada's only legalized gambling hall, bar and Can-Can show, "Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall", operates during the summer tourist season.
Placer mining to recover gold takes place on the nearby creeks and rivers. Mining activity can be seen from the roads on Bonanza and Hunker Creeks. Remnants of dredges can be seen throughout the Klondike, and Parks Canada has restored Dredge #4 on Bonanza Creek.
Dawson is also the regional center for highway maintenance, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Forestry and Mine Recording.
Population: 2,020
Location: 334 miles northwest of Whitehorse on the Klondike Highway.
Access: Landing strip 5,000 feet gravel with approach lighting. Service by Air North and Alkan Air.
By road - The Klondike Highway (to Whitehorse), Dempster Highway (to Inuvik, NWT), Top of the World Highway (to Tok, Alaska); By
water - Westours Yukon Queen (to Eagle, Alaska)
For Hotels in Dawson City - Click Here
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