This morning I took my time and made breakfast.
I hiked over to the Ferry (it is a free Provincial Ferry service) and made my way to the Dawson City Information Center.
They were very polite and informed me that a tour would be leaving in 15 minutes if interested. For $6.30, it was worth it. The Canada Parks lady took us to different buildings and explained a great deal of the history.
The tour started at the first Nations Danoja Zho Cultural Centre and we were greeted by a lovely First Nations lady who informed us of the different events that are taken place at their center.
We then walked along to where a sternwheeler, Klondike Spirit, does daily tours and we were greeted by a gentleman who does the role of a member of the community from the past … very well done.
We then made our way to a bank. The old building is where Robert Service used to work, but it was now under restoration and we could not get inside.
We stopped at an art gallery which is mostly linked to artists in the region. They do not sell art, but have artists from around Canada bring their work up and this expands the artistic talent of the region. They also show a local artist talent at least once a year. Very interesting concept.
We stopped at the original BNA Bank and I loved the woodwork inside. You can just imagine what it would have been like back in the day. Such hard times … such exciting times here in Dawson City!
We stopped at the old saloon. This building was beautiful inside and was restored to as close as to its original set up thanks to a photo that they had of the inside of the building. Very nice indeed.
One interesting fact, is that for a small town, they certainly have a great number of bars-saloons. For a 2018 population of around 2700 they have over 14 saloons today … unbelievable.
We then visited the old post office. Apparently, when it was in full operation and the winters were on, this one building alone would burn over 200 chord of wood in a winter! That is hard to imagine! The woodwork in this building was incredible.
That was the end of the tour and I continued on my way to do the Walking Tour of some of the oldest buildings still standing in Dawson City today. From the SS Reno sternwheeler, churches, homesteads, RCMP headquarters, Robert Service – Jack London – Pierre Berton homesteads, and many other buildings such a neat town.
Pierre Berton's homestead, I read a few of his books in my younger years "Stampede for Gold: The Story of the Klondike Rush" and "The Last Spike". He inspired me to visit the great Yukon.
Jack London's Home, again another author I have read many of his books including "White Fang" and "Call of the Wild".
Robert Service home in the Yukon. He has written the famous poems such as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam MacGee".
I really enjoyed the walk.
By the time I returned back to my campsite across the river I had hiked over 13km … and you wouldn’t even know it. A great time … a great day.
Had my lunch and now going to see if I can get my blogs put onto my website. First day I will have the opportunity to do that.