Klondike Gold Rush History
On August 16, 1896, Dawson Charlie, Skookum Jim and George Carmack found gold on Rabbit (Bonanza) Creek, a tributary of the Klondike River, and the Klondike Gold Rush began. News reached the outside world in July of 1897 when the steamships Excelsior and Portland reached San Francisco and Seattle, carrying the infamous “Ton of Gold”. News spread and caused a stampede of an estimated 100,000 people. Most would need to travel over 5000 km to get to the gold fields of Dawson City.
From 1896-1899 $29 million in gold was mined from the ground around Dawson City. Dawson became known as the “Paris of the North”: The largest city west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle.
The Gold Rush changed the Yukon forever. As transportation improved, the North became more accessible. Towns such as Victoria, Vancouver, and Edmonton owe much of their development to this Last Great Rush. Today, this spirit can still be found in Dawson City and the communities along the gold rush trail.
Come experience the fun and adventure for yourself!
Places
Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site
Whitehorse, Yukon
Trail that served as a trade and travel route for centuries, incl. during the Gold Rush.
Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site
Dawson City, Yukon
Site commemorated for its association with the Klondike Gold Rush from 1896 to 1910.
Dredge No. 4
Dawson City, Yukon
Symbolizes the importance of dredging operations in the Yukon from 1899 to 1966.
Robinson Roadhouse
Mount Lorne, Yukon Territory
Robinson Roadhouse is a rest stop at kilometer 139.6 on the South Klondike Highway.
S.S. Keno National Historic Site
Dawson City, Yukon
Riverboat that played a major part in the history of the Klondike Gold Rush.
S.S. Klondike National Historic Site
Whitehorse, Yukon
Due to ongoing restoration work, it will not be possible to visit the interior of the S.S.
Caribou Hotel
Carcross, Yukon
The Caribou Hotel, located in Carcross, Yukon is a Designated Yukon Historic Site.
Road Map
Whitehorse, Yukon to Carcross, Yukon
Popular VisitLists
50 Great Saves: The Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act
Duncan, British Columbia to McAdam, New Brunswick 10 places
In 1990, the Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act came into effect after years of lobbying with the help of the National Trust for Canada. The act has granted over 150 railway stations federal legal protection across the country including the Duncan train station in Duncan, BC and the McAdam Railway Station in McAdam, New Brunswick.
View VisitList
Atlantic Canada’s Hidden Histories
Shelburne, Nova Scotia to Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia 35 places
geocaches that demonstrate the rich, diverse histories of Atlantic Canada.
View VisitList
Afro-Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia to Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia 9 places
The geography of Black urban Halifax and Windsor encompassing the waves of Black migration
View VisitList
The Hidden Black Cityscape
Saint Marys Parish to New Brunswick 15 places
Explore Fredericton’s early Black history. Often missing from the modern cityscape.
View VisitList
