Canada Day Parade

July 1, 2013

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Dawson City had a cute little parade.  Hope you enjoy it!

This is our little cubby called the "Sales Desk"

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police who are afoot.  They led the parade.

The only horse in the parade

The only music in the parade

Kids and bikes everywhere!

Note the girl in the foreground on a unicycle.  She was good!

Dawson City Museum - A BBQ was held on the grounds of the Museum following the parade.

More from the Museum

More kids and bikes

The Humane Society

The Greatest Klondiker Contest contestants.  At the Palace Grand Theatre at 3:30 pm Sunday thru Thursday there is the Greatest Klondiker Contest.  Three people from history are on stage verbally duking it out to convince the audience they were the greatest Klondiker.  It is very informative and fun.

The Diamond Tooth Gertie Girls

The usual Emergency Vehicles

Softball Association

It was a cute little parade.  Nothing like Pincher Creek and the stuffed toys that were thrown.  There was a bit of candy, but it wasn't Tootsie Rolls and good stuff like that!  

Hope your Canada Day is enjoyable from Morning to Night.

End of June

Sunday, June 30th

The last day of June and it looks as if it will be a wet and dismal (weather wise) one.

Garry Wutzke flew into Dawson City yesterday, along with about 36 other planes.  He is staying at the Westmark Hotel.  Supper was at the Westmark last night as we were too lazy or tired or something to cook.  Before supper we stopped at the El Dorado Hotel looking for him but he was not there, although we were told he had been.  So after supper we drove back over to the El and he was ready to cross the street, armed with a map, on a mission to find us.  Went back to the house for a visit.  His group is going on a tour of Dredge No. 4 this morning.

More of Dawson City

The El Dorado Hotel

This is the neatest little shop in the entire City.  It is probably a good thing we are not staying until September or I would have no money to bring home.  The owners, Remy and Romy,  are originally from Switzerland and are the dearest of people.  It seems like I need a "Romy Fix" everyday to maintain my equilibrium.  That helped get the JK pill down.

This is one talented lady. 

Mme. Tremblay's Store

This is taken in the window of Mme. Tremblay's Store.  Mme. Tremblay was the first white woman to climb the Chilkoot Pass, which she did on her honeymoon.  Once she and her husband arrived in Dawson, they staked a claim on the Eldorado, which was the richest of the streams, where they mined for a few years.  Unfortunately the pay dirt was not much and they needed to find another means of income.  This building was purchased by Mr. Tremblay in 1914 and given to Mme.  which she operated as a woman's clothing store until 1938.  She carried a line of clothing, as the period dictated, which was ornate and decorated in sequins, beads and feathers, even bringing in Paris fashions for the more elite and for the "ladies of negotiable affections".  Due to the war - transportation and other unforeseen events,  Mme.'s desire for high fashions became unattainable, and in the end she had to settle for humble millinery and dry goods.

A restaurant and cabins.  Named after Kathleen Eloisa Rockwell, known as Klondike Kate. 

Palace Grand Theatre was built in 1899 by Arizona Charlie Meadows, a rodeo king who set out for the Klondike in 1898, hoping to make his fortune.  He had no plans in panning for gold.  His plans were to strike it rich by selling spirits from his portable bar.  His dreams didn't make it to the Klondike as his supplies were swept up in the Chilkoot flood.  He was determined and within four months of his arrival in Dawson City, Charlie made a small fortune.  In 1899 the Palace Grand was built from lumber from two beached sternwheelers.  It was said that this building was the most lavish dance hall of its kind and showed everything from Wild West shows to opera.

When the gold strike in Nome began in 1899, thousands of people left the Klondike to scope out greener pastures.  Charlie said he was going to leave and float the Palace Grand down the Yukon River.  This did not happen.  As the population began to dwindle the Palace Grand became the local meeting place--hosting Community events and visiting theatre groups.  By the early 1960's the Nugget Dance Hall, as it had since become known, was badly in need of repairs.  Frost damage had caused the building to sag and lean making it inhospitable for use.  The exact date is not known, but sometime in the 1960's the Klondike Visitors Association saved the PG from demolition and then donated the building to Parks Canada who completely rebuilt the Palace Grand.

Arizona Charlie Meadows

Palace Grand Theatre

Inside the Palace Grand Theatre

Inside the Palace Grand Theatre

Our Great Big Hardware Store

Note the decorative burls as posts and the sod roof.

Denise and Zaaron loading rafts.

Yukon Order of Pioneers
The Yukon Order of Pioneers (YOOP) is a Fraternal Organization which was created on December 1, 1894, at the town site of Forty Mile, YT before any law organization existed in the Yukon Valley. There was one requirement that they had to be in the country on or before 1888.  There were 68 present who signed the charter. At the December 7th meeting it was decided that the charter would be kept open so that those men out on the creeks that were in the country in 1888 would have time to sign and become Charter Members.

The order lived under the motto, "do unto others as you would be done by". This meant that if a miner was to strike gold, he would be obliged to tell any other member of the YOOP about his stake. If a fellow member ran out of supplies, YOOP's would share their supplies no matter how few they were.

At the present, two lodges remain, Lodge #1 in Dawson City and Lodge #2 in Whitehorse. This organization is still admitting members to its folds.  However, you must be a permanent male resident for more than 25 years.

Thanks for taking this stroll through the streets of Dawson City, YT

 Hope you are all having a great day.

Another great day in the Yukon

Saturday, June 29th, 2013

Wow! a day off.  Of course, Gordon and I have not had the same day off since the second week in May when Saralee was still here and in charge.  Now, no one is in charge!  It began raining just after 6:00 am and is it raining.  The forecast was for severe thundershowers for yesterday and today.  So far all we have is rain today.  Because it has been so hot, lightening is a big concern.  There has been over 100 fires started in just one night of electrical storms.

As it is too early to begin laundry as the washing machine sounds like a 747 taking off in the living room, and I have two new neighbours in the back half of the house who like to sleep until 5 minutes after they should have reported for work, I don't want to disturb their rest.  You understand that there isn't too many hours of rest from 3:00 am to 8:00 am.

Yesterday I had an interesting thing happen.  You have seen the front of the house we are living in.  Yesterday I got home just after 6:00 pm.  As Gordon was doing the raft transfers I knew he wouldn't be home until after 8:00 so I lie down on the bed for a wee bit of shut-eye.  I was just dozing when I heard steps on the stairs and then the door opened.  I dragged myself off the bed, said "Hello".  A strange voice said "hello".  As I came around the corner there were two men standing in the entry.  Shadow covered the face of the front one and at first I thought he was a native.  As we got closer to each other I could see he was not native.

In broken English they said they were looking for two homes.  As I wasn't sure I had heard right I asked him to please repeat.  He again said they were looking for two homes.

"Well, you can't have mine" I said.

"But, but" then he sort of pointed back to the front of the house and said, "it is a bed and breakfast".

I laughed and had to apologize, hoping they understood.  They were Austrians looking, obviously for a cheap place to live.  This place wouldn't instill confidence in anyone because the paint on the deck is all peeling and the house paint is faded.  In other words, it is a bit run down, both inside and out.  Unless they were looking for something very cheap, and in Dawson in the summer there is nothing cheap, I bet they were glad I didn't have a room for them.

I gave them directions to the 5th Avenue Bed and Breakfast and hoped she had two rooms for them.  Maybe in future I should keep the door locked.

Shall we stroll again around Dawson for a few minutes?

Carnegie Library/Masonic Lodge
This building was built in 1904 with a $25,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation and a yearly Government operating Library grant.  The design of the building was typical of the buildings of the area.  It was built to resemble stone.  This was done because at the time there was a law that required buildings to be either tin or asbestos for fire protection.  The builders opted for metal that looked like stone.  This building housed the local library until 1920.  In 1934 it was given to the Mason's for a lodge.  The Masonic family still use this building for meetings and special events.

About mid-May we were able to enter this building when seven historic buildings were open for public viewing.  It is the most amazingly beautiful building on the inside.  From floor to floor the walls and ceilings are decorated tin.  I could have stayed in there all day, and me without a camera.  The main floor ceilings have to be at least 16' high.  Oh what it would take to heat that beautiful building.  That was the first time in seven years the public were allowed in.

The Midnight Sun Hotel is home to the Sour Toe Cocktail.  Yes, they actually have a human toe in this drink, and my understanding is that your lips must touch the toe.  However, you are not allowed to chew on it, swallow it or in any way deface it or you will be fined.  If you are silly enough to indulge, you become a member of the club.

Being at the Sales Desk in the morning while guests are waiting to leave on a tour, the conversation most often ends up with the Sour Toe Cocktail and just who did or didn't partake.  It is quite hilarious to hear them.

Klondike Institue of Art and Culture (KIAC)

   In the spring of 1998 a group of local artists formed the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS), a non-profit organization that creates an environment for the advancement of the arts.  To fulfill their mandate, DCAS' founding Directors envisioned a school. The KIAC School of Visual Art opened its doors in September, 2007.

   KIAC has grown into an art centre offering special events, courses, festivals, the ODD Gallery and an Artist in Residence program.  It has 5 full time staff, a national network of instructors and a talented local volunteer base.

   Each year KIAC conducts more than 30 visual, performing and literary arts courses and workshops for more than 300 students and present more than 20 special events to a regional audience.

   I was also informed by a very talented local artist that only modern, need to be high on crack to understand, art is allowed.  Nothing that signifies the Yukon qualifies.

The Yukon is a great place for artists because the Government is very liberal with their handouts. grants!

Well, it is time for me to attend to my bread.  Have a great day!

A walk down Dawson's streets

June 27, 2013

What fantastic weather we have been having.  Really, it is too hot to be walking to and from work in the middle of the day.  The past two days I have had split shifts, going home at 2:30 and 3:30 and back at work at 5:00.  I actually had to take the truck to drive what I can walk in five minutes, but I would have been wringing wet by the time I arrived at my destination.  Last night I got to the edge of the park and wondered where the truck was.  It then struck me that I had taken it to work, so I had to turn around and go all the way back for it.

Gordon only had the City Tour to do today.  The raft tours had no sales and there was only one person for the Dome Tour tonight, and Dawn was doing it anyway.  I had two very good days as I was there when the Coaches arrived and was able to meet the guests.  This afternoon I was asked again to do a split shift, but when I got there at 5:00 there were already two girls there,  plus Janet.  I was very upset when I saw there was already two there, as I really didn't want to go back.  However, I had a very good time and the two hours passed very quickly.

Here are some more pictures I took last week.

Someone was redoing the writing and only got part finished.  Hope you can read it all.

St. Paul's Church.  Quite a building for 1902.  I don't know if you can see the stack of wood on the front step by the door, but everything is heated by wood at some point during the winter.  Oil is very expensive and so is electricity.

The grounds to the left of the Commissioner's Residence.  Note the house to the right of the trees.

A close up of the grounds to the left of the Commissioner's Residence.  When Martha Black was in residence here, her husband, George being the Commissioner, she loved flowers and the grounds were trimmed with flowers everywhere.  In renovating the Residence and grounds, some of the seeds and bulbs from her original garden were uncovered and again planted and nurtured.

What a setting for a home!  From the upper balcony one could see the river and watch as the sternwheelers came around the corner of the Yukon River.  This was the first building those on the paddle wheelers could see.  Today, because a burm has been placed along the river's edge to prevent the town from flooding, the river can hardly be seen from the upper balcony.  Once a year, in June, there is a Commissioner's Tea held at the Residence, and that night is the  Commissioner's Ball.  All in attendance are dressed as if stepping right out of 1900.  It is a gala affair with people coming from all over to attend.  The Ball is held at the Palace Grand Theatre.  I am unsure where the midnight supper is served.

Just as the image of a flamboyant dance hall girl came to symbolize the raucous gold rush, the Commissioner's Residence came to symbolize the government's stabilizing presence. It also served as the model for a dignified, if not genteel, society. Built in 1901, it was home to the vice-regal head of the Yukon Administration and the setting for exclusive social events. The building was last occupied by a Commissioner in 1916.  It took 100 cords of wood a year  to heat the Residence.  The main floor contains a Tea Room, The Commissioner's Office, Dining Room, Sitting Room and large foyer and staircase.  The second floor contained bedrooms and bathroom.  The third floor was the servants quarters.

This was one of six local buildings designed and built by Thomas Fuller, son to the famous architect of Ottawa's Parliament Buildings.  Was completed in 1901 at a cost of $42,000.  In 1906 the building was badly damaged by fire and rebuilt in its present style; prior to the destruction the exterior was adorned with elaborate cornices and carved balustrades.  It was here that the cream of Dawson society would often gather for socials, teas, galas and elaborate balls.  It was often said that when its last occupants, Martha and George Black, she would often invite all the town's residents, not just the upper crust.

The current restoration project was to restore the building as it would have been when George and Martha resided there.  After the capital of Yukon was moved to Whitehorse, the Sisters of St. Anne assumed occupancy and used the home as not only a residence but also a make shift hospital on its second floor.  There is still a small amount of evidence of this on the 2nd floor, there is a confessional and a few markings where beds would have been placed.  Also you can see on the walls where the Stations of the Cross had been.  This is, of course, my favorite building in the whole town, and Parks Canada has done a fantastic job in its restoration.  It was also flooded up to the second step on the interior of the home I think in 1979.  The flood in 1979 instilled the need for a burn along the river.  The town finally completed it in 1984.  There has been no floods since 1979.

The fence in front of the Commissioner's Residence

The front of the house with its bunting.  It was fairly windy that day so some of the bunting had blown over the railings.  I am waiting to see what the house looks like on July 1st.

A shot from the front and along the right side which I really think is east.  How can you tell when the sun is up 20 hours a day!

The house from across the street which is the highway

Completed in 1898, this log structure was leased to the Federal Government for office space and living quarters.  The government was charged $1,000 per month rent.  In 1909 it became known as "the Miner's Rest Motel" and remained so until 1935.  It has now been restored and is an annex for a local hotel.  The building is the oldest standing hotel and still operates on its original grounds.

Just a little log cabin.

This flower pot is the scoop from a small dredge.  They can be seen all over Dawson as planters and other uses.

Diamond Tooth Gerties is the oldest, world famous non-profit gambling hall and is named after bona fide dance hall queen Diamond Tooth Gertie.  During the Gold Rush of 1898, in order to distinguish herself from numerous Klondike kings and queens, Gertie Lovejoy wedged a sparkling diamond between her two front teeth.  Any discomfort that caused paid dividends.  Instead of working the creeks for her riches, Diamond Tooth Gertie made her fortune by mining the lonely prospectors who readily opened their gold pokes in return for her affections.  After her passing, the diamond was removed off her tooth to pay her debts.  Diamond Tooth Gerties today is a gambling hall run by the Klondike Visitors' Association.  Recognizing that gambling was a major part of Dawson's Gold Rush history, the association obtained a special gambling license from the Canadian Government.

Hope you have enjoyed a stroll down some of Dawson's streets with me tonight.