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.