"History" Top 5 Page for this destination Whitehorse Favorite Tip by cobrioc

Favorite thing: In 1898, the time of the great Gold Rush, Whitehorse became a temporary stopping point for prospectors on their way to the gold fields. Whitehorse was located on the head of navigation on the Yukon River, past 2 major obstacles on the river, Miles Canyon and the Whitehorse Rapids.

With the completion of the White Pass and Yukon Railway, linking Whitehorse with Skagway, Alaska, Whitehorse became a permanent settlement in 1900. Whitehorse saw a short copper boom that ended as soon as 1920. Later, in the 1920s and 1930s Whitehorse developed a reputation as an outfitting and takeoff base, with tourists coming to Whitehorse.

During WW II, Whitehorse played a major role as link between the north and south. The Alaska Highway was built and opened for the public after the war. This replaced the Yukon River as main transportation route. In 1953 the territorial capital was moved from Dawson City to Whitehorse.