Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

200  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

p Dawson City pp233–5), Dawson began to
decline, and in 1901, the theater
Over the international border in the Yukon Territory of was sold. Saved from destruction
Canada, Dawson City is a worthwhile side trip for visitors by the Klondike Visitors Associa-
to Interior Alaska. Once an Athabaskan fishing camp at tion and reconstructed in the
the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers, the area 1960s by the Canadian govern-
ment, it is now open for tours.
boomed in 1896 when gold was dis covered in Rabbit Creek.
In 1898, when the Yukon became a Canadian Territory, P Diamond Tooth Gertie’s
Dawson was designated its first capital. Along with govern- 4th Ave & Queen St. Tel (867) 993-
ment agencies, the thriving town was packed with saloons, 5525. Open mid-May–mid-Sep: 7pm–
2am daily; mid-Jun–early Sep: 2pm–
brothels, and dance and gambling halls. Designated a Parks 2am Sat & Sun; late Sep–mid-Oct &
Canada National Historic Site in the 1960s, Dawson City is late Jan–early Apr: some Fri & Sat nights;
now a living museum. Although gold mining continues, shows 8.30pm, 10pm, & midnight. &
the town’s most reliable source of income is tourism. 7 0 - = ∑ dawsoncity.ca/
diamond-tooth-gerties
Constructed in 1910, the building
was used for the town’s impor-
tant social gatherings. In the
1970s, it was transformed into a
casino and named after a popular
dance hall queen. Diamond
Tooth Gertie’s is currently the
only legalized gambling hall in
the Yukon Territory. It is run by
the non-profit Klondike Visitors’
Association, who use the
proceeds to promote tourism in
Dawson City. Slot machines and
all the major games are on offer
The Yukon River curving past the Gold Rush town of Dawson City for gaming enthu siasts. Nightly
shows of garter-wearing, high-
E Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Dänojà P Palace Grand Theatre kicking dance hall girls attempt
Zho Cultural Center King St between 2nd & 3rd. Tel (867) to re-create the bawdy atmo-
1131 Front St. Tel (867) 993-7100. 993-7210. Open late May–early Sep: sphere of the Gold Rush days.
Open Jun–mid-Sep: 10am–5pm 9am–5pm daily. & for tours. 8
Mon–Sat. & 8 2pm & 3pm daily. 7 limited. P Robert Service Cabin
7 = ∑ trondekheritage.com/ Built from the remnants of two 8th Ave & Hanson St. Tel (867) 993-
danoja-zho wrecked sternwheelers in 1899 7210. Open May–Sep: 9am–5pm
This center provides an insight by the Wild West show man and daily. & 8 1pm & 7pm daily.
into the cultural history and notorious gunslinger “Arizona One of Dawson City’s most
traditions of the Tr’ondëk Charlie” Meadows, the Palace popular attractions is the
Hwëch’in, the origi nal inhabitants Grand Theatre was at Dawson’s humble two-room cabin once
of the region. During the Klondike cul tural heart during the Gold owned by “the Bard of the
Gold Rush, many members of Rush. Everything from Wild West Yukon,” Robert Service (1874–
this Native group moved away to shows to opera was staged in its 1958). Nestled amid willows and
Moosehide, about 4 miles (6 km) opulent audito rium. After gold alders at the edge of town, the
down the Yukon River. Some was discovered in Nome (see cabin is typical of the era. Built
returned in the 1950s, eventually of logs and chinked with moss,
set ting up the cen ter in an effort it was originally heated with
to preserve their traditions. a wood stove and illuminated
The center’s award-winning with coal oil lamps.
modern architecture reflects Although Service spent only
the traditional housing and three years in Dawson, between
fish drying racks that were so 1909 and 1912, he absorbed the
prominent in the indige nous essence of this wild region. His
way of life. Inside are displays seminal works, “The Cremation
of archeo logical artifacts, repro- of Sam McGee,” “The Shooting
ductions of tradi tional tools, of Dan McGrew,” “The Call of the
historical photographs, and Wild,” and “The Spell of the Yukon”
costumes. The center also hosts have long defined the Gold Rush
cultural events such as traditional Historic Palace Grand Theatre, built in 1899 era and the magic of the North.
dance performances. and reconstructed in the 1960s Today, Service’s poetry is brought
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p245 and p255

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