History of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada - eingraviert in Stein.
Inschrift:
"History of the City of Whitehorse
Historically, First Nations used the Yukon River Valley for food gathering
and as a meeting place. Their culture was based on mobility therefore the
First Nations of the Whitehorse area did not establish large villages with
permanent structures. Instead, they utilized trails, favorite fishing and
camping spots on a seasonal basis. This activity went on for millennia and
these traditional places used by the First Nation remain in the hearts of
Elders today.
The settlement of Whitehorse developed as a transportation hub during the Klondike Gold Rush
of 1898. Whitehorse was the head of navigable waters on the Yukon River and an important stop
on the journey to the Klondike. 0nce the White Pass and Yukon Railway linked Whitehorse
with the Alaskan port of Skagway, Whitehorse became the centre of transportation into and out
of the Territory. During the Second Word War, thousands of American Army personnel arrived
to build the Alaska Highway. The boom in economic activity ceased by the end of the war, but
Whitehorse had established itself as an important centre of communications and transportation.
In 1950, Whitehorse was incorporated as a City, and the Yukon Territorial Government moved
the capital from Dawson City to Whitehorse three years later. Today, Whitehorse is a
contemporary city and the government and business centre for the Yukon. Government activity
provides considerable economic stability to the area, and tourism is becomming a major source of
economic growth. Due to Whitehorse's rich history in mining and transportation, there are a
number of historical sites in the area. They include copper mines, historic wood clamps and fur
farms, archeological areas, and cemetery and burial sites."
© Claudia Ruppitsch, August 2010
