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August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
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For anyone making a trip north along the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) to the Yukon or Alaska, must make the stop at the Mile ‘0’ Post in Dawson Creek! At this point it marks the beginning of the Alaska Highway heading north. The United States needed to find a way to get supplies up to Alaska, and since there was no road at that time to get them there, the beginnings of construction took place. Thousands of people were brought in to help construct the highway and the railway system over rough and uncharted terrain.
What I’ve learned is that many people and their families make this trip up to Alaska today because one of their relatives had worked on the highway and had helped build it. This is a really interesting way to see the history that has gone into building the highway and reconnect with their own family heritage.
To gather further knowledge on the history of the Alaska Highway I would recommend everyone also make the stop in at the Alaska Highway House where they have an amazing exhibit on the construction on the highway, video recordings and pictures, and a very detailed history on the people that were involved in its construction.
Anyone making this trip north would really enjoy the information and exhibits that these two locations hold. The construction of the Alaska Highway is as much of a part of the history of British Columbia and the Yukon as it is for Alaska because we would not be connected with the help in constructing this highway either.
May 05, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
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I read the following Help Wanted Ad in an old recruitment notice for the building of the Alaska Highway.
"
Men hired for this job will be required to work and live under the most extreme conditions imaginable. Temperatures will range from 90 degrees above zero to 70 degrees below zero. Men will have to fight swamps, rivers, ice and cold. Mosquitoes, flies and gnats will not only be annoying but will cause bodily harm. If you are not prepared to work under these and similar conditions, do not apply."
Yikes!
I wonder how excited the men who considered the ad felt about the prospect of getting the job.
I went to the
Alaska Highway House in Dawson Creek and looked at the artifacts and original photos of daily life on the highway construction project. Some of the words that immediately came to mind were: brutal, harsh and unimaginable.
Even with today's equipment, the project would be considered monumental. But the crude equipment, the challenges of the untamed wilderness, and the harsh climate made the realities and scope of the project unbelievable.
The recruitment poster said a lot, but for more of the realities of what those men endured, make sure you check out the Alaska Highway House Interpretive Center when you come to Dawson Creek.
See for yourself what the day to day life was like for the builders of the highway.
March 19, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
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I've been reading about the history of the Alaska Highway. You probably know someone who helped build this "16th wonder of the engineering world".
How would you like to eat 3 meals a day out of a can for 9 months?
How would you like to wash your army issue, green wool underwear in ice-cold water and hang them on a line to freeze-dry?
How would you like to sleep in a tent on a cot without a mattress night after night?
How would you like to be eaten alive by mosquitoes and flies for months on end?
Not much of a recruitment poster is it? But that is exactly what the thousands of troops and civilians signed up for when they came to Dawson Creek to lend their skills and strength to the enormous task punching a road through some of the north's most rugged landscapes in extreme temperatures.
When you come to Dawson Creek, make sure you take an afternoon to visit the Alaska Highway House Interpretive Center and immerse yourself in the history of this project that brought so many thousands together in very adverse conditions.
See for yourself what that green wool underwear looks like, check out the actual Willy Jeep on display and imagine bouncing around in it for 18 hours a day over corduroy roads... take a close look at the cans of 'food'... check out the pictures of what being eaten alive by mosquitoes or incapacitated by frost bite actually looks like...
Then... say a big thank you to anyone you know who worked on the Alaska Highway... I know I do...
March 03, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
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I just found out how Dawson Creek came to be in its present location. Quirky indeed!
Back in 1930, Northern Alberta Railway (N.A.R.) decided to extend the railway beyond Alberta and into British Columbia.
They wanted to build the rail end and depot in Pouce Coupe, a small town about 6 miles south of present day Dawson Creek but couldn't come to an agreement over price of the land with its owner.
Tired of the money dispute, the railway decided to pass on the Pouce Coupe land and go another 6 miles north within 2 miles of the village of Dawson Creek. They bought a prize oat field from a local farmer.
So, there was Dawson... close... but not close enough...
Thrilled about the railway, and realizing the vital benefits of being close... in true northern fashion, the pioneers of Dawson Creek simply up and moved the whole town.
They put all the buildings on skids and moved them by horse and by caterpillar to the site of the rail end. The whole kit and caboodle!
The original town site slowly melted back into the forest and only hints of it remain today. Present day Dawson Creek grew around the center point of the railhead.
Our beautiful Visitors Center and museum is located in the original (1931) structure of the railway station and stationmasters residence. It's filled with historical accounts and artifacts for your enjoyment.
Make sure you stop in for a visit when you come to Dawson Creek.
Parking is free and plentiful in the N.A.R. Park and the welcome mat is always out for you!
August 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
Record a video blog at the Alaska Highway House museum in Dawson Creek, BC.
August 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Museums
Record a video blog at the Alaska Highway House museum in Dawson Creek, BC.
January 03, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Dawson Creek, Museums
View a larger image on flickr.com
Dawson Creek is Mile "0" of the Alaska Highway, constructed in 1942 to move men and materiel into position to defend the Alaska coastline -- if required-- during World War 2.
A new attraction, the Alaska Highway House, opened this summer with a new approach to telling the story of this amazing feat -- building 2400 km of road in 8 months and 12 days.
The attraction focusses on the people who built the road -- US troops transplanted into the BC wilderness with whatever equipment, vehicles and supplies could be mustered on short notice. The story of these troops and what they endured is fascinating. Everything from freezing cold to extreme heat, black flies, sickness and limited supplies.
In conjunction with the Royal BC Museum, research was done to find and interview troop members to get their personal perspective of the adventure. This living history is incorporated into the exhibits with quotes and audio.
In addition, you can make a video postcard to send to friends or leave behind at the attraction for others to view.
Alaska Highway House is a tremendous accomplishment and a fascinating place to visit. Complete your visit with the well-laid-out walking tour of the downtown and its amazing murals.