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
View a larger image on flickr.com
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!