Montague, Yukon — The Northern Territories (North America)
The Overland Trail
Photographed By Christopher Earle, June 28, 2011
1. The Overland Trail Marker
Inscription.
The Overland Trail. . The territorial government contracted the White Pass and Yukon Route (WP&YR) to build a winter road from Whitehorse to Dawson in 1902. The company had the winter mail contract, and used its Royal Mail Service coaches to carry passengers, baggage and mail on the new Overland Trail. The 330-mile (530-km) road was substantially shorter than the winding river route used in the summer by sternwheelers. It led past this point, crossing the Yukon River north of Carmacks. Horse-drawn stages traveled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and took about five days to complete the trip. WP&YR used wheeled coaches at the beginning of the season; sleighs were substituted when enough snow had fallen. Stages usually ran three times per week, although in the late winter there was almost daily service. The one-way fare was a steep $125 and passengers paid extra for their meals and accommodation en route. [see photo for map, photo captions, and photo credits]
The territorial government contracted the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) to build a winter road from Whitehorse to Dawson in 1902. The company had the winter mail contract, and used its Royal Mail Service coaches to carry passengers, baggage and mail on the new Overland Trail. The 330-mile (530-km) road was substantially shorter than the winding river route used in the summer by sternwheelers. It led past this point, crossing the Yukon River north of Carmacks. Horse-drawn stages traveled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and took about five days to complete the trip. WP&YR used wheeled coaches at the beginning of the season; sleighs were substituted when enough snow had fallen. Stages usually ran three times per week, although in the late winter there was almost daily service. The one-way fare was a steep $125 and passengers paid extra for their meals and accommodation en route.
[see photo for map, photo captions, and photo credits]
Erected by Yukon Tourism Heritage Branch.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 61° 49.056′ N, 136° 3.478′ W. Marker is in Montague, Yukon. Marker can be reached from Klondike Highway (Provincial Highway 2). Marker is in the ruins of
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the Montague Roadhouse, signed on highway and visible from highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montague YT Y0B, Canada. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Other markers at the site discuss Montague history (photos not available).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2017, by Christopher Earle of Olympia, Washington. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 10 times this year. Photo1. submitted on September 29, 2017, by Christopher Earle of Olympia, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
