The Matthew Watson Store

The Matthew Watson Store. . On December 24th, 1909, fire swept through Carcross and destroyed many of the prominent buildings such as the depot, Caribou Hotel and General Store., The Caribou had been an established hotel for some time and was once owned by Dawson Charlie, a local Tagish Indian mand and one of the original discoverers of Klondike gold., The hotel and the rail depot were both rebuilt the following year, although the new train station, which still stands today, is in a slightly different location than its predecessor., It is believed that the Matthew Watson store was originally two small buildings that were made into one composite structure. The original building was probably transported from the community of Conrad after it was abandoned. Other buildings here in Carcross were brought from Conrad as well., The original Matthew Watson, as well as being a store owner, was an Agent to the Mining Recorder for many years. He bought the store in 1911 and was listed in a 1915 Gazateer as having "General Merchandise, Miner's Supplies, and Guides for hunting parties"., Watson's family ran the store for many years and it is still open today, making it one of the longest-established businesses in the Yukon., Left: Main Street of Carcross, after the 1909 fire , Matthew Watson's is visible as two separate buildings , MacBride Museum Collection , Below: View of Carcross, with Matthew Watson's c. 1911 , MacBride Museum Collection , Above: Railway depot c. 1900 , Barley, photographer , Devine Collection , All photos Yukon Archives ,