Carcross in Unorganized, Yukon — The Northern Territories (North America)

WP & YR and Carcross

— SS Tutshi Memorial —

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 5, 2024

1. WP & YR and Carcross Marker

Inscription. Construction of the WP & YR railway began on May 28, 1898, at Skagway and took 26 months to complete from Tidewater to Alaska. to Whitehorse, Yukon. The rail line reached Bennett City, on the south end of Lake Bennett, on July 6, 1899. Land was surveyed at Carcross for railway yards, a depot, and a good sternwheeler landing. The lake steamers hauled passengers and freight from Bennett to Carcross where the stream of traffic continued to the Dawson or Atlin goldfields.

A construction camp of tents grew up at Carcross and the Red Line Company was established here in anticipation of rail construction between Carcross and Whitehorse. Shippers were relying on the railway even before it was completed. A 150m x12m corrugated iron warehouse was built at Carcross and WP & YR built barges to transport heavy commercial and construction freight across the lake.

Locomotives made their first official stop in Whitehorse on June 8, 1900. The formal celebration was held in Carcross when the last spike connecting the rail lines from Bennett City and Whitehorse was driven in on July 29, 1900.

Following the gold rush, Carcross thrived as an important center supplying the mining communities of Tagish and Atlin lakes, and WP & YR promoted the tourist industry on the southern lakes.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in

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these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 60° 9.898′ N, 134° 42.236′ W. Marker is in Carcross, Yukon, in Unorganized. It is on Yukon Road. Top Level. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30 Caribou Rd, Carcross YT Y0B 1B0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Yukon’s Klondike.

It is also in the Canadian North.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Arctic,

in the Western Hemisphere,

and in the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Adapting to Changing Times (here, next to this marker); Boats of the Southern Lakes (here, next to this marker); Freighting on the Southern Lakes (here, next to this marker); "The Crew of the "SS Tutshi" (here, next to this marker); A Matter of Safety (here, next to this marker); "Tutshi" Mechanics (here, next to this marker); Safe Harbour (a few steps from this marker); SS Tutshi Mechanical Equipment (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carcross.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, June 5, 2024

2. WP & YR and Carcross Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2024, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.