Billy Bigg’s Blacksmith Shop
La forge de Billy Bigg
[English]
This building stands as a testament to the way frontier businesses changed and adapted to new realities. It began life in 1899 as the two storey Great Northern Hotel, to service the needs of a rapidly growing population. By 1907, as the population settled, it was converted into a blacksmith shop. In 1913, with the increasing mechanization of mining, a machine shop was added. Each change in business came with an addition to the building. In the 1940’s, then-owner Billy Bigg removed the unused second floor.
[French]
Ce bâtiment témoigne de la façon dont les entreprises poinnières ont évolué pour s’adapter à de nouvelles réalités. Après sa construction en 1899, il a d’abord été un hôtel de deux étage, appelé la Great Northern, qui répondait aux besoins d’une population en croissance rapide. En 1907, à mesure que la population s’etablissait, l’hôtel a été transformé en forge. En 1913, devant la mécanisation de plus en plus forte de l’exploitation minière, on ajouta au bâtiment un atelier d’usinage. Chaque fois qu’on faisait de nouvelles affaires, le bâtiment était agrandi. Plus tard, dans les annés 40, le propriétaire
this page online
Photo: Yukon Archives/British Columbia Archives
Archives du Yukon/Archives de la Colombie Britannique
Erected by Parks Canada/Parcs Canada.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 64° 3.618′ N, 139° 26.056′ W. Marker is in Dawson City, Yukon. It is at the intersection of Third Avenue and Princess Street on Third Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 882 Third Ave, Dawson City YT Y0B 1G0, 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: Harrington’s Store (within shouting distance of this marker); 3rd Avenue Complex (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); K.T.M.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 864 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
