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

James “Skookum” Jim Mason

(Kesh) 1860 - 1916

— The Beginning of the Yukon gold Rush —

James “Skookum” Jim Mason Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2013

1. James “Skookum” Jim Mason Marker

close up of English version plaque

Inscription. (crest Canada) James “Skookum” Jim Mason (Kesh) ca. 1860 – 1916 “Skookum” Jim, a Tagish of the Dakhtawedi clan and the Wolf moiety, found a nugget on Rabbit (Bonanza) Creek in August 1898 that began the Klondike Gold Rush and changed the history of the Yukon Territory. He made the discovery while on a journey down the Yukon River to find his sister Kate and her husband George Carmack. Renowned for his legendary exploits and physical abilities, “Skookum” (strong) Jim believed his Frog Spirit had guided him to the gold. He became very rich, but remained a generous man who never forgot his obligations to his community.

Erected 2000 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Commission des lieux et Monuments Historiques du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 60° 9.896′ N, 134° 42.324′ W. Marker is in Carcross, Yukon, in Unorganized. It is at the intersection

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of Tagish Ave and Dawson Charlie Street, on the right when traveling east on Tagish Ave. marker is in the park area north of the railroad depot at Caribou Crossing. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Dawson Charlie St, 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: The Duchess (a few steps from this marker); White Pass and Yukon Railway / Chemin de Fer White Pass and Yukon (within shouting distance of this marker); White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Taagísh Shaanáx Deiyi / Xóots Leitóox (within shouting distance of this marker); SS Tutshi (within shouting distance of this marker); Caribou Hotel Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); "To the Land Where Beauty Does Abide"

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

2. James “Skookum” Jim Mason Marker

the French plaque

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Matthew Watson Store (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carcross.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for the Klondike Gold Rush. “To reach the gold fields most took the route through the ports of Dyea and Skagway in Southeast Alaska. Here, the Klondikers could follow either the Chilkoot or the White Pass trails to the Yukon River and sail down to the Klondike. Each of them was required to bring a year's supply of food by the Canadian authorities in order to prevent starvation. In all, their equipment weighed close to a ton, which for most had to be carried in stages by themselves. ” (Submitted on August 13, 2016.)

Additional keywords. Yukon Gold Rush

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2016

3. James “Skookum” Jim Mason Marker

the Tagish language plaque

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2013

4. James “Skookum” Jim Mason Marker

full view of marker

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 16, 2013

5. James “Skookum” Jim Mason Marker

marker can be seen at a distance

Klondikers carrying supplies ascending the Chilkoot Pass image. Click for full size.

George G. Cantwell via Wikipedia Commons, 1898

6. Klondikers carrying supplies ascending the Chilkoot Pass

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,126 times since then and 45 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 14, 2016. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 9, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 6. submitted on August 13, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text • Can you help?