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An Explorer's Guide to Carcross, Yukon


Location: on the South Klondike Highway, between Whitehorse and Skagway

Population (June 2018): 506

Elevation: 2,170 feet, 662 meters

Postal Code: Y0B 1B0

Home of the World's Smallest Desert, and the great beach of Lake Bennett. The population is about 50/50 First Nations (Native) and non-Native. Tourism (summer primarily, but winter as well) is a very important component of the economy.





History

Carcross, Yukon postmark

Caribou Crossing, Caribou, or Carcross?
A lengthy Letter to the Editor in The Daily Evening Star of November 27, 1905, complains about the name change of the Caribou Crossing post office to Carcross.

Air Mail
A brief look at the first air mail flight between Carcross and Whitehorse, in April 1928.

Carcross Historic Photos
Postcards from the community's past.

Choutla School
A brief illustrated history of the Carcross Residential School, run by the Anglican Church from 1903 until the early 1970s.

Désdélé Méné - The Archaeology of Annie Lake
An excellent online publication about an area a few miles north of Carcross.

Fractured Veins & Broken Dreams
The history of the Carcross/Windy Arm silver mines, by Murray Lundberg.

Historic Buildings Walking Tour
Self-guided tour brochures are available for download or at the Visitor Reception Centre in the railway station.

Historic Hotels of Carcross
For 100 years now, Carcross has been a favourite resting spot for travellers.

History of Carcross
An excellent summary by Ken Spotswood.

Upper Yukon Sternwheeler Resources
Information about the British Yukon Navigation Company ships and other steamboats that served Carcross.

White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
Historic and current information on the railway that used to be the major influence on Carcross.




Clicking on the aerial view of Carcross below will open an interactive map at Google Maps, in a new window.
Carcross, Yukon









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