A Guide to Whitehorse
The History of Whitehorse
Dateline: February 24, 2024.
In 1995, Rolf and Marg Hougen began a project to honour notable Yukoners. When they first travelled to Europe during their honeymoon in 1955, Rolf and Marg saw many statues and monuments honouring key figures in European history and culture, and came to believe that more needed to be done to recognize some of the Yukon's iconic figures. To this end, they funded the sculpture and installation of several bronze busts at key locations in Whitehorse as well as one in Old Crow and a plaque for George Mercer Dawson in Dawson City.
Click on each photo to enlarge it.
Superintendent Samuel Benfield Steele (1849-1919)
"Lion of the Yukon"
"It is no idle boast that at no time in its history did the police show to better advantage than during the trying years of 1898-99, when I commanded the fine
officers and men on the Yukon."
"Dispatched to the Yukon in February, 1898, during the peak of the Klondike Gold Rush, his coming meant order; his presence meant justice. Sam Steele was an extraordinary man, whose steadfast determination to do what was good for the community, with fear or favour, won the Yukon's respect and appreciation before his departure in 1899. Major-General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele was later knighted for service in the First World War."
Created by Chuck Buchanan and unveiled in July 1995, this bust was the first commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. It is located in front of the RCMP "M" Divison headquarters on 4th Avenue at Elliott Street.
Robert W. Service (1874 - 1958)
"Known as 'The Bard of the North', poet Robert Service immortalized in novels and verse, the triumphs and defeats of the sourdoughs during the great Klondike Gold Rush.
"Arriving in the Yukon in 1904, as an employee of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Whitehorse, and later Dawson, he quickly established a reputation for capturing the essence of the Klondike Gold Rush by penning such epic rhymes as 'The Shooting of Dan McGrew', The Cremation of Sam McGee', and the enthralling 'Spell of the Yukon'.
"After the success of his book 'Songs of a Sourdough', he left the Yukon in 1912 to continue writing and wander the world - eventually settling in France where he died in 1958."
Created by Chuck Buchanan and unveiled in September 1996, this bust was the second commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The photo on the left below shows the monument in its original location on 2nd Avenue at Lambert Street (in front of the Yukon Visitor Information Centre), the other three in its current location on the northwest corner of Main Street and 2nd Avenue.
The Robert W. Service section of ExploreNorth contains the complete text of all 200 or so of his poems as well as an hour-long video of Service interpreter Tom Byrne's show at the poet's original cabin in Dawson City, and other resources.
Angela Sidney (1902 - 1991)
Ch'óoneté Má Stóow
"Respected and much loved Tagish Elder of the Delsheetaan Nation, Mrs. Angela Sidney co-authored three important historical documents: 'My Stories are My Wealth' and Tagish Tiaagu', written narratives of Tagish legends, and a document of Tagish Place Names for southern Yukon.
"Co-founder of the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, Mrs. Sidney spent her entire life working for her community to ensure that her people's traditions, language, dances, and stories were passed on tom the next generation. For these endeavours she received the Order of Canada in 1984. Her own words illustrate the beauty and humility of such a generous and noble woman:
"I have no money to leave for my grandchildren. My stories are my wealth!"
Created by Chuck Buchanan and unveiled in June 1997, this bust was the third commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. It was initially installed in Rotary Peace Park, for many years the site of the Yukon International Storytelling Festival. In 2017, though, it was moved to the northwest corner of Main Street and Front Street. The photo on the left below shows the monument in Rotary Park in February 2010.
Jack London (1876 - 1916)
"In the summer of 1897, at the age of 21, Jack London camped in the Whitehorse area after running Miles Canyon and the Whitehorse Rapids. He then went down river to spend Fall through Spring at Dawson City, Stewart Island, and Henderson Creek. In August 1898, he returned to his Oakland, California, home. The influence of the north was evident in his 5 novels and 65 short stories. Two of his novels, The Call of the Wild and White Fang, were bestsellers and drew world-wide attention to the Yukon. His short story 'To Build a Fire' is generally ascribed to contain the most poignant descriptions of the cold ever written."
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in November 2010, this bust was the fourth commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The monument stands at the southeast corner of Main Street and 4th Avenue.
The Jack London Centre in Dawson City is a replica of his northern cabin, built with logs from the original structure. For much more information about him, see "The Life of Jack London as Reflected in his Works."
Pierre Berton (1920 - 2004)
"Author Pierre Berton was born in Whitehorse in 1920 and moved with his family to Dawson City in 1921 where they lived until 1932 when they moved to Victoria, BC.
"Berton's youth was spent amongst the decaying buildings and mining relics of Dawson City which were the catalyst for his writing in 1958 the popular history Klondike: The Life and Death of the Last Great Gold Rush, 1896-1899, which brought him and Dawson City much fame and renown.
"Pierre Berton was a brilliant storyteller and his vivid writing style brings the past alive. He had a successful career as an author, journalist, newspaper editor and radio and television host but perhaps his most formative time was spent as a young man working on the dredges in the Klondike gold fields."
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in May 2016, this bust was the fifth commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The monument stands at the southeast corner of Main Street and 3rd Avenue.
Edward Hardy "Ted" Harrison CM (1926 - 2015)
"Ted Harrison's career as a nationally acclaimed artist, illustrator and author began at the Whitehorse Public Library with his first public art show in May 1969.
"Born in England, Ted's talent was recognized early on. He studied art but World War II interrupted. After military service Ted received a diploma of design and later became a teacher, his career for 28 years. He taught in many oparts of the world including New Zealand, Malaysia, and, in 1968, Carcross, Yukon. He moved to Whitehorse in 1971 and there there until 1993.
"The Yukon inspired Ted's art. According to his biographer, Katherine Gibson, Harrison 'brought the north to the south through his paintings.'
"Amongst many other awards and doctorates, Harrison received the Order of Canada in 1987 for his contributions to Canadian culture. In 2000, he donated $50,000 and his cabin for the establishment of the Ted Harrison Artist Retreat on Crag Lake, near Carcross."
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in September 2017, this bust was the sixth commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen, "to honour their friend of over 40 years." The monument stands at the southeast corner of Main Street and 2nd Avenue.
Martha Louise Black (1866 - 1957)
"Martha Munger Purdy, 'The First Lady of the Yukon,' crossed the Chilkoot Pass at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. She eventually managed a sawmill near Dawson City. She gained prominence when she married Dawson lawyer George Black in 1904, and became chatelaine of Government House when George was appointed Commissioner.
"During World War I she travelled to England with her husband, where she volunteered extensively, tending to homesick and wounded Yukon soldiers. She spoke widely about her beloved Yukon and her knowledge and lectures about Yukon wildflowers earned her a fellowship in the Royal Geographical Society in 1917.
"Martha became the 2nd woman in the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1948. Her book 'My 70 Years' was published in 1938, and later updated as 'My 90 Years' by Flo Whyard. In 1946, Martha Black was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her social and cultural contributions to the Yukon."
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in August 2018, this bust was the seventh commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The monument stands at the northwest corner of Main Street and 4th Avenue.
Edith Josie, C.M. (1921 - 2010)
"Much loved Gwich'in elder Edith Josie rose to international fame in her 40s for her insightful and sometimes humorous observations of life in her northern community of Old Crow from 1962-2005.
"Fluent in both the Han and Gwich'in languages Miss Josie wrote stories of everyday Gwich'in life in English, while retaining the style of her first language. Her candid stories reflected her passion for the traditional way of life and love of her people and culture.
"Her newspaper column 'Here are the News' was published by The Whitehorse Star, and syndicated to newspapers all over the world.
"Among her many achievements, Miss Josie received the Canadian Centennial Award (1967), the Order of Canada (1995), and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (2000)."
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in September 2019, this bust was the eighth commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The monument stands at the northeast corner of Main Street and 4th Avenue. A second copy of the bust was installed at Old Crow.
George Black K.C., P.C. (1873 - 1965)
"George Black was at the centre of Yukon politics and law for half a century. As a young lawyer from New Brunswick, he came to the Yukon during the Klondike stampede in 1898, and co-discovered gold on Livingstone Creek. Moving to Dawson City to practice law in 1900, he became active active in local politics.
"He was elected to the territorial council three times (1905-1911). As Commissioner of the Yukon, he governed the territory for four years (1912-1916). Appointed Captain in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he recruited 225 Yukon men to volunteer with him during World War I, and was wounded at the Battle of Amiens in 1918.
"He represented the Yukon in Parliament six times, serving more than 25 years between 1921 and 1949. Black was Speaker of the House of Commons from 1930 to 1935. George and his wife, Martha, who served a term in Parliament, were a political force. It was often said there were two parties in the Yukon: the Liberals and the Blacks."
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in 2020, this bust was commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The monument stands at the northwest corner of Front Street and Steele Street, outside the MacBride Museum.
The Honourable Erik Nielsen P.C., D.F.C., Q.C., LLB, F.C.M.S. (1924 - 2008)
"Mr. Nielsen joined the RCAF at 18 years of age and flew of 50 sorties in Lancaster bombers during WWII. He was awarded the DFC for 'high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty.' Mr. Nielsen was a prime example for his fine offensive spirit and imperturbable manner. As devoted as he was to duty, he inspired those around him to do their very best. He graduated from Dalhousie Law School and moved to the Yukon. He was M.P. for Yukon for 32 years. He continued to fly throughout his life as a private pilot in the Yukon skies."
On December 15, 2008, the Whitehorse International Airport was renamed the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.
Created by Harreson Tanner and unveiled in 2020, this bust was commissioned and donated by Rolf and Marg Hougen. The monument stands at the northwest corner of Front Street and Steele Street, outside the MacBride Museum.
