The saga of a legendary city from pre-history to the present day, accompanied by stunning archival photos

Whitehorse: An Illustrated History traces the storied past of Yukon’s capital city, from its origins in ancient aboriginal camps through the epic changes of the Klondike Gold Rush, the building of the Alaska Highway and the settlement of First Nations land claims. Set amidst rolling mountains on the edge of theYukon River’s swift green waters, the city today blends aboriginal traditions with the tastes, music and cultures of people from around the world.

Yukon authors Helene Dobrowolsky and Linda Johnson headed up a talented team of writers and researchers to create this portrait of a legendary place. Whitehorse takes its name from the deadly rapids spilling down from the canyon to its south, called Kwanlin--“fast water rushing through a narrow place”--in the Southern Tutchone language. From its early days, the town was Yukon’s transportation hub, linking the Pacific with trails, then rails, to the elegant sternwheelers that steamed downriver to Dawson City until highways and air travel took their place. The town hosted a dazzling parade of people over the centuries, many of whom appear in these pages: hunters, traders, gold-seekers, soldiers, miners, ships’ captains, entrepreneurs, dog-mushers, storytellers, sports icons, politicians, community builders, adventurers and artists. Filled with lively writing, colourful anecdotes and an impressive array of contemporary and archival photos, this book celebrates the history of a very special place.

Helen Dobrowolsky's profile page

Linda Johnson's profile page

Helene Dobrowolsky is a historian and an author based in Whitehorse, where she has operated a heritage consulting business with her partner, Rob Ingram, since 1988. Their many projects have included research, planning, writing, exhibit development and interpretation. This is her sixth published book of Yukon history. She lives in Whitehorse. Linda Johnson moved to the Yukon from Ontario in 1974. She served as Yukon Territorial Archivist for eighteen years and was a founding member of the Yukon Historical & Museums Association. Her publications include three books on northern history and cultures.She lives in Whitehorse.