Dawson City, Gold rush town in Yukon, Canada
Dawson City sits at the confluence of the Yukon River and Klondike River and shows wooden buildings, unpaved streets, and gold rush era construction throughout its core. The surrounding landscape features wide valleys and forested hills that frame the townscape and reinforce the sense of a remote northern outpost.
After gold was found in 1896, the settlement grew within months from a small fishing camp to a town with thousands of residents. The influx ended in the early 20th century as finds declined and many fortune seekers moved on.
Visitors can step into old-time saloons where performances recall the entertainment culture of the gold rush era and keep the legacy of those years alive. The town maintains traditions from the late 19th century that appear in events and the way locals mark certain celebrations.
Winter temperatures regularly fall below minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 30 degrees Celsius), so bring warm clothing and suitable gear. In summer the days remain very long, and streets can turn muddy after rain.
In some bars you can order a cocktail containing a real preserved toe, an odd tradition that often surprises visitors. The cemetery on the edge of town shows simple wooden crosses that recall those who lost their lives here during the gold rush years.
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