The major reason for the existence of Whitehorse and Dawson City was this special metal called Placer Gold. The tourists attractions of both cities center around the extraction of gold from the Yukon river valley near Dawson City.

We toured the Kondike in Whitehorse, this stern wheeler was used to ferry supplies down river to Dawson City and gold upriver to Whitehorse. The boat was 40 feet wide and 240 feet long, a sizeable boat to float in just 5 feet of water.

Dredge No 4, was the largest dredge that operated in the valley. The dredges were used to excavate the precious gold from the river and creek beds.

The Bear Creek machine shop, this was where all parts and repairs for the dredges were made. This was an amazing tour, to see how self-sufficient the gold operation was. They even bottled their own acetylene and oxygen for welding!!!

Some pictures of the gold room, all the gold from the valley was cleaned and melted here. (this was also at Bear Creek)