Welcome to Carcross!
Although it doesn't look like it now, our tiny village was a vital
transportation hub and one of the most important communities in the Yukon Territory a century
ago.
The Carcross Barracks was built in 1920 as a private residence by Johnny
Williams, a section foreman on the White Pass & Yukon Route railway. He used local logs, a large
roll of ship's canas and other odds bits that he gathered. Most of the large trees in the area
had been cut down to build boats during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897-1898, so small logs had
to be used. They were placed vertically, then unusual pieces were used to make the quaint
rounded facade and porch.
The cabin later became the barracks and office of the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police detachment, and you can still have your picture taken in the jail cell. The stories of
Sergeant Preston could have been written here, with the frigid winds howling outside and his
husky King laying by the woodstove - if only these walls could talk!
Today, the historic buildings are used to showcase the work of artists who
use their talents to create pieces that wil bring the Spirit of the North into your home.
They include:
- Yukon Mammoth Ivory by:
- Bill Diment (ivory & gold nugget jewellery)
- Alfred Cook (ivory inlaid with semi-precious stones)
- James Kirby (ivory inlaid with semi-precious stones & Yukon gold)
- Ralph Lee (ivory and caribou antler carving)
- Yukon gold nugget jewellery by:
- Greg Kehoe, with 15 years of gold jewellery creation experience at the Klondike Nugget
& Ivory store in Dawson City
- Trade Bead Jewellery by:
- Shiela Alexandrovich
- Marcia Fossey
- Original, limited-edition and other prints by:
- Lynn Blakie
- Jim Robb
- Diane Paton Peel
- Ted Harrison
- Jim Logan
- Chris Caldwell
- and many more artists
- Leather & beadwork moccasins, mukluks, hats, gloves by:
- several Yukon First Nations artists including Lucy Wren
- Burl Bowls:
- "Trapper Lee"
- RCMP "Mountie" Collectibles
- Stuffed toys, art, books and much more
- Porcupine quillwork
-
- Jade Jewellery
-
- Auroralite:
- made from gem-quality ammonite fossils
- Inuit Art:
- carvings in soapstone and antler by many artists
- Yukon & Alaska Books
- A large selection of nature, history and children's books
- Yukon & Alaska Music
- CDs and cassettes
For lots more information about activities and services around Carcross,
please visit our friends at CarcrossYukon.com.
