Infamous Dawson, Yukon Territory

Dawson City was the end of the Top of the World Highway.  Now we had to cross the Yukon River by ferry.  The wait for some of the caravan members was 5 hours.  Dawson City has a great history.  This was the destination the gold rush prospectors risked everything to get to.  From here they were able to travel the Yukon River to get to the gold fields.

The Stangers waiting for their turn

Finally on the ferry and coming across

Don and Oreo over looks the city and the river

After the original prospectors left (they were a restless bunch and went on to the California gold rush) commercial mining operations bought the claims and took over the mining.  They built the dredge barge in a large "pond" on site and as they excavated the ground in front, they extract the gold and the tailings were dumped out the back.  This moved both the barge and the "pond".  The Dawson City Dredge #4 operated until the 1960's.  Next year the Canadian government (current owner) will shut down the reconditioning, and the tours.

Reconditioning the Dawson City Dredge #4

Looking down the gold extraction first step; a rotary sizing screen

The next step; mechanical gold panning

The tradition in Dawson City is the casino and dance hall "Diamond Tooth Gertie's".  This time the casino played with real money. 

Gertie

The Can-Can Girls