Canyon City

Canyon City

Canyon City, a territorial HISTORIC SITE, is located on the Yukon River about 6 km from WHITEHORSE, YT. The only physical remains of Canyon City today are archaeological, but from 1897 to 1900 it was one of the most important transportation centres in the Yukon. As one end of the Canyon and Whitehorse Rapids Tramway, most of the freight and travellers heading to or from the KLONDIKE gold fields passed through Canyon City in those years. The tramway was built to avoid the White Horse Rapids and Miles Canyon on the Yukon River. Completion of the WHITE PASS AND YUKON RAILWAY as far as Whitehorse ended Canyon City's brief moment of significance. Ongoing archaeological work at this site is sponsored by the territorial government of the Yukon, and on weekdays during the summer months, visitors can see the archaeological site and watch a building reconstruction program.