Years ago, the above building was located on the present site of the Whitehorse city hall. I believe that the Whitehorse liquor store was located there when I first arrived here in the mid-1950s. You had to sign for your liquor then, probably as a means to watch for bootlegging.
The long log structure on the far right was a very old N.W.M.P. building. It was torn down years ago. As a matter of fact, to build the present MacBride Museum, three historic buildings were torn down. It does seem ironic.
Years ago, people were not aware of the importance of some of our standing historical artifacts. Although more of the historically important buildings definitely should have been saved, we can’t save them all. I realize that, but our precious early 1902-03 Front Street wooden post office with a tower and courtroom in the rear and the old Lambert school house should have been saved. They were in fairly good shape. Disneyland spends millions recreating buildings like these. Here’s a wish to the future to save what we can.
Anyone with information about this subject, please write Jim Robb: The Colourful Five Per Cent Scrapbook - Can You Identify? c/o the Yukon News, 211 Wood Street, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2E4, or email through the News website, www.yukon-news.com.