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The Spider's Web youth coffee house, Whitehorse, Yukon
An Explorer's Guide to Whitehorse, Yukon
The Spider's Web was a successful but short-lived project to provide a safe place for teenagers to hang out. Located in the former home of Martha and George Black at First (now Front Street) and Jarvis Street, it opened on October 30, 1965. In March 1966, though, a relocation of the Indian Co-op into the Black residence meant the Spider's Web lost its space.
In November 1966, another teen coffee shop called the Padded Cell opened in the basement of the United Church. In June 1967, the Padded Cell closed, due largely to problems caused by teens showing up drunk or just looking for trouble (see The Whitehorse Star June 5 and September 14, 1967).
And the George Black residence? Well, it was sold to the federal Department of Public Works in December 1978 for $17,000. They converted it into two apartments for single Justice Department employees. When the home was demolished, Martha Black's beloved May tree was moved to the front of City Hall.
Below, we have reproduced all of the articles and letters about the life and death of the Spider's Web, and the birth of the Padded Cell.
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, October 18, 1965
This coming Wednesday will prove an eventful occasion for the young people of Whitehorse.
Special entertainment is being planned for the opening October 30th of their new coffee shop - The Spider's Web - at First and Jarvis. This was the former home of the late Hon. George Black. The building had been remodelled into living quarters for government staff during recent years. A short time ago it was turned over to Yukon Native Arts for their use.
The front of the building, formerly used as the Black's living room, will now be taken over on Saturday nights between the hours of 8 to 12 and Sunday afternoons from 1:30 to 5 p.m. by local teenagers.
The young people of the Anglican Church and the CYO in Whitehorse are co-operating in the venture. Adult supervision will be provided by sponsors of the two groups but the club members will operate the coffee shop themselves,
The Spider's Web will afford the teenagers a place of their own where they will be able to sit around and talk, play records and make coffee.
The Whitehorse Star - Thursday, October 28, 1965
COFFE HOUSE
One last item. You have probably seen the little slip of paper saying "I know a place where you can go..." and so on. It is of course speaking of the "Spider's Web", the first real Teen Coffee House in Whitehorse, which opens on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., First & Jarvis.
In this writer's humble opinion, this could be part of the answer to teen-age "hangouts" at the Taku and Edgewater; as well it could be a much-needed centre for young people to discuss the situation on parents and teachers, drink coffee, do homework, meditate, and generally, to belong. At any rate, its certainly worth a try.
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, November 1, 1965
Alderman Paul Lucier represented the City at formal opening of the Spider's Web, new coffee house being operated by Whitehorse teenagers. Sunday afternoon drew capacity crowds to have a Look at the new spot, with coffee and doughnuts in good supply.
Lucier wished the young people luck with their new venture and commended them for taking the job on themselves, not waiting for adults to do the work.
Rev. James McCullum, who has been active in the youth group at Christ Church Cathedral, was awarded a special plaque by the young people, in recognition of his many hours of planning and assistance in the project.
The coffee house is located in the front half of the former George Black residence of First Avenue, will b eopen to teens Saturday night and Sunday afternoons from now on.
The Whitehorse Star - Thursday, February 10, 1966
SPIDER'S WEB OPEN HOUSE - Whitehorse young people are inviting their parents and friends to have a look at the inside of their Coffee House next Sunday afternoon, February 13. Adults are not admitted, normally, and unless you're a volunteer chaperone at one of their weekend sessions, this may be your only chance to see how the other half lives! The non-profit Spider's Web is located in the former Black residence on First Avenue at the corner of Jarvis. Coffee, soft drinks and potato chips are available, but the real point is to have a place of their own, to play records, dance and talk. In the picture, left to right: John Haines, Darlene Baston, Fred Metcalfe and Shelley Baston.
Kellett photo
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, April 11, 1966
In the shuffle caused by razing of the City Hall block, the Indian Co-op is being moved down to First Avenue into the former George Black residence, with the Yukon Indian Crafts, we have been told.
This meant that last month, local young people had to clear out their Coffee House, the Spider's Web, which got off to a fine start this winter. We're sorry. The kids ran a good show of their own while they were allowed the use of the building, and we hope it will be possible to open up again in some other suitable location.
They have no money, which means they require a rent-free, heated and fairly spacious spot, where they can go and sit and talk and play music and dance and be by themselves.
Any offers? It's a pretty good investment, in everything except cash dividends.
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, August 29, 1966
A PLACE OF THEIR OWN
Autumn is nearly upon us, bringing a new round of organizational activities, and the return to school of hundreds of Yukon young people.
We hope that with the resumption of routine, there will be some hope of re-establishment of their own coffee house or similar place for teen-agers in Whitehorse. Last year's experiment at the Spider's Web was an undoubted success. With unobtrusive supervision, the kids ran their own social club and ran it well.
They had been granted permission to use part of the former George Black residence on First Avenue, but were later asked to vacate, on the grounds that the building, now owned by the Territorial Government, was required for Indian craft purposes. They were unable to find any other refuge, which could be provided rent free, with utilities at no cost.
One of the best things about the coffee house was its interdenominational set-up.
Surely in this land of million dollar correctional institutions, costly residential hostels, new city hall museum and library, we can find a small corner for the young people at whom all these agencies are aimed!
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, October 17, 1966
AN OPEN LETTER TO
THE CITIZENS & COUNCIL,
The Editor
Whitehorse Star,
Dear Madam:
This letter has been inspired by the way which the citizens of Whitehorse have been decrying our young people in recent months, but at then same time making no move to help them.
Some time ago, the young people, members of two of our churches, combined to make a place in which they could meet for an hour or two at weekends, etc... They formed a small club, 'The Spider's Web' and obtained the use of the old 'Black' residence on front street, and for some months operated this for the benefit of ALL teenagers very satisfactorily; requesting that two adults, a man and woman be there at all times as chaperons when they were open. They were moved out of there when the Indian Crafts Shop moved in and since then have not been able to find a place of their own. These future citizens of ours have not the money to pay a big rent for premises and were trying to make a success of this and should be helped as much as possible.
The city council and members of the public have recently been discussing what to do with the basement of the NEW CITY HALL and I think it would be a fine gesture and a big help to the future of Whitehorse if this were made into a small YOUTH CLUB. HOW ABOUT IT? CITOZENS OF WHITEHORSE, REMEMBER THAT THE YOUTH OF TODAY ARE THE FUTURE LIFE OF THE YUKON.
If we do nothing to help them today then we can expect no respect from them; we have a good crowd of young people in our midst, let us help to keep them that way and give them some support.
Yours Sincerely,
Ron K. Garside
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, November 14, 1966
The opening of the Padded Cell, a non-denominational coffeehouse for teenagers was a booming success. Filling the same purpose as the Spiders Web, previously located in the old Black residence on First Avenue, the Padded Cell is off to a good start.
Two hundred young people streamed into the club temporarily situated in the basement of the United Church, between 8:00 and 11:30 Saturday night. The food committee, headed by Brad MacArthur, sold potato chips, pop, coffee, and sandwiches from the kitchen.
There was lots of room for dancing to the band composed of John Belanger on drums, and Doug Grose and Allan Smith on guitars. The kids sat at tables around the hall to talk, eat or play cards.
This coffeehouse is run by teenagers, and chaperoned inconspicuously by adults recruited by the United Church women who are sponsoring the club.
It will be open every Saturday night from 8:00 to 11:30 for all young people between the ages of 13 and 19 who want a place of their own. There will be a band again next week, so come out and keep a good thing going!
The Whitehorse Star - Monday, November 21, 1966
On the opening of the new coffeehouse in town, a poem was written in memory of the old Spider's Web;
Am I standing on the ceiling?
Or my head is held up high -
There are cigarettes a-smoking
And the air is awful dry
And a coca-cola puddle
Is seeping through the floor
And the furnace isn't working
So why don't they shut the door!
Then the tape recorder's blasting
And the volume's turned up loud
And some poor soul yells for quiet
But he's lost deep in the crowd.
There was larfing, there was joking
All the time. But no more
The Spider's Web
Is dead.
Lignit Grubb.
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