While motoring up the highway from Dawson Creek, the traveller will first
enter Yukon at Watson Lake, Mile 635. From here on he is in the land of the Midnight Sun and the Land of Golden Opportunity. Quite likely his first stop will be made in or near Watson Lake, a thriving, busy little community.
Watson Lake began us a lone store on a tractor road from what is now
known as Lower Post to the present Airport at Watson Lake, seven miles north of the community and reached by a well maintained access road. When the need for an airport arose during World War II, there was no Alaska Highway. Everything had to be brought in via the old gold rush route from Wrangel, Alaska, through Telegraph Creek and Dease lake. Soon after construction of the airport the highway came through and, with it, soldiers and
civilians who later stayed to live here. The community grew as hotels and houses sprang up and the population began to climb.
Jumping Off
Watson Lake has become one of most important jumping off spots in the north. From here bush planes and river boats, as well as access roads, provide a means of getting to the finest hunting and fishing spots to be found anywhere in North America. It is from Watson Lake that an intensive search for minerals is conducted. Each year survey and exploration crews leave here for the mountain camps.
Fishing at Watson Lake is very good during summer months. Grayling, lake
trout, whitefish and, in some places, Jackfish can be found in the many lakes and streams in the area. Gold can be panned from the gravels of the Liard River, just seven miles north of Watson Lake, at Mile 642, as well as from most of the creeks in the district.
Campground at Mile 633 offers the tourist a chance to stop and rest, and a building with stove and wood supplied, can be used for cooking. These campgrounds are maintained by the
Yukon Forestry Division for two particular reasons. First and foremost, for those who like to camp and relax for a day or so, second and equally important, to contro] the lighting of campfires which, if left unattended, can cause untold damage to our forests and wildlife.
One of our local attractions is the very well photographed signboard, located in the middle of the community. This signboard was started as a joke by the soldiers and civilians who constructed the highway; then more signs were tacked on by passing visitors. If anyone should wish to add the name of his own home town to the many now standing and is uanble to do so while here, he may send it by mail to the Watson Lake Community Council. They will be glad to place it with the rest.
