The Whitehorse Star

The History of Whitehorse

Dateline: February 15, 2024.

    The idea for this page came when I found a copy of the rare 25th Anniversary publication of The Whitehorse Star in a box of material I'm scanning a couple of days ago. It's in pretty decent condition, and though somewhat fragile, I knew I had to share it, as it's not available at the usual online archives.

    The editor of The Star was J. D. Skinner, who had arrived from Vancouver to re-start the paper, which had suspended publication after the December 23, 1921 issue. Skinner's first issue came out on March 21, 1924.

    This publication is the same size as the regular editions of the newspaper at that time, 11 x 15 inches, but is on higher quality paper and is stapled. It has 15 historic and current photographs, six of which will be seen below.

    As well as the photos, there are a wide variety of articles, from Yukon and Whitehorse history to mining and tourist promotion and local interest stories.

    Despite glowing reports on its reception, and promotion of what was going to be an annual publication under the name Yukon Tourist Annual, it was never mentioned again after August 7, 1925:

    The Twenty-fifth Anniversary number of The Whitehorse Star, to be known in future as the Yukon Tourist Annual, is meeting with a splendid reception and is doing great missionary work for Yukon. This publication will appear once a year and one dollar will pay the subscription for four years. Upon receipt of our circular letter many intended to subscribe but just neglected to advise us.
    Many tourists will also be glad to subscribe for this publication in order to keep in touch with the north.
    The illustrations in the present edition are worth the price of a four year's subscription. To show our confidence subscription monies will be returned to those not satisfied with the publication.
    If you wish to identify yourself with the enterprising group that is out to advertise Yukon send in your subscription for the Yukon Tourist Annual. $1.00 pays for four years.

    If you're interested in seeing more after all that preamble, you can download a high-resolution colour scan of the entire publication here (pdf, 5.7MB).