Dawson City was the site of one of the world's greatest Gold Rushes

Dawson City, Yukon - In 1900 Dawson was the largest city west of Winnipeg and north of San Francisco, which all happened in a flash, because it was the site of one of the world's greatest gold rushes. On August 16th, 1896 a nugget of gold was discovered in Bonanza Creek. When the word got out fortune-seekers from throughout North America headed for the 'Klondike'. About 100,000 prospectors attempted to reach the region over the next two years. About 40,000 made it. Dawson City had been just a small tent town where the Yukon and Klondike rivers converged. In no time it was second only San Francisco in size in the west. One gold nugget was unearthed that weighed over 72 ounces, worth over $30,000 today. Now the population of Dawson City is about 2,000, and the residents celebrate their colourful gold rush history with events such as Dawson Day (the third Monday in August) and with year-round venues like Diamond Tooth Gerties Saloon, which features gambling and dance hall girls. Visit the area and you can still try gold panning yourself.

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More Yukon 'Cool': Sour Toe Cocktail, Gold Rush, Northern Lights, Alaska Hwy, Watson Lake's Forest of 10,000 Signs, Snag Temperature, Chilkoot Trail, Midnight Sun, Caribou Migration, World's Smallest Desert

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