Watson Lake Sign Forest photo courtesy Yukon Government

Watson Lake, Yukon – It all started with a homesick U.S. army engineer named Carl K. Lindley, who was working here on the Alaska Highway in 1942. He nailed up a sign pointing to his home town of Danville, Illinois, and unknowingly, he started a fad that continues today. Now at Watson Lake near the Yukon’s southern border, more than 72,000 signs stand in what is known as Signpost Forest. The area is maintained by the town of Watson Lake (pop 1600).

Watson Lake is a day’s drive from Whitehorse, and is often referred to as the gateway to the Yukon because it’s the first stop for northbound travelers arriving in the Territory by road. The town is also known for its Northern Lights Space and Science Centre.