ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE KLONDIKE GOLO RUSH:
CANYON CITY, AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTlVE
Thomas J. Hammer
B.A. (Honours), Simon Fraser University, 1994
THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARTS
in the Department
of
Archaeology
@ Thomas J. Hammer 1999
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
June 1999
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This thesis investigates an Upper Yukon River Klondike Gold Rush site
known as Canyon City. Canyon City and other sites like it were integral. but
peripheral to the Klondike Gold Rush. This study attempts to integrate the
oral. archiva1 and archaeoiogical data to provide insights into the day-to-day
life of the resident population at Canyon City during the Klondike Gold Rush,
1897-1 900.
Over the course of four years, six localities within the former settlement
were extensively tested. These include: the West Tent locality, the Canyon
Hotel and Saloon, the NWMP Barracks, the Canyon and White Horse Rapids
Tramway Co. building, the East Cabin and the Machine/Blacksmith Shop. A
total of 1 7,395 artifacts and 1 56 faunal specimens were collected during the
investigations.
lt is argued that the wrnpany structured the inhabitants' day-to-day
lives within this single industry tom. This structuring is evident in the
settlement characteristics such as the structured settlement layout, the lack of
duplication of services, the predorninately male population and the
dependence of the residents on the Company for sustenance. Although
based on limited data, the settlement also appears ta have been organized
socially-the workers and the ovmers. Furtherrnore, the cultural remains and
architectural data suggest the general nature of the site was expedient and
utilitarian, which not only reflects the logistical problems faced by Klondike
era settlements but also the economic motivation of the townsite's owners.
... 111
The abandonment behavior present at Canyon City appears to have
largely been determined by company interests. Except for the East Cabin,
wtiich burned with much of its contents still intact, the site undervuent planned.
permanent abandonment.
Since the investigations carried out at Canyon City w r e the first of its
kind on the Upper Yukon River, it is unknown whether or not Canyon City can
be considered a typical settlement in this area. Work is needed at similar
settlements along the Upper Yukon to better illuminate their role in the
Klondike Gold Rush and their significance in the development of the Yukon.
This thesis was made possible by the generous support of the Yukon
Heritage Branch, Government of Yukon. The Canyon City Archaeology
Project was a joint endeavor of the Yukon Heritage Branch, Department of
Tourism, and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation with the support of the MacBrîde
Museum and Yukon Conservation Society. I would like to thank Jeff Hunston.
Director of Yukon Heritage Branch, for giving me the opportunity to work at
the site over a period of four years. I greatly appreciate the continued support
from Heritage Branch Archaeologists Ruth Gotthardt and Greg Hare. who
provided me with insights, inspiration and edited parts of this thesis several
times. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the rest of the staff of
Heritage Branch for their assistance. Thanks for the rnap Brent.
I am also grateful to my senior supervisor. Dr. David Burley, for his
patience and rigorous editing. I would also like to thank Dr. Jack Nance and
Dr. Olga Klimko for their comments on my thesis project.
1 am grateful for the financial support for the Department of
Archaeology, SFU, for awarding me a Graduate Fellowship and a Teaching
Assistant position. Further financial support was provided by the Yukon
Heritage Branch, the Canada Employrnent Challenge Program. the Yukon
Government Student Training and Employrnent Program, the Yukon
Foundation, and DIAND Northern Scientific Training Program.
I extend thanks to John Hatch, John Scott and Lawrence Cyr for
sharing their knowledge about the old days. Donna Hagen and Sweeney
v
Scurvey, from the Kwanlin Dun First Nation provided the understanding of the
traditional land use of the site through their oral history work. Valuable
contributions w r e made by elders Mrs. May Hume, Mrs. Julie Joe. Mrs. Lucy
Wren, Mrs. Mary James, Jimmy G. Smith, Edwin Scurvey, E M r d Gordon.
Mrs. Virginia Vallevand, John Suits, Louie Smith, Rose Charlie and Ronald
Bill.
The project owes its success to the hard work of the field crew and site
interpreters. These include: Ty Heffner, vvho also did the faunal work. Megan
Williams and Sarah Berquist (Heritage Branch STEP students); Azalea Joe,
Henry Taylor, Corey Pope, John Yaklin: Marilee Smarch, Charlie O'Brien. and
Michael Smith of Kwanlin Dün; Own Williams, Jacob Jirousek, Hillary
Walkley, Sara Neilsen, Sara Bryce, Greg Kubica. Georgina Nicioux.
Wilmonica VanBibber, Loic Markley and Hannah Hickling of the Yukon
Conservation Society; Andrea Hoyt, Rachel Pugh and Christie Colx of the
MacBride Museum.
I wouid also like to acknowiedge the Yukon Underwater Divers
-ociationJs efforts. Doug Davidge. and Perry Diamond conducted the
underwater survey at Canyon City.
Thanks also go out to the support and assistance of the Yukon
Archives, MacBride Museum; Chief Lena Johns, Chef Joe Jack, Pat Joe.
Patty Ann Finlay and Jackie Shortie of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation. David
Neufeld of Parks Canada, Flo Whyard and Helene Dobrowolsky openiy
shared their knowiedge and resources with me on Canyon City. Mrs. Whyard
provided the NWMP log book for Canyon City dated 1899-1 900.
An important and productive aspect of the project was the enthusiasm
of the many volunteers who participated in the Canyon City excavations.
Thanks also to the thousands of visitors who took the time to visit Canyon
City.
Finally, I owe the wrnpletion of this thesis to my family and closest
friends. My wife Myra's encouragement, support and patience over the years
kept me going and sane. Afthough unknowingly my children, Melissa and
Nolan, provided me with much inspiration. And of course, thanks to Jim
Slater and Ruth Whitney.
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LlST OF FIGURES
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER W O : CANYON CITY IN CONTEXT
SITE LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT HISTORICAL OVERVION OF CANYON CITY GOLD RUSH HISTORY - 1800-1 899/1900
Pre-Gold Rush Era Gold R u s h Era Canyon City
PoST GOLD RUSH ERA - 1900 - PRESENT
CHAPTER THREE: FIELDWORK, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
PREVIOUS WORK AT CANYON CITY ARCHAEOL~GICAL FIELD METHOOOLOGY DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ARTIFACT ANALYSE MEHTODOLOGY
CHAPTER FOUR: HlSTORlC FEATURES AT CANYON ClTV
CANYON CITY TOWNSITE WEST TENT LOCALITV: FEATURES CANYON HOTEL AND SALOON: FEATURES NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE BARRACKS: FEATURES CANYON AND WHITE HORSE RAPIDS COMPANY TRAMWAY OFFICE: FEATURES THE EAST CABIN: FEATURES THE MACHINE/~LACKSMITH SHOP: FEATURES SUMMARY
I I
. -. III
v
viii
X
CHAPTER 5: CANYON CITY HlSTORlC ARTIFACT ASSEMBiAGE
WEST TENT LOCALITY: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE Summary
CANYON HOTEL AND SALOON: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE Summary
NORTH-WEST MOUNTEO POLICE BARRACKS ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE Summary
CANYON AND WHITE HORSE RAPIDS TRAMWAY OFFICE: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
Summary EAST CABI N: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
Summary MACHINE/BLACKSMITH SHOP: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
Summary
CHAPTER 6: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
SITE CHARACTERISTICS SETLEMENT SUBSISTENCE ABANDONMENT CONCLUSION
REFERENCES ClTED
Table 1.
Table 2.
Table 3.
Table 4.
Table 5. Table 6. Table 7.
Table 8. Table 9.
Table 10. Table 11. Table 12.
Table showing the historic features tested during the archaeological investigations at Canyon City including number of units, area excavated and approximate sampie size. Functional groups used in the dassification of the Canyon City Historic Artifact assemblage and their associated artifact types. Table of features identified at Canyon City and accompanying identifications. Table showing artifact counts and each locality's relative contribution to the histonc artifact assemblage from Canyon City. West Tent locality artifact functional groups and counts. Faunal rernains coliected from the West Tent locality. Canyon Hotel and Saloon artifact functional groups and counts. NWMP Barracks artifact functional groups and counts. Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway Office artifact functional groups and counts. East Cabin artifad functional groups and counts. East Cabin faunal remains. MachineIBlacksrnith Shop artifact functional groups and counts.
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6.
Figure 7.
Figure 8.
Figure 9.
Figure 10.
Figure 11.
Figure 12.
Figure 13.
Figure 14.
Figure 15.
Figure 16.
Figure 17.
Figure 18.
Figure 19.
Figure 20.
Figure 21.
Figure 22.
Map showing location of Canyon City in the Yukon. Map showing the major routes to the Klondike Gold Fields. Archival photograph of Miles Canyon, ca. 1899. Archival photograph of a tramcart on the tramway. Archival photograph of Canyon City Townsite. Archival photograph showing River steamers and freight on Canyon City Dock Map of the Canyon City townsite showing the location of the historic features documented during the investigations. Archival photograph of Canyon City showing the West Tent locality. Schematic diagram of the features documented at the West Tent Locality. Archival photograph of the Canyon Hotel and Saloon ca. 1899. Schematic diagram of the features documented at the Canyon Hotel and Saloon. Archival photograph of Canyon City townsite show-ng the NWMP Post and Storehouse in middle of the photograph. Schematic diagram of the features docurnented at the NWMP Barracks. Archival photograph of the remains of the NVVMP Barracks at Canyon City 1912. Archival photograph of original Tramway Office at Canyon City ca. 1897-1 898. Archival photograph of completed Tramway Office at Canyon City ca. 1898. Schematic diagram of the features docurnented at the Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway Co. Building. Archival photograph of the Tramway Office, metal basin sits below the widow next to the second door to from the left. Schematic diagram of the features documented at the East Cabin. A) schematic diagram of the Machine/Blacksmith locality showing estimated perimeter based on depressions obsewed; 6) diagram of the composite feature located in the west portion of the MachineIBlacksmith shop; C) diagram of the composite feature docurnented in Unit 10 located in the east portion of the structure. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the overall Canyon City historic assemblage. Graph of the frequency of functional groups wi-thin the West Tent Locality historic assemblage.
Figure 23. Graph of the frequency of fundional groups within the Canyon Hotel and Saloon historic assemblage. 90
Figure 24. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the North- West Mount Police Barracks historic assemblage. 97
Figure 25. Graph of the frequency of fundional groups within the Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway Office historic assemblage. 103
Figure 26. Graph of the frequency of fundional groups within the East Cabin historic assemblage. 110
Figure 27. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the Machine/Blacksmith Shop historic assemblage. 118 .
Figure 28. Archival photograph of tramway crew ca. 1899. 126 Figure 29. Archival photograph of tramway crew, of note is the w m e n
seated behind Norman Macaulay the man with the cane ca. 1899 (Yukon Archives 132
xii
INTRODUCTION
Pierre Berton has noted that the Klondike Gold Rush was one of the best documented adventures of the last 150 years. With the availability of cameras, film, newspapers, books, dianes and recorded interviews, the historian's problem really becornes one of where to focus and what to chmse (Davidson 1996).
Archaeological studies conœming the Klondike Gold Rush have
typically been centred on a few principal locations such as Skagway. the
Chilkoot Trail and Dawson City. In the Yukon, Dawson City and selected sites
along the Chilkoot Trail have been the focus of the majority of historical and
archaeological research so far camed out (Blee 1 991 ; Bradford 1 989; Burley
1985; Burley and Ross 1979a. 1979b; Cooper 1998; Hems and Nieuwhof
1994; Mini 1978; Murray and Hamilton 1986; Spude et al. 1993). Peripheral
gold rush transportation settlements along the Yukon River, however, were
essential to the success of the gold rush and these settlements ensured the
relatively srnooth flow of the mass of stampeders who came from al1 over the
world to the Klondike gold fields (Bennett 1978). The stories of these
argonauts are familiar and well documented by historians; even romanticized
by the likes of author Jack London and poet Robert Service. However,
historians and anthropologists have largely ignored the peripheral settlements
along the Yukon River and their resident populations.
With the centennial of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1998, Canyon City,
located 1 0km upriver from Whitehorse was selected by the Department of
Tourism, Government of Yukon, to be developed as a histonc interpretive site.
In support of this program, archaeological investigations were conducted here
over four field seasons between 1994 and 1997. The main objective of the
project was to gather architectural data for the possible reconstruction of
former buildings. Within this framework, the site was to be developed as an
interpretive museum displaying Canyon City and Klondike gold nish history.
As a result of the Canyon City study, I have had the opportunity to
examine this settlement and its role in the Klondike gold rush from an
archaeological perspective. The settlement was one of several peripheral
transportation oriented communities flourishing on the route to Dawson City
between 1897 and 1900. Aithough my overall goals are structured and limited
by the nature of the Yukon Tourism project. the data can also be used to
address other questions about the nature of life and economy at the site. This
study further contributes to our understanding of gold rush events on the
Upper Yukon River.
Canyon City and other settlements like it were important to the success
of the Klondike gold rush. Unfortunately, as prirnarily single purpose sites,
most were mentioned only in passing by the gold seekers. The typical
stampeder probably viewed towns Iike Canyon City much like today's highway
driver views a gas station-a necessity for continuing the journey but not
worthy of detailed description. If Canyon City were studied solely through the
documentary record, therefore, there would be little to no data on the day-to-
day life of the occupants; at best, there would be simple lists of names, dates
and critical events. As a general objective, my thesis attempts to gain further
understanding of the nature of settlement within this peripheral gold nish site.
Historical Archaeology has a unique position within the social sciences
since it is "capable of gaining sirnultaneuus access to the past through
multiple, independent categories of evidence" (Schuyler 1977 cf. Deagan
1988: 8). These categories. the database of Historical Archaeology, include
"the spoken word, the written word, observed behavior and preserved
behavior" (Deagan 1982; Schuyler 1977 cited in Deagan 1988:8). To gain an
accurate picture of what life was like at Canyon City, this thesis integrates the
'spoken word'-oral history, the 'written word'4ocumentary evidence including
archival photographs, and the 'preserved behaviof-the archaeological record.
Central to this thesis is the premise that Canyon City was a single
purpose company settlement, as indicated by the archival record. It is
hypothesized that the company stnrctured the inhabitants' day-to-day lives
within the single industry town. By both providing and regulating services. the
Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway Company dictated the construction
and layout of facilities and workers' accommodation within the settlement and
even the demographics and subsistence base of the resident population.
Finally. since the site was company owned, the abandonment behaviour
should be uniform and consistent throughout.
It is argued here that the layout and buildings of Canyon City were
specifically structured to meet the needs of the corporate owners in support of
the tramway operation. Furthemore, it is expected that commercial senrices
within the site were limited by the curporate structure. In addition. it is argued
that the population was principally itinerate, non-local labourers hired by the
Company as freight hustlen and for the operation of the tramway and related
facilities. Women and children may have been present in small numbers, but
their presence was peripheral to the organkation and functioning of the
townsite. Therefore, few indicators of the presence of women and children
such as toys, women's and children's clothing, toiletries and jewelry should be
represented in the assemblage (Blee 1991 ; Spude and Scott 1993).
The social structure within the settlement is expected to be two tiered.
As with any company there are both owner/manager(s) and workers.
Differences between these groups should be seen archaeologically in several
different areas. It is argued that owner/manager(s) likely lived in the log
buildings and the workers in the tents. Because of the presurned difference in
wealth between the two groups, the contents associated with domestic
structures should refiect these differences. This should be evident in the
archaeological record through the cornparison of utilitarian dominated
assemblages versus assemblages with non-utilitarian artifacts such as
ceramics. furthemore, social status should also be manifested in the faunal
assemblage, more specifically the differences in meat cuts and types,
between the two groups (Shulz and Gust 1983).
Archival data suggest the company supplied workers at the site with
room and board. Therefore, it is expected that these occupants were heavily
dependant on imported goods. Archaeological correlates for this include a
high visibility of imported goods such as tinned goods and a low frequency of
local faunal remains. One variable that must be taken into account is the
possibility of the Company or individuals trading, likely with local First Nations
for country foods.
Finally, the abandonment behavior present at Canyon City is predicted
to have been consistent and unifom throughout the site. It is argued that the
Company's interests dictated abandonment behavior. There are no surface
remains of the former buildings at the site suggesting al1 buildings were
dismantled and building materials removed from the site in a systematic
fashion. A low frequency of usable artifads remaining at the site would further
indicate planned abandonment behavior (Schiffer 1989; Stevenson 1982a;
1 982b).
In the following chapters an archaeological perspective of Canyon City
is presented. Chapter Two reviews the historical setting of Canyon City,
briefly discussing Yukon settlement types, Yukon history and the site itself in
terrns of the historical record. Chapter Three provides the methodological
frarnework and the research design that guided the four years of
archaeological investigations. Chapters Four and Five provide the results of
the excavations at the six Canyon City localities under study, detailing the
site's layout, architectural data and recovered artifact assemblage. The final
chapter synthesizes the results and addresses the questions posed in this
introduction.
-CHAPTER 2-
CANYON CITY IN CONT EXT
SITE LOCATION AND GEOGRAPtIlC CONTUCT
The historic town site of Canyon City (Borden Number: JdUr-5) is
located in southwestern Yukon approximately 2km up river from Miles Canyon
and 1 Okm south of Whitehorse (Latitude: 60°39'30"N; Longitude:
134O59'55'W; Elevation: 637 m a.s.1.) (Figure 1). The site is strategically
situated on the east bank of the Yukon River beside the first large river eddy
before entering Miles Canyon. At this point the river runs east ta west. The
former settlement sits on an old north-south inclined river terrace
approxirnately 1 .Sm above today's river level. It is bordered to the north and
to the east by a yet higher ancient river terrace, approximately 1Om above
today's river level. Towards the western end of the town site the terrain rises,
slightly marked with occasional outcrops of basalt.
Canyon City was originally founded as a tramway service around Miles
Canyon and the White Horse Rapids. The 15m vertical basalt walls of the
Canyon create a bottleneck of the river for about 1 km. Approximately 800m
down-river from the end of Miles Canyon the White Horse Rapids occur.
Canyon City falls within the Lake Laberge Ecoregion. Most of the
terrain in this ecoregion lies between 600 and 1,500m a.s.1. Rolling hills
dissected by plateaus characterise the topography of this area (Oswalt and
Senyk 1977). Vegetation consists of open white spnice forests in older
stands on terraces and plateaus with lodgepole pine occupying burn areas
ALASKA
Figure 1. Map showing location of Canyon City (JdUr-5) in the Yukon. (1 crn=lOOkrn).
(Oswalt and Senyk 1977). Black spruce dominates wetter sites and balsam
poplar is more common on recent alluvium. Paper birch is scattered
throughout the region wncentrating in cooler aspects. The understory
vegetation is characterised by masses with a wide variety of shrubs and forbs
(Oswalt and Senyk 1977). The irnmediate area in and around Canyon City
was heavily logged during the gold rush occupation of the site. The resulting
vegetation that arose and characterises the site today is open stands of pine,
spruce and trernbling aspen with an understory of grasses, fireweed,
bearberry , soapberry , strawberry, roses, juniper and various herbs.
Canyon City lies within the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First
Nation-Tagish Kwan. The Kwanlin Dun are Southem Tutchone and Tagish
speakers and are grouped within the larger Athapaskan linguistic family
(McClelIan 1975).
The site is located on the upper Yukon River, which served as a core
resource area for the First Nation people of southwestern Yukon. Both the
Tagish and the Southern Tutchone peoples used the river and the land in the
immediate vicinity of Canyon City (McClellan 1975: 31). McClellan (1975: 34)
reports that the traditional fish camps, one referred to as T' aqadji, were used
by the Tagish Kwan in the general area of Miles Canyon. From her
description of the locations, Canyon City was likely used as a fish camp.
Traditional native land use in the vicinity of Canyon City was
documented by Donna Hagen, a mmmunity researcher hired by the Kwanlin
Dün First Nation in 1994. Aîthough there were very few personal recollections
about the traditional use of the site, Kwanlin Dün First Nation elders did tell of
extensive traditional use in the general area during the 19th and 20th
centuries (tiare and Hammer 1995). Traditional activities included fishing,
hunting, trapping and recreation. In addition, some of the elders recalled their
rnothers and fathers talking of Canyon City, some of whom may have worked
for the owner of the tramway, Norman Macaulay, at Canyon City during the
gold rush. Elder May Hume talked of the trail, which is still visible and cuts
through Canyon City, as a traditional trail that begins at Manh Lake and
continues to Lake Laberge, extending over a distance of 100km in length.
Recently, Mark Lindsay, a researcher for the Kwanlin Dün First Nation,
uncovered an obituary from 1906 in the Whitehorse Star. The obituary was
for a Mrs. John who resided at Canyon City and was predeceased by her
husband the year before.
HISTORICAL OVERWEW OF CANYON CITY
GOLD RUSH HISTORY - 1800-1 8W'I 900
Non-native settlement of the Yukon c m be divided into three periods.
The slow movement of Europeans into the region between the mid-1800s and
1896 characterises the first period. This early development of the Yukon
produced much of the background geological and transportation related
information on the region, which some researchers argue made the Klondike
gold rush of 1898 possible (Bennett 1978; Newell 1987). The second period
begins with the Klondike gold rush marking the start of rapid settlement of the
region by non-natives and finishes at the end of the gold rush. The third
period is the post-gold rush era (poçt-1900) marked by a stabilisation of the
population and the expansion of settlement out of the Yukon River corridor
(Coates and Momson 1988, 1989; Duerden 1980.).
Pre-Gold Rush Era
The first European incursion into the Yukon was for the quest for furs
(Bennett 1967; Webb 1993; Wright 1976). The Hudson's Bay Company
established itsetf in the interior region of the present day Yukon Territory
between 1842 and 1852. The presence of gold in the Yukon was not
unknown to the Hudson's Bay traders. Robert Campbell, a Hudson's Bay
Company explorer and trader. noticed traces of gold at Fort Selkirk but not in
enough quantities to merit exploitation (Friesen 1978). In the vicinity of Fort
Yukon, at the confluence of the Yukon and Porcupine Rivers, there were
rumours of vast quantities of gold discovered in the immediate region by an
early missionary narned Reverend MacDonald (Friesen 1978: 13). Concerned
only with increasing profits from the fur trade. clerks and traders at the several
posts established along the Yukon River dismissed these grandiose rumours
of gold. These rumours, however, did not fall on deaf ears. 80th successful
and unsuccessful minen from the California and British Columbia gold fields
started to filter into the region to prospect after the 1870s (Clark 1 942; lnnis
1936; Powers 1974; Wright 1976). Between 1880 and 1895 the non-native
population within the Yukon consisted mainly of a small core of miners
estimated to number approximately 1,000 (Gates 1994; Wright 1976) and it
was not until the 1890s that govemmental agencies were established in the
interior.
Transportation routes into the region. however, were already
established by the time governments became involved in documenting the
North. Campbell, an Early Hudson's Bay Company trader, first travened the
Liard River route that was quickly considered too difficult to be feasible. Once
the Yukon River was further explored by HBC traders and it was discovered to
provide a continuous water route from Fort Yukon to Fort Selkirk, the HBC and
the fint prospectors such as McQuesten. Mayo and Harper reached the north
via the Mackenzie, Peel and Porcupine Rivers (Bennett 1978; Wright 1976).
This route became the al1 Canadian Route advertised by the growing city of
Edmonton in the 1898 rush. After 1867 the preferred route into the Yukon
interior was the Yukon River via St. Michael's-an al1 water route (Bennett
1 978). By 1869 the stemwheeler Yukon was making regular trips up the
Yukon River into the interior carrying supplies and news for the prospectors
focated in the region (Bennett 1978: 17).
It was not until 1880 that the coastal Chilkat lndians granted entrance
into the Yukon interior via the mountain passes from coastal Alaska to non-
natives. All miners arriving in the Yukon over the steep mountain passes
during this time had to confront Miles Canyon and White Horse Rapids.
Some travellers. who shot the Canyon and Rapids and lived to tell about it,
made this stretch of the Yukon River legendary in their published accounts.
W.B. Haskell (1898: 121) wntes:
the water was boiling through it [Miles Canyon] at such a terrific speed that it ridged up in the center, while along the perpendicular banks it wtiirled in huge eddies which had a very threatening look. The clouds of spray gave the water level a snowy appearance ... We pushed off, and in two minutes my heart failed me, and I would have given al1 the gold I ever expected to get in these regions had I staid out.
Most prospectors portaged around these bamers following the traditional
native portage trails. Dawson (1889) in 1887 and Schwatka (1 893) in 1883
document wind-lasses and log roll-ways set up along this section of the river
by prospectors to aid in the portage of their boats and cargo.
Dawson (1 889), who was travelling upriver, reported three portages
between the start of the White Horse Rapids and the end of Miles Canyon.
The first portage was on the west bank of the Yukon River enabling travellers
to avoid the White Horse Rapids. Approximately 1.2km above the Rapids was
another short portage of 40m. The third portage, which avoids Miles Canyon,
was located on the east bank of the river before entering the Canyon. A
windlass was set up at this point to haul boats for portage up the steep basalt
banks.
Gold Rush Era
The discovery of gold on August 16th, 1896 by Skookum Jim, Tagish
Charlie. Kate Cannack and George Carmack on Rabbit Creek (later named
Bonanza Creek), a small tributary of the Klondike River, triggered the Klondike
gold rush. At Forty Mile, which was a log city located at a previous gold strike
40 miles up river from where Dawson City would soon flourish, George
Carmack's arriva1 to register his claim started an intemal gold rush within
Alaska and the Yukon to the Dawson region. In the spring of 1897 with the
docking of the steamer Excelsior in San Francisco with $750,000 worth of
Klondike gold, the Klondike goM rush was on (Hunt 1974; Newell 1 987).
There were four main routes to the Klondike (Figure 2). First was the
al1 Canadian Route that involvecl a 2,700 mile journey starting in Edmonton,
Alberta, up the Athabasca River to the Mackenzie River and then on to the
Peel and Rat Rivers until the Yukon River was reached. The second trait
travelled to the gold fields was the al1 water route that took about a month.
Steamers were boarded in San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver- The
steamers made there way up the Northwest Coast around the Aleutian Islands
to Saint Michael's where the Yukon River drains into the Bearing Strait. Once
at Saint Michael's, the stampeders boarded river steamers that plowed up
river to Dawson City. A third and less popular route was the Ashcroft and
Stikine trails; crossing overland through British Columbia to the headwaters of
the Yukon River.
The fourth and most popular route was the cheapest way to get to the
gold fields (Neufeld and Norns 1996). A total of 35,000 to 40,000 gold
seekers used this route during the gold rush (Neufeld and Noms 1996.). This
is the Trail of 98. Stampeders boarded the many steamers headed to Dyea or
Skagway. settlements situated at the end of Alaska's Lynn Canal and at the
foot of the Chilkoot and White Pass Trails respectively. After off loading, the
would-be miners traversed the treacherous passes and made their way to
Bennett City on Bennett Lake. The geographically short joumey to Bennett
Figure 2. Map showing the major routes to the Klondike gold fields.
could be completed within three weeks, if one had enough money to hire
packers, or it could take up to three months if one had to transport their goods
themselves (Neufeld and Noms 1996). Once at Bennett, the gold seekers
buitt boats or boarded steamers. The joumey continued through the system
of southem lakes to Marsh Lake, drained by the Yukon River. Once on the
Yukon River the only bamers facing the Dawson City bound Stampeders were
Miles Canyon and the White Horse Rapids (Figure 3).
As a result of the mars migration to the Klondike, former settlements
boomed and new towns were created. Prior to the gold rush, Dyea, which
was once a traditional hunting and fishing camp, had one store owned by
Healy and Wilson (Neufeld and Noms 1996: 55). Shortly after news of a gold
strike reached the rest of the world, Dyea boasted 200 businesses including
40 saloons, and a variety of theatres, concert halls and bordellos (Neufeld and
Norris 1996). The population expanded from approximately 1,000 during the
summer of 1897 to 8,000 in the spring of 1898 (Neufeld and Norris 1996).
The same phenomenon occurred in Skagway.
There were two major types of settlement that developed along the
Klondike trails. The largest and most permanent were the service and
distribution centres (Duerden 1980: 16). Skagway, Dyea, Saint Michael's and
Dawson City were settlements of this type. These towns were metropolitan,
consisting of a variety of services for the stampeders and functioned as the
hubs for distribution and transportation. For most stampeders. these types of
settlements were jump stations rather than end destination spots. The second
type and the most numerous along the trail and the Yukon River were
settlements serving lines of communication (Duerden 1900). These
settlements usually cansisted of a small resident population and had a single
purpose. Lindeman and Bennett cities. the most varied of the lot, functioned
mainly as short terni boat building camps. Both towns had a high population
and provided a variety of services, minoring those of service and distribution
centres. However, this mirroring was a resutt of the freezing up of the lakes
and rives, therefore ceasing easy transportation and creating a back up of
stampeders, who were waling for the spring thaw. More typical examples of
the second type of settlement were situated along the Yukon River en-route to
Dawson City. North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) Posts were stationed
approximately every 25 miles along the Southern Lakes system and Yukon
River and served not only to enforce Canadian law and collect customs from
the stampeden but also to aid and infonn them dunng their joumey (Berton
1972; Dobrowolsky 1995). A number of wood cutting camps, which serviced
the steamers on the Yukon, were also present. Other settlernents of this type
offered places of rest and lodging as well as services directly related to
transportation. Canyon City was one of the latter.
Canyon City
The historic settlement of Canyon City arose as a direct result of the
Klondike gold rush. f he community was built around the start of a wooden
tramway operation that enabled the multitudes of Klondike bound stampeders
to circumvent the treacherous Miles Canyon and White Home Rapids. The
primary purpose of Canyon Cdy was to facilitate the tramway operation for the
waves of incoming gold seekers. In June of 1900 the White Pass and Yukon
Railway Company compkted its rail line linking the coastal town of Skagway.
Alaska. with the newly emerging town of Whitehorse. This rail link made trail
and transportation services between Skagway and Whitehorse nonessential.
Like most of the small transportation Settlements along the upper Yukon River
after the amval of the railway. Canyon City's importance to Yukon
transportation waned. It was quickly abandonad in 1900-1901.
In the fall 1897. in anticipation of the great flood of stampeders to come
and presumably with a farniliarity of the region, Norman Macaulay established
a roadhouse on the east bank of the Yukon River at the beginning of the
traditional portage trail around Miles Canyon and the White Horse Rapids
(Hare and Hammer 1995: 15). Macaulay constnicted a 8.8km long wooden
tramway that started in the vicinity of his roadhouse and ended at the foot of
the White Horse Rapids.
The tramway was a simple but effective means of transporting freight
(Figure 4). Archival photographs show the tramway fine consisted of peeled
logs placed parallel to each other approximately l m apart with cross ties every
1 -5-2m. The tramcars were constructed of wooden timbers with a slightly
concave wooden flat bed for freight. A running board extended from one side
of the tramcar for the operator where there was a vertical lever that probably
functioned as a braking mechanism. The horsedrawn tramcars were pulled
along the trarnline on concave, cast-iron wheels. Apparently the 8.8km
tramway took 18 men and 23 horses 21 days to build (Horback 1975; Price
1 898).
From al1 accounts it is ckar that Macaulay's tramway company-the
Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway Company-was in operation by the
spring of 1898, ready for the mass of stampeders wintering over at Bennett
City. While Macaulay built and completed his tramline, John Hepbum
struggled to finish construction of a second tramline located on the west bank
1 km upriver from Macaulay's, which he began in 1897. It was not cornpleted
until after November of 1898 (Wood 1898a: 38) and probably was not open
for business until the spring of 1899. Hepbum's company-the Miles Canyon
and Lewes River Tramway Inc.-was short-lived. In July of 1899 Macaulay
bought out Hepbum for $60,000 (The Klondike Nugget 1899). It is uncertain
whether Macaulay kept Hepbum's tramway open for any period of time after
the pirrchase.
The freight levy for the tramway established by Macaulay was three to
five cents per pound for goods, with a flat fee of $25 for boats. Otherwise.
boats could be piloted through the Canyon and White Horse Rapids for a fee
of between five and twenty dollars. At first people risked the trip through the
canyon and rapids on their own. According to Rickard (1 909) numerous
people lost their outfits and 200 lost their lives. Although Rickard no doubt
exaggerated the number of deaths, safety concerns led Superintendent Sam
Steefe of the NWMP to decree:
There are many of your countrymen who have said that the Mounted Police make the laws as they go along, and I am going
to do so now for your own good. therefore the directions that I give shall be camed out strictly, and they are these :- Corporal Dixon. who thoroughly understands this work, will be in charge here and be responsible to me for the proper management of the passage of the canyon and White Horse Rapids. No women or children will be taken in the boats. If they are strong enough to come to the Klondyke they c m walk the 5 miles of grassy bank to the foot of the White Horse Rapids. and there is no danger for them here. No boat will be permitted to go through the canyon until the corporal is satisfied that it has sufficient free board to enabie it to ride the waves of safety. No boat will be allowed to pass with human beings in it unless it is steered by competent men, and of that the corporal will be judge. There will be a number of pilots sekcted, whose names will be on the roll in the Mounted Police barracks here, and when a crew needs a man to steer them through the canyon to the foot of the rapids, pilots will be taken in tum from that Iist. In the event of the men not k i n g able to pay, the corporal will be permitted to arrange that the boats are run without charge. The rate now charged, 5 dollars, for each boat, seems reasonable (Steele 1915: 31 1- 312).
This declaration guaranteed the success of Macaulay's operation. All
travellers were required to report to the NWMP stationed at Canyon City for
approval to pass through Miles Canyon and the White Horse Rapids.
Violation of this regulation resulted in a fine of $1 00 (Steele 1898: 31). Those
who were not deterred and attempted to bypass Canyon City without checking
in were, at times. forced in by NWMP gun shots fired over the bows of their
scows (Steele 1898: 31).
Early in 1898. a small Company settlement owned by Norman
Macaulay arose at the start of his tramway (Figure 5). The NWMP records
and stampeder jounals refer to this settlernent and surrounding area by
several ternis: Miles Canyon, White Horse, Miles Canyon and White Horse
Rapids and White H o m Rapids. At first, they used these names
Figure 5. Archival photograph of Canyon City townsite. East cabin shown on the right margin of photograph; a woman stands in front (Parks Canada, Sinclair photo.)
interchangeably for the area at the end of the White Horse Rapids, which is
the present location of the city of Whitehorse, and the town site of Canyon
City. This adds much confusion for researchers in detennining exactly where
events took place. Rickard (1909) appears to have been the first to cal1 the
former settlement Canyon CQ.
Archival records for the development of this settlement are scarce,
makîng it difficult to detemine when the buildings at Canyon City were
established. We do know, however, that the settlement eventually consisted of
at least 12 log and several tent structures (Figure 5). Archival photographs
show that the first section of the Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway
Co. Office was constnicted by the spring of 1898, with the second section
added shortty thereafter. A section of the Canyon Hotel and Saloon was also
completed at this time. Construction of the NWMP Post was begun after the
!jth of July, 1898, and appears to have k e n cornpleted by the 30"
Septernber, 1898 (Steele 1898a: 21 ; Wood 1898b: 3). The NWMP storehouse
was built in the winter of 1898ll89Q (Wood l898a). From archival
photographs it appears the stable, machine/blacksmith shop, dock, a
residential cabin and other miscellaneous buildings were al1 completed by the
summer of 1899. By September of 1899 a telegraph line was connected and
a telegraph office was established within the NWMP Post, with a second
telegraph office in place at the foot of the White Horse Rapids (Wood 1899).
At the height of operation the tramline was processing between 70 and
100 tons of freight per day (Walley n.d.) (Figure 6). At maximum operation the
tramway operated day and night with 23 horses (Prie 1898). The numbers of
freight hustlers working for the Canyon and White Home Rapids Tramway
Co.. estimated from the archival photographs, was between 30 and 35. They
were paid $4.50 a day plus board with fifty cents extra for overtime (Hitchcock
1899: 431).
The tramline transported goods from stampeders' handrnade scows
and barges. as well as large, paddkwheel river steamers. Between its origin
and Dawson City, the Yukon River was divided into two sections for steamer
transportation. The section upriver from Miles Canyon was designated the
Upper Yukon and the section down river h m the Whitehorse Rapids was
referred to as the Lower Yukon. By the summer of 1898 there were full sized
river steamers on both the Upper and Lower Yukon. The steamers on the
Upper Yukon rân between Bennett City and Canyon City and the steamers on
the Lower Yukon ran between Dawson City and the terminus of Macaulay's
tramline.
The success of Macaulay's operation prompted an official govemment
survey of the tawn site. Macaulay also proposed to transform the tramline into
a narrow gauge railway in 1899 (Dobrowolsky 1990: 1). It is uncertain
whether these events indicate Macaulay's belief in the permanence of his
tramway business or whether this was a means ta increase the value of his
holdings. Macaulay had known that the completion of the Skagway-
Whitehorse railway was fast approaching and that its completion wouM
adversely affect his business. Therefore, his possession of the east and west
bank flght-of-ways along the Yukon River (Hepbum's trarnline and his own)
and his daims for upcoming commercial improvements likely increased his
property value.
In 1898 the White Pass and Yukon Corporation began construction of
its railway linking Skagway to the foot of the White Horse Rapids opposite the
terminus of Macaulay's tramway. In August of 1899 in a bid to gain a
monopoly on the transportation business and a right-of-way for their rail line,
The White Pass and Yukon Corporation hired C.E. Peabody of the Alaska
Steamship Company to buy out Macaulay (Minter 1987: 320). The price paid
to Macaulay is reported to have been $185,000 (Minter 1987). The Canadian
Development Company. a subsidiary of the Alaska Steamship Company, ran
the trarnline for the next ten months, after which, it ceased to operate. This
gave the railway a complete monopoly on the transportation of freight into the
upper Yukon.
On the 8" of June of 1900, the rail link between Caribou Crossing and
the new town site of Whitehorse was completed. Whitehorse quickfy grew as
Canyon City was abandoned over the next two years.
POST GOLO RUSH €RA - 1 QOO-PRESENT
The post-gold rush period in the Yukon is marked by a significant drop
and stabilization of the population as well as non-native settlement in areas
outside of the Yukon River corridor (Bennett 1978; Burton 1972; Coates 1985;
Duerden 1980; Webb 1993). By 1899 the huge human migration into the
Yukon ceased and other gold rushes such as those in Nome, Alaska, and
Atlin. British Columbia, drew a large part of the transient population out of the
Yukon. Other areas within the Yukon such as the Kluane-White River region
and the Mayo-Keno area saw their own mini-rushes (Bennett 1978: Duerden
1980; Johnston n-d.; Stevenson 1980, 1989a, 1989b; Webb 1993).
Whitehorse located at the terminus of the rail-line became the distribution hub
for the Yukon. Aithough Dawson City's population declined. it still played an
important role politically and served the now commercialized placer gold
industry. After 1900. roads began to be buiit further opening the Yukon to
new settlernents (Bennett 1978; Durden 1980).
The establishment of the railway over the White Pass, a permanent link
between the Yukon and the outside world, and large river steamers on the
Yukon River made many of the small settiements on the Upper Yukon non-
essential. On the trails to the Klondike. towns that once thrived were being
abandoned while others located along the rail-line were ensured of their
permanency, such as Caribou Crossing. Neufeld and Noms (1996) state that
by 1899 only those that could not afford to pay train fare hiked the Chilkoot.
Lindeman and various camps along the Chilkoot trail were abandoned by the
fall of 1899 (Neufeld and Norris 1996). Bennett still survived, albeit in a
smaller capacity, with other short lived settlements established during the first
years of the rail transport.
Very little is known about Canyon City in the post-gold rush pend once
the railway was established and the tramlines ceased to operate. Because
Canyon City was a one-industry town, most if not al1 of its occupants were
linked to the Company. Tharefore, once the tramlines stopped operating and
the new town of Whitehorse began to flourish, Canyon City was quickly
abandoned.
At present there is no archival documentation recording the
abandonment at Canyon City. Ercept for the lingering presence of the
NWMP, who stayed at the town site at ieast periodically until October of 1 901 ,
the majority of the settlement was probably abandoned after completion of the
rail link (Dobrowolsky 1990). Occupation of the site did occur after 1900, for a
short period, by Mr. and Mrs. John as earlier described. At present, the extent
and location of their occupation is unknown.
The resuits of the 1994 and 1995 Canyon City Project suggest that
most of the log structures in the sefflement were systematically dismantled
and removed. Accounts from both native elden and long-time Yukon
residents report that no structures were present at Canyon City during the
1920s except for the wooden dock (Hare and Hammer 1995: 21 ).
Photographs of Canyon City dating to 1912 cleariy show the NWMP
structure still standing. in a partial state of dismantlement. but no others.
Another photograph of the same date and photographer depicts a small log
cabin.
The materials salvaged from the buildings during abandonment were
more than likely reused in the emerging town of Whitehorse. This was so for
other short-tived upper Yukon River settlements such as Bennett Crty (Ingram
and Dobrowolsky 1994: 7). Aîthough not confirmed, it has been suggested
that segments of the Canyon Hotel and Saloon may have k e n used to '
construct part of the Closeleigh Hotel and Saloon (later narned the Pioneer
Hotel) located in Whitehorse (John Hatch personal communication 1996).
NWMP Corporal Dixon. who was dosely associated with Canyon City. buiît
the hotel on Front Street early in 1900 (Ingram and Dobrowolsky 1994: 54).
Horback (1976) reports that in 1900 Macaulay also brriît a hotel in Whitehorse.
It is possible that Macaulay and Dixon's venture were one and the same and
that the logs from Macaulay's Canyon Hotel and Saloon were used in the
Closeleig h Hotel and Saloon's construction.
The 1994, 1 995 and 1 996 archaeological investigations at Canyon City
revealed limited evidence of postgoid rush occupation of the site dating up to
the present. A series of wire mesh and wooden pans may post-date the
occupation at Canyon City and rnay be related to the John's occupation of the
site. This type of structure is reminiscent of fox fam cages that were popular
in the area during the early 1900s (Hare and Hammer 1995). As yet, no one
recalls there ever k i n g a fox fam located at Canyon City so the structure's
use and time of use are still uncertain. More recent beer and soft drink cans,
some with pull-tabs, are scattered intermittently throughout the town site.
These recent artifacts are the remains left by the people who used and still
use the site as a recreation area, Above the former town site on a flat portion
of the eastem terrace is an area with scattered structural remains and artifacts
(rnetal containers). The artifacts (sanitary tin cans) definitely post-date the
gold rush occupation of Canyon City, suggesting the occupation of this area
does as well.
XHAPT ER 3-
FIELDWORK, RESEARCH AND ANALYSlS METHOOOLOGY
PREWOUS WORK AT CANYON C m
Archival research on Canyon City has k e n sporadically canied out
over several yean by area and local historians such as Dobrowolsky (1 990),
Knutson (1990), Scuwey (1995), Sawatsky, Whyard and Horback (1 976).
Over the last four years 1, in cosrdination with the Heritage Branch staff. have
been assernbling and reviewing these resources as well as pursuing further
archival sources conœming Canyon City.
Canyon City was firot recorded as an archaeological site by Hunston
during a reconnaissance of the area in the earfy 1980s (Gotthardt 1994). As
described, he documented not only an abundance of gold rush era cultural
material, but also recarded an eadier prehistoric camponent documented by
lithic flakes eroding out of a trail that passes through the terrace.
The next archaeologist to report on Canyon City was Easton (1987)
during an underwater suwey of the Upper Yukon River. His survey team
located the remains of the Canyon City dock, its foundations and part of the
tramway track that were submerged as a result of the damming of the Yukon
River in 1958. Easton (1 987) collected an oar rest and horseshoe.
In 1993, Gotthardt (1 994) carried out preliminary archaeological testing
at Canyon City. A total of two days was spent identifying and locating the
site's main historic features as well as determining the extent of the prehistoric
occupation. A baseline parallel to and 24m from the present-day Yukon
River's edge was established. Small shovel tests were conducted along this
line every 10m within the former town site and every 20m for 500m West of the
site. The shovel test resuits suggested that the main concentration of
prehistoric occupation was at the eastern end of the former town site. Nine
additional shovel tests were placed within this area to further determine the
extent of the occupation.
Artifacts recovered from Gotthardt's investigations were of both
prehistoric and historic origin. Of the prehistoric assemblage. 14 lithic
specimens were recovered both above and below the White River ash
stratum, which is dated at 1,260 î 50 BP (Clague et al. 1995). The collection
included a chert end scraper and a broken biface fragment. The historic
assemblage cansisted of five nails, one screw, two flat ferrous strips and a
metal buckle with a small fragment of leather stilt attached. The site's principal
historic structures were located by companng gold rush era archival
photographs of the settlement with foundation berm outlines. The 1993
investigations provided exploratory data from which a more indepth field
investigation could be planned.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD METHODOLOGY
The archaeological field methodology implemented at Canyon City
refiected the goals, to a certain degree, of the sponsoring institution, Heritage
Branch, Government of Yukon. These goals were to recover as much detailed
structural information as possible on the Canyon and Whitehorse Rapids
Tramway ûffice (year l) , the NoraiWest Mounted Police Barracks (year 2),
and the Canyon Hotel and Saloon (years 3 and 4). In addition, Heritage
Branch sought a sample of material culture rernains associated with these
buildings ta permit the interpretation of activities carried out at these localities.
The data gathered during the investigations and synthesized in the following
months were to be used for restoration, interpretation and display.
A second but important component of the project was its public
orientation. High school and post secondary students were hired to assist in
the excavations from the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, MacBride Museum and the
Yukon Conservation Society. Each year students assisted in excavations as
well as provided on site interpretation services to the many visitors to Canyon
City, which averaged 2,000 per year. With such high public interest and
because of the project's proximity to Whitehorse, several volunteers assisted
in the excavations as well.
Third, although the project's applied objectives structured research,
they also presented an opportunity to test additional localities in order to gain a
broader understanding of the townsite. The additional localities were as
follows: the West Tent LocalRy (years 2 and 4). the 'East Cabin" (years 2 and
3), the MachinelBlacksmith Shop (years 3 and 4) and other features as time
allowed. Because the objectives of the Heritage Bnnch and the research
were essentially in Iine with each other, testing of these lacalities was carried
out under the same research design as discussed below and in Chapter One.
Based on initial site reconnaissance prior to the 1994 feld season. it
was possible to locate al1 of the major structures shown in archival
photographs. Reconnaissance. however, indicated that there were many .
more archaeological features present than first anticipated and that other
features were probably hidden by understory vegetation. Historic features
refer to al1 of the anthropogenic landscape changes, architectural remnants or
artifact clusters present at Canyon City.
To start the fieldwork, the townsite was cleared of vegetation after
which a systematic surface survey was camed out. Crew mernbem walked
parallel transects along the Yukon River bank approximately Sm apart.
Transects were then walked north to the terra- marking the end of the former
townsite. Features encountered in each individual's path or field of vision
were flagged. Transects were repeated until the entire site was traversed.
Field staff from the Historic Sites, Government of Yukon, subsequently
prepared a site feature map (see Figure 7, p.40). Also at this time a 200m x
160m grid was established over the townsite with NOWO located on the
southeastern terrace bordering the site. As well, an east-west running base
line was staked every 10m on the N60 line.
Excavation units were tied into the east-west base Iine and the larger
site grid. Units on the grid were assigned north and west identifier's, such as
N60W135, while others not on the gnd were assigned unit numbers particular
to the structure or feature with which they were associated.
Excavation units were placed judgementally to identîfy and locate
building features according to the characteristics of the feature or structure
being tested. Units within each structure were placed in strategic positions
based on the potential to yield structural data. For exampie. the corners of a
structure as well as fioor joist and orner depressions within it were targeted to
retrieve dimensional and structural data. No less than a five percent area was
excavated from each major structure tested; some localities such as the "East
Cabinn and the Machine1 Blacksmith Shop had up to 50 percent their area
excavated (Table 1). This latge variance regarding area sampled was a resuît
of the size of the structure being tested, wlh the lowest excavated area
fractions corning from the Canyon Hotel and Saloon and the Canyon and
Whitehorse Rapids Tramway Onice, which each enclosed an area of at least
All units were excavated by trowel with back-dirt screened through 3rnm
utility mesh. Excavation proceeded stratïgraphically with arbitrary 5crn levels
excavated within each stratum until sterile deposits were encauntered. Three-
dimensionai provenience (depth below surface. depth below White River Ash.
north coordinates and west mord inates) was recarded on ly for prehistoric
Feature Description No. of Un- Total AM Percent Excavafed A m Excavated Excavated
CC71 Tramway Office 35 252mL 35mL 14% N.W.M.P. Barracks 22 Canyon Hotel and Saloon 25 West Tent Locality 23 MachinelBlacksmith Shop 16 'East Cabinw 25 N.W.M.P. Storehouse 1 Building outline? 1 Tent box frame ouUine 1 Tent box frame outline 3 'East Cabin" Privy 1 N.W.M.P. Privy 1 Privy? 2 Refuse dump 1
Table 1. Table showing the historic features tested during the archaeological investigations at Canyon City including number of units and area excavated.
artifacts as per terrns of referenœ. For provenienœ recording of historic
artifacts, 1 x lm excavation units were divided into four quadrants based on
cardinal directions. In situ historic artifacts and those found while screening
were placed in level bags according to the stratum and quadrant from which
t hey came. Sig nificant artifacts, which were deterrnined according to their
context, and al1 historic features were photographed in situ and recorded on
floor plan sheets. On completion of excavation. unit wall profiles were drawn
and photographed.
D~~UMENTARY RESEARCH M ~ O O O L O G Y
Archival research was principatly carried out at the Yukon Archives
located on the Yukon College Campus in Whitehorse, Yukon. The MacBride
Museum, Parks Canada as well as personal 'old timer" libraries were
surveyed. Sources reviewed include newspaper accounts, starnpeder's
journals, North-West Mounted Police annual and monthly reports and Gold
Rush era photographs of the former townsite. The photographie record of
Canyon City is quite extensive; however. primary documents regard ing the
fomer townsite are scarce. The North-West Mounted Police monthly and
annual reports were the most valuable for the purposes of this thesis.
Published literature related to the Klondike Gold Rush and Canyon City was
also surveyed. Sources used include older volumes such as Rickard (1909).
Ogilvie (1 91 3) and Steele (1 91 5) as well as more recent volumes such as
Burton (1 972) and Gates (1994). These secondary sources provide a genenl
overview history of the Gold Rush and only mentioned Canyon City in passing.
Oral histories related to the former townsite were sought in each year of
the excavations. Oldtimers and First Nation elders visited the site and were
asked what they remembered. The results, unfortunately were disappointing.
The length of time since the occupation of Canyon City, two generations,
coupled with its brief fluorescence are probably wntributing factors.
ART~FACT ANALYSIS METHODOCOGY
A large histonc artifact collection (N=lï,396) was generated during the
four years of feld investigations. The classificatory scheme used to type the
artifacts is largely based on Sprague (1981). Hardesty (1 988). Klimko and
Hodges (1 993), and Blee (1991). The adapted classification attempts to place
the artifact within the cultural context of use, based on its meaninghnction for
the participants of that system (Sprague 1981 : 252). Furthemore, the
typology devised here attempted to be comparable to that of B k ' s , (Blee
1991 ; Blee and Scott 1992), which is commonly used for assemblages in
Skagway.
In order to identify the function of several of the unknown structures and
comment on the general activities camed out at Canyon City in different
localities the material culture was organized into the following functional
groups: household (domestic); personal rnanagementlclothing; leisure;
transportation; communication; hunting/subsistence; construction/structural;
workinglindustrial; and, miscellaneous. Al1 identifiable artifacts were typed
according to their primary function and placed within these larger functional
Functional Group Type of Artifacts Household Artifacts related to the household as a whole
Personal Management
Leisure
Transpcrtation
Communication
Hunting/Subsistenœ
Construction/Stmctural
Miscellaneous
such as tableware, glassware, food storage. furniture. stovelheaten and lighting. Artifacts related to the individual including ciothing, medicinal, personal hygiene, and adornment. Artifacts related to liquor and tobacca wnsumption. and gaming. Artifacts such as bridle apparatus and wagon and cart parts. Artifacts including glass insulators, telegraph equipment and telegraph wire Artifacts related to amis and ammunition and hunting such as fish hooks. Artifacts related to the construction and structural components of buildings such as nails, screws, grommets, strapping, hooks. bolts, and window glass. Arîifacts such as industrial tools and those artifacts related to machining or blacksmithing activities. Those artifacts that do not fall into the above categories or those where the function is not identifid.
Table 2. Functional groups used in the classification of the Canyon Clty histonc artifact assemblage and their associated artifact types.
categories (Table 2). Unidentad artifacts were classed acwrding to their
material of manufacture.
The goal of this classification scheme is to identify, as best is possible,
the different activities camed out at the site as well as within the different
structures at Canyon City. Within a one Company owned senlement buildings
would have had a primary purpose, although it is likely that other activities
would have been carried out in them as well. Thus, by looking at the different
functional groups and their frequency. 1 should be possibk to identify the
primary purpose of each structure in addition to secondary activities carried
out there.
It is recognized that not al1 artifacts recovered represent the function
they were initially designed for ( B k 1991: 84; Sprague 1981). even without
artifact alteration. As well, some artifacts cross into two or more functional
groups. In such instances the nature of artifacts and their relation to function
is problematic; however, by using this type of classification one artifact is not
the sole deteminant of an a d M i or function. Rather, the functional groups
from a specific locality are viewed together and in relation to each other
according to their relative frequency thus reducing the effect of anomalies
such as the unaiteieâ. secondary reuse of artifacts.
Faunal remains were identifii and catalogued separately. Remains
were identifîed to species where possible using the resources at the
Archaeology Branch, Government of Yukon. The number of identified
specimens present (NISP) were tabulated for each tocalrty where faunal
remains were present.
4HAPTER 6
HISTOR1C FUTURES AT CANYON CITY
A total of 98 surface historic features were identified and mapped
during the 1 994 transect suwey of the Canyon City townsite (Figure 7; Table
3). The historic features include 21 possible structures or tent frame outlines,
eight large and two small metal container middens, two boffle rniddens, 21
individual or groups of depressions, remains of a wooden sled, several small
artifact scatters, tramline earthen beds, and concentrations of bailing wire. Not
al1 of the features shown on the site feature map (Figure 7) were tested. Table
3 summarizes the features identified and those that were tested during the
four years of investigations at the townsite.
This chapter describes the townsite layout and surnmarizes structural
remains for each of the localities. Six major lacalities were the focus of
detailed excavations and include the West Tent Locality (CC2-CC7), The
Canyon Hotel and Saloon (CC1 l ) , the Machine/Blacksmith Shop (CC59), the
NWMP Barracks (CC39), the Canyon and Whitehorse Rapids Tramway Office
(CC71), and the 'East Cabinn (CC86).
CANYON C m TOWNSITE
The boundaries of the historic townsite of Canyon City run
approximately 190m east to west by 120m north to south encornpassing an
area of approximately 22,800m2 . The majority of features within the townsite
are related to the Gold Rush occupation of the site. The pen enclosure (CC90)
and CC8 and CC41, however, likely postdate the gold rush occupation.
Feature Description Festuli) ûescn'ption CC1 S d e r of teather footwear Cc50 Small scatter of boffle glass
Tent outiine' Tent outline* Tent outiine' Scatter of footwear ûepression' ûepression* Benn outline' Bonow pit Depression Canyon Hotel and Sabon' BottWcan midden Floor remains Depression Structure outline Small metal container scatter Notched building bg Rectangular depression' Bottie midden Can midden (M-2)' Can midden (M-3)' Can midden (M4)' Can midden (M-5)' Galvanized chicken wire Can midden (M4)' Can midden (M-1)' Can midden (M-7)' Circle of cobbles Fencing? Wooden sled Can midden (M-8)' Depression Cluster of cobbles and FCR Cluster of cut logs and cans Small cluster of metal containers Tent outline* Fire pit, circle of cobbles Teiegraph Wire NWMP Poste NWMP Storehouse* Structure outline with burnt floor NWMP Privy?' Depression De pression De pression Structure outline? Wooden feature - Tramcar? Depression
Scattered woode n featu re Bailing wire Borrow pit Large structural timbers Benn outlirie and depression Depressions' Two scatters of bailing wire Notch logs - corral corner Machine shop outline* Scatter of femus objects Stable outline Baling wire Depression Stabk enüy? Brome? ûepression Scatter of cans and bottles (recent) Baling wire in depression Tramway spur line Borrow pits CBWR Tramway Office' Depression Depression ûepression Tent ouüine* Depression Depression Depression (tent outline) Chicken wire with wood Gahranized chicken wire Small metal container scatter Chicken wire Chicken wire Structure outline Structure outline 'East Cabin"' Bonow pit Can rnidden (M-IO)* 'East Cabin's" privy* Pen enclosure Square depression Telegraph wire Wooden feature Plank Fenced enclosure assoc. CC86 Deep square depression Tramway bed
CC49 ~ k d e n feature - Tramcar? CC98 ~ramw& line spur ' fsmanrn
Table 3. Table of features identified at Canyon City and accompanying identifications.
The pen enclosure, located at the base of the eastem tenace, is one of
the largest features observed at the site. It is rectanguiar in shape consisting
of 10 pens and was fenced with chicken wire. The feature appears to be the
remains of a fur fami which likely dates to around the First Woild War, 1914-
1920, when fur faning boomed al1 over the Yukon (McCandiess 1985).
Figure 5, page 22, is an archival photo of Canyon City and the only one so far
encountered that provides a good view of the eastem tenace of the site. This
photograph was likely taken in 1899 and shows the 'East Cabinn on its right
margin. The two small tents nom of the cabin are likely CC84 and CC85.
Beyond these two wall tents, however, there is no indication of a significant
feature such as the pen enclosure. The pens were likely constnicted much
later than the gold rush occupation of Canyon City and may be associated with
the post-Gold Rush materials atop of the eastem tenace.
CC8, a rectangular b e n outline located behind the West Tent Localdy,
and CC41, a buiiding outline, do not show up on any of the 24 historic
photographs of Canyon Cdy. The photographs span the years 1897 to 1900.
Within CC41 several sanitary tin can fragments were observed along with
metal flashing and other bumt building debns suggesting a post-ûold Rush
date (at least post 1904) for the occupation of this structure. No artifacts were
on the surface in and around CC8 and the one unit excavated within this
structure yielded no time sensitive artifacts. Its absence from the photographs
is the only evidence suggesting it is not contemporaneous with the Gold Rush.
Those features that clearly are associated with the Gold Rush
occupation appear to be quite structured in their placement. The townsite was
organized around the tramline. The major structures dosest to the Yukon
River ail face south towards the river and the tramline and are oriented in two
blocks running east to west. The first bîock consists of the East Cabin and the
Canyon and White H o m Rapids Tramway Co. onice, located in the eastem
portion of the site. The second b W , about 20m north of block one, consists
of the tents CC84, CC85, CC75 the NWMP Barracks and storehouse, the
Canyon Hotel and Saloon and the West Tent locality. The
MachinelBlacksmith Shop and the stables are located further north and set
opposite frorn a spur of the tramline that runs south to north.
The largest middens of metal containers are wncentrated in the
northwestern portion of the townsite. Pathways are numerous here and likely
post date the gold rush occupation of the site. Their creation may have
contributed to the further division of the larger middens sinœ there is no
physical or photographic evidence of any structures in this vicinity. The large
concentration of metal containers in this area suggests an intentional use of
the area for refuse disposal.
The town layout into blocks pre-dates the official townsite survey
carried out between September 26M and October 3d 1899 by Dominion Land
Surveyor Paul Dumais (Department of lnterior 9899). There are no natural
features, such as manh or undulating topography, within boundaries of the
site that would necessitate such a stnictured town plan. It is evident that
buildings were placed according to some structureci plan and it follows that
Macaulay's Company imposeci this stniduring.
WEST TENT LOCALIW: FUTURES
The West Tent Locality was sampkd during the 1995, 1996 and 1997
archaeological investigations. It is located approximately 8m west of the
Canyon Hotel and Saloon. The locality wvers an area of approximately 17m
east to west by 10m north to south. A number of Gold Rush era photographs
depict three wall tents Iined up side by side from east to west (Figure 8).
Today, only the benn outlines of the three still exist (features CC2. CC3 and
CC4). lrnmediately behind the b e n outlines are four shallow rectangular
depressions, three of which uvere tested. The goals of the excavations at this
locality were to first gather structural data about the tents including their
dimensions, and second to infer what types of activities were associated with
their use.
A total of 23 units were excavated at the West Tent Locality equaling
26m2. Placement of the unita was judgmental and rested solely on the
presence of bems or depressions. As a resuît of the investigations several
intact structural features were documented, three middens identified and 1,635
artifacts and 27 faunal specimens collected.
Intact structural features between 5 and 10cm below surface relate to
the box frames buiît as bases for each of three tents (Figure 9). Two square
bem outlines defined the location of the two western most tents and an L-
year. They appear to be relying on the name association with the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) for credibility in the industry.
Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) has been severely disrupted
in the past year by the move to KPMG QRI of two of their senior staff in
Western Canada. SGS stüi operates in a central Canadian rnindset.
since its operationai activities are coordinated through their Toronto
head oflice location. SGS will only issue about 5% of the new certificates
in BC in 1999. and do not appear to have made s igdcan t inroads into
the local market in the past year. Approximately 20% of their clients
switched to KPMG QRI with the recent move of their senior staff.
Qualitv Control Bureau (QCB) will probable emerge as KPMG QRI's
main competitor in the western Canadian market in 1999. They tend to
target the srnail and emerging business community. and have developed
excellent links to the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT). with whom they
offer joint training courses in quality management systems. QCB wili
issue approximately 25% of the new registrations in BC this year.
Intertek Testina Services (ITS) is emerging as a serious competitor
in the local market following the hire of a new manager for their ISO
9000 registration practice in late 1997. ITS tends to be on the bidder's
list for the majority of contracts let competitively in BC. Many of the
local Q M S consultants are being eniisted by ITS as subcontractors. ITS
also actively seeks to recruit current KPMG QRI ciients with proposais to
transfer their registrations. However. they only gained about 5% of the
new registrations in BC in 1998.
Figure 9. Schematic diagram of the features docurnented at the West Tent Locality.
shaped benn marked the east and norai walls of the eastem most tent. The
bems' likely functioned to insulate Me Roor box frames from drafts. Sill legs
were obsewed along the inner base of the benn outlines as were floor planks.
The westein most tent wntaineâ north-south running floor joists and the floor
planks were placed on these joists. Tents CC3 and CC4 did not have floor
joists. Rather, the planks were set directly on top of the surface. The two
western most tents had a circle of rocks associated with a circular depression.
The presence of these features is problematic. They may relate to later
recreational use of this locality or they might have functioned as areas for
stove placement.
Three corners were exposed for the box frame of CC2 and from these
corners the tent appears to have been 2.7~2.1 m (8ftlOin.xGPtl Oin.) suggesting
that the wall tent used for this dwelling was a standard 7x9ft wall tent. This
type of tent could fit two comfortably, but might have had up to four individuals
if it was intended to be a sleeping area only. The northeast and southwest
corners of the middle tent (CC3) indicate 1 was a larger tent measuring
3.3x3.8rn (10ftiOin.xl2ft6in.). Two corners were excavated within the eastern
most tent box frame. Its dimensions were 2.5x2.8m (8ft2in.x9ft2in.), which are
very close to that of CC2.
The tent box frames were simply constnicted. Saddle notching is
present on al1 of the corners observed and the sill logs or planks were set on
the ground with littk to no preparation, such as digging or filling for leveling.
Each of the box frames had floor planks. However, if the two rock circles in
CC2 and CC3 are directly associated, then 1 is likely that the entire fiwr area
of each tent was not planked. Rather, a portion of the area inside the tent may
have beeo left uncovered for the placement of a stove or heater. The flwr
planks were placed directly on the ground in CC3 and CC4 but were raised
with the aid of sleeper sills and floor joists in CC2. The archival photographs
of this area fumish no further information of the box frames or platioms
because the canvas wall tenh were placed on the outside thereby covenng
the frames.
CANYON HOTEL AND SALOON: FEATURES
Approximately 8rn directly east of the West Tent Locality are the
remains of the former Canyon Hotel and Saloon (Roadhouse). All that exist
today of the former log structure is a rectangular berm outline surmunding
north-south running floor joist depressions and a east-west running centre sill
depression. This outline is well defined along segments of the north. east and
south walls but fades into the natural terrain towards the east along the south
and east walls. Gold Rush era photographs of the Roadhouse show that the
log structure consisted of three cribs, or conjoined sections. with four
entranceways along its south wall (Figure IO) . The number of entrance ways
likely reflect the intemal division of the different functions of the Roadhouse
such as a restaurant or saloon and sleeping quarters. It is likely that the
number of doomays do not exadly represent the nurnber of different fundions
or interna1 divisions. In addition, a cold cellar existed 10m south of the
structure that was later used for refuse deposition. This latter feature was not
tested.
Investigations were camed out at the Roadhouse locality during the
1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 field seasons. The goals were to gather structural
information and detemine and dinerentiate actnrity areas within the building.
A total of 25 units were excavated of which three were 50xSOcm, one
was 2xlm, another was 2x2m and the rernainder were I x lm in size (Figure
11). The total surface area excavated was 26.75m2, which is a 12.5 percent
area sample of the entire structure. Like al1 the localifes investigated at
Canyon C w the placement of excavation units was judgmental, guided by the
goals of the testing. Of the 25 units, 14 were placed along the peflmeter of the
building to provide a cross section of the berrn and determine the placement of
sill logs. The remaining eight units were excavated within the berm outline to
test the inside of the former structure. Several intact structural features were
documented allowing for ar! accurate estimate of the dimensions of the
building at 31.5x7m (1 03ft6in.x23ft).
Foundation and flaoring features of the Roadhouse were documented
in 16 of 25 units excavated. All wood remains were in a severe state of decay.
and none showed evidence of buming.
Wall sill logs were present within eight units of those placed on the
building perimeter. The north sill remains in Unit 1 terrninated within the
southeast quadrant of the unit and it is likely that the point of temination
represents the northwestem corner. The southeast corner of the structure
was documented within Unit 22 with the presence of the east and south sill log
remains. These two units were wed for detennining the dimensions of the
structure. A large basalt cobbîe and a complete evaporated mild can were
observed to the norai and just abng the side of the north sill log in Unit 3. The
cobble rnay have fundioned to stabilize the north sill M i le the metal container
could have fundioned as a cap or a sleeve for a post.
A total of 11 units intersedecl Roor joist and centre sill depressions.
However. intact remains of floor joists in line with their respective depressions
were observed in only four units. Two of the units had temains that were
probable floor joists but appear to have been displaced. Their displacernent
likely occurred during the dismantling of the structure. A stack of logs ninning
north to south was docurnented in Units 10, 11 and 12 located in the
southeast portion of the Roadhouse. The stack consists of nine logs in width
and three to four logs deep. The logs, which may have been flwr joists.
appear to have been stockpiled in this location after the Canyon Hotel and
Saloon was dismantled.
Remains of a doorstep or walkway were present in Units 19, 20. and
RHTP 1,2, and 3. These consist of four t 5x9cm (6ftx3ftll2in.) planks placed
parallel to each other and secured by wire nails to three small poles, 4cm in
diameter. Its presence indicates the placement of a doonuay at this location
(Figure 1 1 ). Oriented by archival photographs, Units 17, 18 and 21 were
placed along the south perimeter whete other entranœways were believed
present. Steps or walkways were not encountered within these units.
The stratigraphie profiles of the units excavated mthin the Canyon Hotel
and Saloon indicate that the construction of the building disturbed much of the
surface deposits. Units W h distu- stratigraphy are located along the north
portion of the structure and the disturbance œases once north of the noRh sill
log. It appears, therefore, that the surfa- was îeveled to prepare a building
surface, a technique used for the construction of most other buildings at
Canyon City.
The relatively low frequency of wood remains suggests the building was
systematically dismantled during or after the abandonment of Canyon City.
None of the features or depressions present illustrate intemal room divisions.
NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE BARRACKS: F EATURES
Further west of the Canyon Hotel and Saloon are two former buildings
that make up the North-West Mounted Police locality. CC39 has been
identified through archival records as the Barracks and CC40 as the NWMP
Storehouse. Archival photographs only show the front of both structures
(Figure 12). 60th buildings were log and had sod roofs. The barracks has one
entranceway located along the middle of the south wall, and two windows on
each side of the doorway. The entianceway to the storehouse is located near
the southeastem corner of the structure and a small window is evident towards
the southwestern portion of the south wall. The investigations at this locality
focused almost exclusively on the Barracks.
A total of 22 units were excavated in and around the NWMP Barracks.
Three of the 22 units were placed outside of the b e n outline in order to test
Figure 12. Archival photograph of Canyon City townsite showing the NWMP Post and Storehouse in middle of the photograph (Yukon Archives Beatty Coll.).
the areas surrounding the former building. The berm outline encloses an area
of 91 m2 and the 19 units excavated within this outline constitute a 21 percent
area sample. Units were placed in the corners of the berm outline to verify the
actual location and dimensions of the building. Units were also placed along
the sides of the bem in order to expose the four outside wall sill logs. Surfaœ
depressions and artifact dusters largely detennined the placement of units
within the structure.
Woaden remains in the N W P Barracks were in various states of
decay, but al1 can be assessed as poor to very poor. Evidence of a previous
fire was present in rnost of the features observed. Structural features in the
north half of the structure displayed extensive charring whereas remains in the
southern portion showed less intensive burning. It is clear that the building
was dismantled before the fire occurred. That is, if the entire building bumed
then it would be expected that deposits within the inner surface of the structure
woufd have contained evidence of collapsed logs and extensive charcoal.
This was not the case, al1 of the structural rernains appear to be situated in
their primary contexts.
The excavations revealed significant information on the constructiori of
the former building foundations. Figure 13 is a plan of the foundations from
the 1994 and 1995 investigations. Structural remains include floor joists. sill
logs. a floor plank and two hewn centre sill logs running in the middle of the
structure traverse to the north-south running floor joists. Chaned remains and
the oxidation of the deposits where logs once sat enabled an estimation of the
diameter of the logs used. Flaor joists had an average diameter of
approximately 14cm and sill logs an average diameter of 30-35m.
The four inside corners of the building were documented with the
exposure of traces of the outer sill logs. The building was approximately 45ft
or 13.2111 in length and 23R or 7m in width. These dimensions are relatively
consistent to those provided by Superintendent Wood (1 898c: 3) in his
October 1898 report to the comptroller in Dawson City. Specifically, he states
that the barracks construded at Canyon City were 4ûfWOft. Furthemore, he
mentions the building contained a men's quarters, mess room and kitchen.
Clear room divisions are not readily apparent from the archaeological remains.
The floor joists are generally spaced 1 m apart frorn each other except to the
left and right of the doonivay. The close positioning of these joists may
represent intemal partitions. Archival photographs of the NWMP Barracks
show two stovepipes. One pipe exits the roof in the east haH of the structure
and the other on the west half. The presence of two stoves within a building of
this size indicates there were at least two different rooms within the structure.
Post-hole depressions are distributed throughout the building. These
depressions likely represent the location of former poles for interior roof
support such as supports for ridgepoles and purlins. These posts do not
appear to signify inner partitions of the structure. One post-hole depression in
the northwest corner of the building probably represents an intemal log corner
post. Why no post-hole depressions were apparent in the other corners is
uncertain. One possible explanation may be that vertical posts were present
but were set directly atop the ground. therefore, no depression would have
been left The two post-hole depressions along the centre sill likeîy represent
vertical logs to support the roofs ridgepoie.
Evidence of the doomay was observeci in units N62W111 and
N62WllO. Seven wire-ârawn 6in. spikes were recovered on the top of the
south sill. n r e e of the spikes were parallel to each other with their shanks
extending into the east wall and two spikes laid parallel to each other
extended into the square from the west wall while another spike extended into
the west wall. The placement of six of the spikes suggest they held in a door
frame. The distance between the heads of the spikes was 94cm or
approximately 3ft1 in. This measurement is close to standard door frame
width. Although uncertain, the south sill log appears to be thinned by notching
thereby making the sill part of the door frarne as well.
The stratigraphic profiles of the excavated units are informative. Before
laying the foundation logs, the area was leveled through excavation. A trench
running the length of the building was excavated for both the south and centre
sill logs. Once this was cornplete the sill logs were put in place and the floor
joists then placed directly on the ground. The rest of the building was
constructed on this foundation.
A photograph dated to 1912 cleariy depicts the NWMP Barracks still
standing with no evidence of Cire (Figure 14). This photograph reveals two
important details. First, the Barracks were not dismantled and moved during
the abandonment of Canyon City and second the fire that chaned the logs of
Figure 14. Archivai photograph of the remains of the NWMP Barracks at Canyon City 191 2 (Mac Bride Museum Chadwell Coll.)
the barracks must have occuned after f 91 2. The structure, however, must
have been salvaged kfore its buming since extensive charcoal was not
observed within the structure itseîf.
CANYON AND WHITE HORSE RAPIDS COMPANY TRAMWAY OFFICE: FEATURES
The remains of the former Canyon and White Home Rapids Company
Tramway OfTice building are located 1Om east and 20m north of the NWMP
Storehouse. It is prominently located in the eastem portion of the site and
would have been one of the first buildings seen by the oncoming starnpeders.
This structure and the MachineBlacksmith Shap are the only two structures
d irectly related to Macaulay's tramway operation.
Archival photographs show that the building was consttucted in at least
two phases. The western most section (Figure 15). consisting of three cribs
and two entranœways, was buitt first, probably in late 1897. The eastern half
of the structure, consisting of two cribs and twa entranceways, was then
completed by the end of 1898 (Figure 16). The east and noRh berms and
several floor joist depressions are the only evidence today of the building. A
well-used footpath that runs along the southem perimeter of the site has
erased any traces of a south berni that may have existed.
The Tramway Office was the focus of archaeological investigations
during the 1994 field season. A total of 35 units (1 x l m) were excavated. Few
intact wooden feature were present and those present were in an extreme
state of decay making a functional identification difficult. Features ranged in
depth from 5-20cm below surface and some of the remains encountered did
show signs of previous buming. The majority of features consist of scattered
building debris such as small timben and fioor planks. Portions of the south.
north and west sill logs w e n present (Figure 17). but only the northwestem
corner was confidently located. Using these data. the building is
approximately 36x7m (1 18~23ft) in sue, which makes it slightly larger than the
Canyon Hotel and Saloon.
Floor joist depressions, running noRh to south and spaced
approximately l m apart were observed on the surface only in the eastem half
of the structure. The lad< of joist depressions in the western haif suggests this
part of the building had a dirt floor. This may reflect the initial rush to ered the
western section of the structure in order to get tramline business up and
running. The termination of Roor joists approximately in the middle of the
structure is the only indication of an interna1 division from the archaeological
remains observed. The stratigraphie profiles of the excavated units suggest
that the ground was leveled in a northward direction in order to create a
building surface. The deepest ground disturbance occurs along the north wall.
A unique feature was uncovered within units S6E4 and S7W24 located
approximately 8m west of the southeastem corner. It appears to have been a
wooden troughldrainage pipe that extended south from S6E24 into S7E24
with a southward incline towards the river. It is a hollow rectangular wood
plank pipe 1Ox8cm that had k e n plaœd in an excavated ditch. A circular
depression along the north wall within SE24 started at the surface and
continued down until connecting with the pipe's north terminus. This feature
suggests that the Tramway office may have had some sort of rudimentary
plumbing. One archival photograph of the Tramway office shows a large
wooden or metal container, possibly a water storage tank, mounted on the
building wall below a window (Figure 18). It appears to be situated almost
directly above the location of this buried feature. From the location of the
drain, it is likely that some type of basin. sink or bath tub was located
immediately inside the south wall of the building. The pipe K cleafiy located in
the eastern half of the structure, which was the latest addition to the Tramway
Office.
The low frequency of intact in situ structural remains again indicates
that the Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway Company office was
systematically dismantled during or shortly after the abandonment of Canyon
City. The archival photographs indicate that the office was constructed in two
phases and the archaeological record demonstrates an important differenœ
between the two parts of the building. The later addition. although expedient,
appears to have more planning and thought in its construction including a
wood floor and a drainage pipe.
THE EAST CABIN: FEATURES
Approximately 30m further east of the Canyon and Whitehone Rapids
Tramway Office and perched on a platfonn along the base of the upper east
terrace in the southeastern corner of the townsite are the subsurface remains
of the East Cabin. Archaeological investigations at this locality were camed
during the 1995 and 1996 feld seasons. At the start of the t 995 season it
was decided to place volunteers in this area since, at that time, no structures
were known to have been located there. Excavations soon revealed the
charred remains of a former cabin. During the 1995 season a photograph of
the Canyon City townsite was acquired from Parks Canada that included the
cabin (see Figure 5). This photograph confimied that these remains were
from a log cabin with a canvas tent extension, and that the cabin was
contemporaneous with the gold rush occupation of the site.
The photograph was taken fram across the river on a steep bank
overlooking Canyon City. This is a considerable distance and inhibits a
detailed observation of the cabin. The photograph, however, shows the
southem and western elevation of the structure and provides a general view of
the cabin features that would have been impossible to gain solely from the
archaeological record. The building was constructed of logs 4 th a gabled
roof. The entrance into the structure was from the south through the tent
extension. The cabin had one window midway along its western wall and a
stove pipe extended from the northwestern corner of the cabin's sod roof.
During the 1995 and 1996 investigations a total of 25 units (lxlm) were
excavated at this locality providing a 75 percent area sample. The main
motivation for such an extensive excavation was not related to the historic
archaeology project. Rather, a prehistoric site was located beneath the cabin.
An Agate Basin-like point dated to 2,600 I 60 B.P. (Beta 099458) was
subsequently wllected (Hammer 1997: 40).
All of the features documenteci within the East Cabin locality were '
heavily charred, presumably a result of the building k i n g destroyed by fire.
All of the features encountered above the intact floor joists were fragmented
and in extreme disanay, also indicating wall and roof collapse.
Logs placed paralkl to each other in the southern and northem
excavations units are identified as floor joists andlor foundations remnants
(Figure 19). Planks were most likely secured to these joists in order to create
a smooth floor surface. The absence of floor joists in two of the uni& located
near the middle of the building suggests the presence of a shallow cellar. The
outer dimensions for the cabin are infened by the outer limits of the logs.
Thus, the building can be estimated to be 5.2x4.9m (1 7x1 6ft).
During removal of floor joists in the northeastem units of the locale a
door latch was recovered. In addition. the logs, some of which have been
displaced within units N25W22 to W24, suggest the presence of some sort of
door step or porch area. This entranceway would have k e n located within
the southern tent extension.
The stratigraphy of the cabin reveals that a dirt platfom was created on
a 3 degree incline to create a level building surface. The overburden above
the floor joists Iikely came from the sod roof of the cabin and tent extension.
This layer was riddled with fragmented burned wood and was rich in historic
material culture.
Displacea jui if i i~g rernainci
Figure 19. Schematic diagram of the features documented at the East Cabin.
THE MACHINUBLACKSMITH SHOP: FEATURES
Test excavations in 1994 tentatively identified the Machine/Blacksrnith
Shop, located at the back of the townsite across frorn the stables. None of the
archival documents or oral data piovide accounts of such an activity occurring
at Canyon City. Further excavations in 1995,1996 and 7997 confimed the
building's function largely through the types of artifacts recovered. Although
neither documentary nor oral history data mention the presence of such a
building, gold rush era photographs do depict a log structure in the northeast
portion of the town (Figure 5). It is assumed this building is the one k i n g
reported upon here.
A total of 1 8m2 was excavated within the 6x6m perimeter of the
Mach ineIBlacksmith S hop. These excavations recovered a large sample of
artifacts, second in abundance only to the East Cabin locality. As well, several
features were documented.
The perimeter of the MachinefBlacksmith Shop is rnarked by four linear
depressions that fom a square 6x6m (19ft6in.xl9ft6in.) in size. These
depressions, probably resulting from sill logs, are taken to represent the
exterior walls of the structure. No in situ sill logs were encountered during the
excavations. Floor joists and floor joist depressions were also absent. A
heavy concentration of artifacts indicates the structure likely had a dirt floor.
Like most other buildings at the site, it appears to have been dismantled
during the abandonment of Canyon City.
= - a ~ c ard h.noc
- -.- -
Figure 20. A.) schematic diagrarn of the Machine/Blacksmith locality showing estimated perimeter based on depressions observed. B.) diagram of the composite feature located in the west portion of the Machine/Blacksmith shop. C.) diagram of the composite feature documented in Unit 10 located in the east portion of the structure.
During the 1996 and 1997 excavations a large composite feature was
exposed and dowmented. This is tentatively identifid as a forge. It was
confined to an area of 1x3m located in the northwestern corner of the building
(Figure 20b). Consisting of wood and sheet rnetal, it is associated with a high
frequency of bumed coal and slag. Intemiixed with the sheet metal were
vanous artifacts including a solder bar, a horseshoe and various small
reworked iron fragments. One of the unburned pieces is a milled fragment with
a peg hinge. Charred and unbumed fragments were present as well.
A plank feature, also in the northwest comer runs north to south and is
170crn long and 55crn wide (5ft6in.xlftlOin.). It consists of two sections that
are joined together by the western most plank. The planks that make up the
feature range between 15-20cm (6-7.8in.)in with and 6Ocm (2ft) in length. At
their northern Iimit al1 five planks are attached with nails to an underlying cross
piece. The western most plank, wtiich has a latch at its northern end is 97cm
(3ftîin.) in length and is attached to two short cut logs before its southern
terminus. Underlying these remains is a relatively thick dark stained floor
deposit (34cm) littered with reworked metal pieces and nails. This suggests
that the planks represent a collapsed intemal feature of the Machine Shop.
most likely a workbench for working metal near the forge.
A second composite feature was located in the eastern half of the
structure (Figure 20c). Three southwest to northeast ninning 5x15.2cm
(2x6in.) planks with three underlying cross pieces were directly associated
with numerous nibber strapping fragments. This feature is reminiscent of a
flat bed for a tramcar. Furthemore an east-west running 5xlOair (2x4in.)
piece of lurnber that extends out of the west wall of Unit 10 with a large ferrous
handle at its eastem terminus is similar to those oôsenred on the tramcars;
possibly a break handle or hitch. These remains were recovered with a vafiety
of unrelated artifacts, that taken together, probably represent a junk or parts
pile.
Except for a post documented in Unit 1, the remaining features
observed during the excavations appear ta be displaced structural remains of
the Machine Shop. The post, which is 20cm in diameter and continues for
46cm below the dirt floor of the Shop, likeiy represents a support for the
ridgepole of the structure. It appears that like the majority of the buildings at
Canyon City, the Machinel Blacksmith Shop was dismantled during or shortly
after the abandonment of Canyon City.
Summmv
Architectural data were document4 for each of the six localities
investigated at Canyon City. These data allowed the penmeter of each
structure to be detemiined. Furthemore, construction details, particularly
building surface preparations, were documented.
Except for the West Tent Locality, al1 of the buildings investigated were
of simple log cabin construction. Surface preparation. when present. was
minimal for the Canyon Hotd and Saloon, the Canyon and White Horse
Rapids Tramway Co. Ontce and the Machine/Blacksmith Shop. The East
Cabin and the NWMP Barracks surfaœs appear to have undergone more
effort. Trenches were excavated for the N\/VMP Barracks and an earthen
platforni was constnicted for the East Cabin. Nevertheless, al1 of the
architectural data collected suggests that the structures were expediently buitt
without signifiant improvements added over time.
-CHAPTER S
CANYON CITY HlSTORlC ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
A total of 17,395 historic artifacts was recovered during the four years
of excavations camed out at Canyon City. The overall goal of the artifact
analysis has been to interpret activity patterns carried at the different localities.
Thus. artifact functional groups were developed. as discussed in Chapter 3, in
order to achieve this purpose. The artifact assemblages from each of the
main localities are the focus of this chapter, with each assemblage discussed
separately under the assumption that the assemblage reflects, to a certain
degree, the activities canied out at each respective locale.
A total of 14 localities as well as surface atiiacts and those recovered
undenvater wntribute to the historic arofact assemblage. Table 4 lists the
frequency of artifacts recovered from each locality, as well as their proportional
contribution to the overall Canyon City assemblage. The six major locales, as
examtned in the previous chapter, contribute most to the assemblage. Of
particular note is the richness of the East Cabin assemblage as compared to
the other five locales. This is explained by it being burned, as opposed to
some other abandonment process. The comparable proportions represented
by the other five locales Iikely reflect planned abandonment, an issue
discussed in the final chapter.
Overall, the vast majority of artifacts collected at Canyon City appear to
relate to the Gold Rush occupation of the site. Their relation to this occupation
is determined , wherever possible, by their respective terminus post quem
Locality Altlf.ct P~contofA- R.ktivo Conîffbuüon Rank Count Exc.v.t.d lo Assunblm
East Cabin 61S8 57% 24.4% 1 NWMP Barracks 241 3 21% 17.6% 2 MachineIBlacksmith Shop 3372 50% 15.6% 3 Canyon Hotel and Saloon 1846 12.5% 14.9% 4 Tramway Office 1661 14% 13.2% 5 West Tent Locality 1635 15% 12.8% 6 Surface and Undenivater 121 - 0.3% 7.5 CC89 1 O1 7W/a 0.3% 7.5 CC75 22 8% 0.2% 8 CC36 93 11% 0.1% 9.5 NWMP Storehouse 12 >lOh O. l0h 9.5 Cc42 22 40% 0.1 % 9.5 CC56 16 20% 0.1% 9.5 CC8 2 > I % 0.02% 10 CC18 1 25% 0.01 % 11 Total 17395 - lm - Table 4. Table showing artifact counts and each locality's relative contribution to the historic
artifact assemblage ffom Canyon City.
(date after which) of manufacture. Of course this is problematic, since the
teminus post quem of an artifact refers to the earliest date it was introduced to
consumen, and artifacts may be used long after achial production. Wnh this
in mind, however, very few artifacts have a teminus post quem dating after
1900, or the period in which site abandonment took place.
Eight functional groups represent the Canyon City historic artifact
collection as well as a miscellaneous group that was created for unidentified
items. The construction/ structural and household functional groups dominate
the collection with the rest of the groups, except for the miscellaneous group.
having frequencies lower than 10% (Figure 21).
- - - - - - - Figure 21. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the overall Canyon City historic
assemblage.
WEST TENT LOCALITV: ART IFACT ASSEMBLAGE
A primary research question regarding the West Tent locality was to
detennine the function of these tents. Two main possibilities exist: 1) the tents
were used as storage, possibly for the Canyon Hotel and Saloon due to their
proximity to this establishment; or, 2) the tents were used as dwelling quarters
for sorne of the residents of Canyon City. Excavations at this locality
recovered a total of 1,635 historic artifacts and 27 faunal specimens resulting
in a total of nine functional groups represented within the collection (Table 5,
Figure 22). The groups' frequencies and divenity seern indicative of domestic
and personal
FUNCTIONAL GROUP TOTAL Houuthold
Ceamics Botlklg lassware Complete bottk Bottk fragments Medicinal fragments Jar fragments
Lead foi1 Co* stopper Metal container Misœllaneous container
Total
Personri M I ~ l O t h i ~ Buttons "Mother of Pearl" Glas Feno us
Clathing Unidentifieci textiles Wool coat
Fwtwear Leather and rubber foohveor Heel t a o Eyeiet
Personal hygiene Mirror Shave crearn cap Eye dropper
Toîal
Leisure Tobacco
Toîal
ARTIFACT T 0
FUNCnONAL GROUP TOTAL
Building hardware Strawing
Fntcnings Naiis Sciaiv Grommet Nut
window gbss rot.[
Noiungiindultrial Axe Fik
r0t.l
Miscoilanoou8 Btvekd g lass Unidentified fenous fragments
r-I
Table 5. West Tent locality artifact functional groups and counts.
activities, thus suggesting that the tents were used as dwellings. The total
assemblage. as discussed below. suggest the more permanent residents of
Canyon City used the dwellings rather than hotel guests.
Household related artifacts comprise 28 percent of the West Tent
locality collection. A total of 15 ceramic sherds were recovered from Midden
1, a srnall concentration located north of the tents. All of the cerarnic sherds
West lent AtW.ct Grmup. and Frequsncks
Figure 22. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the West Tent Locality historic assemblage.
are white glazed from tableware vessels. Two conjoinable base fragments
provides a partial base mark of '. . . E Chinan probably representing Fine China
or Made in China. Three partial container fragments made out of an unknown
material, sirnilar to compressed paper, also represent tableware. One of the
fragments is a base, body and rim fragment, and suggest the vesse1 was
rectangular and deep. most likely representing a type of serving dish.
Bottle fragments are the most abundant artifact type within the
household functional group. Bottle fragments were rewvered from al1 features
tested at the West Tent locality. Colou~s indude arnber, dear. clear with
green tint. clear with aqua-blue tint, ciear with manganese tint and green.
These fragments likely represent various activities including food and
80
condiment storage, liquor consurnption and medicinal. Contents of most of the
fragments can only be speculated upon since glass colour is only loosely
associated with contents (Hardesty 1988). To type them as liquor or
condiment bottles solely on the basis of colour would be tentative at best. The
majority of bottle fragments collected do appear to be related to liquor
consumption however.
Several base fragments were recovered but only one has a maker's
mark. This specimen is green and has partial body and base segments intact.
Ernbossed on the base is "CS. 8. .. 165.. . ". This is the manufacturing mark of
C.S. 8 Co. of St. Helens, Lancaster. England. The Cannington, Shaw and
Company produced bottles with C.S. 8 Co. between ca. 1875 and 191 3
(Toulouse 1971 : 147). This wmpany produced narraw neck and wide mouth
pale and dark green bottles with the narrow neck bottles for wines and spirits
(Toulouse 1971).
Other alcohol related bottles include one complete specimen, a green
12 oz dip-mould bottle with a down-tooled finish with cork wire still attached
(Jones and Sullivan 1989). Two clear bottle fragments with paper label still
attached are definitely associated with liquor consurnption. The label indicates
that the fragments are from a Jarneson's Blend bottle, a brand of scotch
whiskey. A total of 104 fragments from a green gin case bottle were
recovered. In addition, a Hiram Walker and Sons lead foi1 fragment was
collected . The H irarn Walker Company produced and still produœs several
brands of liquor.
Fm-two fragments of a plate mould medicinal boffle were collected
from Midden 1. The bottle is clear with manganese tint. Embossed on its
base is "Pat May 2 1899", in addition to a possible maker's mark consisting of
the letter M with a star outline. No manufacturer has been identified.
A number of other bottle fragments have embossing. Once ciear
specimen has '...AUCE". the word probably k i n g Sauce and another has the
ietter ". . . EA & P.. . ". All of these fragments were recovered from Midden f and
represent at least one Lea and Pemns bottle. One clear wide mouth jar finish
fragment, representing food storage and consumption. and 11 white glass jar
fragments with the embossing 'K[?]lNG CO ... An were collected. Neither the
manufacturer nor the contents for the white jar have been identified.
Most of the metal container fragments likely represent food
consumption at the West Tent locality. Three relatively complete hole-in-top
condensed milk cans were collected, one that was identified though its
embossing as an Eagle Brand milk cm. Two sardine-like fish or meat cans
were also present; one a pressed drawn tin and one a hole-in-top, lapped side
seam tin. Although commonly believed to be modem. the pressed drawn
"sardine" can has been in existence since the 1880s (Fontana and Greenieaf
1962: 72). As well, one lever lid. rectangular metal container was collected
and would have stored non-perishable foodstuffs such as coffee or baking
powder (Murray and Hamilton 1986).
All but one of the of 29 faunal specimens collected during the three
years of excavations came from the middens behind the tent benn outlines-
Taxon
Mammal
1
Table 6. Faunal remains collected from the West Tent locality.
Element ~ang insguler Vembreé, kktatarsmt/ Ulm Ribs libi8 Secrum NISP Bwn, Bons
Goat? Cow Moose Caribou L a w
Medium Unidentified Total
CC6 and Midden 2 (Table 6). The exception is a sawed large mammal rib
1 1
1 2 1 4 1 1
1 t
3 3 5 1 6 1 18 1 1 2
1 1
4 S 8 1 1 8 1 1 29
excavated from the middle tent. At least four species of mammal are
rep resented in the assemblage induding goat or sheep (domestic?)
( Ovis;/Capra), cow (Bos taurus), rnoose (Alces alces), and caribou (Rangifer
tarandus). Cow is represented by one butchered vertebrae, two sawed ribs
and a sawn sacrum. Two butchered vertebrae fragments indicate the
presence of moose and caribou. Large mammals, which would most likely be
cow, moose or caribou, are represented by 18 specimens, all butchered by
saw. One long bone fragment and one irregular bone fragment represent
medium mammals. One metatamal of what appears to be a domestic goat or
sheep was collected, this has evidence of butcher marks on its proximal
posterior face.
The fauna recovered, as well as other food related artifacts seems low
considering the tents were likely occupied seasonally for three Yeats.
Hitchcock (1 899: 431 ). however, states that the freight hustlen who worked for
Macaulay on the tramline received room and board. Therefore, it is likely that
food consumption at the West Tents was minimal since rnost of the meals
83
would have been provided by the Company and would have been taken within
the Canyon Hotel and Saloon (Wood 1898d: 36). The faunal assemblage
does illustrate that the occupants of the tents did not entirely rely on imported
foods. Local species are represented (Maase and Caribou) as are impofted
species (Cow and domestic goat or sheep). Furthemore. the presence of
local fauna suggests that the residents of the tents were not used by people
passing through. who would have either obtained their meal from the
Road house or used supplies from their outfit.
The personal rnanagement/clothing fundional group comprises 31
percent of the West Tent assemblage. Buttons, clothing, footwear and
personal hygiene items are al1 represented. The buttons were manufactured
from metal, shell and glass. The majonty of the metal buttons are rivets for
trousers with a few snap buttons most likely for shirts and jackets. One
ferrous snap has "PAT 1116 89 MADE IN FRANCEn stamped on its face. The
remaining buttons, based on size, appear to be fasteners from shirts and
undergannents.
A sleeve of a wool coat was documented within the confines of the
eastern most tent. As well, 55 textile fragments were recovered from behind
the tents. These clothing fragments were small and in a heavy state of decay
and could not be identified as to origins.
Footwear fragments were wllected from al1 features tested. The refuse
area behind the tents contributeci the most footwear fragments (n=362).
Footwear specimens include leather and rubber boot fragments. two sole
fragments as well as heel plates and heel tacs. Many of the leather fragments
have boot. brass lace clasps andlor eyelets. These items likely represent the
types of footwear used by the occupants and appear to be work-rubber boot
related. Footwear is second onty to nails in its frequency at this locality.
Personal hygiene items used by the tent's occupants include mirrors,
shaving cream and an eyedropper. What has been identified as the top of a
shaving cream tube manufactured by the Crown Perfumery in London,
England, was collecteci from the western-most tent. The mirror fragments
came from the middle tent as did the eyedropper. The eyedropper was
recovered in two fragments, a pipette fragment and a pipette with pipettecap
fragment. Both fragments ff together and the pipette-cap appears to be
manufactured from rubber.
A Lambert and Butler tobacco metal container slip-lid was collected and
represents smoking as a leisure activity. The poor representation of the
leisure activities group (0.1 %) is somewhat surprising . However. it is likely
that the majority of the bottle fragments recovered at the West Tent locality
and classified in the househoM functional group represent alcohol
consumption. The low representation of smoking paraphernalia is perplexing
and cannot be explained.
Two buckles. a bearing for a tramcar. and a bailing wire fragment make
up the transportation functional group. This group is under represented at 0.2
percent, which is not surprising given the domestic use of the tents.
Hunting and subsistenœ is also poorly represented within the West
Tent locality. A total of five cartridge casings were collected. Four of these
casings come from the tents and one was recovered the midden. All of the
casings were spent. two k i n g -22 calibre Dominion cartridges, one a
Winchester Rifle Company shotgun primer, one a Dominion -44 calibre and a
Winchester 45-75. The latter pair are revoiver cartridges. As well. a partial
rifle butt-plate, a lead shot bal1 and a .22 calibre slug were also collected.
Base stamps for these cartridges (after Bames 1981) indicate they were
available during the gold rush. ft is suggested. therefore. that these artifacts
belonged to the occupants of the tents and are not a result of post
abandonment activities at the site.
At least two glass insulaton were recovered from Maden 1. Several of
the pieces have embossing that matches complete insulators collected from
the MachineBlacksmith Shop and by the divers in search of the submerged
dock in the Yukon River. W. Brookfield New York manufactured the insulators
and their prÏmary fundion was likely related to the telegraph line established at
Canyon City in 1899.
The construction1structural functional group represents the largest
proportion of the overall West Tent collection. It is dominated by nails
(n=382), 95 percent of which are wire-drawn and five percent machine-cut.
The vast majority of nails (95%) were recovered from within the three tent
outlines. These were likely used to secure the box frames of the tents as well
as other interior wood features, Thin strapping fragments with nail holes are
also included within the group. The original fundion of the strapping was most
likely for binding crates, but due to their fragmentary condition. they probably
functioned as interior fastening devices. Flat glass. which has been tentatively
identified as window glass, was recovered from al1 three tents. This is
sornewhat problematic s ine no windows are evident in the archival
photographs of the tents. It is just as likely that the flat glass represents mimr
fragments or picture frame glass. Rounding out the construction/structural
functional group for this localrty are three grommets and one screw.
The worMndustrial group has a very low representation within the
collection, less than one percent. The lone artifact is an axe file recovered
within the middle tent.
Finally, the miscellaneous group includes one beveled glass fragment
and a large number of unidentified ferrous fragments. The latter were
collected from two of the middens and al1 three tents. They are thin and flat
and likely came from metal containers and crate strapping but were too small
to categorize confidently. The glass fragment is flat and rectangular in shape
with three factory beveled edges. Its function is unknown.
Summary
The assemblage from the West Tent locality suggests that the tents
were used as dwellings or sleeping quarters rather than as warehouse or other
purposes. The high frequency of househoîd and personal
management/clothing related artifacts within the collection supports this
conclusion. The occupants were likely the freight hustlers who worked for
Macaulay. The low frequency of food remains suggests that most meals were
taken within the Roadhouse. an interpretation supported by archival data
(Wood 1898a). The only leisure activities document& at this locale are the
consumption of liquor and tobacca use; activities that are far from extravagant.
Such a high frequency of footwear may be related to the nature of work that
the occupants engaged in such as freight hustling which would have involved
high Wear and tear on garments especially footwear.
CANYON HOTEL AND SALOON: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
The goals of the excavations at the Canyon Hotel and Saloon other
than in the structural realm were to attempt to define and differentiate adivities
within the building. A total of 1,846 artifacts are included in the artifact
assemblage for the Roadhouse (Table 7, Figure 23). Functional groups and
their proportionate representation include household (46%), personal
managementklothing (2.5%), leisure (3.5%), transportation (0.2%). hunting
and subsistence (0.3%), construction/structural(31.5%), and miscellaneous
(1 6%).
Five main categories exist within the household functional group, which
is the most abundant group. Bottle body fragments are the most frequent and
most likely represent the consurnption of liquor. Various colours are
represented with amber and dark green k i n g the most numerous comprising
90 percent of the group. A total of 16 base fragments are present. Based on
sire they were likely standardized 26 oz and 12 oz bottles. The dark green
bases include what appear to be two tum paste-mould and two cup-bottom
specimens. The amber bases include nine cupbottom mouM and two tum-
paste mould bottles (Jones and Sullivan 1989). One ciear base fragment
recovered from the surface in the northem part of the Roadhouse has a 'P"
with a circle border representing the Pierce Glass Company of Pennsylvania
who made bottles from 1905-1 91 7 (Toulouse 1971 : 412). Given this date
range, the specimen represents a post-
FUNCTlONAL GROUP TOTA Hou~hold
Tableware Ceramic Ferrous spoon and bawi Ferrous handk lugs
Boltleiglauwan Tabkware Bottk Medianal Bot!k/glasswan?
Lead foi1 fragments Cork Wire carie clamp Metal container
Total
Personaf ManrgernenUClothi~ Button "Mother of Pearl"
Glass Ferrous
Clothing Textiles Footwear
Personal hygiene Mirror
Sewing and Safty pins Pend Money Personal adomrnent
Total
FUNCTiONAL GROUP TOTAL L.hum
Toôacco plug 2 Pipe dsm 1 Polrer chip fragments 60
rml 03
C ~ e ~ ~ t n i t t i M J S t n r c u r d Building hardware Stripping
Fastenings
1
ARTIFACT TOTAL 1846 Table 7. Canyon Hotel and Saloon artifact functional groups and counts.
Gold Rush use of the site. A 'U" is embosseci on one of the amber cup-bottom
mould bases and appears to be associated with the Upland Glass Company,
Upland Indiana. This company produced bottles mostly by mould blowing
from 1890 to 1909 (Toulouse 1971: 508). A second arnber base collected
from Unit 3 had W.T." embossed on its base. Its diameter is 1 112in. and is
associated with a threaded amber finish recovered from the same unit. The
bottle makef s mark has not k e n confdently identified but the Glasstown
Plant in Millville, New Jersey, is a possibility. This company manufadurad
bottles between 1809 and
Canyon Hotel and Saloon ArtWatt Graups and Fmquencks
Figure 23. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the Canyon Hotel and Saloon h istoric assemblage.
1935 (Toulouse 1971 : 544). The small base diameter of the bottle coupled
with the threaded finish suggests the bottle was either for medicinal or
condiment purposes. Three wide mouth jar finishes, with wrk-like closures,
were collected and appear to be associated with food storage. As well, four
plate-mould medicinal boffle fragments are present.
A total of eight clear and amber bottie, stopper-finishes were recovered
as well as two down-tooled wrk-finishes. The finishes are likely associated
with the wnsumption of alcohol since one amber finish had a "Canadian Club
Whisky" lead cork foi1 still adhering. In addition. a similar clear finish was
recovered on the surface near the river with a "Glenlivet" lead cork foi1 still
adhering to it. Although it cannot be definitively stated, it is also more than
likely that the vast majonty of other bottle fragments are associated with the
consumption of alcohol. Other artifacts related to the consumption of alcohol
include two corks. seven fragments of wire cork clamps and 53 fragments of
lead cork foil. Several types of liquor and wmpanies manufacturing the liquor
are represented. lncluded within the collection are Imperia1 Brand Whiskey,
Canadian Club Rye Whisky, Glenlivet Scotch, Whyte and Mackay of Glasgow
Scotch Liqueur and Compass Brand liquor. The foi1 fragments were recovered
throughout the Roadhouse; however, they did tend to cluster within Units 19,
20 and 3. The quantity of liquor related artifacts reflect the building's use. at
least in part as a licensed saloon (Wood 1898d). Bottle fragments were
recovered from each une at the Roadhouse locality except for Units 11 and 14.
with no real clustering to demonstrate a particular sedion of the structure
designated for drinking.
Tableware is represented by 16 artifacts within the collection. Three
are plain white-glazed cerarnic fragments and one is a blue rimmed fragment
from a plate. One fenous bowl and a ferrous spoon were recovered within the
same unit as were two ferrous handle lugs that appear to be associated with a
kettle or coffeepot. The remaining eight tableware artifacts are fragments of
crazed, thin gfass that appear ta be from a tumbîer. Eight other thin clear
fragments were recovered but were too small to identify as to function;
however, they are considered to be glassware fragments.
A total of 232 metal container fragments were collected within the
Roadhouse. Most are too fragmented to detemine contents and were
classified as metal containers bas& on their thickness and cuwature. Six
lever-lid, one lapped side seam and one single-end seam fragment were
recovered from Unit 13. These Iikely represent one tin cm. The tin would
have Deen used for dry storage such as tea, coffee or coca. Unit 3 produœd
one condensed milk can that functioned in a secondary context as earlier
described. Unit 8 contained a hole-in-top lid fragment with 'MILKn embossed
on it.
A diverse but proportionately small number of artifacts are present
within the personal rnanagementfclothing fundional group. Artifacts related to
clothing include glass, shell and femus buttons, textile fragments, and
footwear items. Loosely associated with clothing are one sewing pin and one
safety pin. Personaf adomment items within the collection include two ferrous
plates from badges and one badge pin. Sixteen mirror fragments are included
in the personal hygiene category. One 1891 copper United States five-cent
piece and two pencil fragments complete the assemblage. Items were
recovered from a number of units from both the western and eastem portions
of the structure. The baleen fragment may be associated with female clothing.
Gambling and smoking are the leisure activities represented with the
Canyon Hotel and Saloon artifact assemblage. A total of 60 clay (ceramic)).
blue and white poker chips were recovered from Units 3,19 and 20. The 60
fragments represent at least 12 individual poker chips and were recovered
from near the north and south sill logs. lnciseâ on the chips is a scene of dogs
playing poker with the words 'NO MONKEYING" bordering their
circumference. The high frequency of chips suggests gaming activities were
taking place within the saloon portion of the Roadhouse, an activity not
reported in archival documentation.
Smoking related artifacts include two tobacco plug clasps. one circular-
shaped and one heart-shaped, and a pipe stem. The manufacturer for the
tobacco has not been determined.
The hunting and subsistence and transportation functional groups make
up less than two percent of the collection. Five spent brass cartridge casings,
al! of which were being produced during gold rush times, were recovered.
One bridle ring and a horseshoe nail fragment are included within the
transportation functional group.
Nails and window glass dominate the constniction/structural functional
group. The majority of the naik recovered were wire-drawn with only a few
machine-cut nails present All were less than 4 1/4in. in length suggesting
their use in interior construction. Units 2, 17, 19, 20 and 21 wntained the
most window glass (n=428). Unit 2 is located along the north wall of the
structure near the eastern corner with the remaining units situated along the
south wall moving east to west respectively. The recovery of Rat glass,
including large fragments (>5cm2) within these units suggest the presenœ of
windows within their immediate vicinrty. Unit 13 produced the only brick
recovered from Canyon City.
Five wire fragments, probably bailing wire, and 289 unidentified ferrous
fragments are included within the miscellaneous group. As well two brass
plates and one brass tube make up the remaining items in the Miscellaneous
group. The latter fragments may be components of a gas lantem.
Summrry
The Canyon Hotel and Saloon assemblage appean to be
representative of the activities one would expect to occur within a Roadhouse.
Bottle glass. of which the vast majonty is most likely a result of liquor
consumption. contribute to over 60 percent of the household functional group.
As well a large number of metal container fragments coupled with ceramic and
ferrous tableware represents food consumption. No faunal remains were
recovered during the excavations within the Roadhouse. This is likely a
function of refuse rernoval, which would have likely been more intense
because of the business nature of the Saloon. The kisure functional group
has the highest frequency within the Roadhouse assemblage in comparison to
other locale's assemblages. Poker chip fragments are the most notable
leisure item recovered from the Roadhouse. Their concentrations in the
centre of the structure along with lead foi1 caps suggest that the Saloon portion
of the Roadhouse was located in this area. The distribution of bottle glass,
although not really conœntrated, tends to be more numerous in the west ha#
of the structure. Looking at the archival photographs (Figure 5), it appears
that the western portion of the Roadhouse was one large room as suggested
by the lack of entranœ ways along this section. The three entrance ways to
the east may be to smaller rmms related to a hotel operation.
It is difficult to determine exactly how the artifacts h m the Roadhouse
came to rest where they did since the structure appears to have had a floor.
The smaller artifads. which are the majority of the bottle glass collection. rnay
have passed through the cracks between the flwrboards. Larger pieces may
have been deposited either prior to the fiwr being put in place or dunng the
structure's dismantlement. Except for the green bottle base recovered on the
surface with the postgold rush maker's mark. al1 the artifacts are
contemporaneous with the gold rush.
NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE BARRACKS ART~FACT ASSEMBLAGE
One of the goals of archaeological investigations at the North-West Mounted
Police Barracks was to determine, if at al1 possible, the full range of activities
carried out within the structure. Wood (1898a) states that the Barracks
contained sleeping quarters, an office and an officer's mess. A total of 2,413
artifacts were collecteci during the investigations (Table 8, Figure 24). Artifacts
related to construction of the building (n=1729) dorninate the assemblage, the
vast majority being window glass fragments however.
Construction matenal contributes to 75 percent of the collection. The
househoM functional group is the next largest within the W M P assemblage,
representing 1 8 percent of the collection. Wiihin this group bottle glass is the
most abundant. The colour of bottle glass and types of finishes collected (two
stopper finishes) imply the presence of alcohol. as do 12 lead foi1 fragments.
Unfortunately, no embossing was observed on these fragments so their
identification as liquor cork foils cannot be confirmed. It might also be the
FUNCTIONAL GROUP TOTAL Household
Tableware 2 Ceramics 1 Fork 1
Bottle/glassware 490 Cork 1 Lead foi1 12 Metal container fragments 43 Candie hoMer 1 Furniture related artifacts 3
Total 552
Peraonal Manag.m«itlClothing Button Backer Button Ferrous Bone toggle Rivet
FootuRar Bu&k
Textile Penal
Tobl
WNCTïONAL GROUP TOTAL 4unting and Subristuuo Ammunition 28
Sluq 3 C a m Casing 25
FOh hook 1 rami 29
Building Hardware Fiashing Stmpping
Fastenen Grommet Naiis
Wmdow glas Gbzier point Chinking
9ot.~
i 1
Artn.ct Total 2413 Table 8. NWMP Barracks artifact functianal groups and counts.
case that the foils and alcohol nlated bottle glass represent wnfiscated liquor
since wnsumption of alcohol by NWMP officers and non-commissioned
ofken was looked down upon by the upper echelons of the N W P (Steele
1 898a). Thin clear and manganese tint bottk glass were recovered as well.
indicating the presence of medicinal aids as well as one clear wide mouth,
cork-finish jar fragment. One metal three-pronged fork and a white-glazed
ceramic sherd represent tableware. An omate metal plate and two C-clasps
relate to fumiture.
North-West Maunted Police Brrncks Artifoct Groups and Fmquencies
Figure 24. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the Norîh-West Mount Police Barracks historic assemblage.
Several tin can lids and fragments were wllected. The lids recovered
were of the hole-in-top variety and represent the wnsumption of food within
the NWMP Barracks. One can Iid was recovered in the northeast section of
the building along with 22 unidentifiabk mammal long bone fragments. These
remains suggest that the officer's mess section of the building was located in
this area. The fork and wide mouth jar finish fragments were collected near
the doorway of the structure.
A variety of items are represented within the personaVmanagement
clothing fundional group. This group contains the one artifact directly
associated with the N W P . With 'NWMP" stamped on its face, it is a metal
button backer for polishing buttons. It looks like a fiattened tuning fork and
was slipped in between the button and garment enabling the officers to polish
their brass buttons without soiling the cloth of their unifonn. Four buttons and
three textile fragments were also collected. Buttons include two trouser rivets,
a ferrous button and a bone toggle button fragment likely for outerwear. Two
buckles were collected and appear to be associated with footwear. Rounding
out the group are six lead fragments belonging to pencils.
A total of 25 brass cartridge cases were recovered from within the
NWMP Barracks as well as one lead slug. All are grouped with the hunting
and subsistence group although their fundion more obviously relates to
policing activaies. The Winchester Repeating Amis Company (WRA Co.). the
Dominion Anns Company (D), and Enfield are the identifia manufacturen of
the cartridges. All were supplien to the NWMP dunng the lgth Century
98
(Phillips and Klancher 1982). The Enfeld specimens (n=4) are -45 calibre
revolver cartridges. Other cartridges include .22 calibre rim-fire (n=lQ), .30
calibre (n=l) and 7mm (n=l) centre fire. A single fishhook included in this
functional group is a large jigging hook and relates to subsistence activities.
Telegraph wire was observecl along the westem wall of the NWMP
barracks but not collected. This suggests that the location of the telegraph
equipment within the building was in the vicinty of the western portion of the
structure. The telegraph was established at Canyon City within the banacks
during September of 1899 (Wood 1899).
As earlier noted, window gfass is the majonty (65%) of the
construction/structural functional group. A total of 960 window fragments was
recovered within N69W108 locatd just outside of the north wall of the
building. This quantity suggests a window was present in the immediate
vicinity. Both wire-drawn and machine-cut nails were collected and make up
32 percent of this functional group. Other construction1structural items
collected include flashing, strapping, chinking fragments and a glazier point.
The miscellaneous group contains wire fragments and unidentified
ferrous fragments. It contributes little to the interpretation of the activities at
the NWMP Barracks.
Summary
Although the majority of the assemblage was collected outside of the
structure, in the northwestern corner, the types and distribution of the artifacts
within the structure suggest at least two room divisions-the westem portion of
the structure as an office and the eastem portion as a living area. This is
based on the presence of telegraph wire outside of the western portion of the
building. which suggests that its entranœ into the structure wouM be the from
the West wall, and food related items in the eastem portion. This interpretation
is consistent with Wood's (1898a) description of the MNMP barracks having at
least two sections.
The archival information suggests that the NWMP stationed at Canyon
City were there year round and t w k their meals within the Road house, which
may account for the relative low frequency of food related items. No leisure
activities were identified from the assemblage recovered. However, it may be
that the liquor was consumed by the MNMP rather than confiscated. As well.
the fishhook, although placed within the hunting and subsistence group, may
also represent leisure activities. Since the N W P supplied the officers with
sustenance they would have had no real reason to fish except for leisure. One
benefit of fishing would be to add variety to their rationed diet. The officers
kept a log of rations received and the lists indicate their diet was restricted to
staple food items (monthly Canyon City NWMP reports in author's
possession). The Yukon River would have provided a source of grayling and
pike.
CANYON AND WHITE HORSE RAPIDS TRAMWAY OFFICE: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
The Canyon and White Horse Tramway Oniœ localrty was the first
structure tested at Canyon City in 1994. The major focus during the
excavation of this building was to retrieve as much structural information as
possible since it was slated by Yukon Heritage Branch for reconstruction. A
14 percent area sample of the Tramway Onice was cornpleted resolting in the
recovery of 1,661 historic artifacts (Table 9. Figure 25). Six functional groups
are represented including household (1 8%). personal management clothing
(6%). transportation (1 %), hunting and subsistenœ (1 %),
~nstruction/structural (66%) and Miscellaneous (8%).
The tramway office was identfied through archival photographs. A
white banner with 'CANYON & WHITE HORSE RAPIDS TRAMWAY
COMPANY CO" in several of the photographs identified the log structure as
the location for the wrnpany office. The structure is 30m in length and it is
likely that only a srnall portion of the building was allocated for the
administration of the Tramway business. So far, no records on how business
was carried out have been found. It is assumed that arrangements and
payments for freighting goods and boats around the Canyon and Rapids were
carried out within the building as well as other business related duties such as
paper work. storage and money collection. The assemblage. however,
suggests other uses for the building. Although the constructionlstnictural
functional group dominates the assemblage the variety of household and
personal managementldothing artifacts indicate some use as a dwelling.
A total of 296 historic artifacts are represented within the household
functional group. A variety of types are present including tableware, bottle
glassware, metal containers. lighting related items and stove pipe rernains.
FUNCTlONAL GROUP TOTALI 1 FUNCITONAL GROUP TOTAL
Tableware Ceramic Ferrous spoon Knife handle Ferrous knife Made
Bottle/glassware Bottle glass Medicmal
Lead foi1 Cork Metal Containers Larnp Stove pipe
Total
Persocrat Marugcmari( lCleng Button Moiher of Pearl Glass (white) Fenous Ferrous rivet Bone Leather NWMP B r a s
Clothing Textile FeR hat Baleen Buckle Footwear
Adomment Monetary
Coin
Gold nugget 1 d . l
TmnspOrmiori Bridle apparat- Bracket
T a u
Hunting md Suimidence Ammunition Cartrige casmg Slug
Fish weight Fish hook
T d J
C o r i d r u c t ~ b u d l N 8 I Building Hardware Flashing Strapping
Fasteners Washer Grommet Nail eolt N ut
Wiridow g l a s r a i
Miscellaneoui W ire Unidentified
r a l * Artifact rotai 1661
Table 9. Canyon and White Home Rapids Tramway Office artifact functional groups and
Twenty-six ceramic fragments w r e collected. All are small white
glazed fragments that, being recovered from a 3m2 area, are probably from
same vessel. Their shape and curvature suggest a aip. Other tableware
fragments include three ferrous teaspoon fragments, two bone handles and
one ferrous knife blade.
Bottlelglassware contribute to 68 percent of the household assemblage.
Three relatively complete medicinal bottles w r e collected from the east half of
Figure 25.
Canyon and White Home Rapids Tnmumy Ollke M e t Goum and Fmquencier
Graph of the frequency of funcüonal groups within the Canyon and White Home Rapids Tramway Office historic assemblage.
the structure. All were plate-mould with a flanged or patent lip (Jones and
Sullivan 1989). One clear medicinal type bottle with some of the contents still
inside, had the mark "PC O..Om. This rnay be a maker's mark but could also
represent a lot number. Based on the contents aroma, the contents within the
bottle appear to be a clove extract of some type. A second camplete
medicinal bottle is a stout green tinted bottle with "Ayers", 'Lowel Massn. and
"Pills" embossed on the sides and the maker's mark on its bottorn is an incised
"cn. The pill bottle provides the manufacturer of the pills and its origin,
however, the maker's mark is unidentifiecl. The third bottle is a wmplete clear
specimen with no embossing or makers ma*. A complete glass via1 was also
recovered and is included within the medicinal bottle sample. No
distinguishing features were observed on this artifact. The remaining nine
fragments are al1 clear and appear to originate from plate mould bottles.
Several bottle base fragments were recovered from the Tramway
Offîce. Nine of these bottles were cup-bottom moulds and seven were post-
bottom moulds. All except two appear ta be from liquor bottles. Two of the
bases had maker's marks present. The two campanies represented are the
Cannington . Shaw & Company from England which produced bottles carrying
"C S & Co" mark from 1875 to 191 3, and the Nuttall8 Company from England
that produced bottles bearing 'N & Con from 1872-1 91 3 (Toulouse 1971 : 147;
380). One white glass cup-bottom mould jar fragment was callected with
". . . O.. .The O.. . OMA.. . " embossed on its base. A square, clear, post-bottom
mould bottle was also collected. Its dimensions of 3x3cm suggest it was a
condiment or medicinal type bottle. Only two finish fragments were collected
and are likely frorn 2602 liquor bottles. The rernaining bottle pieœs are body
fragments. The colours represented include clear, manganese tint, green tint,
aqua tint. green amôer and white. Three cork fragments as well as seven foi1
fragments were recovered from within the structure. Four of the fragments are
from the same Robert Brown Ltd of Glasgow Whiskey lead foi1 cork cover.
Except for the medicinal bottles, which were recovered from the east portion of
the office, there is no apparent clustering of bottle glass. Despite this lack of
clustering. the bottles do represent a variety of activities which appear to have
been carried out within the building including liquor consumption, food
consurnption and medicinal related.
Five complete metal containers were collected from the Tramway office.
A single end seam, with a capped-on-threaded Iid can and a smaller
condensed milk can were excavated from within the wooden pipe feature
previously described. A hole-in-top lapped seam container with a filler
diameter of 1 4116in.. a diameter of 3in. and a height of 4 4116in. was collected
from SI E2. This container approximates Buriey and Ross's (1979: 63) type
44 No.2 (21b) which is pre-1907 and held either meats, fruits, or vegetables.
Another tin recovered matches Burîey and Ross's (1979: 68) type 47, a pre-
1904 "1 Lb. Net" can that likely held pork and beans. soup or stew. A unique
tin with a height of 10f16in. and a diameter of 2 8J16in. was collected and may
be tobacco related (Murray and Hamilton 1986). The top edge on this
container is curled and a lid fragment accompanied the container. The
remaining metal container artifacts are key and tin fragments. The latter were
classified as metal containers based on their thickness and curvature.
Rounding out the household functional group are two brass lamp
hardware fragments and ten stove pipe fragments collected from the
northwestern corner of the building.
The personal managementklothing artifact functional group has a
diverse array of artifact types. A total of 34 buttons are included in the
collection from the Tramway Onice. The buttons were manufadured from
various types of materiab including rnetal. glass. shell, kather. bakelite and
bone. Most are of simple design with either two or four holes. lncludeâ in the
button sarnple is one NWMP brass button manufactured by 'Smith 8 Wright
Birminghamn. All of the buttons except for the latter are associated with
trouser, shirt and undergarment wear.
Other clothing related artifacts include small textile fragments, two
baleen fragments, a buckle and eight foot Wear fragments including a ieather
sole. A felt hat was block fifted and sent to Ottawa for conservation. It was
recovered from the north western corner of the building. Adomment related
artifacts include broach pin fragments as well as a badge. The baleen
fragments, which may have originated from a corset, crinoline or other female
undergannents, and the broach are indicative of the presence of the female
gender.
Three coins were excavated from the Tramway Office. The oldest is a
copper 1854, Bank of Upper Canada haif-penny bank token, recovered from
S3E9. The other two, a 1894 United States of America Hatf dollar and a 1891
Canadian 10 cent piece were collected from SSE18. One small gold nugget (1
gm) was also collected from the eastern haif of the Tramway Office.
Transportation related artifacts include bndle rings and rivets and a
bracket that appears to be tramcar related. A Csh weight. which may be
intrusive, a jigging hook, four lead slugs and 17 brass cartridge casings
represent the hunting and subsistence fundional group. Several different
cartridges are present. Ten of the 17 cartridge casings and three of the four
slugs are .22 calibre, six of which were made by the Dominion Ams
Company. Revolver cartriiges indude a 45mm. two .44 calibre (one Smith
and Wesson the other a Winchester) and a -38 calibre Winchester casing.
Two 30-30 United Metallic Cartridge Company casings were also present.
One 12 gauge shot gun primer was colkcîed. According to Bames (1985) al1
of these cartridge types were produced during gold rush times.
The constniction/stfuctural group dominates the Tramway Oflice
assemblage with window glass cantributing 73 percent. Window glass
clusters suggest six general areas of concentration (S6E8; S6E19; S6E16-
S8El8- SQE16, S2E20; S6E20; and. S5E26; see figure 20). These
concentrations reflect the location of windows both on the outside and possible
windows piaced inside the structure. lnterior windows may reflect the office
nature of the building. The abundanœ of window glass suggests that
windowpanes were not salvaged when the structure was dismantled. A total
of 26 1 nails are present in the Tramway Onice collection. Most (82%) were
wire drawn, however, some machine-cut nails are present as well. The
rnajority of the nails came from the eastern part of the building, the portion
having a floor. Other eanstruction/structural related artifacts include washers,
grommets flashing and strapping .
The Miscellaneous group wntains 1 30 unidentifiable fragments and 10
wire fragments.
Summary
Except for window glass there is no apparent clustering of artifact types
between and among functional groups at the Canyon and White Horse Rapids
Tramway Company Office. When looked at as a whole. the presenœ of
househoid and personal managementlclothing related artifacts suggest that
the structure was not only used as a company office but also as a dwelling.
The number of individuals or location of domestic activities within the building
are unknown. It is. however, one of only two major features tested at Canyon
City that suggest the presence of women. Except for a company sign
identifying the building as an office within the archival photographs, such a use
could not be discemed frorn the artifacts.
EAST CABIN: ARTlFACT ASSEMBLAGE
The presence of the East Cabin at Canyon City was detemiined during
the 1995 investigations, and excavations continued in the 1996 field season.
The goals of the investigations at this locality were to gather structural
information about the cabin and to detemine its function. A total of 6,158
historic artifacts was recovered (Table 10, Figure 26). The assemblage is
abundant when campareci to the other localities at the site. With the
household related items accounting for 53 percent of the Cabin's assemblage,
there can be Iittle doubt that it was used as a dwelling.
Wih in household functional group, ceramics are represented by three
porcelain bowlkup fragments, 1 5 white-glazed body fragments and three
white-glazed rim fragments. The ceramic sherds were rewvered frorn seven
FUNCï'ïONAL GROUP TOTAI H o u s o h d d
Ta blewan Cenmic Spoon Utensil fragments Ferrous frying pan Ferrcus coffee pot Fenous pot lid (6û frognents) Fenous plate/bow( (6 fragments) Fenous plate (16 fragments) Tin white enamel plate Unidentifiecl Codtmm Pail Pot lugs
BotWglass w a n Bottks Medicinal
Lead foi1 Metal containers Stovdheater Fenous body fragments Cast iron stove legs
Fumiture Lantem
Total
Personal Managemenffclothhg Buttons
Glass Sheil Clay Ferrous
Clothing Textile Footwear
Penonal Hygiene Laundry bluing Hair dye bonle Mirror fragments
Penonal Adornment: Hair pin Ink Botüe
Tohl
FUNC77ONAL GROUP TOTAL
Ammunition c.rtribgs cging Sluo
F i h Hook robl
=orwtiudioci/StruaunI Buiiding hardware FMing swJm9 Oaor hardware Pad Lodr
Fastenen w8sher smw ho& Gromma Naib Stapks Nut Boit
Wmdow Gkss Chinking Fencing (Chidten wim)
rot84
l isdlaii iour Win Femus fragments
'a4al
11 Table 10. East Cabin artifact functional groups and counts.
units and show no spatial concentrations. Two ferrous spoon fragments were
collected along with what appear to be ferrous fragments from utensil handles.
Also recovered were a sample of metal cooking/tableware artifacts including a
East Cabin Artif.ct Groupi and Frequencies
Figure 26. Graph of the frequency of funcüonal groups within the East Cabin historic assemblage.
complete frying pan, a complete coffee pot. a fragmented pot or fry pan lid , a
fragmented bowl or deep plate, a fragmented plate, and a fragmented pail with
lugs. It appean that these items w r e mole prior to the destruction of the
cabin. These items indicate both food preparation and consumption occurred
within the cabin.
Bottle fragments rewvered are of four colour types: arnber, clear, clear
with green tint and clear with manganese tint. One clear base fragment is
110
from a post-bottorn mould botk and two dear with green tint fragments
originated from a cupbottorn mould bottle. Four of the clear with green tint
fragments are rim shards from wide-mouth jars. Two complete vials were also
collected; one with a cork and contents still intact. The content's aroma
suggests cinnamon extract. One clear body fragment was collectecl that still
had portions of its paper label adhering. The letters identi f i i are 'Crosse.. .
B.. . ". This likely represents a bottle of which Crosse and Blackwell. Ltd, of
London England manufactured the contents. This Company bottled food and
condiments ôeginning in 1830 with continued production to the present
(Toulouse 1971: 113). The consumption of liquor is represented by the bottle
fragments recovered as well. One amber stopper finish with the lead foi1 still
adhering from a Canadian Club Whiskey bottle was collected as well as two
clear stopper-like finishes which are similar to the Glenlivet Scotch finish
recovered from the surface of the site. A total of 17 lead cork foi1 fragments
are present, one of which is from an Imperia1 Whiskey bottle. One complete
but melted medicinal bottle and 16 fragments from plate mould bottles
complete the collection.
Metal containers are represented by 1000 fragments. Several different
closure types are evident including slip lidlcap. threaded lidkap, lever lid and
hole-in-top. Except for the latter, al1 are commonly used for non-perishable
goods such as spices, tea and coma (Burley and Ross 1979; Murray and
Hamilton 1 986; Rock 1 981 ). Both single- and doubleend seams are
represented. The double end-seam for perishable goods was not in cornmon
use until after the 19Ws but was used eadier (post 1890) for non-perishabie
goods (Rock 1983: 106). It is uncertain whether the double-end seams
recovered represent open-top sanitary tin cans or just bases for non-
perisha ble dry storage. Two relatively complete condensed/evaporated milk
cans are the only fragments where contents were confidently deterrnined. The
main concentration of metal container fragments was in the southeast area of
the building, suggesting tinned goods were stored here.
A total of 105 faunal remains was recovered within the East Cabin
locality. They are summarized in Table 1 1. The charred and fragmented state
of the collection makes identification to genus or species difficult. Mammal
remains are the most frequent and include large. medium and small mammals.
Represented within the collection are ww, rabbit and arctic ground squirrel.
Aves (birds) are well represented within the collection as well. At present it is
unknown if they are wild or domesticated in origin. F inally, two fish vertebrae
were recovered. Except for the ground squirrel. the fauna probably represent
the types of fresh meat consumed by the occupants of the cabin. Butchering
marks were identified
Taxon
Mammais S. panyii Bovidae Lagomorph Large Medium Small Aves
Ekriwnt PnalanQas U n r d e n M Cnnial Vemiwm Sapula r i Femur Humerus k.rpiIs
1 1
1 45 1
1 7 9
26 1 3 4 2 Pisces I 2 Total 71 1 4 1 4 1 4 19
2 105
Table 11. East Cabin faunal remains.
on one of the large mammal specimens and five of the medium mammal .
phalanges. The latter probably represents the skinning of the animal.
Four cast iron stoveiheater legs and 1896 fenous stove body fragments
are included within the household group. The stove fragments. which were
significantly thicker than the usual tin can fragments and not CU-, were
recovered within units N 2 M 8 , N28W27 and N28W28. This indicates that
the stovelheater was located in the western portion of the structure. One
ornate upholstery button and 24 C-clasps represent fumiture, and four brass
tube fragments represent the presenœ of a lantern.
The personal managernenüclothing functional group is relatively small
but diverse. Twenty-three buttons were collected including glass, shell, clay
and ferrous. The ferrous buttons are most numerous with 11 from Levi
Strauss and Company clothing. A femus Carhart glove button was also
recovered. Also associateci with clothing are 12 textile fragments and two
footwear fragments. The textile fragments are small and burnt hampering
further identification. A chaned leather fragment and sole are identfied as
footwear.
Personal hygiene activities are represented by three mirror fragments a
small cluster of laundry bluing, and a fragmented hair dye bottle. The bottle
was manufactured in a plate mould and ernbossed on it is 'C DAM SCHINSK
LlQUlD HAlR DYE NEW YORK". Caution should be used in autornatically
assuming gender since it may have k e n used for mustaches as well. The
recovery of a hair pin, however, appears to reflect the presence of a female.
This is not surprising since Figure 5 is a photograph of the East Cabin with a
woman standing in front of it. A square moulded bottle with a threaded finish
with the embossing '. . . RWOODS INKS" rounds out this functional group. The
ink bottle is metted and in four fragments.
Hunting and subsistenœ is represented within the East Cabin
assemblage by two fishhooks. 16 cartridge casings and five lead slugs.
Thirteen of the cartridges are -22 calibre and two are 7mm calibre casings. A
'KYNOCK 7.9 MAG casing and one revolver casing with 'W.R.A. Co. 41 LDA"
was also collected. All of the casings within the collection were in use by the
1890s and continue to be used today (Barnes 1985).
The transportation functional group represents a small portion of the
overall East Cabin assemblage. Chain and buckles from bridle gear, a
horseshoe nail, and an oar Io& from a boat are included.
Three files are the only items within the workinglindustrial functional
group. Fasteners of which nails are the most numerous dorninate the
wnstruction1structural group. Over 95 percent of the nails are between 1 4
inches in length and likely were used for flooring and smaller interna1 structural
features. Nails are both wire-drawn and machine-cut. Unique to the cabin is
the presence of 1 V2in. fencing staples, concentrated within unit N25W26.
This suggests storage in this area. The staples may be associated with the L-
shaped depressions and chicken wire located just to the north of the East
Cabin documented in 1994. However, since many of the staples were
adhering to fragments of wood, they may also have been used a fasteners
within the cabin. ûther items included within the construction structural group
are window glass. chinking, chicken wire and building hardware. A small key-
padlock is included with the building hardware but is more likely a lock for a
strong box.
Miscellaneous items includes 19 wire fragments and 807 small
unidentified ferrous fragments.
Summary
The assemblage recovered from the East Cabin cleady supports the
assumption that it functioned as a dwelling. Activities camed out included the
preparation and consumption of food as well as personal management type
activities. The predorninance of metal tablewares over ceramic tablewares is
informative since it explains the relative absence of ceramics in other
buildings. The evidence suggests that metal tableware was chosen over
ceramic, likely because it is more durable.
The matnx in which the assemblage was recovered consisted of bumed
wood and fire burned clay. There is little doubt that the cabin burned down
with much of its material contents still inside. In this respect. it is a case of
catastrophic abandonment representative of a single moment in time (Kent
1990). The timing of the fire is of concern. None of the archival documents
mention a fire during the gold rush occupation of Canyon City. One archival
photograph (Figure 3) shows evidence of what appean to be a recent fire
atong the tramway during the time the tramway was in operation. The only
other structure showing this amount of fire damage is the North-West Mounted
Police Barracks. However. at the NWMP the fire appears to have been
confined to just the sill logs and floor joists suggesting that burning occurred
after the structure's disrnantiement.
None of the artifacts within the East Cabin assemblage have a post-
gold rush teminus post quem. Yet the presence of staples within the cabin
and chicken wire appear to associate its use with the L-shaped depressions to
the north of the cabin. These depressions may have k e n associated with fur
faming, an activity that would post date the tramway operation. The East
Cabin may thus represent a mixed assemblage including Gold Rush and Post-
Gold Rush activities.
MACHINE/BLACK SMITH SHOP: ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE
A total of 3,372 artifacts from several different functional groups was
recovered at the Machinehlacksmith Shop locality (Table 12, Figure 27).
However, most artifacts refiect industrial activities and day to day equipment
repairs during Canyon City's existence. The settlement's isolation and the
logistics involved in the Klondike Gold Rush are also reflected through an
emphasis on recycling within this assemblage.
The household, personal management/clothing, leisure, hunting and
subsistence and communication functional groups cumulatively represent but
3 percent of the Machine Shop assemblage. The low frequency of these
groups suggests an absence of domestic activities in the building.
The household functional group is represented by ceramics.
bottlelglassware and metal container fragments. The seven ceramic sherds
FUNCTIONAL GROUP TOTA
Ceramics BoltWg lasswlre
Bottk Jar
Metal container fragments Total
Personal MarUgmi.ritlCiathing Button Fenous
Footwea r Buckle Heel piece Rubber boot
Total
bisum Tobacco plug
Total
Tmrmporbtiori BrÎdle apparatus Oxen s h a Horsesha nail Bailing wire Bearing
Total
Hunting and SubsbC.IIC. Cartridge casing Lead pellet Gun deaning apparatus Butt plate
Tobl
Communication Glass insuiator
Total
Workinghdustrial Tools Hardware tool box Handles Axe file Cleaver (homemade) File Metal punches Chisel Lid lifter Clamp Ferroris adze head?
Chain Repair links
Ferrous pipes Total weight of amount of coke and slmg fragments r
FUNCnONAL GROUP TOTAL Pipe colbr
-bucbrril Building hardware
Stra pping Latch Hinge Braœ
Glvier points Fastenings Washer Grammet Scnw Stapk Nutr and ûotts Haoks Nails
Wmdow glau ocil
Ihcdlrnoow Simet metal Stripping Rubber Leatbr Texti k
Win C ~ Y Unidentifml Femws fragments ml - -
RnFACf TOTAL 3372 ,rd is 3.4kg or 7.51br.
Table 12. MachineJBlacksmith Shop artifact functional groups and counts.
117
Figure 27. Graph of the frequency of functional groups within the Machine/Blacksmith Shop h istoric assemblage.
appear to be fine stoneware and al1 are from the same narrow, cylindrical
cream coloureâ vessel. A clear glass with green tint widtmouthed jar finish
fragment and seven body fragments of the same wlour were collected. One
of the fragments has a '. . . WHY.. . GLA.. ." embossed on it. which has not k e n
identified to the manufacturer. The wide-rnouthed jar likely first functioned as
a vessel for food storage (Jones and Sullivan 1989). but may have been
recycled at the Machine Shop-possibly to store nuts, bob, nails etc. Nine
clear glass fragments were rewvered from Unit 10 and are of the same
thickness and most likely represent one bottle. One has a portion of the label
still ad hering with a woman's head and bordering letters '. . . oria.. . ̂. The size
of the remaining label has made it difficuît to determine origin or contents.
Judging from the curvature of the glass it appears to have been a relatively
small bottle that may have cantained condiments. One white coloured glass
shard is included within the househoid group but its function has not been
identified. All of the bottle glass was collected within the east half of the
structure.
Metal containers are represented by four body fragments. They are
identified as tin can fragments due to their curvature and thickness. Too Iittle
remains of them to associate them with a particular food group or function.
They rnay also have served a secondary function such as containers for
storing fasteners.
One button and ten footwear fragments make up the personal
managementlclothing functional group. The button is a ferrous cast. two-hole
button most likely from a jacket or trousen. Five heel plates. four rubber boot
fragments and a boot buckle constitute the footwear assemblage. The
footwear fragments were distributecl throughout the locality without clustering.
One tobacco plug clasp was present. This is the only indication of a leisure
activity occurring within the confines of the Machine Shop.
Hunting and subsistenœ also have a low frequency within the total
assemblage. This is somewhat unexpected sinœ a blacksmith shop is the
most Iikely place within the former townsite where reloading ammunition would
have taken place. The lad< of this activrty may suggest that the occupants of
the site were not concemed with anns, which may be indicative of the
Tramway Company's suppîying and importing their sustenance needs.
One m p l e t e glass insulator, manufactured by W. BrookfieM of New
York, represents the communication functional group. This type of glass
insulator has also been recovered from the West Tent locality and from the
Yukon River near the now submerged dock. The insulator is associated with
the telegraph Iine and office established within the North-West Mounted Police
Barracks in 1899 (Wood 1899).
The transportation, working/industrial and consûuction/structural
functional groups are the most frequent and informative type of artifacts
regarding the activities occumng at thb locality. In addition, they also provide
insights about the nature of the settlement in general.
The transportation functional group makes up 27 percent of the
Machine Shop's artifact assemblage. Horseshoe nails have the highest
frequency here. with most k i n g either head or shank fragments. This is
consistent with the shoeing of horses. A horseshoe. which was stolen and not
included within the assemblages counts, and an oxen shoe were also
recovered within the Machine Shop. The latter is the only evidenœ
suggesting that an ox or oxen were used to pull tram cars. The remaining
artifacts within the transportation functional group include bailing wire
fragmsnts, three bearings for the wheels of a tramcar and artifacts related to
bridle apparatus. The latter category include bridie hamess fragments.
various sizes of bridie rings, brass rivets and an end-femle for a neck yoke.
Approximately 34 percent of the Machine Shop assemblage consists of
artifacts related to machining and blacksmithing . Du ring excavation 3 -4kg of
what appears to be coke and slag were collected from the northwestern units
of the locality. Two solder bars were present, including one with the
embossed label 'ES. and Stetsonn. Several melted solder fragments and
what has k e n tentatively identified as a graphite contact rod for weiding were
also recovered. Tools within this group number 18. They include a small
hardware rnetal box, triangular file, an axe fik and a ferrous adze head. Toots
that appear to be directly related to bbcksmithing include a machined cleaver.
six chisels, a hot-plate lid lifter and two metal punches. The metal punches
and machined cleaver show evidence of direct pressure from hammer blows.
Two hundred and ninety ferrous items have clear evidence of k i ng
reworked. This consists of non-factory reshaping and cutting. The homemade
cleaver and punch, which are bath included in the tool types, are examples of
finished products from blacksrnithing and machining. M e r reworked items
include nuts and bolts, hooks, strapping, banel hoops, iron bars and strapping.
These may be the byproduds of reworking other items and not actual
functional items.
SmithingmAachining detritus is the most abundant artifact type within the
workinglindustrial functional group comprïsing 67 percent of this group.
Angular ferrous fragments and circula? ferrous pieœs make up the majonty of
this type. The latter do not exceed 20-25mm in diameter and range from 25-
10mm in thickness. They appear to be the byproducts of punching hoks in
metal, most likely metal bars and banel hoops. The detritus' distribution was
concentrated in the northwestem portion of the structure around and under the
forge feature discussed in Chapter 4.
The construction/structural functional group is weli represented within
this locality's assemblage. Building hardware and fastenings make up the
majority of this type. The washers, nuts and bolts are most likely associated
with the construction and maintenance of tramcars. Glazier points, which are
small triangular metal pieces used to secure single panes of window glass
within a frame, appear to have been stoied items and are directly related to
window repairs. This type of maintenance was probably done on location with
the glazier points stored within the Machine Shop. Nails present within the
collection range in size fmm finishing nails (less than 1 112in.) to spikes
(greater than 5in.) and were most likely stored as well as used in the
construction of the building. Aithough the nails are predominantly wiredrawn,
machine-cut nails are present.
Summary
The Machine/blacksmith shop is clearly associated with industrial
activities. The assemblage rewvered from this locale is significantly difFerent
than any other excavated at the site. It was a specialized locale with activities
dedicated to the upkeep of the settiement and the day ta day running of the
tramline. Furthemore, it is evident that recycling metal for new parts or the re-
adaptation of parts into other items was an essential activity.
The low proportion of domestic, personal management/clothing and
leisure groups indicate that the structure was not used as a dwelling. The
activity of blacksmithing is not well documented for the Klondike Gold Rush. It
is Iikely that rnost settlements, even peripheral settlements like Canyon City,
would have had a blacksmith within the community. Although beyond the
scope of this thesis, the MachineBlacksmith Shop provides a unique look into
the work of the Blacksmith in the Klondike.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The historic settlement of Canyon City arose as a direct result of the
Klondike gold rush. In 1897 a small company t o m developed around the start
of a wooden tramway enabling the multitudes of Kiondike bound stampeders
to circumvent the treactierous Miles Canyon and White Horse Rapids. The
primary purpose of Canyon City was to support the Miles Canyon and White
Horse Rapids Tramway Co.'s operation for the waves of gold seekers and
tonnes of freight headed for Dawson. In June of 1900, the White Pass and
Yukon Railway Company wmpleted its rail line linking the coastal town of
Skagway, Alaska, with the newly emerging town of Whitehorse. This rail link
rendered trail and water transportation services between Skagway and
Whitehorse non-essential. Like most of the small one industry-related
settlements along the Upper Yukon River after the arriva1 of the railway,
Canyon City's importance to Yukon transportation waned, operations ceased.
and the townsite was subsequently abandoned.
Archival records dealing with Canyon City are relatively scarce. It is
clear, however, that the community of Canyon City was a company ovmed
settlement devoted to the operation of the tramline. This was a seasonal
endeavour, since the tramline and its docking facilities did not operate in the
winter, Norman Macaulay established and o w e d this operation until 1899.
During this time, he initiated the construction of approximately 12 log
structures and several tent structures including a roadhouse, a tramway office,
a NWMP post and associated storehouse, stable, machine/blacksmith's shop.
a wooden wharf as well as a number of tents for storage and dwellings. The
resident population, wtiich is estimated from historic photographs, was
approximately 30 to 35 individuals and was predominantly male (Figure 28).
In August 1899, Macaulay sold his interests in the tramway to the White
Pass Railway, for $185,000. The tramline continued to operate for the next
ten months, after wtiich operations ceased, allowing the railway a complete
monopoly on the transportation of freight in the Upper Yukon.
Beginning in 1994 four field seasons of archaeology were conducted at
Canyon City that resulted in the documentation and mapping of 98 historic
features, and the collection of 17,395 historic artifacts and 156 faunal
specimens. Excavations concentrated on six major features or adivity areas
at Canyon City that indude the West Tent locality, the Canyon Hotel and
Saloon, the North-West Mounted Police Barracks, the Canyon and White
Horse Rapids Tramway Company building, the "East Cabinn. and the
MachineIBlacksrnith shop. During the excavations at these localities
architectural data was collectecl with particular reference to construction
strategies and materials. Artifacts recovered from each locality provide
information on activities carried out within each of the buildings tested.
The history and archaeology of Canyon City are unusual in the wntext
of the Klondike gold rush in that Canyon City was primarily, if not exclusively, a
single industry towsite that was not mining based. Furthemore, the almost
complete absence of postqold rush occupation of the site provides for a
material culture record that is largely lirnited to the gold rush period.
The archaeology of Canyon City offers an opportunity to describe a
peripheral Klondike gold rush era settlement. Specifically, the structural data
and the material culture rewvered frorn Canyon City provide insights into the
processes of a single industry settlement within the northern frontier. The
inhabitant's day to day lives appear to have been stnictured by the artificial
environment created by the wmpany. This structurïng is apparent in the
settlement characteristics of the site and in the nature of the subsistence base
of the occupants. The dominant type of abandonment apparent at Canyon
City does appear to have been as predideâ-planned permanent
abandonment. Within these areas data is lacking in the historidarchival
records of the Klondike gold rush. The excavation of Canyon City and the
analysis of the rnaterial culture appear to demonstrate that the single industry
focus of the townsite dictated the layout and composition of the tom's
infrastructure and activities; that the profitability of this gold rush period
transportation enterprise was sufficient to support a seasonal settlement
almost entirely supplied through external and rernote sources; and, that the
processes of abandonment at Canyon City were primarily detemined by
company interests. As a conclusion each of these issues is examined.
S m CHARACTERIST~CS
The gold rush occupation of Canyon City was but three hectic years.
To refer to Canyon City as a t om let alone a city is an overstatement.
Canyon City was a wrk camp. Although having unique qualities, it was Iike
many of the camps that arose along the Yukon River with the onset of the gold
rush- That is, it had a dedicated transpoftation purpose. Within the period of
the gold rush, however, it did not expand from a camp to a town, like Bennett
or Dyea. The stampeders did not pause at this locale save for a few hours.
Therefore, without long-terni residence on the part of the stampeders, the
population of Canyon City remained the same as did its level of services.
The work camp nature of Canyon City is readily apparent in the layout
of the site. The map of Canyon City (Figure 7) and the archival photographs
show that the gold rush occupation was highly structured and cannot be
explained by the orientation of the River alone. Canyon City was wmprised of
two east-wst ninning Iines of buildings and one north-south line. The first
east-west line includes the "East Cabinn and Tramway office and the second
comprises the tents CC85, CC84, CC75, the North-West Mounted Police
Storehouse and Barracks, the Canyon Hotel and Saloon and the three wall
tents that make up the West Tent locality. The north-south line of structures
are the Machine/Blacksmith Shop and the Stables that sit opposite each other
separated by a spur of the tramline.
It is not unusual for a Company to organize its structures in such away.
What is somewhat unusual is the spatially strudured placement of the
dwellings at Canyon City such as the West Tents. Photographs of Lindeman
and Bennett (see Neufeld and Noms 1996) show that the business end of the
townsites, such as the rail yards, were highly stnictured. The wall tents at
these sites, wtiich are assumed to be dwellings, were scattered about in a
haphazard fashion. This haphazardness did not occur at Canyon City during
the gold rush occupation of the site even though, as it appears within the
photographs, there were suitable, undeveloped areas for occupation. Another
indication of the st~cturing of the camp is the concentration of metal container
middens in the northwestern portion of the site. There are no indications of
structures in this area, which suggests that the townsite had a designated area
for refuse disposal. The placement of structures and other features at Canyon
City appears to have been largely detemined by Macaulay's plan of the site
and considerations of continued use by him.
The archaeology identified the function of several of the features that
had been previously unknown induding the West Tents as dwiellings, the East
Cabin as a dwelling, a portion of the Tramway Office as a dwelling and the
CC59 as a MachineIBlacksrnith shop. The Canyon Hotel and Saloon and
NWMP Barracks and the Miles Canyon and m i t e Horse Tramway building
were identified through photographs. Besides identifying the activities that
were carried out within each of these structures, the archaeological data
indicate no duplication of commercial services. With thousands of gold
seekers passing through the site on their way to the gold fields more than one
restaurant or saloon likely could have been supported. lt is apparent,
therefore. that Macaulay exercised monopolistic control over al1 economic
activities camed out within the settlement. This interpretation is supported
further by Macaulay's efforts to obtain a complete rnonopoly on freight
transportation along this stretai of the Yukon River. In this respect he bought
out his cornpetitor, John Hepbum, who had built a rival tramline operation on
the opposite side of the river.
Building techniques at Canyon City are characteristic of a temporary
camp without intention of long terrn use. All of the major structures were log
and site preparation, if present at all, consisted of leveling the ground through
excavation. The NWMP Barracks is the one exception. Prior to its
construction trenches w r e dug for the sill Iogs and a h e m centre sill was
used to stabilize the floor. More preparation was camed out on the NWMP
barracks even though Macaulay wnstructed the structure. No doubt he had to
follow NWMP guidelines as part of his contractual obligation.
The initial log structures built by Macaulay were expedient and hastily
erected in preparation for the stampede to corne. For example, the initial
section of the Tramway Office did not even have a floor. Over the next two
years Macaulay built additions to these structures, but, except for the
installation of floors, there was no real change in building techniques. That is,
construction remained basic and utilitarian and balloon-framed, milled-timber
buildings were absent. The expedient nature of this site is also emphasized
by the fact that some of the wrkers at Canyon City were housed in tents. If
the camp were intended to be even semi-permanent, it is likely bunkhouses or
more substantial structures w u l d have been built for the workers.
Canyon City artifacts were used not only to determine the function of
buildings but to provide ches as to the general nature of settlement. It is
notable that ceramics are nearly absent making up less than 0.1 percent of the
collection. This is surprising in tM, respects. First, with the presence of a
hotel and saloon, one might expect ceramic wares to have played an
important role, especially in the restaurant fundion. Second, the near
absence of ceramics is not duplicated in other household related artifacts,
which account for 30 percent of the total assemblage. Two wntributing
factors likely account for the low frequency of ceramics observed.
First, virtual lack of œramics may be explained by togistics, the
utilitarian nature of the settlement and Macaulay's wncerns with profits. Tin or
metal sewing dishes w u l d likely have been the choiœ of the wmpany due to
their durability, thereby avoiding the potential for broken dishes needing
replacement in a region where logistics make the replacement of items an
expensive exercise. The second factor is that ceramic consumption is greatly
influenced by women (Klein 1991 ). Through examining different lsm century
ceramic assemblages, Klien suggests that logistics is not the sole determinate
influencing the frequency within an assemblage. Klien (1 991 ) argues that the
increased role of women in the dornestic sphere is also a major contributing
factor. The Canyon City assemblage supports this conclusion. A single
wman is present in but tvvo archival photographs of Canyon City (Figures 5
and 29) and it is difficult to canfirm whether or not these are the same women.
The assemblage contains four artifacts that can be confidently associated with
the presence of women at the site; hm baleen fragments and a broach pin
from the Tramway Office and one hair pin from the East Cabin. Coupled with
Figure 23. Archival photograph of tramway crew, of note is the women seated behind Norman Macaulay the man with the cane Ca. 1899 (Yukon Archives H.C. Barley Coll.)
the archival photographs, the assemblage suggests that -men were not -
major contributors to the archaeological record at Canyon City; thefefore.
supporting the site's demographics as male dominated.
The isolation and utilitarian nature of the site is best illustrated by the
assemblage from the machine/blad<smith shop. Thousands of angular iron
pieces were rewvered and are Iikely the byproducts of intensive rewrking
and recycling. The shop muid have been the maintenance centre for the
settlement and was an integral part of the tramline's day to day operation.
Canyon City's isolation demanded that repairs be conducted on the spot with
the materials on hand. Archibald (1981), for example, indicates that incoming
supplies to the Klondike muid be received within a rnonth at the very earliest
(Archibald 1981 : 46-53). Another factor affecting the intensity of recycling
would have been expense. For example, a simple repair chain link, an item
that would have been utilized by the Tramway Company frequentiy, had cost
$0.20 per dozen in 1910 (Hudson's Bay Company 1977) and each repair link
weighs approximately 0.6 of a pound. Based on freight rates provided by
Steele (1 898), Bennett (1978) and Archibald (1981 ) it would have cost $6.04
to ship four dozen repair links to Canyon City via the Chilkoot trail or 7.5 times
the original cost of $0.80. To ship the same units via the St. Michael's route
was less expensive at $1.82 or 2.3 times the original cost but there would
have been a time cost involved since this is a longer route than the Chilkoot.
Despite the preceding statement, recycling and reuse of household
goods was not evident ta any considerable extent at the site. A total of 740 tin
cans (25 percent sarnple) w r e documented within the tin c m middens in the
northwstem portion of the site and less than 1 percent had reuse. Metal
containers documented dunng excavations also did not show alterations
suggesting reuse, except for a possible post-sleeve recovered from the
Roadhouse.
Metal container reuse appears to be fairly typical of Yukon gold rush
era sites (Gates 1985). Gates (1 985) doaiments tin can reuse in the gold
fields and suggests it was a regular adivity of individual miners. Items reused
include five-gallon tins cut open for roofing materials as well as pails and fruit
and vegetable tins for sieves. Like the gold fields, it seems most likely that tin
can reuse at Canyon City w u l d have been camed out by individuals on an as-
needed basis. Its near absence suggests that basic material needs were
being met by the Company.
A final consideration of Canyon City settlement patterns is its possible
indication of status differentiation. The artifact assemblage itself does not
support this statement in so far as the domestic assemblages from each of the
localities are similar. However, if the type of domestic dwellings at Canyon
City are looked at, some individuals Iived in tents M i l e others including the
NWMP were housed in log structures. The NWMP would have held a certain
status within the community on the basis of their authority. Regarding the
others, it appears that the only extravagance present at the site is the East
Cabin. It is perched along the base of the eastern terrace surrounded by a
picket fence with its own privy. It is an anomaly within the townsite. The
cabin's location and amenities suggest that the individual(s) that lived there
held some sort of distinct status within the camp. Although hypothetical. this
could have been Norman Macaulay's cabin. The wman in Figure 5 standing
outside the entrance of the East Cabins entrance may have been a resident of
the cabin as well.
The faunal rernains support a hypothesis that individuals residing within
the East Cabin had a higher status within the community. The two
assemblages with the highest faunal remains recovered include the West
Tents (n=27) and the East Cabin (n=105). While the frequency of cuts within
each assemblage are too small to accurately compare, the NlSP difference
between the two assemblages may be an indicator of status. As discussed
below, the occupants of the site w r e dependent on imported goods;
therefore, fresh meat muid Iikely have been a luxury.
SETTEMENT SUBSISTENCE
Archival data indicate that the occupants of Canyon City relied heavily
on imported fwds. Macaulay supplied his wrkers with room and board and
the NWMP received monthly rations. These rations w r e merged with the
Company's, and the N W P took their meals within the Roadhouse with the
rest of the workers. Dominated by tin cans, the artifac! assemblage recovered
from Canyon City reflects this dependence.
Faunal remains (n=156) are relatively scarce throughout the site. Only
20 identifiable bones are present and most of these are rabbit recovered from
the East Cabin. Moose and Caribou are represented by one bone each. If the
settlement was even moderately dependent on local resources for sustenance
or if the Company routinely traded or brought in wild game, greater numbers
should occur.
The low frequency of faunal rernains does not imply that meat was not
regularly consumed. Canned and preserved meat, such as bacon and wmed
beef, Iikely wnstituted an important dietary base for the occupants and it is
clear that canned fruits and vegetables were important staples as weII. The
presence of fish hooks and firearms related artifacts indicate some srnall scale
hunting and fishing. Nevertheless, this was likely for the occupants' enjoyment
rather than for survival.
ABANDONMENT
Except for the NWMP, it can be expected that al1 occupants at the site
were employees of the Miles Canyon and White Horse Tramway Company.
Therefore, once the tramlines stopped operating and the new town of
Whitehorse began to develop, Canyon City wuld have been quickly
abandoned. NWMP logbooks indicate the Post at the townsite remained in
operation, at least seasonally, until 1902. Occupation within the area did
occur after 1900 but the extent of the occupation has yet to be confidently
established. None of the artifacts recavered in buried deposits provide a
terminus post quem after 1900.
Today, berm outlines provide the only surface evidence of the buildings
that once stood a Canyon City during the gold rush. Intact subsurface
features, 5-20cm deep primarily wnsist of sill logs, floor joists and the
occasional floor plank; materials that w r e presumably unworthy of salvaging.
The lack of surface or subsurface remains suggests that buildings were
systematically dismantled and moved.
The most likely place for reuse of these materials would have been in
the nearby t o m of Whitehorse. During the winter of 1900 both buildings and
businesses were moved to Whitehorse from other short-lived Yukon River
settlements such as Bennett City, British Columbia (ingram and Dobrowolsky
1994: 7). Although not confirmed, John Hatch, a Yukon old-timer, has
indicated that he now resides in hm sections from the Canyon Hotel and
Saloon. Presumably these had been used to constnid part of the Closeleigh
Hotel and Saloon, later named the Pioneer Hotel, located in Whitehorse (John
Hatch personal communication, 1995).
Not al1 of the structures were dismantled at the end of the gold rush.
Photographs dated to 1912 show two buildings at Canyon City (Figure 14).
Two of the photographs were taken from the dock and dearly depict the
NWMP Post with its roof missing. The angle of the photograph shows the rest
of the townsite except for the eastem corner. No other structures are
standing, demonstrating the Tramway OfFice, Storehouse, Roadhouse, West
Tents, Machine/Blacksmith Shop and the stable had been dismantled prior to
191 2. Two additional photographs show the front face of an abandoned
Cabin, similar to the East Cabin. This structure, however, appears to be
located on the top of the eastem terrace of the site and likely represents the
post-gold rush occupation of the site.
It appears that tM, types of abandonment behaviors are displayed at
Canyon City. The first is planned permanent abandonment (Mills 1995;
Schiffer 1989; Stevenson 1982). This irnplies that the occupants or users of
an area have previously made the decision to leave and not retum. lnherent
in this type of abandonment is a decision over what items to take and what
items to leave behind. Usable goods are usually rernoved during planned
abandonment. One of the most important factors infiuencing this decision is
logistics, or the distance to the next habitation and the available modes of
transportation to get there (Mills 1995). Whitehorse's growth, proximity and
accessibility-the river and the tramline-suggests there w r e few logistical
obstacles to overcome when abandoning Canyon City. Therefore, in locations
where planned, permanent abandonment processes are at work there should
be a low frequency if not a total lack of usable items.
Two other important factors infiuencing this type of abandonment,
which are more site specific. must also be taken into consideration. There
were two groups or decision-makers present at Canyon City during its
abandonment: 1 ) the workers and 2) the company (this includes the Tramway
company and the NVVMP administration). It is likely that both wuld have had
different wncems regarding abandonment decisions. Because of the camp-
like nature of this settlement, the wrkers probably were most concerned with
personal items including clothing, personal hygiene, adornment and possibly
some household items. The wmpany, on the other hand, would have been
concerned about its assets ranging from buildings and machinery to hammers
and axe files.
Five of the six structures-the West Tent locality, the Canyon Hotel and
Saloon, the NWMP Post. the Canyon and White Horse Rapids Tramway
Office. and the MachinelBlacksmith shop-undemnt planned, permanent
abandonment. The NWMP barracks appears to have been the only one of
these structures not to be dismantled during abandonment. A detachment had
already been established at Whitehorse by 1902, the year the Canyon City
force was removed. This w u l d have reduced, if not eliminated the need to
move the structure. The four dismantled structures most likely represent the
liquidation of the tramway operation's Canyon City assets. However, with a
ready market for building materials but five miles down river in the growing
t o m of Whitehorse. the company liquidated their remaining assets at the site
through their removal. In so far as usable artifads were scarce. planned
abandonment is also reflected in the excavation assemblage.
Another factor in the systematic dismantlement of the settlement is
large scale economics. White Pass and Yukon Railway were the indirect
owners of the settlement in its post 1899 days. The railway company on
several occasions bought out potential competition only to shut it d o m
thereby further establishing its monopoly. Bennett (1978: 64) states that by
1907 the Railway's aggressive corporate strategy of eliminating competition
was successful. It is likely that the operations at Canyon City were one of the
several victims of the large corporation.
The East Cabin seems to be the only structure at the site that entered
the archaeological record ~Î thout being removed or scavenged. Rather, it
bumed with its contents still inside. Consequently, the East Cabin has a rich
artifact assemblage induding the highest frequency of usable artifacts.
Artifacts recovered from the charred floor indude, a tin caffee pot, a metal fry
pan, a white enamel tin plate and a number of files. Other items that w r e
most likely usable but were recovered in a highly fragmented state include a
ferrous pot, a ferrous bowi and plate and at least five cutlery pieces. As well,
unlike the other structures that at one time had stoves, four stove legs were
recovered
CONCLUS~~N
The results from the archaeological investigations of Canyon City
provide a glimpse into the nature of settlement integral to but on the periphery
of one of the largest gold rushes the world has seen. Canyon City was a
transportation camp on the Klondike frontier. Wth the end of the Klondike
gold rush there was no further requirement for a hastily wnstructed horse
drawn traml ine. Much of the tom's infrastructure was systematicall y
dismantled and removed but traces of this settlement are still preserved in the
archaeological record.
Four seasons of excavations have provided limited new insights into the
history of Canyon City but added to our knowledge of a settlement that is
usually considered a way point on the Trail of 98. There are many questions
still to be answered such as the nature and extent of the post gold rush
occupation of the site or how typical the cultural processes at Canyon City
were as compared to other sites along the Yukon River during the gold rush
era. Work is needed at similar settlements to better illuminate their role in the
Great Starnpede of '98 and their significanœ in the development of the Yukon.
The use of the archival and oral history data coupled the archaeological
study of a settlement integral to the Klondike gold rush provides a fresh
perspective on, as Pierre Burton States, "one of the best documented
adventures of the last 150 years."
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Blee, C. 1 99 1 Sorting functionally-mixed artifad assemblages with multiple
regression: A comparative study in historical archaeology. Unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Burley, O. 1985 Historical Archaeology and the Cognitive Paradigm: Developing
a Research Frarnework for the Yukon gold Rush Frontier. The Western Canadian Anthmpologist 2: 1 5-25
Burfey, D. and B. Ross 1 979a The North Dawson Hillside Prow: A Final Report- Park
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