Construction and Maintenance of the Alaska Highway Archives Gallery
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Letter from George Black
Letter from George Black, Member of Parliament for Yukon to G.A. Jeckell, Controller of the Yukon Territory dated March 23, 1942 regarding Mr. Black’s wish that the Alaska Highway route had gone via Dawson City. Mr. Black also comments on the need to protect game along the construction corridor. When the highway started construction, Dawson City was the capital of the Yukon. By 1953, thanks largely to the highway, the capital was moved to Whitehorse.
Yukon Archives. Yukon Government, Series 1, GOV 1612, File 466, Part iii. Letter from George Black to G.A. Jeckell, dated March 23, 1942

Construction: Who and How

This old "dually", partially restored with new paint, saw much use on the Alaska Highway.The 1942 Dodge Carryall power wagon was accurately restored by the donor before coming to the Yukon Transportation Museum.

How to Build a Northern Road

Trans Canada-Alaska Railroad Survey crewPontoon bridge beside timber bridge Constructing a pile driven bridgeLooking at Stone MountainSurveyors at Slim’s Riversection of road Letter from George BlackPile driver during bridge constructionTelegram to G.A. JeckellCrew building a temporary bridgeA pile driverLaying corduroyThe Donjek RiverForging aheadHow to make new recruits into Alaska Highway construction workers.Operating roomU.S. Air Force Hospital wardTent CityAn outdoor mealMenu for July 31, 1945responsibility of the mess personnelThe U.S. Army 18th Engineers at Cracker Creek campA mess hall line-upoperated by Dowell Construction CompanyI want a houselog skyscrapersA truck floating on waterSwift River420 pound tireLabour conditionsMinimum wage ratesrough conditionsmen would drive the highway in stagesgroup of broken down trucks awaiting repaircontractor moving heavy equipmentPilot Les Cook with Northern Airways CF-BDZLes Cook’s heroic flightLes Cook’s heroic flightAlcan trucksLumber barge near CarcrossMiles Canyon list of the contractorsdeep mudMuddy rutsWooden culvertAerial view of WhitehorseWhitehorse looking west on Main StreetMacRae developed into a large maintenance campTime office No. 1 MHKCB Co.’s WhitehorseLow morale plagued Army engineers excerpt from a manuscriptexcerpt from a manuscriptgroup of soldiers posing

Mission Accomplished

ribbon from the dedication ceremonyMenu and signaturesMenu and signatures at dedication ceremonySoldier’s Summit ceremonyLetter to J.E. GibbenFront page of the Whitehorse StarPainted by the federal Department of Public Works, this wooden sign shows the November, 1942 date of the official opening of the Alaska Highway.
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