The Alaska Highway Corridor is a place rich in history, culture and heritage. Traversing 1,900 km from Dawson Creek, through northeastern BC and Yukon, to the Alaska border, the corridor is home to numerous communities. It is also a top destination for outdoor adventure and wildlife watching, and is known for its stunning vistas of mountain ranges, rolling forests and pristine waterways.
2017 will mark the highway’s 75th anniversary, and the Alaska Highway Community Society is interested in hearing about local projects that are currently underway or projects that are being planned for 2017. Please contact us using the form below!
Here are some projects currently underway:
The North Peace Museum has produced a 2017 calendar titled: Miles and Miles of Miles and Miles: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Building of the Alaska Highway. This calendar looks back at the construction of and early travel along the highway. Best of all it features historic photographs by Rudy Schubert, photographer for the 341st Engineers who later settled in Fort St. John. This calendar features loads of history, interesting facts about the highway, and amazing historical photos. It is available at the museum gift shop.
Through Destination BC partner funding, the communities of Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson have developed a website focused on the 75th Anniversary of the Alaska Highway – check it out
Fort St. John is planning an airshow for 22-23 July 2017! For more upcoming events in Fort St. John, check out their Townwall.
Dalex Auto, of Ft. Nelson, BC, wants to honour the spirit of the women of the Alaska Highway, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary in 2017, by featuring 12 wonderful women in a special calendar. For more information, check out their poster here.
The Peace Liard Regional Arts Council has also shared some of their projects with us:
Alaska Highway Theme Song: A call was made to all singer/songwriters in our region for a song that will represent the community in 2017 75th Alaska Highway Anniversary celebrations. The song writing contest has resulted in a CD showcasing the top picks. These CD’s will be available to organizations to sell as a fund raiser.
Museum Auto Circle Tour Map: A brochure is being developed that will identify public museums and landmarks along the Alaska Highway Corridor, as well as mention special events taking place through the region. The brochure will be made available by 2017.
Alaska Highway Public Art Project: The project has its roots in the steam punk movement where past technology is modified and presented in alternative ways. In the spirit of steam punk, Peace-Liard Region artists will transform a Trencher (a piece of machinery used in the building of the Alaska Highway and donated by a local collector) into a work of art. The project will provide an opportunity for all regional artists (with an emphasis on Indigenous artists), to share ideas, both personal and historical, related to the building of the Alaska Highway. The unveiling date is planned for spring 2017.
Alaska Highway Road Show: The Peace Liard Regional Arts Council will be supporting The Alaska Highway Road Show, featuring musician Bill Dolan, storyteller Kathy Jessup, and author Allison Tubman. They will serve as a liaison to groups in the region, help secure venues, and help spread the word. For more information, visit www.alaskahighwayroadshow.com.
Other events currently being planned by the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council include:
In 2017, there will be 92 new banners going up in Fort St. John with the 1942 theme and the North Peace Cultural Centre is working on a mural.
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British Columbia Municipalities
♦ Electoral Areas B, C, D and E
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
British Columbia First Nations
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Yukon Municipalities
Yukon First Nations
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A large number of local museums, historical societies and visitor centres maintain and share information about the environment, natural resources, historic places and stories related to the Alaska Highway Corridor. Here are some online resources that provide information about places and stories of interest in the corridor:
General
British Columbia
Peace Region
South Peace Historical Society
South Peace Community Arts Council
Northern Trails Historical Society
Alaska Highway House
Mile 0 Park and Walter Wright Pioneer Village
Pouce Coupe Museum and Historical Society
Peace Liard Regional Arts Council
Fort St. John North Peace Museum
Fort St. John Community Arts Council
Dawson Creek Station Museum/NAR Park Visitor Centre
Fort Nelson Area
Yukon
Yukon Museums and Cultural Centres
Alaska Highway – A Yukon Perspective
MacBride Museum of Yukon History
Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre
Da Ku Cultural Centre, Haines Junction
Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre
Kluane Museum of Natural History, Burwash Landing
Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society
Northern Lights Space and Science Centre
Watson Lake Visitor Information Centre
Whitehorse Visitor Information Centre
Haines Junction Visitor Information Centre
Carcross Visitor Information Centre
Alaska
National Park Service Visitor Centre, Skagway