1942
The Whitehorse Star Reports in 1942
January | |
January 30, 1942 | It is announced that the life story of "Klondike Kate" (Kate Rockwell Matson) is to be filmed in Hollywood. Kate Rockwell Matson travels to Hollywood to choose herself the woman who is to play her role. |
February | |
February 20, 1942 → March 13, 1942 → March 13, 1942 → March 27, 1942 → April 10, 1942 → June 12, 1942 → October 2, 1942 → October 30, 1942 → December 11, 1942 → November 20, 1942 |
The Alaska Highway dominates the news in 1942. On February 20, 1942 President Roosevelt emphasizes the vital necessity for an immediate construction of the Alaska Highway to assure an uninterrupted flow of supplies. Three weeks later, on March 13, 1942, the construction of the Alaska Highway is officially approved by the U.S. and Canadian governments for military purposes. Thirty million dollars have been appropriated by the U.S. government for the project. The highway will follow the route of the airlines: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Watson Lake, Whitehorse. On March 27, 1942 it is announced that three large parties are to be employed for the construction of the Alaska Highway, two of which will be working out of Whitehorse and the other out of Dawson Creek. The general plans are being prepared under the supervision of Brigadier General Sturdeyant, but the actual construction is to be carried out under the direction of Colonel W. M. Hoge. The U.S. army engineering corps arrive in Whitehorse for the construction of the Alaska Highway on April 10, 1942. Reports state that 15,000 men are required for the construction of the Alaska Highway (June 12, 1942). The southern portion of the Alaska Highway is in use on October 2, 1942: The first car arrived in Whitehorse from Dawson Creek. The construction of the Alaska Highway is completed October 28, 1942. The official opening takes place on November 20, 1942 with a ceremony held at Soldiers' Summit. The Whitehorse Star issues a special newspaper almost entirely dedicated to the opening of the Alaska Highway. After completion of the highway,a new feeder road, connecting Haines with the Alaska Highway, is under construction (December 11, 1942). |
May | |
May 1, 1942 | The population census states that in 1941 1,679 women and 3,008 men (a total of 4687) lived in the Yukon Territory. |
May 1, 1942 | Ballot boxes arrive in down river settlements near Peace River by dropping them from C.P. Airline planes (April 24, 1942). |
May 1, 1942 | The Polaris-Taku mine, operating in the Atlin district is closing down for the duration of the war, due to inability to secure sufficient labour and supplies. |
May 8, 1942 → May 15, 1942 |
On May 8, 1942, there are reports stating that President Roosevelt is considering the construction of a railroad connecting the United States with Alaska, possibly following the route of the Alaska Highway. Costs are estimated between 68 and 200 million dollars. On May 15, 1942, survey parties arrive in the Territory for the purpose of mapping out a feasible route for the proposed United States-Alaska railroad |
May 15, 1942 | On May 10, 1942, the Yukon Southern Air Transport Ltd. Inaugurates a daily service between Edmonton and Whitehorse (Fridays excepted). |
May 29, 1942 | On May 22, 1942, Minister Howe tells the House of Commons that Private air lines will not be allowed to operate in competition with the projected new TransCanada air lines services to the Yukon and Alaska. |
June | |
June 5, 1942 | The U.S. government is considering a pipeline connecting the oil wells in Fort Norman, N.W.T. with Whitehorse. Negotiations between the Canadian and U.S. governments are underway. |
June 12, 1942 | Louis Nadeau of Chief Gulch discovered one of the largest nuggets ever found in that district valued at $1,200. |
July | |
July 24, 1942 → September 11, 1942 |
Strict military control over all civilian travel to and from Alaska is established on July 14, 1942. A military pass is now required for any civilian entering or leaving the territory. As of September 11, 1942, all travellers passing through Alaskan Territory must secure a permit from the U.S. Military Police. |
August | |
August 21, 1942 → November 13, 1942 |
Plans are prepared for the erection of a new wing to Whitehorse General Hospital. The construction of the new wing starts on November 13, 1942. |
August 21, 1942 | The Government of Canada approves the establishement of restricted military areas as established by General W.M. Hoge. The area includes portions of the Whitehorse airport and its vicinity. Hunting is prohibited in this area and travel is restricted to those with a pass. |
August 21, 1942 | 2000 $ are allocated in 1942 for improvement of roads and sidewalks in Whitehorse. Wood sidewalks are retained on the two main streets. On the other streets, the wood sidewalks are replaced with crushed rock surfaced with decomposed granite. |
September | |
September 11, 1942 | Negotiations between the U.S. government and the White Pass and Yukon Route are in progress for the U.S. government to operate the railroad for the duration of the war. |
October | |
October 2, 1942 | The first combination canteen-clubhouse in the Yukon opens in Whitehorse for the army. The space is an annex to the library and former meeting hall of the I.O.D.E. |
October 2, 1942 | The son of Bishop Stringer is married on August 29, 1942 in Toronto. |
October 9, 1942 | A second highway to Alaska, along route "A" from Seattle north is recommended by the Alaska International Highway Commission, but not favoured by the Federal Works Agency. |
December | |
December 4, 1942 → December 11, 1942 |
Leslie Cook becomes a hero flying in a snowstorm and sub-zero-weather and saving a soldier's life. Shortly after, Leslie Cook dies in the "saddest airplane tragedy in the history of Whitehorse" (December 4, 1942). His plane crushes on one of the main streets soon after take-off. |
December 18, 1942 | Another historic landmark in Whitehorse is destroyed by fire on December 16, 1942 when the historice N.S.A.A. Hall burns down. |