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Yukon Nuggets

1946

The Whitehorse Star Reports in 1946

 
February
February 1, 1946 The RCAF presents a dance at the ‘98 ballroom with music by the Rhythm Rascals. Admission is one dollar. Unescorted ladies get in free.
February 21-23, 1946 The Whitehorse Winter Carnival is held. Queen candidates are Frances VanBerkel, Gudrun Erickson, Vivian Harris, Edna Ricalton and Viola Sullivan of Skagway.
March
March 1946 Control of the White Pass Railroad is transferred from the US Army back to its British owners. During the Second World War, the US military operated the historic line. The White Pass saw record volumes of traffic while serving as a vital supply route for the Alaska Highway and other projects.
March 22, 1946 Defence Minister Abbott states there is no possibility of the Alaska Highway being opened to civilian traffic in the near future.
March 29, 1946 B.C. Premier John Hart announces in the Provincial Legislature that civilians will be permitted to use the Alaska Highway subject to certain regulations.
March 29, 1946 There is much discussion about moving the capital of the Yukon from Dawson City to Whitehorse because of easy access.
April
April 3, 1946 In a ceremony at Whitehorse, the US military turned the Alaska Highway over to the Canadian Army. Brigadier-General Geoffrey Walsh became the first Canadian commander. Walsh felt that the road, having received so much publicity during the war, would attract the attention of peacetime travelers. Yet lodges and gas stations were still rare and Walsh declared that the military pass system would stay in place. US Major-General William Hoge attends the transfer celebrations and is warmly welcomed back to Whitehorse.
April 5, 1946 Citizens of Whitehorse celebrate on April 3, 1946 the transfer of the U.S. Army defense projects, such as the Alaska Highway, airports, and telephone systems to Canada.
May
May 10, 1946 C.T. Dawson, district resident architect for British Columbia and the Yukon, recommend to erect the new Federal building on the south side of the ball park, facing on Main Street and occupying six lots between Third and Fourth Avenue.
May 19, 1946 Mr. Grainger returns to Whitehorse from Albuquerque after 48 years of absence.
May 24, 1946 The federal government considers a proposal to extend the boundaries of the Yukon Territory to include that portion of the N.W. T. west of the Great Bear and Great Slave lakes.
May 24, 1946 The Young People's Association sponsors May Day celebrations including sporting events and the Queen contest.
May 31, 1946 The local radio station CFWH is transferred from the U.S. army to the Canadian army.
May 31, 1946 A draft Bill is to be presented to the House of Commons according to which Whitehorse would become the capital of the Yukon if a part of the N.W.T. becomes a part of the Territory.
June
June 7, 1946 Operations of CFWH, the local radio station, is transferred from the US Army to the Canadian Army.
June 7, 1946 At the Men's Council annual meeting, elected members are: Honourary President, Willard Phelps: President, Gordon Lee: Vice-president, Jimmy Gentleman: Secretary, Rev. L. G. Chappel: Treasurer, F. Dunn.
June 14, 1946 The Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King begins his twentieth year as Prime Minister of Canada thereby surpassing the previous record holder, Sir John A. Macdonald.
June 21, 1946 In the first appeal for clothing to be sent to Europe where they desperately need it, Whitehorse contributes by far the largest shipment per capita in Canada.
June 28, 1946 Senator Alexander Duncan McRae dies at the age of 71 in Ottawa.
June 28, 1946 In a plebiscite, the incorporation of Whitehorse is rejected by the Whitehorse residents.
July
July 10, 1946 Antoine Cyr passes away.
July 19, 1946 Whitehorse opens a community-supervised playground for the children ages 2-6.
August
August 9, 1946 It is reported that plans are made for the disposal of a portion of the canol project. The portion comprises the pipeline and the refinery in Whitehorse but not the plant and equipment located at Norman Wells.
August 23, 1946 It is announced that restrictions for the Alaska Highway have been modified to permit passage of properly-organized hunting parties over the route.
August 23, 1946 Hougens moves their store from Second Avenue and Wood Street to the White Pass Hotel on Main Street across from Taylor and Drury.
August 30, 1946 Development of the Alaska Highway for tourists is urged in the House of Commons.
September
September 6, 1946 The National Film Board in Ottawa produces the first complete motion picture of the Alaska Highway. It will receive wide distribution.
September 13, 1946 O'Harra Bus Lines inaugurates on September 12, 1946 bus services from Whitehorse to Haines and Juneau.
September 20, 1946 The Young People’s Association elect Rolf Hougen as President, Bill Jefferies as Vice-President, Peggy Ellick as Official Scribe, and Art Yeulet as Treasurer. Y.P.A. opens its own clubhouse in a former Army barracks that is moved from Sixth Avenue and Strickland Street to Fourth Avenue and Hanson Street.
November
November 1, 1946 First International Kiwanis Club Yukon is organized in Whitehorse October 29, 1946. President, Fred Dunn: Vice-President, Dave Wilson: Secretary-Treasurer, Ken Wilson.
November 15, 1946 November 13, 1946 tt is announced that the Kiwanis club purchases the McRae Theatre.