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Yukon Nuggets

1958

The Whitehorse Star Reports in 1958

 
January
January 9, 1958 On December 7, 1957, Commissioner F.H. Collins cuts a ribbon to officially open the new RCAF Rec hall.
January 16, 1958 The Young People's Association chooses Cal Waddington for president.
January 23, 1958 Former Old Crow Chief Peter Moses receives January 12, 1958 a medal from the Governor-General for his role in preserving customes and traditions.
January 30, 1958 Judge J.E. Gibben dies on January 28, 1958 in Whitehorse at the age of 62.
January 30, 1958 George Black, former commissioner of the Yukon and ex-speaker of the House of Commons, marries Sadie King in Vancouver.
February
February 6, 1958 Ted Anderson is re-relected Chairman of the Yukon Indian Advancement Association.
February 6, 1958 Ione Jean, only daughter of G.I. Cameron, becomes the bride of Arthur Karsten Christensen.
February 13, 1958 Federal Resource Minister announces survey work on a road through the Yukon mountains to the Arctic Coast.
February 13, 1958
 → April 17, 1958
In February, a low-rental housing scheme for Whitehorse is announced by the government. However, on April 16, 1958, the territorial council turns down the low-rental housing scheme, putting the program on ice for an extended period.
February 13, 1958 It is announced that the steamer "Klondike" will go on its final journey when she leaves the Yukon some time in 1958. The paddlewheeler was sold in January to restaurateur John Lester who plans to use the ship as a tourist attraction during B.C.'s Centennial year.
February 27, 1958 Northern Affairs Minister Alvin Hamilton announces details of national development program aimed at the Yukon and NWT: Top priority road is the Flat Creek route to Fort MacPherson, Arctic Red River, East Three and Tuktoyaktuk.
March
March 27, 1958 On March 31, 1958, John Phelps and John Scott sell the Yukon Electrical Company to Canadian Utilities of Edmonton.
March 27, 1958 Northern Affairs Minister Alvin Hamilton announces the transfer from the United States to Canada of ownership of the Canadian portion of the four-inch Canol pipeline from Skagway to Whitehorse.
March 31, 1958 Yukon MP, Erik Nielsen is re-elected. In the 24th federal general election, Progressive Conservatives, led by Diefenbaker, are re-elected with the largest majority to date in Canadian history, defeating the Liberals and their new leader Lester Pearson.
April
April 3, 1958 Flames gut the Elks Home in downtown Whitehorse. The historic building was one of the oldest in Whitehorse and onetime home of Robert Service.
April 3, 1958 The Northern Affairs Department approves a street paving program for the city of Whitehorse. Initial stages of paving will go from the foot of Two Mile Hill along Fourth to the UKHM loading area and down Main Street to the White Pass building.
May
May 8, 1958 A newly passed Liquor Ordinance allows now Banquets with liquor on Sundays and extends "drink up" time in bars from 15 minutes to half an hour.
May 8, 1958 W. (Bill) Walker is named president of the Whitehorse Board of Trade on May 6, 1958.
May 22, 1958 Joanne Parsons is named Queen of the May at Whitehorse's annual May Day Celebrations.
June
June 5, 1958 The first car rally in the Yukon, called the "Cheechako Rally", takes place on the Carcross route June 1, 1958.
June 5, 1958 CBC plans to extend and improve radio broadcasting service in the north. It is planned to build a shortwave station in Vancouver to beam CBC programs to the Yukon and the Mackenzie district of the Northwest Territories, to be completed by 1960.
June 19, 1958 Work has begun on construction of the bridge over the Yukon river at Carmacks.
June 26, 1958
 → November 13, 1958
After many years of operation on a volunteer basis, radio station CFWH is staffed in August/September 1958 by CBC personnel. CBC assumes control of CFWH on November 10, 1958,
July
July 3, 1958 The last surviving member of the Northwest Mounted Police, Patrick (Paddy) Doyle, dies at the age of 95 in Moose Jaw.
July 3, 1958
 → July 17, 1958
 → July 24, 1958
July 3, 1958, the Whitehorse Star is reporting that forest fires are burning out of control in many parts of the Yukon. Two weeks later, it is reported that that forestry men, army, RCAF, and civilians battle the fire. On July 24, 1958, forestry officials say there would have been little hope for Whitehorse if the rain hadn't saved the town. The 30-mile front of fire came up within five miles of the White Pass tank farm and was seen plainly from city streets on July 18, 1958.
July 3, 1958
 → September 4, 1958
John Parker is appointed Judge of the territorial court on July 1, 1958. He is sworn in on September 9, 1958.
July 10, 1958 The month of June 1958 was the hottest and driest on record in Whitehorse. Mean temperature for the month was 60.7 F (15.9 Celsius), six degrees above normal.
July 31, 1958 A group of hikers, including Blondie Hougen and Bill Drury, retrace in a remembrance hike over the White Pass the steps of the original ninety-eighters.
July 31, 1958 The ashes of Klondike Kate are scattered over the wildst of the Cascade Range area of central Oregan, following her request.
September
September 11, 1958 In the Yukon Territorial election on September 8, 1958, Charlie Taylor, Jim Smith, George Shaw, Ray McKamey and John Livesay become Territorial Councillors.
September 11, 1958 Robert Service dies in southern France.
October
October 2, 1958 Prime Minister Diefenbaker visits the Yukon on September 26, 1958.
October 16, 1958 Commissioner F.H. Collins officially opens the new school at Elsa on October 8, 1958.
October 30, 1958 Northern Affairs Minister Alvin Hamilton announces a refinery for Haines Junction.
November
November 13, 1958 Haines Junction is provided with power by Yukon Electric Power.
December
December 11, 1958 Flo Whyard is elected President of the Women's Auxiliary.