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Guide to the Yukon photograph collection
Wyles Mss 212
Wyles Mss 212
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Title: Yukon photograph collection
Identifier/Call Number: Wyles Mss 212
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.21 linear feet
(1 half-size document box)
Date (inclusive): circa 1900-1964
Abstract: Collection of 109 real photo postcards, 8 printed postcards, 22 original photographs and various ephemera from the archive
of the Watson family, Yukon Pioneers and owners of the Watson General Store in Carcross – the oldest operating store in the
Yukon.
The collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
[Identification of Item], Yukon photograph collection, Wyles Mss 212. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara
Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Library purchase, 2015.
47 real photo postcards, including six privately issued, showing “New Watson residence, Whitehorse, nearing completion, Sept.
1909. Taken in Sept. before it was finished or walks laid;” a portrait of “Mom in Atlin visiting Bruce, about 1912 or 1913”
(most likely, Martha Watson), and other family portraits. Among the studio issued real photo postcards the most interesting
are: Steamer “Scotia” on Atlin Lake (with Atlin and Whitehorse postal stamps dated 1910 on verso), “Princess May” wrecked
on Sentinel Island reef, Aug. 5th 1910 (by Winter & Pond); Floating down the Yukon, 1911; a street view in Atlin with a period
ink inscription on verso “Look toward Post office & Royal Hotel, Atlin BC, May 23, 1914;” Stage leaving Whitehorse for Dawson
(with Whitehorse postal stamps dated 1907); and First Passenger train leaves Prince Rupert, June 14, 1911 (with a Whitehorse
postal stamp dated 1911).
Other real photo postcards from ca. 1900s-1950s show views of Carcross (aerial, general, street views), Whitehorse (including
the interior of a native craft shop), Dawson, Yukon River and Whitehorse rapids, Miles Canyon, “Tramway around Whitehorse
rapids,” Atlin, Prince Rupert, Juneau, Taco Glacier, “Yukon Fire Place made from Native Copper Ore,” steamer “Princess Maquinna”
in Ketchikan, dog sledges, “Watson dogs in Whitehorse” and others. Most postcards are titled in negative, six are with additional
manuscript or typewritten notes on recto or verso. Eleven are filled in and dated on verso or with postal stamps (Whitehorse,
Skagway, Prince Rupert, Chilliwack, Vancouver) dated 1908-1974.
8 printed postcards with the views of Atlin, Llewellen Glacier, Chilkoot Pass, Juneau Harbour, and Ketchikan, addressed to
Matthew Watson or Martha Grace Watson and dated 1905-1912.
16 early 1930-1960s reprints of the early real photo postcards showing Alaska, Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush. The original
postcards were issued by H.C. Barley, Larss & Duclos, and E. Ellingsen and show Dyea, prospectors’ boats on Lake Bennett,
Front St. and various buildings in Dawson, Chilkoot Pass, first passenger train of the White Pass & Yukon Railway, a fire
in Atlin in 1914, steamer “Hannah” leaving Dawson, gold miners and others. Six postcards are supplemented with typewritten
notes on recto or verso.
38 real photo postcards showing a map and views of the Alaska Highway, published by the U.S. Public Road Administration in
ca. 1940s. Eleven postcards with minor loss of one of the upper corners or a part of the upper margin.
22 original photographs from ca. 12x16 cm (4 ¾ x 6 ¼ in) to ca. 7x11 cm (2 ¾ x 4 ¼ in) showing panoramas and street views
of Whitehorse, the Yukon River, a military parade in Whitehorse (ca. In the 1940s), a train going through the snow covered
WP & YR track, Miles Canyon, dog sledges and others. Ten photos are with manuscript ink or typewritten notes on verso.
A pamphlet titled: Our Glorious Dead. Unveiling ceremony of a monument erected by public subscription at Whitehorse, Yukon,
Canada, in memory of those from Whitehorse who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918. Ca. 24,5x15 cm. One of the choir members
is Mr. M.B. Watson.
An obituary and memorial leaflet dedicated to the members of the Watson family (William Watson and William Farquhar Watson).
Newspaper clipping: Padgham, Massey. Telegraph Office open for business as part of museum// The Whitehorse Star. Jul. 2, 1980.
With a signed M. Padgham’s business card. Ten real photo and printed postcards addressed to Martha Grace Watson or her daughter
Grace, with the Whitehorse, Victoria, Longbeach, Tacoma, Winnipeg, London, Paris, and Florence postal stamps dated 1909-1947.
Eleven postcards from ca. 1940s.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Alaska--Pictorial works
Clippings
Leaflets
Pamphlets
Photographs
Postcards
Yukon--Pictorial works