Km 800 - Fortymile

The river and townsite of Fortymile were named for their estimated distance down stream from the Jack McQuesten’s fur trading post at Fort Reliance. The discovery of coarse gold in 1886 (compared to fine or "flour" gold) sparked the Yukon's first major rush. The next year Arthur Harper and McQuesten, who led the shift from fur to mining trade, built a post here.

In 1893 a competing store was opened by the North American Trading & Transportation Co. at Fort Cudahy, across the Fortymile River. Increased steamer traffic and new winter mining methods encouraged miners to stay year-round creating a more permanent community. In its heyday, Fortymile had a population of 1000 served by six saloons, several restaurants, doctors, blacksmiths, watchmaker, dressmaker, library, theatre and the territory's first post office. Although the Klondike gold strike of 1896 emptied the town, many returned and the smaller settlement continued for many years.

Anglican Church and Mission

Buxton Mission, founded in 1887, took on new vitality after the arrival of Bishop Bompas and his wife in 1892. During a nine-year stay, their work on nearby Mission Island was mostly with local First Nations. In 1895, Reverend Bowen built St. James Church for the mining community. This church remained open until 1935.

Fortymile NWMP Post

Until 1894, Fortymile's largely American populace resolved disputes by on-the-spot miners' meetings. Complaints about this rough justice and homebrewed "hootchinoo" brought the first Canadian authority to the Yukon. In 1895, Inspector Constantine and 19 Mounted Police built Fort Constantine across the Fortymile River. The last constable left Fortymile in 1938.

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