Watson Lake, Yukon Territory

We have entered our third province, or rather territory, in Canada: Yukon. It’s our last section before we enter into Alaska. The Alaska Highway goes in and out of Yukon and British Columbia seven times.

The big touristy thing to do in Watson Lake is a stop at the Sign Post Forest. During the construction of the highway, the United States Army had put up a directional sign for Watson Lake. Private Carl Lindley was injured during the construction of the road, and was recuperating in Watson Lake. He was ordered to repair and paint the directional posts and he decided to make a sign for his hometown of Danville, Illinois and added it to the post. Eventually other soldiers added their hometowns to the post, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In September of 1992, Carl and his wife Elinor returned to Watson Lake to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. I took a photograph of that photo at the museum. Unfortunately no one knows what happened to the original sign post. This place is now on the registry of Yukon Historical Sites. So it will be forever preserved.

Thirty years after Carl and Elinor, we have arrived!

June 6, 2022

They estimate there are now over 100,000 signs posted here in the Sign Post Forest. The place is amazing! When we first started walking towards it, I told Dan that it seemed smaller than I thought it would be. After a few minutes of wandering around, he asked if I still thought it was small – no it is not! I think a lot of cities/towns and villages are missing some street signs – they can be found here! All 50 states and many countries are represented.

Quote of the Day: “When we are lost in the woods, the sight of a signpost is a great matter.” – C. S. Lewis

4 thoughts on “Watson Lake, Yukon Territory

  1. How cool. If we ever get there I guess I’ll bring some signs of the towns we lived in! Y’all are really enjoying your trip —- and so are we! thanks

    • We did not see your sign. There was so much to see and do that we didn’t get to spend enough time reading all of the signs. We hope you are having a great summer.

      Take care, Dan and Jonell

      Sent from my iPad

      >

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