Jack London Cabin & Interpretive Centre

Jack London Cabin and Interpretive Centre

The Jack London Cabin and Interpretive Centre is a historic site in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. Jack London, the tenant of the cabin, was a famous American writer who visited the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.

The story of Jack London begins from his home in San Francisco when one day he comes across an article about the Klondike Gold Rush. The article peaked his interest enough that at the age of 21 he departed from San Francisco for the Yukon to claim his riches.

Jack London arrived in the Yukon Territory, like many miners did, by backpacking the Chilkoot Pass and by paddling a chain of lakes starting with Bennett Lake and eventually leading to the Yukon River. It was a route that had taken many lives before him. From the day of his departure, life in the Yukon was rough for Jack London. It did not take long, when a year later Jack was a broke man - penniless.

Later in life Jack London began to write about his experiences in the Yukon. He kept writing and writing. In total Jack published around 50 novels. His most recognized novels of the Yukon would be "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang".

Today.. the story of Jack London is remembered in Dawson City and in Oakland, California, USA. Yes, there are two sites dedicated to the man. You see.. the Jack London Cabin was originally built on the banks of Henderson Creek in 1898 which is about 120 kilometres south of Dawson City.

When Jack London left the Yukon penniless he abandoned his cabin. In 1926. And then some scribbling by Jack London was discovered on the wall of the cabin by two trappers. In 1936 the the logs were divvied up between Dawson City and his hometown of Oakland, California, USA. Hence the two sites.

The logs in Dawson City were put to use in building a replica of the cabin, his food cache and the interpretive centre. The centre contains photos, artifacts and newspaper clippings. The hosts of the centre are dressed in period clothing. The centre operates between May and September. Enjoy.

Jack London Historic Site, Dawson City, Yukon Territories, Canada