Gold was discovered in 1896 in the creeks of a native fishing camp at the junction of the Klondike and Yukon Rivers and this caused what was known as the Klondike Gold Rush. Termed the “Paris of the North” Dawson City was the largest city west of Winnipeg, 40,000 at its peak with telephone service, running water and steam heat. Elaborate hotels, theatres and dance halls were erected, and Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 for a public library in 1903. The town was staked out by Joe Ladue and named after George M. Dawson, Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, who explored the region in 1887. In 1899 the Gold Rush was over and 8000 people left Dawson that summer. By 1902 the city only numbered 5000 and Dawson was officially an incorporated city.

The "Dawson City Gold Rush" song, written and performed by Scott McLeod, is the sound track for this animated drawings video.