This year, 1992, is the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Hiway. In November, 1942, the United States Army completed an engineering and construction miracle, the Alcan Hiway, which today is called the Alaska Highway. 

The road started in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. It was driven through an untracked wilderness, 1500 miles to Fairbanks, Alaska. The scar the Japs threw into the American and Canadian governments by bombing Pearl Harbor caused the road to be built. It was completed in one summer, from spring break-up to winter snow fall.

There were trails to follow, no airports. Army engineers walked ahead of the bulldozers from one high hummock to the next avoiding tundra swamps wherever possible. They drove survey stakes as they moved along. Because of their search for solid ground the road was as crooked as a snake's track.

A telephone line was built beside the road as construction progressed. It ultimately became a 16 wire line. Some short stretches are still in use by local citizens but most of it has disappeared as the Canadian government realigned and rebuilt the hiway. Insulators used were clear Dominion 42's and Hemingray 45's.

When you traveled the road in the early days, you carried emergency food supplies. You had at least three five gallon cans of extra gas and two or three spare tires. Little 7-8 stool cafes with hand pumped gas dispensers sprang up about every 50 miles in sod covered log cabins or in an abandoned Quonset Hut left behind by the road builders. Most of these places are gone now, sunk back into the tundra and overgrown by spruce forests. 

It was a narrow two lane gravel road that you dreaded to drive. Speeding trucks and fast autos in the summer, sprayed rocks and gravel across both lanes. You replaced your cracked windshield after each trip. In rainy seasons you slithered in mud from side to side. The road was best for driving in the winter even though the temperature dropped to 40 and 50 degrees below zero.

These experiences are things of the past. Today it is much like driving in the "South 48". You still go mile after mile without seeing any human activity. Real hamburgers have replaced moose meat hamburgers. There are good road maps so that you can plan your driving schedule. All modern conveniences are available. A traveler, even today, will never forget his Alcan Hiway trip.

Jo, my wife, and I made our first trip over the Alcan Hiway in 1956. From 1970 through 1985, we spent from two to six weeks every summer in the Yukon or Northern British Columbia. We are history and railroad buffs. We made three trips on the Yukon where we explored the mouth of every creek looking for evidence of the Klondike gold rush days.

We have tramped many miles along the overgrown trail of the Yukon-Whitepass telegraph. It follows the Yukon. I have 1908 dated nails from the old Whitepass-Yukon Railroad line.

The United States is putting up $9 million for road repair and maintenance of the Alcan which will help to begin the long process of restoring this historic and important highway. People can get information about this celebration from most large travel agencies. However, for more information they can use one of the agencies listed below:

Rondy '92 Alas Hi
Fairbanks, AK
(907) 452-8000

Yukon Anniversary Comm.
Bag 1992
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Canada Y1A 5L9
(403) 668-1992

British Columbia Anniv. Comm.
Ft. St. John, British Columbia 
Ste 14-9223 100 Street 
British Columbia, Canada 
V1J 3X3
(907) 452-8000