Page 71 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

adventurers with a bit of extra time there are fly- Dawson Creek is situated in the panoramic Alaska Highway.
in fishing opportunities or riverboat tours along rolling foothills of northeastern British Columbia’s Located on what was once known as Beaver
many rivers and streams. Treks will take the hiker Peace River Country and is best known as “Mile Plains, Dawson Creek was named for George
to unimaginable vistas and who knows what a bit 0” on the Alaska Highway. The construction of Mercer Dawson, who recognized the agricultural
of gold panning might produce from some of those the famous Alaska Highway was a major factor in potential of the area as he surveyed the Peace
Klondike streams! This is the start of the Alaska Dawson Creek’s growth in the 1940s. Planned by River Country in 1879. Today, Dawson Creek’s
Highway. Enjoy your visit! the United States as an urgent strategic move in the agricultural industry generates over $100 million
war with Japan, the highway’s initial purpose was annually. Most of the province’s grains, forage and
Dawson Creek solely military. The army used 11,000 soldiers and oil seeds are grown in the area and Dawson Creek
16,000 civilians to build the road. The first soldiers
has been among the largest grain shipping points in
Location: Junction of Highways 97N, 97S, and supplies arrived near Dawson Creek in early Canada. The livestock industry produces firm, well-
2 and 49; 75 km (45 miles) to Fort St. John; March of 1942 and the official start of construction flavored meat. Beekeepers produce heavy yields of
409 km (256 miles) to Prince George; 615 took place on March 8. prize honey. Vegetables are raised in commercial
km (370 miles) to Edmonton; 2395 km (1560 In subsequent days the influx continued quantities on the Peace River flats. Many farmers in
miles) to Fairbanks, Alaska. Population: and Dawson Creek’s population grew from the area have diversified and bison and reindeer can
12,000. Visitor Information: Tourism Dawson approximately 600 to 10,000. On November 20, be observed in many farm fields in the area.
Creek Visitor Info Centre, 900 Alaska Avenue 1942 just eight months and 12 days from start-up, the Dawson Creek is a well-developed rural
V1G 3E7; Phone (250) 782-9595 or (866) highway was officially opened. Since 1946, when it municipality, acting as a service and supply centre
645-3022; Fax (250) 782-9538; Email: info@ was taken over by Canada, the highway has become to secondary industries in the area including coal
tourismdawsoncreek.com; Website: www. a vital commercial artery not only for Alaska, but mining, forestry and oil and gas production. A
tourismdawsoncreek.com. The Visitor Info also for northern British Columbia and the Yukon. wafer board plant on the northern outskirts of town
Centre is located in the Northern Alberta The hub of four major highways, Dawson Creek is uses poplar and aspen, long considered weeds by
Railways Park, adjacent to the traffic circle at a gateway for travelers and a popular stopover point Peace Country farmers, to produce the product
actual Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway. for tourists traveling northward along the 1500-mile which is stronger than plywood. Several of the

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