Jack London Museum — Attraction in Dawson City

Jack London Museum and Cabin

The Jack London Museum and Cabin, located in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Firth Street, is a historical site dedicated to the life, writings, and Klondike experiences of the renowned author Jack London. Operated by the Klondike Visitors Association, a not-for-profit organization, the museum highlights London's year in the Yukon during the 1897-1898 Klondike Gold Rush, where he engaged in mining efforts but primarily gathered material for his literary works, such as White Fang and The Call of the Wild. The facility features interpretive exhibits, including over 60 photographs, documents, and memorabilia that chronicle London's adventures, as well as the investigative work of Yukon author Dick North, who played a pivotal role in locating and authenticating London's original cabin. Visitors can explore a replica cabin, furnished with period-appropriate objects representative of a gold rush stampeder's living conditions.

Jack London's Original Cabin

Regarding Jack London's original cabin, it was constructed in 1897 on the North Fork (also referred to as the left fork) of Henderson Creek, approximately 120 kilometers south of Dawson City, where London overwintered during his Klondike sojourn.

The structure remained abandoned in the wilderness until its rediscovery in March 1965 by Dick North, assisted by local guides Joe Henry, Victor Henry, and others, following leads from mining records and discussions with trappers. Authentication involved multiple verification methods: a signature reading "Jack London Miner Author Jan 27 1898" was located on a removed log slab, confirmed by handwriting experts; tree-ring dating placed the logs' cutting between 1875 and 1900; and cross-references between London's stories and historical records matched names and details. The signature slab was physically refitted to the cabin log, providing conclusive proof.

In 1969, the cabin was dismantled by Rudy and Robin Burian, with the logs divided to create two smaller replicas for preservation and public display. One half forms the replica at the Jack London Museum in Dawson City, while the other half was transported to Oakland, California—London's birthplace—and reassembled at Jack London Square as a tourist attraction. This division ensured the historical artifact's legacy could be shared between the Yukon and California's literary...

Jack London's museum is the soul of the Dawson city and you must visited it if you know name of J.London and his books!

"Life is a strange thing. Why this longing for life? It is a game which no man wins. To live is to toil hard and to suffer sore, till old age creeps heavily upon us and we throw down our hands on the cold ashes of dead fires. It is hard to live. In pain the babe sucks his first breath, in pain the old man gasps his last, and all his days are full of trouble and sorrow; yet he goes down to the open arms of death, stumbling, falling, with head turned backward, fighting to the last. And death is kind. It is only life and the things of life that hurt. Yet we love life and we hate death. It is very...

A piece of history!

I have read most of Jack London's books so it was captivating to visit this place and realize that this area is the setting for "The call of the wild." I first read this book 35 years ago now I finally got to visit this place. I understand that this cabin was moved about 5 miles from out along bonanza? Creek. I can imagine that the entire town with its dirt streets looks about the same as it did 100 years ago. Enjoyed it and would like to take the...