Today in 1942, at 1:30 a.m., work began on the Alaska Highway starting from Dawson Creek. The temperature dipped down to -35C & the arrival of American troops boosted the town's population from 600 to 10,000.
Construction completed on Oct. 28, 1942.

#Alaska #AlaskaHighway #Canada #History #Histodon #Histodons #Canadian #SWW #WorldWar2 #WW2

https://canadaehx.com/2021/04/23/the-alaska-highway/

As the article itself says further down.. “Mile 0 of the #AlaskaHighway is in #DawsonCreek, B.C., where photos and artifacts from its construction — including the history of the #Blacksoldiers who helped build it — are preserved at the Visitor's Centre, local art gallery and the Pioneer Village. “ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/black-soldiers-alaskan-highway-bc-1.6746754

Today in 1943, a fire burns a stable in Dawson Creek where the US Army stored dynamite for road work.
The resulting explosion destroys a city block, killing five people & injuring 120.
The contents of the building, including nails, tools & wire, are launched hundreds of feet away.

#DawsonCreek #BritishColumbia #Explosion #History #Canadian #AlaskaHighway #Canada #Canadian #Histodon #Histodons

Today in 1942 at Soldier's Summit, a ribbon is cut to officially open the Alaska Highway.
Construction began on March 9, 1942 & the 2,700 highway was completed in only nine months thanks to the work of 10,000 men.

#Alaska #Yukon #BritishColumbia #History #Histodon #Histodons #Canada #SecondWorldWar #WW2 #SWW #AlaskaHighway

https://canadaehx.com/2021/04/23/the-alaska-highway/

For the record, there is no rail link from the lower 48 states to Alaska. On the other hand, during #WWII GIs arrived en masse in northern BC and built a highway to Delta Junction, AK.

#Alaska #AlaskaHighway

@gemlog