Harrington's Store
Cultural History
Cultural History
The first property title was issued to Mrs. John McDonald by the Ladue Townsite Company on September 15, 1899. W. A. Harrington rented the existing building and ran a grocery store there from 1902 (perhaps as early as 1900)-1903 and from 1906-1917. The second storey was added in 1902 and used as a residence. The use in the intervening years 1903-1906 is unclear, but the first floor may have been used as a restaurant. In 1906 the property was transferred to Andrew Rystogi, a real estate and financial agent, and Gustave Ortman who operated a bakery on the first floor from 1917-1922. Rystogi later bought out Ortman’s estate after the latter’s death.
Rystogi was a successful businessman and property owner in Dawson. In addition to Herrington’s Store he owned the Gem Bakery next door. He owned a number of bakeries and later took over various saloons and hotels including the Rochester and the Red Feather. He rented out many of his properties. He bought Winaut’s Store 1907 and sold it in August to Charles Frank Burkhard. The first title to the Dawson Hardware store was issued to Rystogi in July 1906. He owned the Dawson Bakery next door which was operated by his brother Adam Rystogi. [11]
There is some confusion regarding the next era for Herington’s Store. Billy Biggs seems to have purchased the property in 1950 from Rystogi, and using the building as a bike repair shop, however some accounts have him buying the property as early as 1923. It is possible Biggs rented the building from Rystogi for several years before purchasing it. Billy Biggs died in approximately 1955 although the building was still in his estate in 1965. By 1960, the building was vacant and boarded up. After purchasing the building in the early 1970s, Parks Canada installed an interpretive display on the first floor. [12] As of 2022 the property is now owned by the City of Dawson.
Citations:
11: Victoria Faulkner, "Historic Buildings", National Historic Site Division, National Parks Branch
12: From The City of Dawson, Municipal Historic Site Designation Form.
