The Old Territorial Administration Building was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 2001 because:

- it symbolizes the establishment of the first substantial, ongoing linkage between the territories north of sixty and southern Canadian society;

- it represents the federal government's commitment to the administration of this north-western part of Canada;

- it is an excellent example of the buildings produced under the federal Public Works building program at the turn of the 20th century.

The heritage value of the Old Territorial Administration Building lies in its associations with the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, and the subsequent growth of the northern territories and the rest of Canada. The imposing architectural design of the building in the remote location of Dawson was a clear physical statement of the Canadian government's determination to fulfill its administrative role, while asserting sovereignty of the territory contiguous with the American state of Alaska.

Designed by the Department of Public Works architect Thomas W. Fuller in 1899, the building was constructed in 1901 as the legislative and administrative headquarters of the new Yukon Territory. As Dawson's population declined with the end of the gold rush, the government centralized its territorial and federal services into the Administration Building. It became the sole government building still active, and remained the centre of the federal and territorial government in the Yukon until 1953, when the capital was moved to Whitehorse.

Sources: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minutes, June 2001.

Character Defining Elements

Key elements that contribute to the heritage value of this site include:

- its location within the Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site of Canada, in the Yukon;

- its orientation, set back from the street behind a green space;

- the monumental presence and dominant profile of the building with its long, rectangular two-and-a-half-storey massing under a metal hipped roof;

- its neoclassical inspired design with a symmetrical, organized façade, and slightly projecting pedimented central and flanking pavilions;

- the formality of its neoclassical decorative features such as the double Ionic columns flanking the main entrance, fluted pilasters, carved scroll work over windows and within the pediments, dentils along the cornice;

- its wood-frame construction and in particular evidence of its specific adaptation to northern conditions such as its platform frame foundation and insulated double shell wall construction;

- its relatively lightweight construction materials such as wood, tar paper, pressed metal and the surviving original exterior cove siding;

- the surviving major public spaces in their original axial configuration, materials and workmanship, including the central lobby and split staircase, and the Council Chamber, later a court room, and the materials, textures, workmanship and location of original interior finishes;

- the presence of supporting outbuildings to the rear;

- the formal treatment of the grounds to the north and west sides of the building with a wide walkway from the street to the main entry,

- the materials, scale and location of the boardwalk leading to its main entrance;

- the rectangular footprint of the formal Victory Garden to the north of the building with its Victorian, geometric layout of diagonally configured paths sub-dividing the space into triangular quadrants radiating from a central planting bed containing the cenotaph;

- surviving original botanical species in their types and locations;

- viewscapes from Fifth Avenue towards the building and the three-quarters view from the Victory Garden to the building.

Historical Sources Location

HB File #4057-10-60

Brochure, Old Territorial Administration Building in YHSI folder.

Renovation Information

Foundation and roof replaced and interior renovated by Government of Yukon Heritage Branch - see file HB#4057-10-60 (floor plans)

Permit was issued in October 1979 to complete work on an office. Permit finalized in August 1986.

Permit issued in June 1980 to replace stairway. Permit finalized in August 1980.

Permit issued in August 1982 to erect a fence. Permit finalized in November 1983.

Permit issued in march 1983 to repair foundation. No final date.

Permit issued in October 1986 to construct an addition and complete renovations. Permit finalized in July 1988.

Permit issued in July 1987 to construct a locomotive shelter. Permit finalized in July 1988.

Permit issued in January 1988 to construct a storage shed. Permit finalized in May 1989.

Permit issued in March 1988 to complete interior renovations and construct display cases. Permit finalized in July 1988.

Permit issued in May 1990 to complete interior and exterior renovations. Permit finalized in June 1990.

Permit issued in June 1990 to install ductwork. Permit finalized in June 1990.

Permit issued in September 1990 to move a storage shed. No final date.

Permit issued in May 1998 to enclose locomotive shed and add windows. No final date .

Permit issued in October 1998 to construct additional storage facility on locomotive shed. No final date.

Construction Style

Designed by Thomas Fuller, shows neoclassical influences

Classical detailing in pediments and pilasters

Construction - July 4 to Dec. 1 1901

Pavilion shaped building with ship lap siding and seamed metal hipped roof. Three pediment gables on west wall, with double ionic columns on each side of double door entrance in centre section. Decorative panels below columns, open stairs and platform to entryway. Small single hung windows with pediment on each side of entryway. Single hung windows on first floor have pediments, molded trim and lug sills. Continuous molded and decorated frieze forms trim on single hung windows on second floor. Decorative pilasters between windows on each side of central section. Decorative panels below pilasters. Eavestroughing and plywood skirting continuous around building. Decorative trim and panels in each pediment gable, north/south wings. Central gable has three small hinged windows with molded trim. Second floor windows have semicircular pediments, centre pediment is plain. Three dormers each side of central bay with seamed metal gable roofs, molded cornice, plain trim. North/south walls have shaped header trim and lug sills on single hung windows. North wall has single entrance with open platform and stairs, door has single light transom and gable roof overhang with pediment and is supported by plain columns. East wall has plain trim and lug sills with single hung windows. East wall has large centre dormer with double hinged window with wooden louvered ventilator over top. Addition off east wall with metal shed roof, hinged windows, plain trim. Entrance off north wall, single door, stairs, railing, open platform. Inset open deck on first floor, east wall, double doors on south wall of addition onto deck. Two story brick tower off east wall, single entrance first floor. Open platform, stairs with railing off east wall with double door entrance, fixed transom.

Cultural History

The Administration Building was constructed as the administrative headquarters for the new Yukon Territory. Construction of the Administration Building was authorized in July 1901 and the building was completed and occupied by 60 civil servants on December 1st of the same year. It accommodated the Commissioner and staff, the Yukon Council Chambers and other departments, including the mining recorder.

It was designed by Yukon's most notable architect, Thomas William Fuller, in a style and scale which makes it a monumental landmark. Thomas William Fuller is a well-known Canadian architect. He travelled to Dawson City with the North-West Mounted Police in 1899. Fuller designed and oversaw the construction of Dawson’s Commissioner’s Residence, Courthouse, Public School, Post Office, Territorial Administrative Building and Telegraph Office. Fuller overcame many challenges including permafrost, sub-zero temperatures, and finding and bringing in the right building materials and furnishings. Thomas Fuller was in Dawson for over two years, and became Canada’s chief architect in 1927.

The building's history closely paralleled the territory's economic and political fortunes. This substantial structure reflected Dawson's evolution from an overgrown mining camp to a prosperous capital with a promising future. By 1910, the Yukon was experiencing a critical decline. The Commissioner's position was abolished and the Territorial Council was significantly reduced in size. The territorial capital was moved from Dawson to Whitehorse in 1953. Following the government's departure, the building was used for storage, a school, and since 1962, it has been the home of the Dawson City Museum. The Old Territorial Administration Building stands out as one of the Yukon's most significant buildings because of its architecture and scale, and its close association with the evolution of the Territory over the past 125 years.

Sources: Government of Yukon, Dept. of Tourism and Culture

Documentation Location

National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec