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First train over White Pass to Yukon River, Alaska
Premier train dans le col White vers le fleuve Yukon, en Alaska

Stereocards, a pair of mounted photographs that give a three-dimensional view when observed through a viewer, were hugely popular and became mass-produced from the mid-19th century. Companies began selling stereo views in box sets and marketed them as a form of experiential education. This card is one of many that would have been produced by the Keystone View Company, one of the largest card manufacturers.

The back of this card contains many details about the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad that would have been edifying to viewers at the time:

 “The opening of the White Pass and Yukon Railroad was hailed with joy by miner and prospector alike. Transporting passengers and baggage to the White Horse Rapids, where they could transfer to steamboats of the upper Yukon and so reach the Klondike, it saved many a weary mile and many a long day of toilsome travel afoot. The entry of the first train into the famous White Pass was a gala occasion. Dressed in their best, the few who could secure a place on it hastened to take advantage of the privilege, their luggage in canvas bag, corded trunk, or securely knotted package. As we see, the train was strictly utilitarian, its best accommodation for passengers being an open freight truck. Those who journeyed into the interior of Alaska in those days neither asked nor expected luxuries; they were only too happy to escape privation and peril.”

Les cartes stéréoscopiques, une paire de photos montées qui donnent une vue tridimensionnelle, lorsqu’observées dans une visionneuse étaient très populaires et elles ont été produites en série à partir du milieu du 19e siècle. Les compagnies ont commencé à vendre des cartes stéréo en coffrets et elles les vendaient en tant que forme d’éducation expérimentale. Cette carte est une des nombreuses qui ont été produites par la Keystone View Company, un des plus grands fabricants de cartes.

Le verso de cette carte contient de nombreux détails sur la White Pass & Yukon Route qui auraient été édifiante pour les spectateurs à cette époque :

« L’ouverture du chemin de fer White Pass & Yukon a été accueillie avec joie tant par les mineurs que par les prospecteurs. Le train, qui transportait des passagers et des bagages aux Rapides de Whitehorse, où ils pouvaient être transférés dans des bateaux à vapeur du  Haut-Yukon et atteindre le Klondike, épargnait de nombreux milles et jours de voyage fatiguant à pied. L’entrée du premier train dans le fameux col White était une occasion de gala. Vêtues de leurs meilleurs habits, les quelques personnes qui ont pu obtenir une place dans le train se sont dépêchées de profiter du privilège, avec leurs bagages dans un sac en toile, leurs malles empilées ou leurs paquets bien attachés. Comme nous le voyons, le train était strictement utilitaire, le meilleur équipement pour les passagers étant un camion de marchandises ouvert. Ceux qui voyageaient dans l’intérieur de l’Alaska ne demandaient ni ne s’attendaient à aucun luxe. Ils étaient seulement très contents d’éviter la privation et les périls. »

Details

Selected by: Yukon Archives
Date ca. 1899, published 1923
Record Yukon Archives, Robert Coutts fonds, 78/69 #99
Format Stereocard

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