Carmacks | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Carmacks

Carmacks, Yukon, incorporated as a village in 1984, population 493 (2016 census), 503 (2011 census). The village of Carmacks is located on the Yukon River at the mouth of the Nordenskiold River, 175 km downstream from Whitehorse.

History and Economy

Carmacks was named for George Washington Carmack, who built a cabin at the forks (1893) from which he traded for furs. Carmack found coal at the site and in 1896 was one of three prospectors who staked the claim on Bonanza Creek that touched off the Klondike Gold Rush. Carmacks grew during the rush as a supply point and fuel stop for riverboats. Now a local improvement district, it remains a service centre for travellers on the Klondike and Campbell highways.