Dawson Creek has it's own climate who give more opportunity to practice good agriculture. In anticipation of the extension of the extension of the Northern Alberta Railway System, they put buildings on rolling log skids ( some of them for 10 miles! don't forget: bush!) and, by horses hauled the existing town and other rural establishments to the railway terminus. Their fertile land appealed to settlers and....8 grains elevators were built! Mainly canola. By the way, canola oil is derived from the word canadian oil.
WWII changed the North forever. It helps to develop the country and at the same time to give a break to native about rough and long trails. Dawson Creek is the Mile Zero of Alaska Highway which is designated as one of the major international Historical Civil Engineering Landmark. This ''ALCAN'' project was a response , in 1942, by the american army to the perceived threat of Japan. The army sent 10 000 soldiers (at that time, Dawson was a sleepy little village of 600 habitants!) , included a branch of 4000 US black soldier not to use to deal with cold weather as they use to have at that time, but used to work 20 hours/day (yeap...) plus 16 000 civilians. 2450 km later, after fighted 8 mountains chains, muskegs, mosquitos, terrible floads, after to build 133 major bridges and more than 3000 culverts, the rough trail connected Dawson Creek , BC to Delta Junction, Alaska and then later Fairbank...in eight months, 12 days! Crazy, hein?! This route is very funny to drive and scenic too! You can observe in a easy way wilderness, its fauna and don't tell to anybody: no Japanese buses around! hihihihi! The road at this time of the year getting very quiet which is good ...it gave you the impression they built it for you!
I did nothing there...just to read about their history, observe the crazy sky at night. Once a while it's nice to sit and doing nothing!
