Original carpenters' signatures uncovered in historic Dawson City building

Workers doing renovationsto one of Dawson City's Gold Rush-erabuildings have discovered some long-hidden features, including ornate woodwork and signatures fromthe original carpenters.

The former Territorial Courthouse was built between 1900 and 1901, and was designated a National Historic Site in 1980.

David Rohatensky, Parks Canada'ssuperintendent for Klondike National Historic Sites inDawson City, calls the building "probably the most impressive and prominent building in the community."

"You can't help but see it, first thing when you come by river, or by the highway," he said.

The building had many uses over the years beside a courthouse, it was an administration centre for the North-West Mounted Police, and a community hospital. Renovations and additions (new walls, dropped ceilings) had been made over the decades,but by 2009 it needed some seriousrehabilitation work.

"As we began the work, we started removing those later-period additions and came across some really interesting discoveries," said Rohatensky.

Scribbled on a stud, they foundthe names of W. Falconer and Gavin Fowlie later confirmed to be the carpenters who originally built the courthouse. Fowlie'stombstone is inthe Yukon Order of Pioneers graveyard in Dawson.

The renovation crews also uncovered some ornate, carvedwood ventilation grilles in the ceiling, hidden beneath material that was added in more recent years.

"When the courthouse was built it was an absolute flagship showpiece. The materials that were used were incredibly high grade," Rohatenskysaid.

"So findings like this the ornamental grates simply speak to that architectural touch that made the building special."

Rohatenskysaid the renovation work is meant to retain and restore as many of the building's original architecturalfeatures as possible. He said Parks Canada is only beginning to plan what the interior will look like when it's finished.

Rohatenskycalls it a privilegeto be able to work on such a significant "showpiece"building.

"It really was a federal government statement in the confidence of DawsonCity's future," he said.