Best Places to See in BC - Dawson Creek

One of the best places to explore in BC

is Dawson Creek, Mile 0

of the Alaska Highway.

Named in honor after Dr. George Mercer Dawson, 

Dawson Creek is also

known as the capital of the Peace River District.

The 16 foot tall iron statue of a surveyor was

created by Karl Mattson from scap metal

he found on nearby farms.

True in dress and equipment to surveryors

from the 1942 era, this surveyor 

points north along the route of 

the Alaska Highway.

The pioneer spirit of the North

is alive and well here in northwestern BC.

Best Places to See in BC - The Alaska Highway

Mile "0" of the Alaska Highway begins

in Dawson Creek, BC.

Construction started on the highway during World War II

to connect Alaska to the United States through Canada.

Completed in 1942, it stretched 2,700 km. 

Due to reconstruction and repair today the highway is actually

2,232 km and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska.

The first 987 km (613 miles)

are constructed through British Columbia.

You can still find historic mile postings along the highway

and the Canadian metric system has warranted the change to

signposts being in kilometers. Most residents along the highway

refer to their location as "mile x along the highway".

The history of the Alaska Highway is one of heroism and

  determination. I visited the 

There is a fascintaing

display of old photographs taken from the road building era at the

Dawson Creek Art Gallery.

The Alaska Highway should be on everyone's

"must visit while in BC" list.