CYR, ANTOINE (366 - ENGLISH)
CYR, ANTOINE -
Antoine Cyr was originally from New Brunswick and arrived in the Yukon with his brother Michel in 1896. On their way to the Klondike, they stopped in Whitehorse in order to navigate the terrible Whitehorse Rapids in the heart of Miles Canyon. The brothers Cyr offered their services as pilots to help guide the embarkations of the seekers of gold who were inexperienced in the navigation domain. The two brothers built a cabin near the site of the present day hydroelectric dam.
They also prospected for gold. On their way to the gold fields of the Shakwak Valley (small gold rush of 1903 which attracted about 500 prospectors), they found enough gold in a creek to make them take a mining-discovery concession. They christened the rich creek, Marcshall, the name of one of the men who was a member of their group.
Once the gold rush to the Klondike was over, Antoine began a wood-and- water delivery business in Whitehorse. He bought his first land in Whitehorse during the 1903 summer and obtained its title on November 5, 1908. However, in January 1904, he acquired lot 2, block 47 with his brother Michel. During the years from 1908-1912, Antoine built himself a house at the corner of the Strickland Street and 6th Avenue. Today This house is part of the historical buildings of Whitehorse. It is on this forested lot belonging to Antoine where the airport was situated in 1920. Whitehorse was one of the 16 stops foreseen by the international ten thousand (16,000 km) mile flight between New York and Nome, Alaska. Four DH-4's took part in this heroic crossing which marked the debut of air transportation in the Yukon.
In 1918, Antoine Cyr married Marie Beaudoin in Whitehorse; she was a widow with two children (Aline and Wilbrod) together they had five children (Laurent, Lomer, Gloria, Paul, Rosalie,). The seven children spoke French until they reached school age.
Antoine Cyr died in 1946.
Ref. Empreinte, vol.11, pp 107-108
Photo Antoine Cyr, his work
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