History of Whitehorse in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 25, 2025

Whitehorse is the capital and largest city of Yukon, located in Southern Yukon along the Alaska Highway. Situated on the Yukon River, it was named after the White Horse Rapids. The downtown and Riverdale areas straddle the river. The city was incorporated in 1950.

1902: White Horse General Hospital Built

In 1902, the first "White Horse General Hospital" (WGH) was built in the downtown area with a 10-bed capacity.

1941: Airport Developed

In 1941, the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport was developed as part of the Northwest Staging Route in 1941–42.

1943: Hospital Beds Increased

In 1943, during World War I, 10 beds were added to White Horse General Hospital, bringing the total to 30.

1949: Hospital Beds Increased Again

In 1949, 20 beds were added to White Horse General Hospital.

1949: Family Moved to Whitehorse

In 1949, the family of Ione Christensen, who would later become the first female mayor of Whitehorse, moved to Whitehorse.

1951: Operating Wing Added

In 1951, an operating wing was added to the White Horse General Hospital.

1959: Hospital Rebuilt

In 1959, the White Horse General Hospital was rebuilt on the other bank of the Yukon River, across from its previous location.

1960: Wartime-era Hangar Served as Terminal Building

From about 1960, a wartime-era hangar served as the terminal building at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.

1975: First Female Mayor

In 1975, Ione Christensen became the first female mayor of Whitehorse.

December 1985: Modern Terminal Built

In December 1985, the wartime-era hangar that had served as the terminal building at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport since about 1960 was replaced with a modern terminal.

1990: Yukon Hospital Corporation Created

In 1990, the Yukon Hospital Corporation (YHC) was created to prepare for the transfer of powers regarding the hospital from the Federal Government to the Yukon Territorial Government.

April 1993: Management of WGH transferred

In April 1993, management of WGH was officially transferred to the YHC following a collaboration with the Yukon government and Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN, then CYI).

1994: Construction of Present Building Lasted

In 1994, Construction of the present Whitehorse General Hospital building lasted from 1994 through 1997.

1997: Construction of Present Building Lasted

In 1997, Construction of the present Whitehorse General Hospital building lasted from 1994 through 1997.

2000: Emergency Services Bylaw

In 2000, Municipal Bylaw 2000–01, called the "Emergency Services Bylaw," gave the Whitehorse Fire Department duty crews and Fire Prevention Officers the authority to conduct fire and life safety inspections throughout the City of Whitehorse, based on the current edition of the National Fire Code of Canada.

2018: Wind turbines decommissioned

In 2018, Yukon Energy decommissioned two wind turbines that were near Whitehorse.

2018: Northern stretch removed

In 2018, the City administration removed necessary train tracks, resulting in the removal of the Northern stretch between Roundhouse and Spook Creek Station from the waterfront tram.

2022: Scheduled Service

As of 2022, Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport had scheduled service to Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Dawson City, Old Crow and Inuvik.