yukon lodge NO. 45

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Freemason’s came to Dawson City for the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Dawson City Masonic Temple was originally constructed as a Carnegie Library in 1903 with a $25,000 gift to Dawson City as long as the City would provide a lot and guarantee upkeep of the library.  The building was of frame construction with metal finishing on both the inside and outside.

Declining population closed the Library. Yukon Lodge No. 45 purchased the building in 1934 for $400.00 and renovated it to accommodate the Lodge. As permafrost was present the building was always shifting and had to be levelled constantly. As the building deteriorated a major renovation took place in 2003 with the inside walls all sandblasted and painted. The outside metal was removed, insulation placed, new wiring, the metal replaced and painted. The foundation was excavated beyond the permafrost and filled with gravel and the building placed on blocks. In order to accomplish this the building was moved onto the street for a month.

 The 125th Anniversary celebration will take place in 2026. The building is unique, being of metal cladding inside & out, one of only a three in Canada. At one time the Preceptory, Royal Arch Masons & Order of the Eastern Star were tenants in the building, however only Yukon Lodge remains here.  As a historic Lodge the Brethren meet only three times a year.