Captain Campbell House
Building Description
| Building Location | Location Context | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 406 Wood Street | This house sits in a neighbourhood containing many heritage buildings. It is situated beside the Captain Coghlan House, and is two doors down from the Ryder House. The Homer House sat to the west of Captain Campbell house until its demolition in 1994 | One-storey Log Structure |
Architectural History
Originally a three room log house with L-shaped plan; wood frame additions including front porch; stucco on exterior walls and asphalt shingles on roof; wood sill foundation.
There are a number of frame additions, one of which was made shortly after the building's construction.
Cultural History
This house was first owned by Dr. Frederick Warren Cane, postmaster, in 1906. The house was originally a small three room log cabin, to which a frame addition was soon attached. In the 1920's, the house was occupied by riverboat captains Campbell, for whom it is named, and McKay. It was later owned by Gordon Armstrong, first mayor of Whitehorse.
There has been three major additions over the years, although there are no specific dates for this work. Burnt interior logs suggest there was a fire at one point.
The house is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a young boy who drowned in the 1940's. According to a conversation with a former owner, "The ghost only appeared in one room, one of the early additions to the three room log house. The children said they saw a man come out of the wall; Mrs. Robertson said the feeling of being watched was constant. She is certain she heard the ghost playing 'peek-a-boo' with her own young son" (YHMA file).
Biographical Information
Captain J.Campbell: Yukon River pilot on the steamer "Bailey" for BYN Co. Owned a 23 mile long wood camp near mouth of Pelly River, supplying wood for the riverboats.
Captain McKay: captain of steamer "Casca"
Gordon Armstrong: first mayor of Whitehorse, former butcher and manager of Burns Meats
Building's Use and Condition
| Current Use | vacant |
| Past Use | residence, office, jeweller's |
| Condition | |
| Foundation / Floor | Fair/Poor |
| Walls | Good |
| Windows / Doors | Good/Fair |
| Roof | Fair |