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The Caribou Hotel: Hauntings, hospitality, a hunter and the parrot
Every copy (including the ebook) signed by Bessie Gideon, who has resided in the hotel since her death in 1933. Navigating the fine lines between historical documents and local lore this frank, funny, insightful and well illustrated book brings to life in a lovingly told story the experiences, events and personalities of one of the most historically rich buildings in the north. The Caribou Hotel played a central role in the north that ranged from hosting the last living link to the Klondike Gold Rush, to the building of the world renowned Alaska Highway and the U.S. Army's pipeline debacle that put Harry Truman in the White House. Playing host to the rich and famous of the early 20th century, it gave them an unforgettable life experience far from the pretensions and social parlors of their Hollywood, New York and London, England homes. It is also one of Canada's most famous haunted hotels, being featured on a "ghostly" stamp released by Canada Post in 2015 and designated as a historical site by the government of Yukon in 2008.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 5, 2020
Reviewed by Jan Freeman for Reader Views (3/2020)
John Firth’s “The Caribou Hotel” is a remarkable book. It introduces the owners of the hotel throughout the years, an ill-tempered (male) parrot named Polly, and the many changes made to keep the building going. It is a wonderfully written history of the hotel.
When the hotel was first built in 1898 to house gold rush miners, it was the Yukon Hotel in Bennet, B.C. It underwent many changes over the years, including name changes and being floated down river to relocate in Carcross. Polly, who had outlived two of the owners, remained and was an attraction for guests. This paragraph about the parrot is pure comedy:
“Bessie placed his cage in the café, on a table close to the door leading into the bar and he quickly developed a taste for scotch. Bar patrons, mostly miners, sneaked over from the bar and poured drinks into the water bowl in the bottom of the cage. He drank until he fell off his perch and passed out lying on his back with his legs sticking into the air, snoring softly.”
There are two chapters about Polly, both of which are hilarious.
There are tales of hauntings and strange occurrences of electrical malfunctions, among other sightings believed to be ghosts of two of the deceased owners, who died exactly five years apart. Even the current owner has had some encounters.
Mr. Firth has provided a large number of pictures and illustrations for “The Caribou Hotel.” It enlivens the stories and shows that there are real people involved in this very fine account of individuals involved with the hotel. History was made in Bennett and it continues today in Carcross.
This is a book for everyone who likes to read. It’s entertaining, keeps the reader’s attention, and brings the past alive in a very enjoyable story of this landmark hotel, which is part of U.S. and Canadian history. The Yukon Gold Rush, destructive fires, World War II occupation, Prohibition, railroads, hotel name and owner changes, and so much more, are all threaded through the story of the hotel. I recommend it to all readers – it’s a page turner and Mr. Firth really did his research.
I hope the hotel is open again or will open soon. I would surely put a visit to Carcross and the Caribou Hotel on my bucket list!
John Firth’s “The Caribou Hotel” is a remarkable book. It introduces the owners of the hotel throughout the years, an ill-tempered (male) parrot named Polly, and the many changes made to keep the building going. It is a wonderfully written history of the hotel.
When the hotel was first built in 1898 to house gold rush miners, it was the Yukon Hotel in Bennet, B.C. It underwent many changes over the years, including name changes and being floated down river to relocate in Carcross. Polly, who had outlived two of the owners, remained and was an attraction for guests. This paragraph about the parrot is pure comedy:
“Bessie placed his cage in the café, on a table close to the door leading into the bar and he quickly developed a taste for scotch. Bar patrons, mostly miners, sneaked over from the bar and poured drinks into the water bowl in the bottom of the cage. He drank until he fell off his perch and passed out lying on his back with his legs sticking into the air, snoring softly.”
There are two chapters about Polly, both of which are hilarious.
There are tales of hauntings and strange occurrences of electrical malfunctions, among other sightings believed to be ghosts of two of the deceased owners, who died exactly five years apart. Even the current owner has had some encounters.
Mr. Firth has provided a large number of pictures and illustrations for “The Caribou Hotel.” It enlivens the stories and shows that there are real people involved in this very fine account of individuals involved with the hotel. History was made in Bennett and it continues today in Carcross.
This is a book for everyone who likes to read. It’s entertaining, keeps the reader’s attention, and brings the past alive in a very enjoyable story of this landmark hotel, which is part of U.S. and Canadian history. The Yukon Gold Rush, destructive fires, World War II occupation, Prohibition, railroads, hotel name and owner changes, and so much more, are all threaded through the story of the hotel. I recommend it to all readers – it’s a page turner and Mr. Firth really did his research.
I hope the hotel is open again or will open soon. I would surely put a visit to Carcross and the Caribou Hotel on my bucket list!
October 3, 2021
The writing is terrible and takes away from the content. So hard to get through - so unfortunate.
September 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! There were fewer ghost stories than expected, but the history was rich and very well- written!
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October 21, 2019Sorry..I cannot give this book a star rating.
Here is my update part way through the book...
Too much of a personal connection for me to forge ahead in this book. Massive block at this chapter "the devil made me do it". Giving any printed space, giving part of the hotel history by naming living murderers makes me want to puke. Their story needed never be a chapter unto itself. Fie on you John Firth.
Eventually I will continue the book..it has taken me weeks to get as far into the book as I have.
As historical info..it was good. Information relevant..it was.......
Okay..finished the book..
As historical info..it was good.
NOTE: I worked and lived (across the hallway from Bob) at the Caribou Hotel for 'a while'. Worked in the bar..helped in the restaurant.
I had so many markers through the book to return to and re-read.
Some of the photos brought back so many memories..most very good!!
The staircase photo on page 15..oh wow..I pushed so many folks up those stairs at the end of the night after the bar closed. The photo on page 210 of the bar and pool table..takes me right back.
Some of the names brought back memories..all mixed.
Ray and Bob Olson..Johnnie Johns..June Fitchner (and John Klein)..Millie (McMurphy) Jones..just everyone. Some gone and some still here..many still here! This is a small world..and most people around here spend hours catching up on who is where and what so and so is doing now.
Remembering when the roads were not all paved/chip sealed.
Sleeping on the beach in Carcross to avoid the goings on at the hotel on my nights off. Hahah..still have that blanket!
Going to Ben-My-Chree..when there was still buildings and plants to see.
Racing to get out of the hotel before the tour busses stopped there so everyone could go in to use the one bathroom and buy maybe one coffee each.
So many good and crazy memories..I thank all those people back then..for mostly enriching my life with theirs..good, bad and the ugly.
Now that I am finished the book..I still believe that the chapter on Bob's murder needed to be about Bob..and not the violent DB and ML people..they are still out there..still here. Wreaking havoc on peoples lives. That is my opinion..could have been kinder to Bob.
Okay..thank you for the history book on the hotel..it will be open to the public for the tourist season in 2020..come to visit Carcross and thank Jamie and Anne for their hard work and dedication to the hotel.
Here is my update part way through the book...
Too much of a personal connection for me to forge ahead in this book. Massive block at this chapter "the devil made me do it". Giving any printed space, giving part of the hotel history by naming living murderers makes me want to puke. Their story needed never be a chapter unto itself. Fie on you John Firth.
Eventually I will continue the book..it has taken me weeks to get as far into the book as I have.
As historical info..it was good. Information relevant..it was.......
Okay..finished the book..
As historical info..it was good.
NOTE: I worked and lived (across the hallway from Bob) at the Caribou Hotel for 'a while'. Worked in the bar..helped in the restaurant.
I had so many markers through the book to return to and re-read.
Some of the photos brought back so many memories..most very good!!
The staircase photo on page 15..oh wow..I pushed so many folks up those stairs at the end of the night after the bar closed. The photo on page 210 of the bar and pool table..takes me right back.
Some of the names brought back memories..all mixed.
Ray and Bob Olson..Johnnie Johns..June Fitchner (and John Klein)..Millie (McMurphy) Jones..just everyone. Some gone and some still here..many still here! This is a small world..and most people around here spend hours catching up on who is where and what so and so is doing now.
Remembering when the roads were not all paved/chip sealed.
Sleeping on the beach in Carcross to avoid the goings on at the hotel on my nights off. Hahah..still have that blanket!
Going to Ben-My-Chree..when there was still buildings and plants to see.
Racing to get out of the hotel before the tour busses stopped there so everyone could go in to use the one bathroom and buy maybe one coffee each.
So many good and crazy memories..I thank all those people back then..for mostly enriching my life with theirs..good, bad and the ugly.
Now that I am finished the book..I still believe that the chapter on Bob's murder needed to be about Bob..and not the violent DB and ML people..they are still out there..still here. Wreaking havoc on peoples lives. That is my opinion..could have been kinder to Bob.
Okay..thank you for the history book on the hotel..it will be open to the public for the tourist season in 2020..come to visit Carcross and thank Jamie and Anne for their hard work and dedication to the hotel.
January 16, 2020
I received this book as a Christmas gift, signed by the author, and was uncertain what to expect. I knew of the Caribou Hotel but had only set foot into it once in about 1969-1970. (Yes, Polly the parrot was there, unfortunately was not in a talkative mood so we never did get to hear him utter any profanities or sing. Over the years I have spoken to a lot of people who did and they all said the same thing, "it was not something to be missed!") Did I think there would be enough here to recommend writing a book? Not really. However, it was a present from someone I greatly respect so that warranted giving it a read. I ended up being very glad I opened my mind to this as what a treat it was.
The author, John Firth, has crafted a light, easily accessible history of the hotel and the surrounding communities, primarily Carcross and Lake Bennett. Starting during the Klondike Gold Rush he details many of the significant events and people that were highlights in this area of the Yukon. It turns out there was a lot I did not know, including how significant this little community and hotel were during the last 125 years. He outlines how mining booms, other than the gold rush, played a role as well as how the Second World War, tourism, and now mountain biking helped keep the hotel going. He brings several characters into the mix including Skookum Jim, Dawson Charlie, and Klondike Kate who are well known in the Territory, as well as several lesser known hoteliers, including Bessie Gideon. This is where it gets spooky as there are several tales of her, and other spectres, who purportedly still reside in the hotel. Now I don't know if you believe in such things, but it sure makes for interesting reading!
There are some sadder stories as well, including a murder that took place, but it is all part of the history of this durable structure. This book is more than just a reminiscence about a building, it serves as a focus for a dynamic little community that will not give up and a reminder of a bygone age. If you are in the market for a breezy, captivating look into the past I highly recommend picking this volume up.
The author, John Firth, has crafted a light, easily accessible history of the hotel and the surrounding communities, primarily Carcross and Lake Bennett. Starting during the Klondike Gold Rush he details many of the significant events and people that were highlights in this area of the Yukon. It turns out there was a lot I did not know, including how significant this little community and hotel were during the last 125 years. He outlines how mining booms, other than the gold rush, played a role as well as how the Second World War, tourism, and now mountain biking helped keep the hotel going. He brings several characters into the mix including Skookum Jim, Dawson Charlie, and Klondike Kate who are well known in the Territory, as well as several lesser known hoteliers, including Bessie Gideon. This is where it gets spooky as there are several tales of her, and other spectres, who purportedly still reside in the hotel. Now I don't know if you believe in such things, but it sure makes for interesting reading!
There are some sadder stories as well, including a murder that took place, but it is all part of the history of this durable structure. This book is more than just a reminiscence about a building, it serves as a focus for a dynamic little community that will not give up and a reminder of a bygone age. If you are in the market for a breezy, captivating look into the past I highly recommend picking this volume up.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews