Description of Historic Place

Winaut’s Store is situated on a busy pedestrian, commercial thoroughfare in Dawson City. The store consists of three, interconnected, timber structures whose elements include a lively Boomtown façade that incorporates a projecting cornice with a false gable peak, carried on four fanciful columns and large oriel windows. The ground floor features large plate glass windows and recessed double front door. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Winaut’s Store is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
Winaut’s Store is closely associated with the post-gold rush development of Dawson City as a goods and service and centre for the Klondike gold fields. The tenancies of William Horkan, a restauranter (1902-1903); Frank W. Herring, a men’s outfitter (1902-1906); Samuel J. Stewart and Harold W. England, clothiers and haberdashers (1910-1916); Herbert Winaut, a clothing merchant (1926-1942), and Jack Butterworth, a dealer in general merchandise(1942-1957), represent a continuity of commercial enterprise directed at Dawson’s predominantly male population, and notable for its consistency and longevity.

Architectural Value:
Winaut’s Store is valued for its very good aesthetic design. As part of a commercial block in Dawson City. It presents an ornate and finely proportioned exterior to the street, while behind the façade innovative and daring architectural and engineering details are found. These demonstrate a sophistication not generally found in Boomtown-fronted structures. It exhibits very good craftsmanship and handling of materials especially in the use of corrugated iron on the exterior to render the building fireproof.

Environmental Value:
Winaut’s Store reinforces the present character of its commercial streetscape setting in Dawson City and is familiar landmark to residents and visitors.

Sources:
Winaut’s Store, Second Avenue, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report Notes 86-089; Winaut’s Store, Second Avenue just north of Queen Street, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Heritage Character Statement 86-089.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Winaut’s Store should be respected.

Its boomtown, commercial block design and very good craftsmanship, for example:
-the one and two-storey massing of the wood frame construction;
-the deep entablature on the northernmost part of the block consisting of a projecting cornice, false gable peak on four columns supported by corbels and decorated corner pilasters, and the two oriel windows;
-the clearspan ground floor supported by a suspension rod dropped from the centre truss to pick up the end of the central beam;
-the system of posts and girders, framed lightwells and roof skylights, which together illuminate both floor spaces;
-the corrugated iron exterior cladding;
-the commercial signs painted on canvas or directly onto the wall surfaces.

The manner in which Winaut’s Store reinforces the present character of its commercial streetscape setting and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by:
-the block’s historic relationship to the busy thoroughfare, through its proximity to the boardwalk and the surrounding commercial premises;
-its form, materials and details, particularly on the street frontage, which are compatible with nearby historic buildings;
-its elaborate front and descriptive signage point to the building’s historic use and make it familiar to residents and visitors.