Across Trainor Ave from the Museum is a residence that was once part of the PINE TREE HOTEL at Discovery. In 1923, the owner, Clarence Sands, moved to Atlin and later in the mid-thirties had this building hauled to Atlin where he remodeled it for his home. By then the former hotel man was a merchant whose business building was just down Trainer Avenue on the corner of First. He dealt in gold and furs and grub staked prospectors. He kept the town supplied with a wide variety of general merchandise. Sands store burned down once, but he rebuilt and his log building continues to serve as a general store.

Atlinto

Built in 1911, this old vessel lies beside the Tarahne. It was used in the 1920s to take tourists on midnight cruises to Llewellyn Glacier. During the early and mid summers the midnight sun provided ample light to cruise all night long. 

This was the residence of a true northern entrepreneur. Pillman was the movie theater operator, retail merchant, town mortician for a time and his horse and wagon, used as the funeral hearse, also doubled as a delivery vehicle for groceries and fuel. When he ran an ad in the Atlin Claim for his mortuary business, it said he took "Orders on short notice."

The Noland House

Recently an attractive bed and breakfast, it was well built, (even the logs were actually dove-tailed at the corners) by the same John Noland, who moved buildings so expertly.
Noland was a miner first and foremost, but like so many Atlinites, then and now, he was involved in many other pursuits not the least of which was big game hunting. This was his home of the 1920 and 30's and although he moved to a larger house, his wife Vena could not bear to part with this home.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Built in 1904, this church was moved to it's present location in 1918 to serve St. Joseph's Mission.

Built in 1900 with the help of local labor under the direction of Rev. F.L. Stephenson it has served the community continuously since. The bell tower was added in 1901. The church is Atlin's oldest public building still on its original site (3rd & Trainor). On August 6th, 2000, we celebrated 100 years of worship.

In 1922 a visitor from New York, Miss Jesse Van Brunt, was so beguiled by the beautiful little Anglican Church, that when she returned home she designed and made a stained glass window to be placed behind the alter. It was installed the next year and its symbols are traditionally Anglican and uniquely northern.

A good place to start a tour of historic sites is the Museum on the corner of Trainor Ave. and Third Street.
Built in 1902, this was the first permanent school building in Atlin. Before that, children and teacher shivered through the winter days . First, in an abandoned hotel where the snow blew through the rough board walls, then a large used tent.
The building was used until 1968, with classrooms in the basement and upstairs, cramped living quarters for the teachers. After a double wide trailer and later a new pre-fab teacherage replaced the old school, the building was sold to the Town where community functions and meetings were held until the present log Atlin Recreation Centre was built.
Since 1972 it has served as a museum of gold rush and local history.
In 1992, when the old school building reached its 90th year, the present owner, Atlin Historical Society, had a celebration. All of Atlin's school children came for birthday cake, served outside under the cottonwood trees, then the kids crowded onto the front steps to have their picture taken, just as hundreds of students who attended classes here had done through the years. This was repeated in 2002 at the Atlin School's Centennial.
In the museumyard you can find many interesting artifacts of years gone by. This summer Atlin hopes to finish the restoration of one of the old steamshovels. Look out for this new old shovel!


 OK, we know you aren't walking, but the idea is to pretend you are walking - around Atlin.
This short tour will give you an idea of what is still visible of Atlin's history.
Most of these historic sites and artifacts are still in very good shape.
Many of them have been restored, either privately or through the dedicated volunteer efforts of the Atlin Historical Society.
These historic sites and buildings are a big part of what gives Atlin it's cozy, unique atmosphere.
When you visit Atlin in person, we'll arrange to give you a real tour!

Walking Tour of Historic Sites

M.V. Tahrane

Built in Atlin and launched in 1917, the M.V. Tahrane provided elegant tours of Atlin Lake, and passenger and cargo service until beached in 1936. The Atlin Historical Society has done of lot of restoration work. A local acting troupe performed murder mystery theatre-dinners on the Tarahne for several years. Guests can still enjoy Tea on the Tahrane during the summer..

Atlin Museum

Museum yard

St. Martin's Anglican Church

This beautiful old building was once a wing of the former Atlin Inn, and was once also used as a hospital. It is now the Atlin headquarters for the Glaciological and Arctic Sciences Institute, operated by the University of Iowa. It serves as a base for students and scientists doing research on the nearby Juneau Ice-fields including Atlin's Llewellyn Glacier.      

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Last updated May 30, 2003

Across Third Street of the old Pine Tree Hotel and kitty corner to the Museum is St. Martin's Anglican Church.
Walking further North, along Third Street, towards Discovery Avenue, we see, situated on what once was called "Nob Hill" the residence of Edwin Pillman. (corner of Discovery and Third)
If one were to take a right hand turn at this corner and felt very energetic, one could walk all the way to the Pioneer Cemetery, about two miles up the road.
Pioneer Cemetery:
But we take a left turn down Discovery Ave, towards the lake.
On the right hand side of Discovery, just past the Trading Post, a small red house sits on a open lot: the Noland House.

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Noland House

Continuing down Discovery Ave, take a right turn on First Street and continue a bit uphill till you see a trail to the newly restored
Gazebo & Mineral Spring on your left hand side.
Wrietup Gazebo&Mineral Springs
Enjoying the breathtaking panorama from here you will notice, slightly to your right the Glaciological Research Station

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Glaciological Research Station

Likely you will find a trail down to the Institute, but if you like you can backtrack along First Street and take Sinclair Ave down to McBride Blvd. where also the local Brewery Marina is located, called so because this is the spot where one of the old time breweries was located
A lake side Trail connects McBride Blvd. with Lake Street and leads towards one of our pride pieces: M.V. Tarahne
After having admired these handsome boats, you can continue your walk along the lake shore, where besides Atlin Air one can pick up the trail again leading towards Vickers Ave and the Norseman marina. Going around the Norseman and up Mill Street you will find St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

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St.Joseph's Catholic Church.

To continue the walking tour, please click here