Discover Atlin: History and Landscapes

Discover Atlin through two distinct themes: its Gold Rush history and its landscapes, with views of Atlin Lake, mountains and glaciers. Historic buildings and ships tell stories of past uses, while several trails offer different perspectives. This gives you a choice when planning your trip: cultural and historical interests, time outdoors, or a mix of both.

Buildings and artifacts from Atlin’s history

The Atlin Museum is located in the former Atlin School. It opened in 1972 and features exhibits and artifacts about Atlin’s early history. Among the objects housed there is the IRI-A Steam Shovel, considered the only example of its type in Canada. Here, the history of a former school building and the town’s early history come together in one place, while this distinctive piece of machinery offers another point of interest.

The Atlin Historical Society owns and maintains several historic buildings and ships in Atlin, including the museum. The Atlin Courthouse is another landmark historic building: it was built in 1900, fully restored and now houses the local library as well as the Atlin Courthouse Gallery. Some of the gallery’s exhibits are displayed in the judge’s chambers. If these exhibition rooms are important to your visit, check in advance how the gallery is currently set up.

The Globe Theatre was built in 1917 and represents Atlin’s Gold Rush heritage. Over the course of its history, it hosted films, slide shows and concerts. The museum, courthouse and theatre therefore represent different chapters: the town’s early history, present-day library and gallery use, and Gold Rush heritage.

Maritime history on the lake

The ships also offer a glimpse into Atlin’s past transportation and tourism history. The Motor Vessel Tarahne was launched in 1917 and carried passengers and freight across the lake for almost two decades. Historically, it also offered sightseeing cruises around Teresa Island with views of the Llewellyn Glacier. Lake transport and sightseeing trips are two distinct aspects of its history.

The M.V. Atlinto was historically associated with a glacier-tour company that offered a midnight trip to Llewellyn. In contrast to the Tarahne, whose history encompasses both freight and passenger transport and sightseeing cruises, the Atlinto is primarily associated with this glacier-tour company. Both are examples of earlier forms of travel on the water; these descriptions refer to the past.

Trails and landscapes

The Crocus Trail is a ridge trail with sweeping views of Atlin Lake and the surrounding mountains. The Warm Springs Trail ends with a sweeping view of the Llewellyn Glacier and Atlin Provincial Park. The Warm Springs Trail is also noted for a micro-ecology that differs from the rest of the area around Atlin, with plants said to grow nowhere else there. The two trails therefore offer different landscape highlights: ridge-top views of the lake and mountains, or a viewpoint overlooking the glacier and park.

The Thrond Gulch Loop adds another option: a multi-use trail made up of several roads and trails. Trail conditions and maintenance can change; visibility and trail conditions on the Warm Springs Trail may also vary seasonally. Check current conditions before setting out.

The Stikine Region as a broader geographical context

The Stikine Region is in the far northwest of British Columbia and borders the Yukon Territory and Alaska. It is the traditional territory of the Taku River Tlingit, Kaska Dene, Tahltan, Gitxsan and Takla Lake First Nations, all of which have communities in the region. Wilderness tourism is one of the region’s economic activities. This regional context complements Atlin’s specific cultural, maritime and trail themes with a broader geographical perspective.

For a broader travel overview: Stikine Region.