The World Famous
Sign Post Forest is Watson Lake’s best known attraction.
So famous, it is known - and mimicked - around the world.
The forest
was started in 1942 by a homesick U.S. Army G.I., Carl K. Lindley
of Danville, Il., Company D, 341st Engineers. While working on the
Alaska Highway, he erected a sign here pointing the way and stating
the mileage to his hometown. Others followed his lead and are still
doing so to this day. On July 20, 1990, Olen and Anita Walker of Bryan,
Ohio placed the 10,000th sign. Carl K. Lindley and his wife visited
the site in 1992, 50 years after his first post was erected.
Today, the
Town of Watson Lake maintains the site, erecting more posts as
they are needed through the Adopt-A-Post Program. Located near the
forest is the Alaska Highway Interpretive Centre. This is often the
first Yukon stop for northbound travellers. Besides providing information
on the territory, the centre interprets the remarkable history of
the highway through photo murals, realistic displays and dioramas,
a three projector audio-visual presentation and a unique winter night
scene illuminated by northern lights.
Within the Signpost forest and park
there are pieces of equipment on display that were used in the construction
of the highway.
A time capsule and cairn was placed
on site in 1992 with plans for it to be opened in 2042.
