Canadian Bank of Commerce

The Canadian Bank of Commerce is located on the riverfront as is a National Historic Site of Canada. It is a two-storey wood structure, decorated with ornamental pressed metal fronts sanded and painted to resemble sandstone. Despite its small size, the building is an ambitious demonstration of classical architecture, featuring a cornice, pilasters, elaborate mouldings and artificial rustication.

The Canadian Bank of Commerce was designated as a Municipal Historic Site in 2013, as it has a longstanding role in Yukon history, as well as the excellence of its design and composition. The bank's presence symbolizes the image of stability and permanence in the context of a gold rush town. Originally housed in a tent, the Canadian Bank of Commerce relocated several times before finally settling in the current building designed and built by W.P. Skillings and Robert Moncrief in 1901. Important services were performed by the bank, such as the buying and melting of gold into bricks and the brokering of gold on world markets. It ceased operations in 1989.

Work is currently underway to conserve and stabilize the Canadian Bank of Commerce. To read more about this project, please refer to the Projects & Council Initiatives page.