New book details life on the Alaska Highway

Book cover artwork courtesy Harbour Publishing

Looking for a unique way to spend part of your summer holidays? You might want to consider driving the 2,232 kilometre (1,387 miles) Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, BC to Delta Junction, Alaska and visit some of the vanishing lodges along the way.

The lodges – and the people who own them – are the subject of a new book by writer Lily Gontard and photographer Mark Kelly, called Beyond Mile Zero.

The book delves into the history of the highway which was originally built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1942 to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment to Alaska because of the perceived threat of a Japanese invasion.

The lodges were built first to house the construction workers and later, to accommodate tourists and truckers. 

Owning and running a lodge was a 24 hour per day job. Many lodges were off the grid and had to rely on generators for electricity. Husband and wife owners had to be Jack and Jill of all trades.

These days, things a little easier, but it is still hard work, as we learn from the interviews in the book. For the remaining owners, it’s a labour of love and a lifestyle. 

Over the years, many lodges have been sold, some have gone out of business and are abandoned. Some have been burned down. Many are up for sale now.

Buying an existing lodge requires a lot of capital. Upgrades to septic tanks, wells and water treatment and replacing ageing underground fuel tanks all come with a heavy price tag. 

It’s not all gloom by any means. When the Alaska Highway opened to the public in 1948, 18,600 tourists drove it. In 2015, that number jumped to 327,778 people. Clearly, there is a desire to experience this type of adventure. 

Beyond Mile Zero is a pleasurable read and it gives readers a look at a community in transition.

Map of the Alaska Highway (shown in red). Courtesy of Wikipedia.