Map

Click on the yellow marker or zoom in to view the locations of each heritage feature at Pauline Cove. Buildings and other features appear as red markers. Click on any marker to view a brief description. Click on “Read More’ to access its project page. Scroll down to access an interactive 3D map of Pauline Cove.

Avadlek Spit

Avadlek Spit is one of three gravel spits on Qikiqtaruk, which are all remnants of the coast before the island was separated from the mainland [1]. Some of the earliest evidence of occupation, in the form of two Inuvialuit houses, are located on Avadlek Spit. These are now under threat from coastal erosion which is being monitored through a multi-year project with drone photogrammetry.

Pauline Cove

Pauline Cove is home to Inuvialuit and Euro-North American heritage resources that are currently threatened by storm surges and erosion caused by the depletion of sea ice. These historic buildings, which have been digitally captured using a Z+F laser scanner, can be viewed throughout this archive. The locations of all of the buildings contained in the archive can be identified on this 3D map. To navigate, use a 1 finger drag or click the Left Mouse Button and move your mouse around the screen.

Inuvialuit Sod House

This point cloud is of a Mackenzie Inuit sod house, one of the largest ever excavated in the Western Canadian Arctic. It was investigated over two summers at the Kuukpak site, located on the east channel of the Mackenzie Delta. The project was led Dr. Max Friesen, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto. The house was scanned by Christina Robinson, University of Calgary. This unique dwelling is similar to sod houses found at Pauline Cove, Qikiqtaruk/Herschel Island - many of which are at risk due to flooding and erosion. Driftwood deposited by storm surges and ice rafting is also scouring out and covering over the remains of many sod houses. A computer reconstruction of this dwelling can be seen here: https://skfb.ly/6FZVu

Anglican Mission House

The Anglican Church Mission Society erected this building in 1916 to serve as the house for the missionary stationed on the island. It also served as the location for religious services when the Anglicans had trouble securing materials from which to build a separate church. Because the building stood empty and unmaintained for so many years it is in very poor condition. Stabilization measures have been undertaken in order for the building to remain as a feature within the landscape of the Park. Nesting boxes have been installed on the roof and inside the building for the island’s black guillemot colony.

Kayotuk House

This small building also was constructed in the early 1890s with several additions built on since. Repairs were undertaken to conserve this building so that it can remain as a feature within the landscape of the Park. Currently, the building is used for storage purposes. An Inuvialuit name for this building was recently provided through an initiative guided by Richard Gordon, Senior Park Ranger at Qikiqtaruk.

Meyook House

This small building was constructed in the early 1890s and has had additions built on several times since. Not all of the additions to the building currently exist. Repairs were completed to conserve this building so that it can remain as a feature within the landscape of the Park. It is not currently used. An Inuvialuit name for this building was recently provided through an initiative guided by Richard Gordon, Senior Park ranger at Qikiqtaruk.

Ikagin House

Captain McKenna of the Pacific Steam Whaling Co. built this cabin for his own use in 1893. It was constructed utilizing materials left over from the construction of Building No.4. The building underwent a number of changes over the years including the shingling of the exterior and the refinishing of the interior several times. Work undertaken to conserve this building includes: re-roofing, re-shingling of the exterior walls, and replacement of the window sash. Other than repairs to the flooring no work was undertaken on the interior of the building. It is currently used to store personal equipment and gear for the Park staff. In 2024, Richard Gordon, Senior Park Ranger at Qikiqtaruk headed an initiative to provide Inuvialuit names for some of the historic buildings on the island. As a result, this building is now known as Ikagin House.

Blubber House

The Pacific Steam Whaling Co. constructed this building in the early 1890s, presumably for storage purposes. The Mounted Police later used the building to prepare dog feed. Minor repairs were carried out to conserve this building and to allow it to accommodate the Park maintenance workshop. No major changes were required for the building’s new use.

RCCS Transmitter Station

The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals erected a transmitter station at the island in 1930 as part of a communication system that connected much of the Yukon and Northwest Territories to southern Canada. Following the departure of the Corps from Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk the building was used as housing for the Mounted Police Special Constable. The building was rehabilitated to serve as accommodation for the staff and researchers.

RCMP Dog Kennels and Run

This building was constructed by joining two smaller, existing buildings together and was used by the Police in their dog-breeding program during the 1940s through to the early 60s. The Kennels are not normally accessible to the public as plywood is left over the doors to the building during the operating season. The Dog Run was constructed as a fenced enclosure using driftwood logs as posts with wire mesh fencing between the posts. Much of the fencing is lying on the ground at the present time although the posts still define the Dog Run. Neither the Kennel nor the Run are currently used. They have been stabilized so that they remain as features within the landscape of the Park.

Pacific Steam Whaling Co. Bonehouse

The Pacific Steam Whaling Co. constructed the Bone House in the 1890s for use as a warehouse. The Mounted Police continued to use this building for this purpose until they left the island. Minor repairs have been completed on this building in order to conserve it. Currently the centre bay of the building is used as an open storage area for artifacts that have been found on the island while the side bays are used to store materials and equipment used in the Park.

Pacific Steam Whaling Co. Community House

The Pacific Steam Whaling Co. constructed this building in 1893, making it the oldest frame building in the Yukon. It was initially used as a community building for the officers of the whaling ships that wintered at the island. Following this period it was used successively by the Anglican Mission for housing and church services, the Mounted Police as a barracks and detachment HQ, and finally, it accommodated researchers working under the auspices of the Polar Continental Shelf Project. It has been restored to the last period of continual occupation and is currently used to accommodate the Park Office and as a meeting place for visitors to the Park, and includes a small display area.

Northern Whaling and Trading Company Bonded Warehouse

The Northern Whaling and Trading Co. constructed this building in 1926 for use as a bonded warehouse. It continued to be used as a warehouse or storage area by the Mounted Police after the Trading Co. ceased serving the area. Minor repairs, including replacement or strengthening of charred framing members, were carried out in order to conserve the building so that it can remain in use as a storage area for Park equipment and materials.

Northern Whaling and Trading Company Shed

This shed was constructed in 1926 by the Northern Whaling and Trading Co. out of material left over from the construction of their main warehouse and materials recovered from the cabin of a ship. The original use of the building is not known. Minor repairs to portions of the building’s fabric were carried out to conserve the building. The building is still used for equipment storage.

Northern Whaling and Trading Company Store

This building was constructed in 1926 to serve as a warehouse and store for the Northern Whaling and Trading Co. Shortly after the main portion of the building was finished, an addition was constructed along the west side of the building. Minor repairs were carried out to conserve the building in its existing configuration. Recently the building’s addition was dismantled down to its floor framing due to extensive storm damage and undermining. The floor framing has been left in place to assist in the stabilization of the beach along the west side of the building. The building serves as a storage area for Park operations.