Kayotuk House

History

There is presently very little information about the history or occupants of Kayotuk House. Evidenced by its appearance in historic photographs, the original portion of the building was constructed in the early half of the 1890s [1,2].

Construction

Kayotuk House has undergone at least three major alterations since its original construction. When first built, the building was approximately 3.7 m by 4.1 m. It has a gable roof, with a door and window in the south wall and possibly a window in the north wall [2]. The interior walls were clad with shiplap sheathing [2]. This is also the only known building on the island where effort was put into the decorative appearance of the exterior, which was done in a Carpenter Gothic style. The exterior was finished with vertical rough sawn sheathing with battens over the joints between boards. The battens were chamfered with sloped ends that butted into trim at the top and bottom of the walls that were similarly chamfered between each of the battens. There were also decorative  bargeboards at either gable end of the building that include a finial or drop at the peak of the roof. It is not known how the original doors and windows appeared and were tied into this decorative scheme. It is also not known which of the doors or windows were part of the original portion of the structure.

The first addition was likely the extension on the south side of the building, extending it by 3.1 m. The walls of the extension were finished in the same materials as the original, although the battens were removed and reconfigured on the exterior to accomodate this addition resulting in a new wall finish and appearance. A new door was added onto the south wall and became the main entrance for the building [2]. The second addition was a lean-to shed built along the east wall of the original portion of the building. The shed is approximately 2.5 m by 3.1 m and is a framed structure finished on the interior and exterior with wide shiplap sheathing. The roof was clad in shingles, and this addition only has some portions of floor remaining. The chronology for these two additions is assumed, but not known [2]. The last identifiable addition was another lean-to added to the east wall, south of the first lean-to. This shed is approximately 1.1 m by 3.7 m and features an almost flat roof. The exterior walls are clad in differently sized swan boards, while the interior is unfinished. The floor consists of floor boards siting on joists resting directly on the ground [2]. At one point, there was also something built onto the north end of the building that has left a large berm outlining its shape. Its purpose, appearance and connection to this building is unknown.

Current Condition

Repairs have been undertaken to conserve this building as a feature within the park, and it is currently used as storage [1].

Notes

[1] Yukon Environment. 2006. Herschel Island Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park Management Plan. Prepared with the Inuvialuit Game Council, the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee along with the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) for the Yukon Government. [2] Preservation Plan. 1990. Herschel Island Historic Resources Preservation Plan. Final report, December, prepared by Heritage Branch, Department of Tourism, Yukon.

This gallery contains images of Kayotuk House as it appeared in 2019. Point clouds of the exterior and interior of the building can also be viewed.

Click on the 3D model of Pauline Cove. Marker (8) shows the location of Building no. 12.