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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Geddes Webster was in town this week to promote his book, The Prospectors' Pick: The People of the Yellowknife Gold Boom 1936-1951.

Webster was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on April 30, 1918. He lived in Yellowknife from 1946 to 1951.

Geddes Webster was in town this week promoting his book, The Prospectors' Pick. The book focuses on the people who played a part in the Yellowknife gold boom from 1936-1951. - Jason Emiry/NNSL photo

He was a geologist and a mining engineer. He worked for several prospecting companies. He later became the mining recorder and the assistant mines inspector for the NWT. Later he became the acting administrator for the NWT.

"After the gold boom was over, all of the companies involved just collapsed," said Webster. "They couldn't get funds for programs."

The diamond boom helped Yellowknife improve its reputation, he said.

Webster's book is a historical reference. One section includes people who lived and worked in Yellowknife, while another includes individuals who were involved in the mining industry here but lived elsewhere. Listed alphabetically, many of the people involved are described, including information about what they were doing during the gold boom.

The book describes how Old Town was the centre stage for gold prospecting and mining. The neighbourhood hosted many people involved in the industry but soon became overcrowded and unsanitary.

The focus of the book is people. Webster lists prospectors, promoters, entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, politicians and preachers among those involved in the boom.

He remembers a man named Joe 100 per cent.

"Most people didn't know his last name," said Webster. "However, when he answered questions he always said, '100 per cent.'"

It took Webster seven years to complete the book. He now lives in Toronto and says he was inspired to write the book when his home suffered serious flood damage.

"I had four feet of raw sewage in the basement," said Webster. "I lost a four-drawer file of all my Yellowknife stuff. I pitched it all. I got busy with raising my family but it always bothered me that I lost all of that information. I started to put the information together again and that is how the book came about."

The books are available at the Chamber of Mines Nunavut and NWT office for $39.00.