George Brimston (1867 -1923)
George Brimston was born in Pettigre, County Fermanagh, Ireland.1) He was an undertaker by trade. In late 1897, he prospected and staked a claim on Brimston Creek a tributary of Sulphur Creek. By 1898, he was working his claim and operating a roadhouse at the mouth of the Brimston. He lived here for several years before moving to Dawson. George Brimston became a Master Mason in the Dawson Lodge in April 1901.2)
At various times, Brimston was a mail carrier and sheriff. He instituted the first Discovery Days celebration in Dawson in 1915. Events were funded by public subscription and all events and food were free. Taxis were sent to homes on the creeks to bring in women and children and return them home at the end of the Day.3) Brimston died of pneumonia and was buried next to his ten-year-old son who drowned in a dredge pond on the Klondike River in 1924.4)