James “Jim” Cook (1933 – 2015)

Jim Cook was born in Winnipeg. He and his wife Dorothy were together for sixty years. They owned and operated Koidern River Fishing Lodge at Mile 1164 on the Alaska Highway south of Beaver Creek.¹⁾ Jim built and opened the lodge in 1969. The building blew down in big storm in 1972 and they rebuilt it.²⁾ The couple sold souvenirs, snacks, pop, and gas/diesel. Services included a pay phone.³⁾ There is a photo of Jim and Dorothy in Holloway's Yukon Reader, Volume 2 (2024).⁴⁾

Jim became ill in 2009 and was in and out of the hospital for years. He is remembered as a true pioneer of settlers along the Alaska Highway.⁵⁾ Dorothy Cook advertised the ten-acre property for sale in 2016.⁶⁾