Glimpses of the Past: January 16, 2025
Compiled by Jaimie Reynolds, Collections Manager
Mount Dickey and Eva Lake, circa 1960. Photo by Estelle Dickey. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-2866.
130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, January 19, 1895
A large consignment of halibut passed through Revelstoke via an Atlantic Express train. The halibut was from Vancouver and travelling to Boston, and weighed 120,000 pounds. Another shipment of two carloads came through later in the week, bound for New York.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, January 19, 1905
Theatre was becoming quite prominent in Revelstoke. The Shakespeare Society was arranging a performance of “King Henry the Fourth” with the cast having already been arranged. The Revelstoke Amateur Club would be performing “The Lady of Lyons” at the Opera House. Many local residents were showcasing their theatrical talents and audiences were always very impressed.
110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, January 16, 1915
A surprise party was thrown at Craigellachie to officially bring the festive season to a close. The party was held at A.S. Alderton’s Meadow Lake Ranch. Dancing, singing, and games were indulged in and much enjoyed. At midnight a small lunch was served by the local Bachelor’s Brigade. There was a large number of attendees and the festivities continued late into the early morning hours.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 14, 1925
A presentation of fancy skating was to be performed at the local arena. Gordon Thompson, Canada’s premier skater, was set to give an exhibition of fancy and trick skating in Revelstoke. Mr. Thompson was an instructor at the Vancouver Arena and was reportedly a “wizard on ice”. One of his most famous stunts was jumping over a row of barrels. He had performed in every large city in Canada and the US, thus making his performance in Revelstoke highly anticipated.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, January 18, 1935
Bew’s Drug & Stationary Store was having an amazing sale on all things spa night! The most sought item was the Hollywood Moon Glow Nail Preparation, in all sorts of colours, at only 29 cents per bottle. Campanas Italian balm, which was excellent for chapped hands in the cold Revelstoke winter, was 59 cents a bottle. Additionally, a luxurious jasmine skin softener to soften the hands and face was also in high demand, for only 50 cents a bottle.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, January 18, 1945
Members of Revelstoke’s Hostess Club were on hand to leave comfort for a hospital train that stopped in Revelstoke. The Hostess Club ladies were always readily available when a hospital train arrived in town. The work that they were participating in was much appreciated by soldiers returning home to Canada during the war.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 13, 1955
Majestic Peak near Revelstoke was re-named Mount Dickey to commemorate the efforts of the late Earle Dickey who worked hard to publicize Mount Revelstoke National Park. Mr. Dickey spent countless hours strolling through the park trails, and taking pictures of its many beautiful views. The mountain’s renaming was a special tribute to a Revelstoke pioneer.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 14, 1965
There was going to be a fun square dance taking place in Revelstoke. It would be hosted at the Knights of Pythias Hall at 8:30pm. The dance was open to everyone and it was going to be a very exciting and high energy event. There was going to be a dinner provided as well, with the contents being similar to that of a “sack lunch”.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 16, 1975
The Revelstoke Airport was possibly getting some funds to assist the City in opening up the airport during the winter months. Applications for the funding were being sent to Revelstoke immediately. Airport staff and local residents were in favour of opening up the airport in the winter due to the possibility of winter emergencies in the mountains.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 16, 1985
Parks Canada was beginning preparations for their centennial celebrations. 1985 marked one hundred years of heritage conservation for Parks Canada. Canada’s first national park was established in Banff, Alberta in 1885, and by 1985 there were more than 70 major national historic parks and nine heritage canals all over Canada. Parks Canada in Revelstoke was planning lots of special events for the year, such as an art show, a radio treasure hunt and a pilgrimage to Eva Lake.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, January 13, 1995
A fun foodie competition was occurring in the paper each week. The Ol’ Frontier would publish a photo of one of their dishes, and one would have to correctly identify the dish in order to enter a draw for a $50 dinner for two. The guess would have to include the proper Ol’ Frontier name, as well as the proper identification of fries, baked potato, or rice. The previously guessed dish of the week was called “Home on the Range with rice”.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, January 19, 2005
A group of more than 70 residents packed the Seniors Centre to attend a presentation on the Melting Mountains in Revelstoke. The residents learned about what they could do to stop the disappearance of the precious resources the mountains provide. The water stored in glaciers is extremely important and at the time this water “made up more than 50 percent of the world’s fresh water”. The glaciers had been in decline and that was why Melting Mountains was formed, an informative tour through Western Canada that would educate citizens on how to help.