Glimpses of the Past: January 23, 2025
Compiled by Jaimie Reynolds, Collections Manager
Front Street in 1889. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-209.
130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, January 19, 1895
A miraculous tale of survival occurred near Revelstoke. An accident took place on the CPR line, when some cars of a west bound freight train broke through a trestle bridge and fell into the ravine below, a distance of about 50 feet. Amazingly, the brakeman, seeing the crash was inevitable, jumped into the ravine and came away with only a broken hand and bruising. The conductor suffered a broken jaw and bruising but he too survived. The derailment was caused by a broken wheel.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, January 19, 1905
A town wide search for a diamond ring was underway. The ring had last been seen at the local skating rink and the owner was in desperate need for it to be returned. The reward being offered for the diamond ring was a crisp $25 dollars.
110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, January 23, 1915
A wholesome art class took place at the Selkirk School. A number of students brought in bunches of pussy willows to school, where the teacher got each child to draw a fence on paper and paste the willows on the fence. Then, with pencil, each child drew the head and tail of a cat, resulting in a number of very cute cats with real pussy willow fur, sitting on the top rail of someone’s back fence.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 21, 1925
A Father and Son Banquet was in the works for Revelstoke residents. The Banquet was set to be held by the local Boys Work Club and the YMCA. Coincidentally, Lou Buckley, the YMCA National Boys’ Work Secretary was going to be in Revelstoke at the same time, so the club and board were thinking that it would be ideal to host both of the events on the same day.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, January 18, 1935
It was announced that a plan for the Duke and Duchess of Kent to tour the Dominions, including Canada, was under consideration. The royal party would visit the principal cities of each Dominion. In Canada, the key cities would be Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, January 18, 1945
Knitters were needed urgently by the Red Cross in Revelstoke. The most important knitted items that were needed were turtle-neck sweaters for the Navy, as well as children’s knitted garments. The knitting headquarters were located in the Revelstoke City Hall Work Rooms.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 20, 1955
An exciting presentation of a local Revelstoke painter’s work was on display in Victoria. The exhibition would feature a collection of Sophie Atkinson’s most well-known paintings, and would be on display in the library of the Parliament Buildings for the opening of the Legislature on January 25th. The exhibition covered Revelstoke and its surroundings, and would be on display for four weeks.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 21, 1965
Revelstoke City Council eliminated two historical street names at a council meeting. Front Street and Douglas Street, which dated back to railway construction days, would become Fifth Street (the former) and Fourth Street (the latter). A number of other changes were also made. Several streets became avenues and, East Railway Avenue became Townley Avenue and Temple Street was renamed Taylor Avenue. At some point, Front Street and Douglas Street names were restored.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 23, 1975
The eight candidates for the new Miss Revelstoke Pageant were announced. The pageant was set to take place on February 20th, where there would be 5 out of town judges who would select the winner. The ladies would be judged in categories such as afternoon dress, formal dress, and talent. A Royal Ball would follow the pageant, and would be taking place at the local Legion auditorium.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, January 23, 1985
A total of 20 girls and 40 boys from Revelstoke and the Okanagan competed in a giant slalom competition on Mount Mackenzie Ski Hill. On the first day of the competition, three Revelstoke girls took the top three places and the medals. Throughout the weekend races, the Revelstoke competitors took home lots of medals, and had first place finishes in many of the categories.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, January 24, 1995
A very exciting Superbowl Party was going to be taking place at Speeders Pub in McGregor’s Motor Inn. There was going to be a theatre sized screen television, as well as free beef on a bun for all of the sports fans. The moto for the pub was “Great Times-Fun Times-Good Times”.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, January 19, 2005
The 21st annual Moonlight Ski was happening on Saturday, January 22nd. The skiers would be able to delight in a 7km ski from the base of Mount Revelstoke Summit Road to the Monashee Picnic Shelter between 4pm and 8pm. Admission was free and everyone was asked to bring a mug for a delicious treat of hot chocolate after the ski!