Glimpses of the Past: April 3, 2025
Compiled by Jaimie Reynolds, Collections Manager
Gallicano Bakery, 1915, with owner Dominic Gallicano, baker Mr. Cocoroch, and Hilda Gallicano. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-11726.
130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, April 6, 1895
The bridge across the Illecillewaet River was finished this week. Sam Crowle had charge of the work and McDonald and Julian assisted from the beginning. Williamson and Bennison had worked only a few days each on the bridge construction.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, April 6, 1905
A pigeon-flying match, to take place shortly, was being arranged by local parties. The prize awarded was going to be a silver trophy, and the proposed distance was from Ashcroft to Revelstoke. Vancouver was also suggested as the starting point.
110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, April 3, 1915
The music lovers of Revelstoke were in for a very special treat, with a performance of the operetta “Snow White” taking place in town. It would be performed by vocal pupils of Miss T. Parker. The operetta would be completed in four scenes and was the first of its kind ever attempted in Revelstoke. In addition to the operetta, the program would also have English Morris dances by six local girls as well.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 1, 1925
After inquiries by many of their customers, Gallicano’s Bakery decided to open up a pastry department. They had secured the services of Mr. O. Bitterly, formerly of Vancouver who had spent a lifetime in the pastry industry. After the popularity of their homemade bread, Gallicano’s hoped that their tasty pastries would garner just as much support.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, April 5, 1935
The fears that spring would fail to put in an appearance in 1935 were finally dispelled when Mr. Fred Somes reported the presence of the season’s first butterfly. Located in the vicinity of Mr. Somes’ property, where the sun helped to melt the snow faster than anywhere else in the city, the butterfly had evidently considered spring to be in full swing. Hopes had risen appreciably in Revelstoke as a result.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, April 5, 1945
Two Revelstoke boys, Archie McKenzie and Fred Boyle, finished their final graduation exercises of the Empire Air Training Scheme. They would officially graduate as Navigators for the Royal Canadian Air Force. They received their wings at Portage La Prairie in one of the last wings parades of the scheme.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 7, 1955
In an impressive ceremony at the Revelstoke Court House, five new Canadians received citizenship certificates. They were Kaye Konas, Hans Hager, Arien Wessel, Jan Michael Stadnicki, and Maria Haurlesko. Representatives of the Canadian Club were on hand as usual to present each new Canadian with a copy of the booklet “Canada Unlimited”.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 1, 1965
It was announced in this week’s paper that twenty-five years ago, few Canadian farmers could have eked a living out of their land without the help of their faithful workhorses. However, with a dramatic rise in mechanization, horses were rapidly vanishing from the Canadian farm scene. In 1941, there were 2,789,000 horses in Canada. In 1965, there were fewer than 500,000.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 3, 1975
To mark the Golden Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, a new rare and beautiful tulip was developed, called “The Golden Anniversary Tulip”. The bulbs could be purchased from the local Revelstoke branch of the Canadian Legion. Everyone was urged to plant these lovely flowers in honour of all of the Canadian men and women who had served our country.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 3, 1985
Mountain View School held its annual Spring Carnival. Costumes were worn to go along with the theme of “Life in 1885”. Booths run by teachers and students included cake walks, a fish pond, white elephant tables, a bake sale, a book fair, raffles, and many games of chance. A classroom was also converted to a lovely tea room for those who wished to relax and have a snack. Approximately $750 was raised, which would go towards student projects.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, April 4, 1995
The City of Revelstoke was considering joining other communities in trying to persuade some of the Hollywood North film companies to move away from the Lower Mainland and shoot in the Kootenays instead. It was mentioned that Revelstoke had been the location for a few small film projects in the past, such as a commercial shot on Boulder Mountain and as a location for adventure ski films. Council gave approval for city administration to plan a proposal for Revelstoke to join the Kootenay-Columbia Film Commission for a one-year trial period.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, April 6, 2005
The Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce was going to hold a Home, Garden and Leisure Show at the Revelstoke Forum. This was the first time in years that the Chamber was hosting an all-inclusive show. There were going to be about 80 booths, featuring everything from garden tools and supplies to vehicles, jewellery, furniture, marine products, kitchen wares, and interior design products and opportunities. It was going to be “an opportunity for local businesses to show people what they’ve got…what they can do”.