Glimpses of the Past: April 10, 2025
Compiled by Jaimie Reynolds, Collections Manager
Walter Hardman, Postmaster, on his retirement day, April 1955. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-1700.
130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, April 13, 1895
An old time taffy social was set to be given by the Old Templars of Revelstoke. It was going to be held at the Odd Fellows Hall the next Tuesday evening. A large attendance and a good time for all was assured by the hosts.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, April 13, 1905
Horace Manning was converting the back end of his store into an ice-cream and summer refreshment parlor, and had purchased a new soda fountain. The store was featuring a window display of a little farmyard constructed purely of Manning’s candy.
110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, April 10, 1915
Several men went up Mount Revelstoke to locate a road to give access to the new ski jump. It was found that with the exception of a hill near Mrs. Turnross’ home, an excellent grade could be obtained.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 8, 1925
Miss Doreen Smythe, teacher at Big Eddy school, was offering prizes to her pupils for bringing in the largest number of tent caterpillar larvae nests. The caterpillars created havoc among fruit trees, and this was a novel way to decrease the scourge.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, April 12, 1935
The Earl and Countess of Bessborough passed through Revelstoke. They were en route to the east after a farewell trip to the Pacific coast. Their special cars conveying the Governor General and his party were attached to train No. 4.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, April 12, 1945
A large rockslide east of Beavermouth stopped rail traffic on the Mountain section of the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline. Traffic was being diverted over CN Railway lines.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 14, 1955
Walter Hardman retired as Revelstoke’s Postmaster after more than 30 years in the position. He began the job in 1924, and in 1926, oversaw the move into the brick Post Office building which has served as home to Revelstoke Museum and Archives since 1974. Walter Hardman also served as Mayor of Revelstoke from 1937 to 1961.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 8, 1965
Two scientists from Penticton were in Revelstoke searching for information about a fireball that lit up the skies the previous week. The scientists were interviewing people who saw the flash and the meteor streak across the sky. It was their belief that the fragments came down between Sicamous and Kamloops, and would be hard to find unless they burned brush on impact.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 10, 1975
Rogers Pass highway traffic took a large dip in the spring of 1975 because of strikes and weather tie-ups. By late March, there was an increase of travel, with 42, 527 vehicles and 107, 412 passengers making the journey. This was a dramatic change from March 1974 totals which were only 34, 060 vehicles and 79,459 passengers.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 10, 1985
Four of the Revelstoke Highland Dancers traveled to Kamloops for their medal tests. Carol Fitchett, Tracey Ruttan, Tracy Foster and Kylie Harvey all passed with flying colours. These examinations were carried out by a judge sent from Scotland once a year. The girls would be performing again with the rest of the Highland Dancers at the Awards Banquet on April 19.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, April 7, 1995
During a police incident in Revelstoke, a furry surprise was revealed. Along with the arrests of a couple of individuals, a live ground squirrel was also found at the scene. According to the article the squirrel was “taken into custody”. The individual in possession of the squirrel was issued a $100 violation ticket for importation of wildlife.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, April 13, 2005
The North Columbia Environmental Society was inviting environmentalists to help celebrate Earth Day on April 23 by breaking out their shovels and planting willows along the Columbia River. It was said that “willows helped to slow erosion and could help keep the Columbia River cleaner and cooler”.