Glimpses of the Past: July 24th, 2025
Compiled by Adam Carter, Collections Assistant, Revelstoke Museum and Archives
Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt at the Revelstoke CPR Station, 1915. Revelstoke Museum and Archives, P-4684.
130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, July 20, 1895
Mr. Haig and his men fixed the broken wall of the old building known as the smelter boarding house, greatly improving its appearance. Its old wall had collapsed when a strong wind toppled its false front. The helter-skelter smelter had long been in disuse and many locals suspected it could entirely collapse any day.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, July 20, 1905
Arrangements were made to have the famous Irish Guards band play a performance in Revelstoke. By special permission of King Edward, the band, which consisted of forty-two of the finest musicians in any military organization, was granted leave from Europe to tour Canada. The Revelstoke performance was set for October 2nd.
110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, July 21, 1915
Former US President Theodore Roosevelt made a brief stop at the train station while en route to San Francisco. There, he was met by Mayor W.A. Foote and a crowd of admirers. Roosevelt gave a brief speech thanking the Canadians for his warm reception and congratulating them on their efforts in the war. Many locals remarked that the ex-president looked “just like his picture.”
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, July 22, 1925
The home of Belgian section-man, E. Theinpont, was badly burned under suspicious circumstances. When the fire brigade arrived, Theinpont could not be found. He was later located face down in the grass a fair distance from his house with multiple head wounds. When he awoke, Theinpont, explained he had been ambushed by strangers as he was exiting an outhouse. The motive of the attack was likely robbery.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, July 26, 1935
Norman Day of Kelowna motored into town on his “home on wheels”. The vehicle, which he had constructed himself, included electric light, a large double couch, a table, chairs, a pantry, and a gas stove. Day was on his way to Camborne and he was accompanied by Revelstoke local, A. J. Abrahamson.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, July 26, 1945
The city council continued to sell lots. ‘Lots of what?’ you might be asking. Lots of lots. Large lots of land were sold on Third Street, Second, and First. Also, the council decided to purchase pipe to improve water service on Fourth Street and Downie Street since the present pipe situation was deteriorating.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, July 21, 1955
Williamson’s Lake was repeatedly the victim of vandalism. Anonymous culprits were breaking hose connections, smashing windows, and ripping shingles from boathouses. The Rotary Club, who was in charge of the lake, asked the people of Revelstoke to share information about who was causing the damage in the hopes that the vandals could be caught and made an example of.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, July 22, 1965
Reconstruction of Mount Revelstoke National Park Highway was halted when employees of W.C. Arnett & Co. went on strike. Jim Mather, captain of the picket, explained that the men wanted a standard union agreement, covering travelling time, board, and transportation. According to Mather, after two days of striking, the company had yet to make any attempt to conciliate.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, July 24, 1975
Police received several phone calls about a 300-pound black bear disturbing garbage cans and causing mischief. The bear was spotted chasing a young boy and a dog and, when police reached it, it was near Centennial Park, just two blocks from where a Little League Baseball tournament was soon to begin. Police could not force the bear back into the bush so they made the decision to kill it instead.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, July 24, 1985
Local business owners took to the paper to share their experiences with shoplifters. Karilee Karson, of the Wicker Shop, shared that it was mostly kids stealing small items from her store. River City Jeans shared similar findings. Ralph Gallicano, owner of Sally’s Restaurant, shared that the theft he dealt with most often was people from out of town eating and leaving before the bill comes.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, July 21, 1995
Vandals continued to strike flower boxes along the sidewalks of downtown Revelstoke. They had been targeting the boxes late at night, leaving city crews to find flowers ripped apart and dirt across the sidewalks the next morning. In response, local businessman, Carl Rankin, suggested that the city increase surveillance of the downtown area.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, July 20, 2005
Chief Fabian Alexis, the leader of the Okanagan Indian Band, visited town to discuss the band’s involvement in the developing ski resort. Alexis would not yet reveal what the planned involvement would entail, but according to ski resort developer, Robert Powadiuk, Alexis’ proposal was feasible under the condition that it involved the other Indigenous bands local to the area, the Ktunaxa and the Shuswap.