Glimpses of the Past: August 7, 2025

Compiled by Suri Stewardson, Collections Assistant, Revelstoke Museum and Archives

World War I recruits at the Drill Hall in Revelstoke, circa 1915. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-53.

130 years ago, August 3rd, 1895

An abundance of ore was found in the Revelstoke mining division which may contain gold and silver. It had been sent to Vancouver for an assay. Miners went out to search for more sites, and a “mountain of it” was discovered across the lake from Halcyon Hot Springs. Revelstoke-owned claims also had work being done on them which contained arsenical iron used for fluxing.

120 years ago, August 3rd, 1905

Folks needed to hoof it to town as Arnolds Big Show was on its way. Arnolds Show was a circus performance with acts including trapeze, contortion, cyclists, head-to-head balancing, and yes even a man with a donkey! Many claimed that this event compared to the large name circuses so its coming to Revelstoke meant a lot for our area. It was advertised as an honest show with no fakes and supposedly no offensive material; it was a grand time for all ages!

110 years ago, August 4th, 1915

As the First World War grew more intense, the military was in dire need of recruitment, and more Revelstoke men were called to enlist. Those who enlisted here would have to depart in Vernon quickly for training. Requirements had changed so that men had to pass just one medical test instead of three, and the minimum height was reduced to 5’2 in certain departments as well as chest size going down to 33’. If you were able bodied, they asked you to fight.

100 years ago, August 5th, 1925

Even a century ago, the biggest threat to this region was forest fires. Concerns for the area grew rapidly with a rising blaze slowly crawling towards our town. Even with this worry though, auto parties were hiking Mt. Revelstoke and admiring the mosquito free scenery claiming that the summit would be an ideal place to put a chalet. There were thoughts that Revelstoke could rival Banff in tourism.

90 years ago, August 2nd, 1935

Work was being done in the city! 13 sidewalks were built downtown and upgrades were being made at the dam. The Big Bend highway construction was moving forward, and the crews were trying to limit sharp turns and large potholes. It was said that almost as much work was done on those roads in a couple weeks than relief labour did in two years. The Arrowhead-Revelstoke highway was also getting prepped for paving.

80 years ago, August 2nd, 1945

Revelstoke soldiers finally returned home from the Second World War. For the first time, a direct train had brought them into town instead of needing to go to Vancouver beforehand. More men from the air force were expected to arrive soon. Programs assisting rehabilitation were put in place to help veterans find a suitable job or continue with their old one in hopes to get back to a peaceful life.

70 years ago, August 4th, 1955

With a rise in tourism, traffic both in and out of town was getting out of hand especially as construction from a rockslide on the highway to Three Valley closed the road for ten days. Even in summer, you can find yourself being Revel-stuck. Tourists were coming in from all over the world and a reporter overheard a conversation between two strangers on the passenger train discussing their preference for our mountains over Switzerland’s.

60 years ago, August 5th, 1965

Revelstoke businesses was booming as the town was growing. Great interest was taken in a mine on the mountain by contractors from Japan hoping to further trade between our two countries. Companies such as Kamloops Flooring Ltd. and SAAN department store were opening in town and even the RCMP were looking at new quarters as the commissioner deemed the current ones “inadequate”.

50 years ago, August 7th, 1975

August was the time for summer festivities in this region as Moose Mouse Days came and went. This festival was held in Sicamous for the citizens of the region. Revelstoke proudly took the gold in the canoe race as well as second in the baseball tournament.

40 years ago, August 8th, 1985

It was time for a great celebration in town as the 100 year anniversary for the Last Spike was approaching! People from all over the country returned to their home town, some using this weekend as an excuse to see old friends, or visited Revelstoke for the first time and took part in the Golden Spike celebration relishing in the joy of the parades.

30 years ago, August 1st, 1995

A popular complaint among the locals of Revelstoke was about traffic on Victoria Road. An influx of bad drivers were going well over the posted speed limit because they assumed the main road was a part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Of course this caused one too many close calls in intersections and greater punishments were desired for those who ignorantly speed by. This somehow did not change with time.

20 years ago, August 3rd, 2005

Revelstoke saw around 2000 visitors coming into town for the 18th annual Kokanee Glacier Softball Challenge. The police said everyone was well-behaved with only one man arrested. There were businesses booths set up all around and live performances, and activities for anyone not playing ball.

10 years ago, August 5th, 2015

Police asked anyone to come forward with information regarding a huge break in to the RONA warehouse where two suspects cut the wires to the alarm systems and cameras and stole what was estimated to be thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise. Little was known about the two perpetrators but they apparently stole $200 from the Bottle Depot on top of the things at RONA.