Glimpses of the Past: September 25, 2025

Compiled by Benjamin Smith, Collection Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives

Installing the engine in the power plant on Campbell Avenue, ca. 1930. Revelstoke Museum & Archives Collection, P-13568.

130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, September 28, 1895

A notable albeit brief presence touched down in Revelstoke this week. On Wednesday, aboard the No.1, was famous Welsh-American explorer Henry Morton Stanley. Stanley is currently giving lectures worldwide about his twenty-three years in Africa, where he investigated geographical enigmas such as the source of the Nile.

120 years ago: The Kootenay Mail, September 23, 1905

The major American circus group, “Floto Circus” stunned local audiences on Monday with a series of elegantly humoured stunts. Feats on horseback by both ladies and gentleman were good, but the hit of the evening was the Japanese acrobatic troupe. Learn more about visiting circuses in our new mini-exhibit!

110 years ago: The Mail-Herald, September 25, 1915

Some of our soldiers were sent home on leave to recuperate with their families over the weekend, Private C.D. Garland and A. Hillier of the 54th battalion at Vernon returned most recently. For Senior Officers or Captains, it is more common that spouses had to travel to the battalion in order to see their soldier-partners, such was the case for Mrs. W.G. Foster of Nelson, who went to Vernon to visit her husband.

100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, September 23, 1925

The city council was calling for tenders for the erection of a new power house for an oil engine and generator plant. The plant was to be located on the corner of Campbell Avenue and Fourth Streets, alongside the spur track.

90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 27, 1935

The Kellogg Company, a timeless manufacturer of our favourite cereals, once hosted a competition for the best letters addressed to a prominent radio personality known as “The Singing Lady”. The intention was to gain ideas for the program from its audience so as to retain their interest. The prize pool was $10,000, divisible by a maximum of 1,033 winners; some of the stories from the letters were printed on backs of Rice Krispies packages.

80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 27, 1945

A nation-wide clothing drive for the millions of destitute in war devastated lands abroad, opened on October 1st. Participating in this drive are the Canadian United Allied Relief Fund, and more than 30 other national organizations in Canada. In Revelstoke, the drive was under the Chairmanship of Ald. A.D. Boyle. A donation was a bid for patriotism and humanity. 

70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 22, 1955

A tremendous step in the pursuit of education here in Revelstoke was taken when Education Minister Ray Williston opened a new elementary school, the first of its kind since 1914. Revelstoke experienced a staggering increase of youth in the mid-20th century, and it brought on a need for newer and larger infrastructure. Mountain View Elementary was built on the land now occupied by Revelstoke Secondary School.

60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 23, 1965

One local librarian earned herself a tremendous opportunity. Through her longstanding commitment to record preservation in the field of medicine, Miss Marjorie Gibbons has been elected to be Secretary to the Canadian Association of Medical Record Librarians. One can only assume that this honour is recognized with considerable distinction in the niche world of Medical Librarians. At the time, Miss Gibbons was working at our very Queen Victoria Hospital.

50 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 25, 1975

The school strike has been settled! Stewards of the union had been protesting outside Revelstoke’s secondary school from Tuesday the 16th, until the 23rd. Last week, Board Chairman Yosh Shoji could only offer his surprise as insight, but such a swift resolution should serve as proof of his commitment to improvement. Details are yet to be disclosed.

40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 25, 1985

Three men were caught in possession of stolen property under $200. An employee of The Photo House observed two cameras missing from a display, and proceeded to file a report with the R.C.M.P. Not two days later, the cameras were found, concealed under a pile of dirty laundry. Gross, certainly, but not enough to deter justice. 

30 years ago: 1995

A CP Rail motor car unit with a crew of three was struck by an eastbound freight train at the Two Mile crossing west of Revelstoke. The force of the impact compressed the four push carts between the stationary front and rear motor cars like an accordion, sending the push carts off the track. There were no injuries.

20 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 28, 2005

Did you know? The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) used to challenge drivers to make October a “crash-free month”. Although the initiative, known as “Zero Crash Month” was heavily incentivized by cash prizes, it nurtured a shared sense of responsibility in each participating community. Crashes still occurred, but there were 5,000 less crashes annually than years that predated the initiative.