Glimpses of the Past: September 4, 2025

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

Big Bend Highway Work Camp, August 1936. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-1008.

130 years ago: Kootenay Mail, August 31st, 1895

Canadian Pacific Railway was making preparations to put up a new bridge that ran across the Columbia River.  It was to be created in a similar manner to the previous one which was the longest wooden bridge on the road, measuring over three quarters of a mile. The timber was to be supplied from the Genelle’s mill at Tappen Siding.

120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, August 31st, 1905

Senator Hendee of Indiana, and friends, were accompanied by a journalist for the paper through the Illecillewaet Canyons, highly praising the spectacular views. After their tour, they visited Edward Adair’s ranch near Greely Creek, where they admired his recent invention of a stump burning device which was expected to make clearing land for agriculture much more efficient.

110 years ago: Mail-Herald, September 4th, 1915

Plans were underway for the 2nd  winter carnival in Revelstoke for 1916. The Board of Trade outlined potential plans, and estimated the cost to be around $1500 to host. The Ski Club would host the event with support from the Board of Trade, and the City was being asked to contribute to the costs. The carnival was expected to attract competitors from other points of Western Canada and the United States.

100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 2nd, 1925

A very positive article was published in “The Mountaineer” discussing the author’s previous visit to Revelstoke National Park, they stated that the park is “possibly one of the most unique in Canada” and “of the true mountain spirit,” with a beautiful description for the scenery along the trails. Atop the mountain they tell of the things you can see from such a high vantage point such as the Columbia River and the tranquil valley in which it flows.

90 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 6th, 1935

Revelstoke’s local mascots make their way into a camp at ten-mile when there are several reports on the Big Bend Highway of bear sightings! There were approximately eight known bears spotted frequenting the camp, many of which liked to indulge in the expertise of the camps’ chef after meals as well as break into the meat house, especially at night. The plots of the perpetrators leave the building in a wreck, this group seemed to be the most bold of all the bear-life in nearby camps.

80 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 6th, 1945

Town life was chirping during the Labour Day carnivals which was hosted by our local Rotary Club and took place primarily on Mackenzie Ave. It started in the early morning and ran until midnight. It was full of booths with activities and vendors to entertain the large crowds. Of course, after the carnival a dance was held in the Civic Centre where along with dancing the night away, you could win a multitude of prizes.

70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 1st, 1955

As you may know, the Big Bend Highway was the only public access road to drive towards Golden but it took approximately 8 hours due to the less than appealing conditions travelers would face. Because of this, plans were underway to build a new highway through Rogers Pass as the main route for the Trans-Canada Highway. Surveys were being made to consider potential obstacles which had surprising results for those who believed it to be too dangerous.

60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 2nd, 1965

During the construction of Mica Dam, there was a community not too far away from the site named Mica Village; there were plans to build a 4 room elementary school for the kids in the construction village which offers grades one to seven. The children that attended this school would later go on to the high school in Revelstoke as the Board Office decided it would be too difficult to create a proper system for the small group, the Revelstoke students were excited to host them and show them a second home.

50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 4th, 1975

Columbia River Days was held in town over the weekend which seemed to have been quite a well-run event with many sports activities; there was a family relay race and the annual swim meet where an enthusiastic guard lost her balance while cheering for a racer and broke her foot after falling into the pool. There were also canoe races and even a pancake breakfast on Saturday.

40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 5th, 1985

The Community Centre had about 400 occupants waiting outside for the fashion show that supported designs from local creators to highlight what’s new for the fall. Work from independent designers were shown as well as well-loved businesses in town and their new lines. After the event, people were able to commission the designers and get custom made pieces.

30 years ago: Revelstoke Times-Review, September 1st, 1995

The citizens of Revelstoke were furious at the RCMP for how they had handled bear sightings near town, two bears near the CP hill were “hunted” when they should’ve been tranquilized and relocated as per what the RCMP said they would do for grizzly bears. People felt that since we are a wilderness town known for being in bear country, we should have more respect for the wild life around us and find solutions to future issues as a community instead of permanently taking away the bears.

20 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 31st, 2005

Revelstoke has the chance of getting the City Parks Master Plan that proposed 38 kilometers of trails and parks in housing developments or preexisting neighborhoods. The plan also looks at the current parks trying to find how to improve in their weaknesses in accessibility or the structures that are residing on them, they were asking for input from environmental groups nearby to assist the trail developments in the more “ecologically sensitive areas” as well.