Glimpses of the Past: October 2, 2025

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

130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail - October 5, 1895

On Thursday, as a citizen was engaged in prayer in his home, some boys took it upon themselves to throw rocks his way. The harassment caused the indignant citizen to forget his devotions long enough to send the contents of a shotgun after his tormentors. There were no fatalities to account for, but a police report was filed shortly thereafter.

120 years ago: The Kootenay Mail - September 30, 1905

Next week the Methodist church will be moved to the new site at the corner of Second Street and Campbell Avenue. The church has also purchased from C.B. Hume for $1,500*, the site on Third Street, opposite F. McCarty’s. The cost of these matters is estimated at $2,650*.

*$1,500 is equivalent to approximately $57,690 today, and $2,650 would equate to $101,919.

110 years ago: The Mail Herald - October 2, 1915

Investigations continued into the April arson fire that ravaged the community of Comaplix and destroyed the sawmill, with damages over $400,000. Despite 38 interviews with witnesses the detectives have made little progress in uncovering its origin. While multiple witnesses described a short man seen in the vicinity, this information has so far proven inconclusive. The true cause of the disaster continues to evade discovery.

100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – October 7, 1925

A disastrous fire engulfed the Arlington Court Tuesday morning, a building that once stood on Victoria Street. Fortunately, a swift evacuation prevented injury amongst the residents. Oddly enough, the building was owned by none other than Forest Mills Co., the same company that had owned the mill in Comaplix. The building was leased at the time by Charles Turnross, who later purchased it and rebuilt it. It was later sold to Fred Beruschi, Sr., who continued to run it as an apartment house until 1976, when a second fire destroyed the building.

90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – October 4, 1935

Miss Charlotte Acres, the first Canadian woman to win a world’s professional swimming championship, passed through Revelstoke Sunday evening on route to Vancouver. Her record at the swimming races at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto warrants a victorious tour.

80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – October 4, 1945

An extravagant Barn Dance is put on by the Nurses of Queen Victoria Hospital in Celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Folks could show up early for a tournament of card games, or dance the night away from 10pm till half past 2am. The proceeds went to Hospital redecorating.

70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – September 29, 1955

Revelstoke’s “city” status was at stake! The Legislative Assembly was contemplating amendments to the acts in regard to status of cities and villages. The proposed legislation would have asserted that any organized city with a population under 6,000 revert to the status of a village. 70 years later and Revelstoke’s population is approaching 12,000 steadily.

60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - October 7, 1965

Sheep shortage shuts the doors on open season! Permission to hunt Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep, as proclaimed in the year’s game regulations, was revoked in East Kootenay. The order of the closure was issued by the Minister after an outbreak of an epidemic disease was found to have caused spread losses in the population.

50 years ago: The Mail Herald – October 1, 1975

Dogs beware! City Council passed a new dog licensing and regulating by-law amid a frenzy of complaints toward the city’s surplus of owners. Although Ald. Margaret McMahon had to make a few compromises, she essentially got what she wanted – tighter regulations, heightened responsibility, and impoundment charges.

40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – October 2, 1985

The Revelstoke Figure Skating Club was ecstatic about the signing of their new professional skating coach for the 1985/1986 season. 21 year old Jodi Jang hails from Prince Rupert, where she taught extensively. At the time Jodi had some impressive accomplishments; silver and gold skill proficiency at the highest tier of competitive skating.

30 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - September 29, 1995

Stolen car bust fills up Revelstoke jail cells! Police bagged eight people while checking up on a lead for a case of auto theft that had started in Golden. Revelstoke RCMP took two adults and six juveniles into custody, not even a week after the incident.

20 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - October 5, 2005

Revelstokian photographer Rob Buchanan receives a prestigious prize for his beautiful photography. Buchanan was awarded the $500 Yellowstone to Yukon Region Prize at the 2005 Banff Mountain Photography Competition. His photo, entitled Donald Range, Rogers Pass, Selkirk Mountains, BC, was judged best overall.

Photo:

Arlington Court was built in 1911 for the Forest Mills Company of BC as offices and apartments for staff. It served as an apartment house from 1923 until 1976, when it burned down. Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 1103