Glimpses of the Past: November 27, 2025
Compiled by Benjamin Smith, Collection Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives
130 years ago: The Kootenay Mail - November 30, 1895
A modest number of labourers for the C.P.R went on strike because of insufficient wages. Workers were receiving $1.25 a day, or $7.50 a week in a country where it cost at least $4 a week for commuting and lodging. They requested an increase to $1.50, pretty reasonable. A week after their demand was acceded to, they were discharged and replaced with labourers willing to work for only $1.00 a day and complimentary travel.
120 years ago: The Revelstoke Herald - November 30, 1905
A shareholder meeting for the Revelstoke Sawmill Co. was held over the week. With a hefty company capitalization of $500,000, and the first-class timber holdings of its predecessor Revelstoke Lumber Co., this new mill was eager to prove itself as one of the best in the interior. Shareholders had gathered to discuss exactly when operations could begin.
110 years ago: The Mail Herald - November 27, 1915
A fatal accident occurred one Sunday morning and Revelstoke tragically lost one of its volunteer firemen. Seeing this incident occur in the time period that it did, during World War I, compelled me to write of the bravery that existed amidst individuals not in combat. Revelstoke did not have a thoroughly funded fire brigade until the 60s, many firemen were hard-working locals who took the responsibility in stride.
100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 25, 1925
A banquet was held in honour of Len Howson, who was moving away from this city in search of new adventures in the United States. The Board of Trade arranged the banquet, which was held at the Royal Hotel. His departure was lamented by Mayor McKinnon and many of his fellow businessmen, with Mr. Manning even going so far as to say it was unfortunate to lose one of Revelstoke’s best people to the U.S. Len Howson was the owner of Howson’s Furniture Co., a business his father Robert founded. The business sold hand-made furniture and coffins, and expanded into both a furniture and undertaking business. When he moved, Len sold the business at Mackenzie and Second Street to Mr. Brandon who continued to operate the furniture business and funeral home.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 29, 1935
A meeting was called by Mayor Pradolini at City Hall to lay out plans for the annual Christmas Cheer Fund. The mayor called upon various public and fraternal organizations to appoint representatives to help spread Christmas cheer to those struggling during the holiday season. He notes that, with employment over the last year up, there would likely be less demand this year. However, Canada was still in the thick of the Depression, so need was still high.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 29, 1945
For the first time in twenty years a High School orchestra had been organized in Revelstoke. A newspaper ad was purchased to advertise the need for instruments for a group of high schoolers who were demonstrating a keen attitude for music not seen in the school for many years. Saxophones, brass horns, and trumpets were requested specifically.
70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – November 24, 1955
Grey Cup special trains were coming into Revelstoke! 5 special trains would be passing through Revelstoke on the evening of publication to pick up anyone heading to Vancouver for the Grey Cup. There would also be entertainment at the platform for anyone wanting to join in on the fun without travelling to Vancouver. Spoiler Alert: At the 43rd Grey Cup on November 26th, 1955, the Edmonton Eskimos played the Montreal Alouettes, defeating them for the second year in a row with a score of 34-19. This was, notably, the first Grey Cup to be played in Western Canada. Also of note? The Alouettes’ coach was named “Peahead Walker.”
60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 25, 1965
Fireman E.C McDonald was promoted to Fire Chief by the city. Oddly enough, the article announcing his promotion emphasized his being their second choice. I thought this was strange until I realized that it was making a point of McDonald’s undeterred attitude, whereas the first choice was put off by Revelstoke’s situation and cost of living.
50 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 26, 1975
A new sewage treatment plant arrives to put an end to crude sewage being pumped into our beloved Columbia River. The sewage plant will implement a refined filtration process to substantially eliminate un-welcome contaminants from reaching the river. This $1.2 million project will follow a $200,000 investment into a trunk interceptor to address waste already in the river as well.
40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 27, 1985
Columbia-Shuswap Radio included a “Top 20”, for the week of November 25, 1985. Here were some of the hits that dominated the broadcast; Part Time Lover by Stevie Wonder, Dress You Up by Madonna, Money for Nothing by The Dire Straights, and Who’s Zoomin Who? By Aretha Franklin. Music is history too!
30 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 24, 1995
Twenty-six firefighters, 3 units, collectively fought off flames as they towered over a house on Downie St. Six individuals were safely escorted out of the building, and after an hour, the fire was quelled.
20 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - November 30, 2005
This edition of the Review dedicated its entire first page to a profile on one of Revelstoke’s very own, Captain Ryan Clarke. At the time of the article’s release, Clark was a company operations officer with the army’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). A 7.6 magnitude earthquake had devastated Pakistan and Kashmir in October, and Clarke was one of 220 soldiers sent to provide relief.
Photo:
The home of Len and Irene Howson, built in 1913 at the end of Mackenzie Avenue. Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 2504.