Glimpses of the Past: December 18, 2025
Compiled by Benjamin Smith, Collection Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives
130 years ago: Kootenay Mail - December 21, 1895
A snow blockade brought a passenger train to a halt 37 miles east of Revelstoke, the very first of its kind this year. A company of men was sent out to clear the debris, but passengers had to sit tight until then. Little did our passengers know of the parallels their scenario exhibited to that of a certain Agatha Christie novel.
120 years ago: Kootenay Mail - December 16, 1905
The C.P.R acknowledged that it was unfair that Vancouver should be able to send freight from Montreal cheaper than the same class of freight could be landed in Calgary or Revelstoke. The cause of the disparity was the C.P.R trying to compete with aquatic transport.
110 years ago: The Mail-Herald - December 18, 1915
Supposedly hunters were finding gold inside some of their geese and turkeys in B.C. As these birds procured food by the shore, they would pick-up little nuggets here and there. If only they knew.
100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 16, 1925
For the first time, the city chose to try a tractor snow plow on the sidewalks instead of defaulting to the old system of horse plow. City officials were impressed by how it required significantly less people to operate, but remained skeptical of its ability because it was yet to face the foot high snow that Revelstoke could expect.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 20, 1935
Some time on a Friday night, the Revelstoke Garage was entered, evidently by someone who knew their way around. The trespasser used the company’s own acetylene torch to cut a hole along the side of the safe so as to extract the cash box. To their surprise, the safe content was just 60 cents.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 20, 1945
No hospitalized serviceman went overlooked if the Red Cross could help it, from one end of the country to another. British Columbia’s part in giving back to soldiers was the provision of gift-crammed Christmas stockings for nearly 2,200 men, 1,400 of whom were confined to hospitals in the Vancouver district. Approximately $31,000 was allotted by the Red Cross for new bedding for overseas servicemen.
70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 22, 1955
A social was held honouring 4 retiring Rail Workers; Mr. Mercurio, Mr. Wolfe, and Mr. Slobnyk of Revelstoke and Mr. Herrinsong of Sicamous. Held in Selkirk hall, a turn-out of over 200 people arrived to thank these 4 men for their dedicated service. Speeches were made, an orchestra played, a very kind send-off by the sounds of it. We love gratitude.
60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 16, 1965
A 300-foot plunge, the likes of which only a Redbull athlete would sign up for, was unintentionally made by a car 3 miles south of Revelstoke. The driver sustained minor injuries fortunately, whereas the car demonstrated a lesser durability. The driver said it was snowing and their brakes failed them on the curve. Drive cautiously folks!
50 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 17, 1975
In the people’s thoughts column of the newspaper, someone asked “Are happy people morons?” The writer, a reader no doubt, attests that there were so many reasons for unhappiness, that it could only be possible that happy individuals lacked comprehension of their surroundings. I would argue otherwise, individuals would be so lucky, and impressive, to apply more than one emotion to their day-to-day life, especially a negative one.
40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 18, 1985
Santa must have left the reindeer at home, because his arrival atop an interior furnishing store was assisted by none other than…a helicopter? During the prior week, Santa Claus made a surprise appearance in the city, starting on a roof, and then descending to the ground via fire engine boom to greet some children.
30 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 15, 1995
Council agreed to pay a consultant $2,000 for a new logo design. It was unanimously agreed that Revelstoke was in need of a new logo, something that represented the city’s growth and success, while also preserving its quaint identity. The resulting logo, featuring the light silhouette of a bear beside a red “R”, would be used until 2025.
20 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - December 21, 2005
A woman is seen consoling her Labrador who narrowly escaped a frightening attack by a pack of coyotes. Severe harm was inflicted in several of the dog’s vital areas: had some larger dogs not arrived and fended off the coyotes, the attack would have likely been fatal. Fortunately, that was not the case, and one can hope Hermione recovered over time.
The next Glimpses of the Past column will appear in the January 8th issue of the Revelstoke Review. All of us at Revelstoke Museum and Archives wish all of the readers a very Merry Christmas, and all the best in the coming year.
Revelstoke Garage at the corner of Victoria Road and Orton, circa 1930. Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 1941.