Glimpses of the Past: January 8, 2026
Compiled by Benjamin Smith, Collection Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives
Elliot’s Tourist Camp at 1017 First Street West, current site of Mountain View Motel. Raymond and Margaret Elliot opened the camp in 1937. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-3081.
120 years ago: The Kootenay Mail - January 6, 1906
Hotel Victoria, hailed as some of the finest accommodation available to travellers in Revelstoke at the height of its time, found itself under new management, Robert Laughton. 120 years ago, the rate of a room ranged from $1 to $1.50 a day. Sounds affordable, but mind you, this rate meant it was out of reach for most CPR workers.
110 years ago: The Mail-Herald January 8, 1916
Sir Richard McBride, retiring premier of British Columbia, passed through Revelstoke on his way to England. Not exactly the celebrity appearance one might await in grand anticipation, but interesting nonetheless. Sir Richard is often regarded as the founder of Canada’s Conservative Party.
100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - January 6, 1926
Revelstoke’s 12th annual winter carnival was a doozy, and we missed it! It was evident beforehand that the event was going to eclipse anything of a similar nature held before. We’re talking 120 hours of winter sport entertainment, 100 ski riders; jumpers and downhill bombers alike. A Grand Challenge trophy for Curling was up for the taking, and lastly, an ice-sculpture gallery. Fun was had 100 years ago, who’d have thought?
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - January 10, 1936
The fire brigade used to host a social in the same evening that newly elected firemen would assume their specialized roles following the election. There were many re-elections, with S. Needham at the helm as Fire Chief. This team had demonstrated an outstanding ability to keep fire loss at an all-time minimum, with $3,400 in damages in all of 1935, and just $550 in 1934.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - January 10, 1946
A retired postmaster in New Westminster, named J.W.C. Lord recalled the tragedies he endured as a railway mail clerk on the Revelstoke division of the C.P.R. “In a canyon east of Revelstoke, a wooden bridge gave way and the engine and two cars plunged down 200 feet. The mail car hung over the end of the broken trestle”! Scary stuff, where can I read more?
70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - January 5, 1956
A pair of brown leather fur-lined gloves were last seen in the vicinity of 4th and 5th street. If you happen to find yourself nearby, please take a look. We’re talking about the armour of our dear paperboy!
60 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review - January 6, 1966
We love every opportunity to include a little individual spotlight in the Glimpses - Margaret Elliot! That name is bound to ring some bells city-wide, perhaps a certain camp comes to mind, the Elliot Tourist Camp? Or! The column Ramblings with Margaret that appeared in the Review for several years, delivering positively-fueled tangents and converted seemingly mundane topics into ideas that warranted a lengthy column. We see you Margaret, and we thank you.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review - January 7, 1976
I told Cathy today that my new year’s resolution was to shift away from writing about fires that Revelstoke has endured throughout its tenure, (thankful as I am for the fire brigade). I came across an ad for J.K English & Sons Jewellery business shortly after, run by Cathy’s father-in-law. “Gifts that last” it said. Businesses will come and go, but their investment in Revelstoke is no less a gift.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review - January 8, 1986
A business revitalization plan was the talk of the 80s in Revelstoke. This plan proceeded with a majority vote of businesses in favour, but that is not to say it was unanimous. Much of downtown’s current appeal is owed to this project, particularly Mackenzie Avenue’s vibrancy, but some perceived it as an offence on local businesses, an invitation to corporations. How do you feel Revelstoke has held up in its preservation of local enterprise?
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review - January 9, 1996
The B.C Environment Ministry interposed itself between Revelstoke and the Columbia River. Until 1996, it was routine for the city to load the snow it plowed from the streets onto trucks to take it to the river. The city was given until January 31st to find a new solution, had one not been devised. Perhaps the ministry would have assumed the work themselves!
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review - January 11, 2006
The City of Revelstoke found itself at odds with the architectural firm behind the aquatic centre. According to the city’s Mayor at the time, Mark McKee, the firm had presented a second bill to the city after the initial $371,000 had been paid out. The firm was to be paid 7% of the project’s total budget, and they felt they were owed more since the project exceeded that budget.