Glimpse of the Past: January 22, 2026

Compiled by Ben Smith, Collections Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives

Kids on a toboggan at Glacier School, ca. 1938. Revelstoke Museum & Archives Collection, P-7194.

130 years ago: Kootenay Mail - January 25, 1896

Revelstoke had begun holding winter carnivals even before the 20th century. An advertisement for the carnival was included in this issue, boasting prizes, a costume contest, and a skating rink, which was located where there is now a parking lot for the C.P.

120 years ago: The Mail Herald - January 27, 1906

J.A. Kernaghan says his contract is nearly complete, and the Y.M.C.A building here in Revelstoke should be opened in no longer than a month. I try to imagine how a building of its stature would have been perceived at the time. I mean we’re talking about a structure that hosted a pool and a bowling alley, on top of a full gym.

110 years ago: The Mail Herald - January 22, 1916

Nels Nelsen broke the world’s record when he jumped 183 feet on the local ski hill. The former record was 177 feet, made on a Swiss hill.

100 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 27, 1926

The new ice plant at the Revelstoke Rink was nearing completion as the Inland Ice and Cold Storage Company was making good progress. The big tank was completed and connected up with the piping, and the engine was in place. Pradolini Bros. construction was installing the equipment, while city electrical superintendent Earle Dickey had a crew on the job connecting the plant with the city’s power lines. The rink was located at 411 Fourth Street West, the site of Col River Manor Apartments.

80 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 24, 1946

The remainder of Revelstoke’s POWs (Prisoners of war) were returned only a week prior to this issue’s publication. The release of prisoners was gradual, and the period of captivity varied enormously. According to the Review, one Corporal F. Hollingsworth was supposedly released an entire year after his brother had returned home.

70 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 26, 1956

Whatever happened to sledding? Apparently there used to be a time when Fourth Street between Mackenzie Ave and Connaught would be closed off so that kids could enjoy a little sledding. Coming to Revelstoke, I sort of assumed that I’d see at least one person tubing through the streets, alas, just snowmobiles.

60 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 27, 1966

A Revelstoke native and 30 year subscriber of the review wrote to the paper from New York City. Louis Amato recalled his fond memories of growing up in Revelstoke, and said he pays close attention to its developments from afar. His last remark was that he intended to keep up his subscription to the paper, as he feels at home when he’s reading it.

50 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 21, 1976

A couple realty listings were included in this edition, and if I have to be reminded of what could have been, so do you! A 4 bedroom home on the corner of 3rd St. E was listed for $35,000, as well as a second 3 bedroom home (renovated kitchen) for…$24,000. I could only give this so much thought as I don’t see my therapist for another 7 days.

40 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 20, 1986

Included in this edition was a countdown of twenty of the most popular songs on the radio at the time. Everything In My Hart, Corey Hart seized the #1 position, with Lionel Richie’s Say You Say Me following close behind. Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, The Dire Straits, Sting, and Dionne and Friends also claimed spots of their own.

30 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 23, 1996

The community was determined to disrupt a merger between the Revelstoke and Shuswap school districts. More than 200 parents showed up to express their discontent towards a proposal that would merge the province’s 73 existing school districts into only 37. I can’t blame them, apparently this was an attempt to “cut administration costs”, no no no.

20 years ago: Revelstoke Review - January 25, 2006

A bit of a debate was raised in the review after a 16 year old’s ambition to create a half-pipe in his front yard was snuffed out by public complaints. He succeeded in creating the half-pipe, and it was quite impressive, but it was unfortunately deemed an eye sore. Someone took to the Opinions and Letters column to voice their support for the teenager, saying heaps of snow have looked far worse. 100% agree.