Glimpses of the Past: February 12, 2026
Compiled by Ben Smith, Collections Manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives.
C. R. Macdonald’s Drug Store, 206 Mackenzie Avenue, circa 1915. Revelstoke Museum and Archives Collection, P-235.
130 years ago: Kootenay Mail - February 15, 1896
Chinese New Year celebrations were cut short by two days due to a bad business year, but not without some fireworks to conclude the festivities. Fun fact, fireworks originate from China, where gunpowder was fastened to bamboo, which would act as the projectiles. They served as a scare tactic until around 700 AD.
120 years ago: The Mail Herald - February 14, 1906
A group of seven sisters arrived in Revelstoke with hopes of demonstrating the effectiveness of their magic hair cream to the public. They would hold daily demonstrations in the town with the support of Druggist (Former Pharmacist Title), Walter Bews. Somehow this announcement managed to acquire the headline, “Important Notice !!”.
110 years ago: The Mail Herald - February 12, 1916
Between newspaper advertisements for coal, banks, or department stores was often an advertisement for some kind of cure-all medicine. These patented, often unregulated medical cures with no proven efficacy were an easy, and popular scam. It was often included in the ad that if you wrote to the company, validating the “medicine”, you could get more free of charge.
100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 17, 1926
The city council addressed a matter concerning our Fire Brigade’s ability to aid in the suppression of fires outside city limits. While the council did not wish to see destruction of property outside of the city limits, the concern that the brigade might be away during a fire situation inside the city limits caused the council to reinforce the boundary.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 14, 1936
Revelstoke experienced a typical winter blizzard, 7 days of consistent below 0 temperatures as low as -13. I do not typically include weather reports but these above 0 temperatures are calling for some manifestation. Keep it coming!
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 14, 1946
The distribution and consumption of certain food products faced stark restrictions amidst wartime in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It was announced in this week’s edition of the Review that a cut in butter rations was deemed a necessary response to depleted reserve stocks. The cut was from 6 ounces of butter to 4 ounces, per coupon, per family ration book.
70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 16, 1956
Mining classes commence on February 24! Three widely experienced mining men agreed to give lectures under the auspices of the Department of Mines. Class topics discussed general considerations like prospecting, encountering uranium, identification of minerals, and coping with radiation.
60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 17, 1966
Up until the 1970s, there was a column called “Locals”, and within it, were mundane announcements about the whereabouts of, right you are, locals, ie. “Maria has gone to Kelowna to take a business course”, or “Dave spent the weekend at his home in Coquitlam, BC”. They're a little entertaining because it makes me wonder if people were informing the editors directly of their updated whereabouts, or if someone was in charge of staying on top of everyone.
50 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 18, 1976
Featured in this issue were winners of the B.C. Snowmobile Championship Races held in Revelstoke. Frenchy Moisan of Prince George took second in the 800 open ‘A’ main. Marilyn Mulberg of Rosetown, SK finished 1st in the 340 Super mod and Bill Wigley of Calgary took top honours in the same open ‘A’ main.
40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 12, 1986
The Revelstoke Review’s Bob Baron placed best overall in the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce contest for his logo and slogan “Shop locally, shop Revelstoke”.
30 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 16, 1996
A lack of skiers caused Mt. Mackenzie to consider only opening the ski hill on weekends in the latter half of the season. The hill’s operating budget had already been spent for the season, and losses incurred after the season would have resulted in higher taxes or a smaller annual budget in the following year.
20 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - February 15, 2006
Man takes first place in one-man Dummy Downhill. A Contractor poses with his company namesake and mascot - The Green Cat - at Powder Springs after a race down the ski hill on Feb. 5. This undisputed champion invited others for the following year, where I hope the opportunity arose to defend his title from someone. Otherwise, legendary publicity.