Glimpses of the Past: March 26, 2026
By Cathy English, Curator, Revelstoke Museum and Archives
Cameraman Sydney Bonnet (left) during the filming of Silent Barrier in Revelstoke, 1936. Revelstoke Museum and Archives, P-7874.
130 years ago: Kootenay Mail - March 28, 1896
Construction work on the new CPR bridge across the Columbia claimed its second victim when an experienced bridgeman, John McSourley lost his life. He was working about 20 feet below the top of the bridge, and 25 feet above the ice, when a casting broke, and a piece weighing about 80 pounds fell and struck McSourley, knocking him to the ice.
120 years ago: The Mail Herald - March 24, 1906
Bowman Lumber Company, who operated a sawmill in Revelstoke just west of the current Fourth Street Roundabout, had let a contract to E.C. Fromey of Revelstoke for the building of the boiler-house of their new mill at Comaplix. The small mill town of Comaplix was on the north-east arm of the Upper Arrow Lake. The mill was in operation there until 1915, when it was destroyed in an arson fire.
110 years ago: The Mail Herald - March 25, 1916
Did you know that Revelstoke had an indoor swimming pool 110 years ago? The YMCA had a small pool where swimming and diving lessons were taught. On March 20, 1916, a swimming gala was held, starting with an exhibition of swimming by Arthur Bennett, followed by races by Revelstoke boys.
100 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - March 24, 1926
Mr. Alex Bigger of Camborne came to Revelstoke bringing word of a big strike of grey copper ore at the Spider claim of the Multiplex Mining Company’s property near Camborne. At the time, Bibb had 17 tons of ore on the wharf at Beaton ready for shipment to the smelter in Trail.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - March 27, 1936
A film crew from the British Gaumont Picture Corporation was in town to prepare for the filming of “Track of Destiny,” based on a novel by Alan Sullivan. Head cameraman was Sydney Bonnet, who was cameraman for a 1933 aerial film of Mount Everest. “Track of Destiny” was later renamed “Silent Barriers.”
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - March 28, 1946
Two war brides from Europe were enroute to Revelstoke after crossing the Atlantic on the “Aquitania.” They were Mrs. Evelyn Goodman of Sussex, England, the wife of Victor Goodman, and Mrs. Clara McPhee, originally of Switzerland, the wife of CPR employee Harold McPhee. The McPhees lived in Revelstoke for the rest of their lives.
70 years ago: The Revelstoke Review - March 29, 1956
Peter Horn, of the Revelstoke Figure Skating Club, brought home the Kamloops Radio Station Trophy in his class in the Okanagan-Mainline figure skating championships held at Kamloops the previous weekend. Other skaters who placed well were Gail Almen, Susan White, and Madge White.
60 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – March 23, 1966
CHBC TV camera crews were in Revelstoke a few weeks ago to film Grade 4 pupils of Mountain View and Farwell Schools skiing down the slopes of Mount Revelstoke. The children were taking part in the Revelstoke School Board’s Friday ski program, the first of its kind in Canada. The news item was to be shown on CHBC on March 24, 1966.
50 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – March 24, 1976
Bill Nimilowicz announced that plans for a luxurious apartment complex were completed, and construction was to begin within the next two weeks. The 27-unit apartment complex, to be named “Nim’s Manor,” was to be built on the location of the former C.B. Hume home. The construction cost was estimated at 750,000.
40 years ago: The Revelstoke Review – March 26, 1986
MLA Cliff Michael announced the approval of $300,000 of Expo 86 legacy money for the construction of Revelstoke’s proposed plaza on Mackenzie Avenue. The plaza was expected to serve as a focal point for the upgrading of the downtown core and would provide long-term benefits from increased tourism to Revelstoke.
30 years ago: The Revelstoke Times Review, March 27, 1996
Cat Powder Skiing was hoping to expand their skiable terrain over the next 5 to 10 years. At the time, they were operating on about 4,500 hectares on the upper slopes of Mount Mackenzie and on Goat Peak, taking out about 100 people per day.
20 years ago: The Revelstoke Times Review, March 29, 2006
Revelstoke’s Ambulance service was operating out of the R Motel at the intersection of Wright Street and Victoria Road after being asked to leave the Fire Hall, where they had been posted for the past 15 years. The Fire Hall had insufficient space available to continue to house the ambulance service. The location at the motel was not ideal, and the service was hoping to acquire permanent quarters in the future.