Glimpses of the Past: May 21, 2026
By Jaimie Reynolds, Revelstoke Museum & Archives
Train stopped at Glacier House, ca. 1890. Revelstoke Museum & Archives, P-1455.
130 years ago: Kootenay Mail, May 16, 1896
The Revelstoke Fire Hall was undergoing a series of improvements. A large double door and inclined sidewalk were being put in. It was said that a brick chimney was probably going to be the next improvement.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, May 19, 1906
The popularity of the C.P.R. route was attracting big travel through Revelstoke, and the trains were becoming increasingly crowded. Glacier House in Rogers Pass, under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Flindt, was one of the most popular stops on the railway route through the mountains.
110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, May 20, 1916
Frank A. Granat of Revelstoke won the John Roberts gold medal for general proficiency at the pharmacy examinations in Toronto. The scholarship also brought with it a cash prize of $100 ($3030 in 2026) and was won from a class of one hundred or more students.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 19, 1926
A test fire alarm was turned in from the Enterprise Brewery corner on Second Street West. Only three and a half minutes elapsed from the time the alarm was sounded until the brigade had the water on in two lines of hose. This was an exceptionally good showing by the Revelstoke Fire Brigade!
90 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 15, 1936
An ancient train engine was going to arrive in Revelstoke. Engine No. 374, the first engine to pull a passenger train into Vancouver over the Canadian Pacific Railway fifty years ago would be used in Revelstoke during the production of the historic picture, “The Great Barrier”. The film was being produced by the Gaumont British Picture Corporation.
80 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 16, 1946
The Downie Creek Lumber Co. Ltd was preparing to operate a sawmill at Downie Creek on the Big Bend Highway, north of Revelstoke. One of the principals was Ivan Sutherland, who had spent his boyhood in Revelstoke. The operation of the sawmill would mean that another industry seemed assured for the Revelstoke district.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 17, 1956
An event to celebrate Empire Day was going to take place in Mountain View Park on May 21st. The crowning of the May Queen would take place, and there would be maypole and folk dancing. Athletic events and an outdoor concert would happen as well. The parade was going to happen at 1:30pm and the carnival at the Civic Centre would start at 7pm.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 18, 1966
A famed Montreal painter paid a visit to Revelstoke. Michael Millman, whose trip was sponsored by the C.P.R., was planning an exhibition on the railway and the nation, which would be seen by people across the country. Mr. Millman had his first exhibition at the University of Toronto in 1942.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 19, 1976
A group of Revelstoke boys won the BC Secondary Schools Provincial Bowling Championships with a total pinfall of 3270. The competition took place in Nanaimo, BC, and the boys received gold metals as well as a trophy. The girls team placed third, only 8 pins behind second place.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, May 22, 1986
The Coquihalla Highway was officially open! It was Canada’s only toll highway and cut off an hour of the five-hour trip between Kamloops and Vancouver. The tolls were $8 one way per car and up to $40 one way for commercial vehicles. The tolls were expected to raise $40 million a year.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, May 15, 1996
Considerable damage was caused to the Friends of Mount Revelstoke & Glacier gift shop at the Rogers Pass Info Centre after culprits illegally entered the premises. Once inside, a safe was opened and numerous items were stolen, including a cordless drill, a VCR, a cordless phone, and two cash boxes containing $1000. Many more valuables were taken, making the stolen value worth upwards of $2000.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, May 17, 2006
A java joke had many locals concerned when a large “Starbucks” logo was painted on the Howson Building on Mackenzie Avenue. This led many Revelstoke locals to the conclusion that a chain cafe was moving onto the quaint downtown street. It turned out to be a prank, and the paint was removed immediately.