Glimpses of the Past: August 27, 2026

By Brennan Patry, Archival Assistant, Revelstoke Museum & Archives

RCMP Officer John Creally demonstrating bike helmet safety, ca. 1980. Revelstoke Museum & Archives Collection, P-9839.

120 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, August 25, 1906

Two young men had quite the bear sighting in their Eagle Pass cabin. Around 3 am when the young men were asleep, one was awoken by a creaking noise. The noise ended up being the door opening. The young man got out of bed to see who was entering their cabin. The last thing he expected to see was a large brown bear tearing apart the entryway!

110 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, August 26, 1916

With the British Columbia general election in the works, many people in the province were concerned about how real the results would be due to the B.C. soldiers voting from England. Several thousand soldiers had already voted, and officials were saying they had no reason to suspect that anyone’s votes were not truly their opinion and wants.

100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 25, 1926          

Two boys from the United States were on a canoe trip from the Windermere country (around Golden, B.C.) all the way down to Portland, Oregon. The two young men spent the night in Revelstoke about one week after leaving Beavermouth. They had attempted a similar trip a few years prior but were unsuccessful. This time around, the boys expected that they would make it to Portland by September 16.

90 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 28, 1936

At the city council meeting, officials decided to set maximum speeds for within city limits. The speed limit was set to 40 km per hour, and police were instructed to enforce it. Speed limit signs were to be put up around town to remind people of the new limit. There were also going to be new regulations requiring cyclists riding on the roads to have proper lighting on their bikes. This was to avoid accidents caused by vehicles not being able to see cyclists, as well as cyclists hitting pedestrians because they were riding on sidewalks.

80 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 29, 1946

A prisoner escaped from the provincial jail in Kamloops. Cecil Clifton broke out of his cell the night before he was supposed to be brought to Revelstoke for his trial. B.C. police started a widespread search once they realized he was gone after morning roll call. They were unsure what clothes if any that Clifton was wearing since everything except his shirt and shoes were left in the jail cell.

70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 30, 1956

Two young musicians from Montreal were in Revelstoke. Mrs. Overhill and Mrs. Cloews were visiting town and decided to have a mini concert at the Revelstoke United Church Hall. They performed a variety of songs, and it was said that the two young women were outstanding.

60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 24, 1966

It was announced that Revelstoke residents would get a chance over the next year to see a popular series of colour motion pictures. The series consisted of travel films about the Alpine World, Scotland, Athens, Wales, and Cairo. The films were to be presented at the Revelstoke Secondary School Auditorium.

50 years ago: Revelstoke Mail-Herald, August 25, 1976

Revelstoke had a flower show for the first time in many years. The show was sponsored by St. Peter’s Parish Council. Around 23 paintings were on display, most of which were florals from a collection of local artists in Revelstoke. Some entries for the show included sweet peas, and roses. Other flowers would have been submitted if it weren’t for the cooler weather affecting them.

40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, August 27, 1986

B.C. Hydro did tests after the Revelstoke dam spill. The tests were to see how opening the flood gates affects the fish, since the force of the water is so strong coming out of the flood gates that it can saturate the water with air, which can be fatal for fish. Hydro announced that only four fish were found dead during the study.

30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, August 28, 1996

A new bike helmet mandate was coming into place. As of September 3, 1996, all cyclists would have to wear helmets when riding. Cyclists over the age of 16 found not wearing helmets would be issued a violation ticket costing $75. Riders under the age of 16 would not receive the ticket, but instead it would go to their parent or guardian.

20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, August 23, 2006

The Railway Days Festival had been rebuilt, and the opening ceremony drew quite a large crowd. The updated version of Railway Days was helping pull all the city’s museums and cultural groups together, and educating people about how the railway was a key part in Revelstoke becoming a city.