Cathy English
Revelstoke Museum and Archives
130 years ago: The Kootenay Star, April 29, 1893
Revelstoke Fire Brigade held a practice run of their newly acquired chemical engine. A huge bonfire of dry cedar was lit at the bottom of Front Street, a quarter of a mile from the engine-house. The fire was allowed ten minutes start, and the flames were leaping about 12 feet high when the engine arrived. Within about 30 seconds after the stream began to play on it, no fire was visible.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, April 30, 1903
The newspaper reported on the devastating rockslide at the town of Frank, N.W.T. (now Alberta). It was said that the roar of the slide could be heard more than 200 kilometres away. More than 90 people died in the slide, and most of the bodies were never recovered.
110 years ago: The Mail-Herald, April 26, 1913
City council met with a delegation from the school board, who said that they had secured a grant from the province for $40,000 for the construction of a new high school building, and requested that the city put a bylaw forward to provide an additional $20,000. The bylaw would go to the public for a vote.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 25, 1923
Sir Robert Baden-Powell, chief and founder of the world’s Boy Scout movement, passed through Revelstoke the previous week, making a fifteen minute stop at the station. Scoutmaster T.E.L. Taylor presented many of the older scouts to Sir Baden-Powell, who congratulated the troops on their bearing and manner.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, April 28, 1933
After several hours of debate, city council could not agree on reductions to salaries to city workers, and the wages were to be left at their current state. The finance committee had recommended a cut of 10 per cent on salaries over $140 per month, and an eight per cent cut on salaries below that figure. A further recommendation suggested the elimination of remuneration to aldermen, and a 10 per cent cut to the mayor’s salary. None of these motions passed.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, April 29, 1943
Residents who thought that one of the longest winters in its history was a thing of the past were rudely shocked when they awoke on April 23 to find the ground covered with three to four inches of snow. It was gone by the next day.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 30, 1953
Revelstoke Lumber and Shingle Mills was planning to build a dry kiln and planning mill on a location on Edward Street, along the Greely Creek road. City council was asked to provide power and water services to the company. The operation was to employ up to 24 men.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 25, 1963
The city public works department began removing the horse chestnut trees on the boulevard on Mackenzie Avenue in order to widen the road. Mayor A. Lundell said that he was stopped on the street by several people protesting what they saw as a “desecration.” The mayor stated that the trees were long past their prime and the curbs were in disrepair, making the removal of the trees necessary.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, April 27, 1973
A meeting to plan the City of Revelstoke’s Diamond Jubilee in 1974 was poorly attended, but it was hoped that more people would get behind the plans for a homecoming and celebration.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, April 27, 1983
A scale model of Expo 86, planned to open in Vancouver in 1986, was brought to Revelstoke. The display was part of a provincial-wide tour to inform local residents about the Expo, and how they can be involved. It was anticipated that the five-and-a-half month fair would attract 13 million people from around the world.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, April 30, 1993
An Alberta pilot was shaken but unharmed after his single-engine plane skidded on the runway when coming in to the Revelstoke airport. The Piper P822 Super Bushmaster was approaching the runway in a crosswind and had just touched down when it suddenly collapsed onto one side and spun around on the runway.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, April 30, 2003
BC Hydro was working on a new Upper Arrow Lakes Reservoir Drawdown Zone Management Plan concerning the section between Revelstoke Dam and Shelter Bay. BC Hydro said that they were looking for a strategy to protect the eco-system of the area, and were consulting with commercial, recreational, environmental, and local government groups.
Cathy English is curator of the Revelstoke Museum and Archives.
READ MORE: Revelstoke Golf Club prepares for opening day ahead of another busy season on the course
@josh_piercey
josh.piercey@revelstokereview.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
