130 years ago: The Kootenay Star, December 9, 1893
An enquirer wrote into the paper to ask about Revelstoke’s rumored public library. In response, the editor noted that there was a “legend of a library” from “bygone times”, but that it had “outlived its usefulness” and “long since been left to musty solitude and the festive rat”.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, December 10, 1903
The main floor of C.B. Hume’s store was described as a “children’s fairyland”. There were toys of all kinds, dolls of all sizes, and arches with electric lights over the entrance.
110 years ago: The Mail-Herald, December 6, 1913
The 6th annual masquerade ball of the No. 1 Fire Brigade was a great success. Held in the opera house, there were over 180 elegant costumes to be admired.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, December 5, 1923
During the most recent meeting of the Executive of the Revelstoke Ski Club, radio was suggested as a way to bring nation-wide publicity to that year’s ski tournament. While this plan was still immature, it was likely to be put into effect.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, December 8, 1933
The Revelstoke Boy Scouts were once again arranging a toy-repair workshop for the Christmas Cheer Fund. They were asking people to look over the toys around their homes for any that could be donated to the workshop.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, December 10, 1953
Dam proposals were being studied during the first meeting of the Columbia River Basin Committee. Working out how much power should go to BC and how much to the US was a major consideration.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, December 6, 1973
The construction of a new major centre was recently announced by the Revelstoke Athletic Association. The proposed budget for the recreation complex was $1.5-2 million (over $10 million in 2023).
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, December 7, 1983
A report from the Revelstoke and District Historical Society stated that they were grateful to have received a grant that allowed them to hire Cathy English as a museum attendant. They noted that she was well qualified and did an excellent job; they hoped she would be available for years to come as she would make an excellent curator.
(Museum Note: Please join us on Wednesday, January 17th for Brown Bag History, where we will be celebrating Cathy’s 40th anniversary at the museum!)
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, December 7, 1993
Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society chairman Ken Magnes got to open one Christmas gift a little early this year – a cheque for $7200 (over $13,000 in 2023) from the Revelstoke Homecoming Committee from the proceeds of that year’s reunion.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, December 10, 2003
Parks Canada was working with a local group to have the old ski jump tower on Mount Revelstoke declared a National Historic Site. (The proposal was ultimately rejected, but “Ski Jumping at Mount Revelstoke” was declared a National Historic Event in 2014).
Compiled by Mandy Broberg, collections manager for Revelstoke Museum and Archives
