Monday, November 23, 2009

Riding on the Cowcatcher

Last Friday, we had a party at the museum to mark the end of our year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives Association. Close to 80 people came out to enjoy refreshments, see our new panel on the history of the museum and take part in a challenging scavenger hunt. We were pleased to present 13 of our long-standing volunteers with certificates and Williamson's Lake posters to thank them for their many years of outstanding service.

During the evening, I told a story regarding Sir John A. Macdonald and Lady Macdonald's trip across the newly-built Canadian Pacific Railway in 1886. They arrived in Donald, B.C. (just this side of Golden) in July 22, 1886. Their visit was described by Elsie Spragge, a journalist and wife of Arthur Godfrey Molson Spragge, a lawyer who was establishing his practice in Donald and Golden. This account was written by Elsie Spragge in her book, “From Ontario to the Pacific by CPR” published in 1887.

“They arrived by special train at two o’clock, Lady Macdonald creating an immense sensation, as the engine drew near the crowded platform, by her occupancy of a well-cushioned seat immediately above the cow-catcher; she had made the whole trip from the summit down the Kicking House Pass on this commanding post of observation, and subsequently continued her journey to Port Moody without any change of base (they not travelling by night), a feat which will doubtless become historical. Sir John and Lady Macdonald spent only half an hour at the station, just long enough to receive a handsomely engrossed address presented by Judge Vowell, Stipendiary Magistrate and Gold Commissioner of the Kootenay District, on behalf of the residents of Donald." The cowcatcher was the metal grille or frame projecting from the front of a locomotive which served to clear the track of obstructions.

Elsie and Arthur Spragge later settled in Revelstoke, where Arthur continued to practice law. His law office was at the back of the Molson's Bank building, at the corner of Mackenzie Avenue and First Street. In June of 1898, Arthur Spragge went missing, and when it was discovered that he had retreived his gun from the provincial constable and had been last seen near the river bank, it was assumed that he had committed suicide. His body was not found until September of that year. In the meantime, Elsie Spragge moved to Toronto, and later to Banff, where she continued to make a name for herself as a journalist.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Remembering Revelstoke's Fallen Soldiers

On May 23, 1917, the Women’s Canadian Club planted several maple trees on the courthouse grounds as a living memorial to all of the men who were serving overseas and those who had already paid the supreme sacrifice. After the war ended on November 11, 1918, the Women’s Canadian Club decided that they would create an honor roll for the approximately 100 war casualties from Revelstoke and the surrounding area. The Club started a fundraising campaign, and on September 20, 1919, Edward, Prince of Wales officially unveiled the plaque on the Revelstoke Court House.

According to the Revelstoke Review of September 25, 1919, “The Prince was surprised at the large number of names recorded, and while he regretted so many noble lives had been thus sacrificed, he said he was proud of this patriotism and loyalty.”

By 1922, Revelstoke had a branch of the Great War Veterans’ Association, the organization that later became the Royal Canadian Legion. The War Memorial Committee of the GWVA felt that there should be a permanent cenotaph in the city, and they set about raising funds for the project. The original plan was to place the courthouse plaque on the cenotaph, but it was decided that a new plaque would be made, as the courthouse one contained some errors.

There was some controversy regarding the building of the cenotaph. Some people felt that the memorial at the court house was sufficient, and that the Great War Veterans Association should instead fundraise for a public facility such as a library or a children’s playground. The project did have a lot of local support, however, and many organizations and individuals contributed to the cost. The War Committee also raised funds through a benefit play and by running a refreshment stand at the Ski Festival. The total cost for the Cenotaph project was $3,370, including $2,600 for the cenotaph itself and $475 for the bronze tablet. The Monument was made of white hammered granite by the B.C. Monumental Works of New Westminster, and the bronze tablet was made by O.B. Allan, Jeweler of Vancouver. The tablet listed the names of 92 men from Revelstoke and Arrowhead who had died during the war.

The new cenotaph was unveiled on September 2, 1923 by Brigadier General Victor W. Odlum. After World War II, another memorial tablet was added with the names of 32 men who died during that conflict. Another plaque was added after the Korean War, although there were no Revelstoke casualties from that conflict.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Arrowhead

The Brown Bag History talk this week was on Arrowhead, and 25 people showed up to hear the talk! Some of the people who came had grown up or gone to school in Arrowhead, so they were able to contribute their own stories.

Arrowhead was a small community south of Revelstoke, where the Columbia River widens into the Upper Arrow Lake. It was established in 1895, when the Canadian Pacific Railway built a branch line to that point from Revelstoke. From Arrowhead, there was steamboat traffic south to West Robson, near present-day Castlegar. The town developed quickly, with several hotels and stores popping up along Front Street. Two large mills were established there, and by 1911 the population was close to 500. The community had a school, two churches and a hospital, as well as a community hall.

On July 1, Dominion Day, in 1906, Arrowhead had a big celebration, and a photograph of Front Street shows it decorated for the event. Twelve days later, a fire broke out in one of the stores on Front Street, and within a few short hours, much of the business street was gone. The community had a water system, but no hydrants, and the hoses of the SS Minto and the two mills could not reach as far as the fire. The townspeople were forced to use a bucket brigade against the fire, and to try to salvage as much stock and furniture as they could from the buildings.

By the 1960s, there were less than 100 people living in Revelstoke, and with the opening of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam at Revelstoke, the remaining residents were bought out and forced to leave. The last remaining building was the old school house, located above the high water line, which was used as a church camp until it too was removed several years ago. The Arrowhead cemetery also remains, and in the museum we have a list of the burials there.

People who lived in Arrowhead have many fond memories of their days there. They describe it as a friendly community, where everyone knew each other and helped each other out. To hear more about people's memories of their lives in Arrowhead, we are starting a series called "Memories." Our first session, on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm, will focus on Memories of Arrowhead, and will give people who lived, worked or went to school there a chance to share their stories. Other "Memories" sessions will feature Sidmouth, Mount Cartier, and other outlying communities, as well as a session during Heritage Week in February 2010 to share stories about participating in sports in Revelstoke and the surrounding area. Watch for more details on these coming events.