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This year marks the 125th Anniversary of Glacier National Park, less than an hour’s drive east of Revelstoke. During construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s the beauties of the Selkirk Mountains were discovered. Politicians and CPR officials advocated the setting aside of public lands in the Selkirks and this was made official on October 10, 1886 with an Order-in-Council signed by Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald.
Administration of the park lands was minimal until the early 1900s, although there was significant public use of the park lands, with thousands of people travelling by rail to Glacier House, near the summit of Rogers Pass. Glacier House was constructed and owned by the CPR to accommodate the public who wished to stay in the fabulous mountain setting at the foot of the Illecillewaet Glacier. The original square building was opened in January of 1887 with Mr. Perley as manager. It had a large dining room, reception area and six bedrooms. In the first year of operation, 708 guests signed the register. The hotel was enlarged over the years with additional wings until by the early 1900s, there was a total of 90 rooms. The hotel complex was torn down in 1920s, leaving only the foundations and lingering memories of past glories.
In the 1880s, the glacier was only a 20 minute hike from Glacier House. In 125 years, the glacier has eroded considerably and is now just at the crest of the mountain. Climbing around Rogers Pass was facilitated through Glacier House, which became a base for climbers. Reverend William Spotsford Green of the British Alpine Club was one of the earliest climbers in 1888. Publication of his book “Among the Selkirk Glaciers” made people aware of the climbing opportunities in the Selkirks. According to A.O. Wheeler, by the end of 1903, nearly 40 major mountains or crests had been climbed for the first time.
The discovery of Nakimu Caves in 1904 by miner Charles Deutschman resulted in the first active development of the park by the Government. Deutschman discoved the system of caves in the Cougar Valley in Rogers Pass. Original estimates showed about 1 and ½ miles of caves, with four entrances. The caves were described as being “studded with millions of sparkling, beatifully shaped crystals.” Deutschman filed for mineral claims encompassing the caves, but when Superintendent Howard Douglas of Rocky Mountain National Park toured the caves in 1905, he arranged for Deutschman to be paid $5,000 for the claims, putting the area back into Dominion Government control. There was some question as to why Deutschman had been allowed to file mining claims in protected park lands in the first place, but nevertheless, he was compensated for the claims.
The caves were surveyed in November of 1905 by W.S. Ayres, a mining and consulting engineer from Banff, and he prepared a map based on his survey. In three days, he surveyed 3,225 feet and had not completed his work at that time. Over the years, further channels were discovered. As a result of public interest in the caves, trails were built, and a headquarter cabin was built near the main entrance. Charles Deutschman was quite appropriately given the job as caretaker of the caves, and he guided many tourists through them. He is recognized as the first Parks interpreter in Canada. Visitors to the caves fell over during the First World War, and again after the demolition of Glacier House, and for many years the caves were closed to the public. Access to the caves is now restricted and has to be arranged through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks office in Revelstoke.
Contact Revelstoke Museum & Archives for more information on Glacier National Park and visit the park website for services and anniversary celebrations. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier/index.aspx
