More Canadian History & Photos

Revelstoke, B.C. "The Alpine City"

This was Revelstoke B.C. in 1884, before its incorporation as a city.
Arthur Farwell, a government surveyor, laid out the original townsite in 1884, naming it after himself. When the CPR arrived, it created its own townsite just east of Farwell and in 1886 called it Revelstoke after Lord Revelstoke. The city incorporated on March 1, 1899.

              
     The City of Revelstoke B.C. in 2002 East and West of the Columbia River
  As many as 60 heritage buildings from the Victorian era are still standing. A walking tour of the historic restoration of the downtown area is available at the Revelstoke Museum.

 
 http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/explore/high_country/cities/revelstoke.htm

The alpine city of Revelstoke, nestled between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges, has something for everyone, whether it is summer or winter. 

Thirteen meters (40 feet) of annual snowfall promise endless powder for downhill, cross country, snowcat, helicopter, and ski touring adventures, as well as snowmobiling. 

Located on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) 410 km (256 miles) west of Calgary and 209 km (131 miles) east of Kamloops, you'll find awesome scenery and a beautifully restored downtown as well as excellent accommodations. Revelstoke is also easily accessible from the Okanagan by taking Highway 97 (Hwy 97A from Vernon) north to Hwy 1 and then head east or from the Kootenays by taking Highway 95 north to Golden B.C. and then head west on Highway 1. Revelstoke is centrally located to the southern portion of B.C.

Just five minutes from Revelstoke is Canada's highest man made concrete Dam, at more than 175 meters (575 feet). The Revelstoke Dam offers free tours from mid-March to late October giving visitors an opportunity to gaze down its sheer sides. Electricity from the dam is generated constantly and sold within a multi-year treaty agreement to the United States. With the dam right on their doorstep, Revelstoke does not consume any of the electricity from it. The power from both the Revelstoke and Mica Dam which is located 148 km (90 miles north) of the Revelstoke Dam, is all sold by B.C. Hydro to the USA.

               
 Heli-Skiing in the Monashee & Selkirk mountain ranges near Revelstoke, B.C.    

White Water Rafting Tours in and around Revelstoke, B.C.

Adventure abounds in and around Revelstoke. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks are renowned for recreational climbing, wildlife viewing and hiking. Alpine meadow hiking, glacier hiking and hut-to-hut hiking can all be done through outfitters who organize heli-excursions in the area. River tours and white water rafting are also available.

        
The Revelstoke Dam   

           
Revelstoke's "Grizzly Plaza" (main street)

Revelstoke is home to the world's largest sculptured Grizzly Bears which stand at the entrance of main street, welcoming visitor's to the downtown shopping district. The Grizzly statues were donated to the city several years ago and the street was then remodelled to capture the full essence of this unique city and the picturesque setting in which it lies. 


A northern exposure of the Grizzly's and mountains surrounding Revelstoke, B.C.

             
  Grizzly Plaza in the winter                   Grizzly plaza in the summer 

The Wooden Head Monument is located at the West Entrance of the city

A local resident, Pete Fuoco was a timekeeper and first aid man with a construction crew that was building the western loop of the Big Bend Highway. Pete was impressed with the human like characteristics of a large Cedar stump at Mile 80 on the highway. Working in the evenings and spare time he carved out a human face starting with a chainsaw and finishing with a variety of chisels, etc.

The section forman was so impressed with it that he helped organize a "Guillotine Crew" who sawed the head off its stump and moved it to Canoe where it stood overlooking the highway for many years. The head was moved from Canoe to Revelstoke after the Roger's Pass section of the Trans Canada Highway was completed.

To preserve the 1000 year old interior, the head was encased in fibreglass and then painted. A plaque on the head reads "Don't be Wooden Headed,"  referring to driving on the Trans Canada Highway. The scenery is so beautiful that it's difficult to stay focused on driving, the wooden head is merely a simple reminder of keeping your eyes on the road.

In my opinion British Columbia truly has earned every right to claim recognition of "Beautiful British Columbia." It's breathtaking scenery like this that tourists remember, along with the hospitality of those who live here. There are several Provincial Parks, including Glacier and Mt. Revelstoke National Park, where tourists can enjoy cycling, or hiking to the peaks of the mountains, to enjoy a picnic lunch and the spectacular scenery in its natural beauty.

                                     
Mt. Revelstoke lookout point          one of the bicycle paths up to the top

 
A view of Revelstoke's surroundings, from a lookout point at the top of
Mt. Revelstoke National Park. (est. as a National Park in 1914, to protect the spectacular mountain scenery and subalpine wildflower meadows).


I left Revelstoke 10 years ago when an employment opportunity presented itself, mostly because the winter's were so long. As long as I live in Canada, the Okanagan region of B.C. will be my home.

I remember a saying from a movie I watched a few years ago, "build it and they will come," Revelstoke has it, and they do come. Millions of visitors have witnessed the beauty of this incredible little city with a population of just over 7200, in July 2002.