14
Map of Big Bend Highway from the commemorative booklet.15
During the construction of the Big Bend Highway, Peter Fuoco of Revelstoke was working as Head Timekeeper on the construction crew. While stationed at a camp at Mile 80, Peter noticed a large cedar tree stump across the road. In his spare time, he began roughing out and shaping the stump into a face, use a double bitted axe and wood chisels. After 100 hours of work, he created "Woodenhead". The supervising engineer on the highway construction was impressed with the sculpture and suggested that it be moved to Boat Encampment. A sign was placed beside it, reading: "Don't Be Wooden Headed. Drive Carefully. You'll live to enjoy the scenery more and longer." The carving stood as a warning to drivers on the Big Bend Highway until the opening of the Rogers Pass section of the Trans-Canada Highway. The sculpture now has a place of honour in "Woodenhead Park" in Revelstoke.16
Woodenhead Statue.1940
Big Bend, Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, Canada
17
Woodenhead Statue c. 1940s.18
Car driving on the Big Bend Highway.1940
Big Bend, Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, Canada
19
Car driving on the Big Bend Highway c. 1940s.20
Construction of the Rogers Pass section of the Trans-Canada Highway began in the early 1960s. The new highway would provide a more direct route between Golden and Revelstoke and would cut the distance by 160 kilometres. The highway passed through parts of Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks and the federal and provincial governments cooperated on its construction.21
New bridge over Columbia River.14 May 1962
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
22
New bridge over Columbia River, May 14, 1962.23
Construction of Trans Canada Highway at Rogers Pass.1961
Rogers Pass, Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, Canada
24
Construction of Trans Canada Highway at Rogers Pass, c. 1961.25
On September 3, 1962, a federal opening ceremony took take at the summit of Rogers Pass. Crowds estimated at around 3000 saw Prime Minister Diefenbaker tamp a two-foot square piece of pavement into place. Following this, Mr. Diefenbaker, wearing a hard hat, declared the Trans Canada Highway officially open from coast to coast. Chairman of the celebration was Hon. E.E. Fulton, minister of public works, who described the project as a billion-dollar highway. More than $700 million had been spent on its construction, with the federal government's share totalling $450 million. At the time of the opening ceremony, 347,000 people had already passed over the new highway.26
Trans Canada Highway through Rogers Pass.1964
Rogers Pass, Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, Canada
27
Trans Canada highway through Rogers Pass, c. 1964. |
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