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Highway Construction: Part 1In 1908, construction of a wooden traffic bridge began across the Columbia River to the Big Eddy district on the west bank of the river. Due to high water, the bridge was not opened until April 26, 1910.
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Wooden Bridge to Big Eddy. Photograph by Jessie Rutherford.1909
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
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Wooden Bridge to Big Eddy, 1909.4
The first automobile to be brought to Revelstoke was a two-seater 7 and ½ horsepower Oldsmobile owned by H. Cunningham Morris, editor of the Mail-Herald newspaper. The automobile arrived in Revelstoke in February of 1907 and the Mail-Herald of June 20, 1908 stated: "Mr. H. Cunningham Morris and Mr. L.T. Morris were the first to drive an automobile through the Canyon as far as the steamboat landing at 5 Mile yesterday." The drive they were referring to was a tote road into the Big Bend district.5
An early Revelstoke automobile.1913
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
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An early Revelstoke automobile, 1913.7
Moran's Hill, south of the Illecillewaet River at Revelstoke.1916
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
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Morgan's Hill (Road to Arrow Heights; now Airport Way) 1916.9
The first highway to connect Revelstoke to the outside world was the one through Eagle Pass to Sicamous. The opening ceremony for the new road was held at Malakwa, B.C. on August 17, 1922. A week previously, Major Kay Alexander, J.B. McKenzie, C.R. Macdonald, Jack Daley and Drennan Holten motored out as far as Taft erecting signs naming the lakes and warning motorists to proceed slowly. Harry Bews had 40 cars lined up for the trip over the new road for the opening ceremonies at Malakwa. The Revelstoke Review reported that the new road "was without exception the best, prettiest and most scenic drive in the interior of British Columbia, and it is in the pink of condition with the stones raked off and level as a floor."10
Opening of the West highway at Malakwa17 August 1922
Malakwa, Eagle Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Opening of the West highway at Malakwa, c. June 1922.12
The first people to drive to Revelstoke over the West Road were Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Samson. They traveled 1094 kilometres from their home in Vancouver and arrived in Revelstoke four days later, on August 2, 1922.For almost 20 years, no attempt was made to keep the West Road open in winter. Once the slides came down at Three Valley and at Clanwilliam, Revelstoke was again isolated until spring. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941, Japanese internment camps were set up at Three Valley and other places along the West Road. From then on, the road was kept open year round.
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Len Howson in the first car to arrive at Malakwa.17 August 1922
Malakwa, Eagle Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Len Howson in the new Buick. This was the first car to arrive at Malakwa. |
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