Revelstoke boasts a number of fascinating historic sites ranging from monuments to massive collections of heritage buildings and artifacts.
The Last Spike
Revelstoke's history is inexorably tied to that of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was at Craigellachie, only 37km/23mi west of the Columbia River, the site of present day Revelstoke, that the last Spike was ceremoniously driven home by Sir Donald Alexander Smith, Lord Stanley. Building a railway from coast to coast that navigated the mountain ranges of the Kootenay Rockies was a monumental achievement. On that chilly November day in 1885, the driving of the last spike must have been quite a moment. Today, a plaque and cairn at a highway rest stop mark the spot.
Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
In the heart of Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is packed with fascinating exhibits that illustrate the history of this remarkable National Historic Site. Learn about the CPR's Glacier House Hotel, and the Swiss mountain guides who were imported to this wilderness park to take adventurous Victorians up into the mountains and onto the glaciers.
Three Valley Gap
Part of a large hotel and resort complex, the Three Valley Gap Ghost Town, located 19km/12mi west of Revelstoke, is comprised of some 25 rescued buildings from a variety of locations across British Columbia.
This formidable attraction was started by Gordon and Ethel Bell, and their family has operated the site for nearly 50 years.
The chateau actually started life as a tiny motel and coffee shop, and now has more than 200 rooms, with many facing the valleys and beautiful garden. The Heritage Ghost Town village comes complete with replica (and some real) historical buildings that Mr. Bell had shipped and rebuilt on his land, including a fire hall, jail, barber, cave, church, school house, hotel shops and many more nooks and crannies filled to overflowing with antiques and historical artifacts dating back more than 100 years.
Most impressive is the train yard and roundhouse –it was Mr. Bell's last wish (he passed away in 2007) to get this working so he could move his impressive collection of train cars around the enormous roundhouse. The roundhouse's floor is now in operation, and the collection of trains, railway memorabilia and museum pieces (not to mention the stable of vintage cars, including a restored 1902 Curved Dash Olds!), are fascinating.
Three Valley Gap is open between April and October, and guided tours of the site are offered.
Nels Nelsen Historic Area
Norwegian immigrants introduced the sport of skiing to Revelstoke in 1892. In 1914, the ski club was reorganized with a focus on ski jumping. In 1916, Nels Nelsen broke the world record on the Revelstoke ski jump -- the first of a string of record-breaking jumps at the facility. Learn more about Nelsen and Revelstoke's history.
Heritage Buildings
In the mid-1980s, the City of Revelstoke embarked on a downtown revitalization program that transformed the city centre. Victorian facades were rejuvenated, private homes were renovated, and the bandshell was built on Grizzly Plaza. Pick up a copy of the Heritage Walking Tour from the Visitor Centre.