This Week in History, a selection of stories taken from the Arrow Lakes News archives from this week in history in ten-year increments.
1961: We Miss the Minto Whistle
For several days now the old “Minto” whistle has no longer been heard in Nakusp, and in its place the original mill whistle has been marking the start and end of the shifts.
Where is the Minto whistle? Was it not given to the town of Nakusp?
True the mill will soon be closed and there will be no steam to “blow” the whistle, but surely some device attached to the steam cleaner at the maintenance shop could be arranged so that the “Minto” whistle could go on serving the people as it has done for years and years. In the past the whistle was the signal to the townsfolks of the arrival of supplies, the mail, or even friends and families. When at the retirement of the old steam boat the whistle was given to the town and then attached to the steam at the saw mill, registered the time for the town: 7 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and closing time for the workers, as well as marking the beginning and ending of extra shifts in the busy season.
Let us find it – get back again and make some arrangements whereby it can again continue to serve the public as a time marker as it has done for Nakusp for well over a century.
1941: Edgewood Hall and Cheese Factory Destroyed by Fire
Edgewood community has suffered a great loss in the destruction by fire of the Edgewood Hall and Cheese Factory at noon on Saturday, July 19th.
W. R. Colegrave was soon on the job with the Forestry pump and kept the fire from spreading.
The hall is owned by J. H. Naylor and has been the community’s main gathering place for concerts, dances, meetings, etc. for many years.
The Cheese Factory, re-established about four months ago by A. Slater and partner of Calgary, was lodged in the basement. The first shipment of cheese was made recently and was a success. The enterprise gave promise of being a great asset to the community and district at large. The loss was partly covered by insurance.
1931: Fire Detroys Launch “Willow” In Full View of Nakusp Residents Monday Evening – Man Jumps to Safety in Water.
While close to Nakusp warf on Monday evening, Charles Slade, assistant forest ranger, stationed at Arrowhead, had a narrow escape from death or drowning, when his launch the “Willow” caught fire through back-firing and caused Slade to take a hasty plunge into the waters of the lake. A few minutes prior to the disaster, Mr. Slade had spoken to the “White Pine” another government launch in charge of Lawrence Ott, assistant forest ranger at Nakusp, which was on its way north to Halcyon with a crew of fire fighters.
Before jumping for safety, Slade had the presence of mind to release the dinghy and throw overboard a full barrel of oil. Managing to reach the “White Pine” in safety, the companion launch of the “Willow” stood by, but in face of the scorching flames was helpless to do any salvage work.
The boat was a total loss burned to the water’s edge and is reported covered by insurance. The “Willow” had been in service for a number of years and is said to have been about ready for retirement.