The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 2

Published by the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History Newsletter : Vol. 2 No. 2 21-A 10 Ave S Cranbrook BC V1C 2M9 Telephone: (250) 489-9150 E-mail: basininstitute1@cyberlink.bc.ca Inside this Issue Basin Record the More on Fur Farming - you’re response was overwhelming! A biography of the Fernie Swastikas Ladies Hockey team The Future of our Hisory? Our Partners and how you can become one too! History, Naturally!! Mormon Metalmark, collected by C.B. Garrett at Oliver, British Columbia Most of us look at our world through our own experience, thereby limiting access to a lot of avenues of information. Naturalists see a different world, but always one that links to and impacts on (or is impacted by) ours. C. B. “Chuck” Garrett was a Cranbrook resident and a man with several passions, each of which helps us to better understand the Columbia Basin. A taxidermist by trade, C.B. Garrett was never far removed from exploring the naturalist’s world. In the 1920’s and 1930’s he collected butterflies throughout the southern interior, although mainly in the Cranbrook area. He shared his knowledge and his collections were used to name, among others Pontia sisymbrii flavitincta (Flavous Spring White), Lycaeides idas ferniensis (Northern Blue) found in the Fernie area, and Speyeria zerene garretti (Garrett’s Fritillary) which does him the honour of carrying his name. In 1924 alone Garrett was responsible for identifying and naming more than a dozen Fungus Gnats, including Mycomya cranbrooki and Mycomya polleni (named for his kindred soul Col C. Hungerford Pollen). In his lifetime Chuck Garrett deposited specimens with many world-famous collections, including the Smithsonian Institute, the American Museum of Natural History and the Canadian National Collection. We are all a little more knowledgeable as a result of this local man’s passion. There must be others out there who know more of C.B. Garrett’s work in the field of fossils and stamp collecting. Please give us a call or send us an e-mail. Workers such as C.B. Garrett deserve to be remembered. Fungus Gnat New Member! Welcome to our newest member: Windermere District Historical Society Thank you for your support! Turn to the last page to find out how you too, can become a member or a partner with the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History.