The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.2 Issue 3

Published by the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History Newsletter : Vol. 2 No. 3 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 M OTHER ’ S D AY I S C OMING In May the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History will unveil the first of our outdoor interpretation signs. Produced in partnership with Service Canada, the City of Cranbrook and the Columbia Basin Trust, these panels begin to make our regional history public. We intend that many more will follow – both in Cranbrook and throughout the Columbia Basin. Our prototypes present three features of Cranbrook’s past (and present). “Building for Growth” presents an anchor of the downtown business district, City Hall. We have used the sign and the building to draw attention to the substantial nature of Cranbrook’s commercial core. It is worthwhile to contemplate that almost one hundred years ago Cranbrook had the capacity to build, from local materials, the substantial brick structure that is still City Hall. “ALasting Legacy” recognizes the strength and progress of fraternal organizations such as the Masonic order. It also celebrates the forethought and courage needed to preserve the Masonic Temple as today’s Studio/Stage Door. The sign, like the structure it interprets, speaks to our future as a community. “A Summer Obsession” presents the incredible energy and commitment the Gyro Club and the City of Cranbrook brought together in 1930 to build the largest outdoor swimming pool inWestern Canada. It also incorporates theTourist Park, a city campground Cranbrook is still proud of. These signs are designed to provide a workable template for telling our regional story. Why do we have downtowns? Why were (are) they special? What tragedies and celebrations occurred there? We only know the accomplishments if the facts and images are made accessible to us in an entertaining format. The Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History intends to find other partners to take the interpretive signage project further. We believe that the stories of our businesses, accomplishments and setbacks need to be told because it is only through the telling that our citizens will find value in the past. We will focus our attention on creating historic interpretive panels for the Basin’s downtowns first, then for highway rest stops. We will make available the incredible vision, cultural diversity and natural bounty that have combined to make the Columbia Basin the captivating and alluring place it is. Interpretive Signage Are you looking for a unique Mother or Father’s Day present? Try When I Was Small and A Guide to Cranbrook’s History – Walking Tour #1. Both books are available at select Basin book stores or directly from the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History. Building for Growth City Hall H unger forprosperityand successmotivated themigrationofmanyEuropean settlers to the area known as ’Akiskaqli’it bymembers of theKtunaxaNation. NamedCranbrook byCol. JamesBaker after his family estate in England, the community grew quicklywith the arrivalof theCanadianPacificRailway in1898. By the timeof incorporationonNovember1, 1905,Cranbrookwas ready towelcomeabuilding forusebycityofficials. There-locationoftheprovincialgovernment building in1905fromFortSteeletoCranbrook providedcitystaffwiththeirfirstsharedoffice space. City officials were resident in the governmentbuildinguntilcontinuedexpansion ofthetownmade itnecessaryforconstruction ofaseparatecitybuilding in1911. Itwas felt that the new structure needed to reflect the city’sprosperityandgrowth. Contractors Leask and Liddicoat oversaw construction of City Hall on Norbury Avenue (now10thAvenue). Mindfulofoverwhelming public desire for a modern and dignified building, the contractors used local brick to build an impressive edifice. When finished, themain floor of the building housed offices and the council chamber. The basement of PhotocourtesyofBeamishCollection. DavidPhilpot, city engineer of Cranbrook from 1929-1944. Philpot designedmany of Cranbrook’s prominent features, includingGyroPool and the neighbouringmunicipal tourist park, the city arches,and the cemetery rockwalls. cityhallwashome topoliceheadquartersuntilMay1961,whenan independentheadquarters wascompleted. Coincidingwithchanging timesandneeds, severalalterationshavebeenmade toCityHall. Thebalcony,cupola,andflagpolewere removed from thebuilding in1931 to reflectchanging aesthetic preferences. In 1935, Dave Philpot, city engineer, improved front access to the mainflooranddesignedadirectentrance to thepolice headquartersbelow. Basementquarterswereenlarged, increasing the space in which suspicious characters couldbedetained.AsmalladditionwasmadetoCityHall in1954,anda largeradditionwithanewentrancewas constructedon thenorth sideof thebuilding in1975. TodayCityHall continues to function as the dynamic nucleus of a growing and prosperous city. The substantial brick structure embodies the confidence that has made Cranbrook a powerful force in the ColumbiaBasin. PhotoCBK.1990.085.001.006courtesyof theCranbrookHistoricalArchivesatCanadianMuseumofRail Travel. CityHall in 1912, shortly after completion. Constructed of brick, it reflected the sense of prideCranbrook citizenshad in the ‘coming of age’of their community. FromTheCranbrookHerald,November10, 1910: “Everybodywanted a brickbuilding andnoone couldunderstandhow in the face of the enterprise shown by some of our banks, the city could refuse toputup abrick building. Anyway, the resolution to appoint a committee towaitupon council and demand a brick building passedunanimouslyand petitionsarenow being circulated among the businessmen and property owners.” PhotoCBK.1978.059.002courtesyof theCranbrookHistorical ArchivesatCanadianMuseumofRail Travel. This photo shows the balcony, cupola andflagpole removed, aswell as the 1935 changes to the front entrance. The steps goup from either side to the mainfloor entrance,while thepoliceheadquarters and jailwere entered through the lower archway. To the left is the addition constructed in 1954 by theA.E. JonesCo. FromTheCranbrookCou- rier,August 5, 1954: “The additionwill presenta pleasant appearancewith itswhite plasterwalls, fluorescent lightingandnatural-finishedwood- work. Private offices of theMayor,CityClerk and CityAssessorhave beenhandsomelyfinished in birch andmahoganywall paneling.” Backgroundphoto CBK.2003.081.001courtesyof the CranbrookHistoricalArchivesat CanadianMuseumofRail Travel. for the Basin Spirit Wrestlers - find out who they are A biography of Fee Hellmen, former Big Game Guide Now Available: “A Guide to Cranbrook’s History-Walking Tour #1” “When I Was Small...” by Alta Hellmen