Thrills and Spills! A History of Rossland Winter Carnival’s Bobsled Races
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Thrills and Spills! A History of Rossland Winter Carnival’s Bobsled Races

The Sonny Samuelson Memorial Bobsled Race is one of the most unique and anticipated features of the annual Rossland Winter Carnival. The race sees daring competitors race down Rossland’s steepest street in homemade bobsleds - reaching speeds that commonly exceed 70 kilometres per hour. The history of these races is almost as exciting as the lore. Much like the bobsled races themselves, it’s a history full of community spirit, unexpected bumps and turns, and a whole lot of local character!

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Lights, Camera, Digitization!
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Lights, Camera, Digitization!

Our own superstar Collections Manager Sara Wright was asked to give a presentation for the Archives Association of BC! Watch the video for the full presentation, including the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre’s approach to digitization and the four major digitization projects we’ve undertaken in the past two and a half years, including successes, failures, and lessons learned.

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A Legend Carved in the Slopes: The History of the Grey Mountain Grind
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A Legend Carved in the Slopes: The History of the Grey Mountain Grind

The Grey Mountain Grind, commonly called “The Grind,” was a ski race introduced during the latter years of WWII and held annually from 1943-46, helping to reinvigorate the passion for ski racing in Rossland. Although only a short-lived tradition, the legend of the gruelling 6-mile course was carved into the slopes we ski today.

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History of the S.S. Rossland
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History of the S.S. Rossland

The S.S. Rossland was a steam-powered sternwheeler that operated on the Arrow Lakes and Columbia River from 1897 to 1916.  The standout in a fleet of Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) steamships, Rossland was widely-known for her beauty, elegance, and, most importantly, speed. 

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The Rossland Club
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The Rossland Club

The Rossland Club was an exclusive gentlemen’s club that existed in Rossland from 1896 to 1969. Boasting a membership of leading professionals and a reputation known within British Columbia and beyond, the club’s activities consisted mainly of socialising, gambling, and drinking.

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Thor Heyerdahl
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Thor Heyerdahl

Thor Heyerdahl, famous for the Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, was once a resident of Rossland and an employee of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company in Trail. For a brief period in 1941, Heyerdahl, his wife, and two children lived in Rossland. In the city, Heyerdahl gave at least two known speeches to the Junior Board of Trade and the Golden City Club.

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The "Spanish Flu" in Rossland
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The "Spanish Flu" in Rossland

With Germany’s surrender to the Allied Powers, World War I finally ended on November 11, 1918, but the flu was just getting going in Rossland. From late October 1918 until February of 1919, nearly everyone got the flu. Almost 50 people died in five weeks - five weeks of absolute hell. Those that could continued to help, just as Rosslanders always do. From October 25 until the end of November, 47 people died. The last three people died in January and February. The majority of victims who were in their prime, between 20-35 years of age. Everyone who had it either recovered completely, experienced cognitive, respiratory effects or died, but ultimately herd immunity was achieved probably in February 1919 when the virus appears to have dissipated.

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