50 YEARS AGO:
An American mining company took up an option on molybdenum claims of prospector Jack Foote. The claims were located about six miles north along the recently built logging road on the west side of the Clearwater River.
45 YEARS AGO:
A delegation to a special meeting of the Regional Hospital District returned to Clearwater in triumph with an announcement that the community was to receive $250,000 towards a promised 20-bed hospital.
40 YEARS AGO:
A show of hands at a meeting of Clearwater Improvement District gave the go-ahead for extension of the water system to the Brookfield Creek area. The system would be adequate to handle 5,000 people, with a reservoir on a hill above Camp Two. Jack Foote advised people to act, as materials would never be cheaper.
Residents were still hoping to skate in the Sportsplex that fall. The project had been delayed by strikes, unavailable materials, slow deliveries and problems connecting to the water and sewer systems.
35 YEARS AGO:
Mel Monteith was appointed district manager for the Clearwater Forest District. He had been ranger at Clearwater since 1969.
30 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater woodcarver Les Toth won three first place prizes and one second at Penticton’s annual Harvest and Grape Fiesta.
25 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater might have to construct a $150,000 to $200,000 water reservoir if new demands were made on the system, according to a consultant’s report presented at a CID meeting. Water pressure dropped to zero or less when a hydrant was opened, suggesting it would be impossible to fight fires in Archibald Subdivision and the Flats at the same time.
Between 50 and 60 people turned up for a surprise party to celebrate the retirement of Elsie Hunsbedt after 24 years as Vavenby’s postmistress.
20 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Taxi’s Gordie Baker said the survival of Clearwater’s taxi company was threatened by a bus subsidized by government to carry seniors and the disabled. He said the Clearwater Mobility Club’s bus was taking one-third to one-half of his daytime taxi business. The taxi company was seeking a rate increase from the Motor Carrier Commission. There had been no change for 10 years, said Baker.
15 YEARS AGO:
School District 73 stopped all construction at Raft River Elementary during school hours. Cold and fumes associated with renovations had closed the school for four days.
Despite nine years on the job, and seeing his odometer trip pass the 350,000 km mark from his frequent trips to Kamloops, Steve Quinn announced that he would seek another term as TNRD director for Area B (Blue River-Avola). Bert Walker, director for Area A (Clearwater-Vavenby) announced he would seek seats on both the TNRD and the School District 73 boards.
10 YEARS AGO:
About 150 took part in Clearwater Rivers Day activities. The provincial event has been ongoing for 25 years.
A man visiting Wells Gray Park from Germany walked out after spending five nights in the bush. He had been camping at Clearwater Lake and got lost while hiking.
Biologists were putting radio-collars on some grizzly bears in the Wells Gray Park area. The program could be a prelude to relocating some of them to the Coquihalla Highway area.
5 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Volcanoes and Trails Society was looking for more members. The newly formed association held an information session as a follow-up to two hikes held earlier. CVTS’ first goal was to foster an awareness and appreciation of the special natural environment of the Clearwater River Valley, including its waterfalls, wildlife and volcanic features, so that they may be wisely used and maintained for future generations.
1 YEAR AGO:
Noted Canadian wildlife artist Robert Bateman turned the sod to signal the start of construction of Thompson River University’s TRU Wilderness Center near Wells Gray Park. “What we’re doing here today couldn’t be more important,” he said.
District of Clearwater faced significant financial implications if it was to develop a sustainable water source, public works superintendent Jared Brounstein reported to town council. The District drew its water from Russell Creek behind the ski hill, plus two wells between Dutch Lake and the Clearwater River. No one source could produce enough volume to meet the current maximum daily demand, and that was predicted to increase.
