Nurse Helen
Of 209 graduates from the St. Eugene School of Nursing, Helen Faulkner was one of the first from Cranbrook. Born in 1916, Helen moved to Cranbrook at the age of six months with her parents, Marion and Cornelius VanBraam. When Helen turned eighteen, her wish was to go to University. Limited finances influenced her decision to...
How a swamp was transformed
George John Spreull graduated Law at Glasgow University, Scotland, and arrived in Cranbrook in 1918. He set up a legal practice with Alan Graham that lasted until 1945, with Mr. Spreull becoming part of the King's Council in 1936. The youngest of three daughters, Elizabeth, was born in Cranbrook at the family home at 203-14th...
Spirit Wrestlers
Doukhobor Gathering ca. 1920. Collection #0131.0314. Image courtesy of Kootenay Gallery of Art, History & Science Spirit Wrestler is the original meaning of the term Doukhobor - one who wrestles with the spirit. It depicts one who stands to account in the face of temptation, material corruption, and military power. One ...
Frederick Elwell Biography
Construction site of West Kootenay Power at Upper Bonnington Falls, 1906. Collection #2025.0043 Rumours surrounding photographs of the construction of the Upper Bonnington Falls powerhouse on the Kootenay River between Castlegar and Nelson resulted in the procurement of 208 photographic prints and negatives dating back to...
Pandemic kills on par with WWI
"Cranbrook boys leaving for the front." Volunteers heading overseas - WW1. c. 1914. #0226.0014 - Image courtesy of Cranbrook Archives In 1911, Cranbrook had a population of 4,000 people. During World War I, from August 1914 to November 1918, Cranbrook lost 115 men, either killed-in-action or while on duty. The number of men...
