City: Fort Steele
Windsor Hotel Bar, Fort Steele
Taken in Windsor Hotel bar at Fort Steele - left to right George Thrasher, Dave Coffey, Jim Buckman
| Internal ID: | 0040.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1945 |
Fort Steele Masonic Hall
Reporting on an agreement to build a new Masonic Hall at Fort Steele.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Turnbull and Underhill Marriage
Newspaper excerpt Fort Steele Prospector
| Internal ID: | 0054.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | August 5th 1897 |
Colonel Sam Steele
Colonel Samuel Benfield Steele, c1916, shortly before his death.
| Internal ID: | 0368.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1916 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
The Fort Steele Water Tower serving as the cover drawing for a series of 8 pen and ink drawings. Each drawing has a small statement on the history of Fort Steele attached. This work was produced for the tourist trade.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
Fort Steele Stage On Parade
This replica stagecoach was sup0plied to Fort Steele by Victoria. It served as transportation around Fort Steele for several years until Fort Steele built a "people wagon," at which point this fibreglass stagecoach was sent to Barkerville. The parqade is believed to be at Cranbrook.
| Internal ID: | 0460.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1970 |
Fort Steele Water Tower
The original Fort Steele water tower, after which the lookout tower at Fort Steele Heritage Town was modeled. Sited overlooking the Wild Horse Creek and close beside the originial North West Mounted Police post, this artifact burned by act of arson in the 1980s.
| Internal ID: | 0464.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1980 |
Albert and Jane Grez
Albert Joseph Grez, 2nd husband of Jane(nee-Lyle/Bell) Grez. Jane's first husband was William Richard Bell. Mr. Grez was a barber at Fort Steele for some time.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0001 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1915 |
Fort Steele Band Hall
Newspaper article reporting on a decision to build the Fort Steele Band Hall to house the Brass Band.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0002 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
Pen and Ink Drawing by Ray Mannix of Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele of the North West Mounted Police. He established the first North West Mounted Police post in British Columbia weswt of the Rockies. In 1887, with Inspectors S.T. Wood, C.F.A. Huot, Surgeon F.H. Powell and the men of 'D' Division, which totaled 75 officers and men, arrived from Fort McLeod in July to establish their first post west of the Rocky Mountains. The Presence of the first Police Force created a more stable atmosphere in the Kootenays. Superintendent "Sam" Steele with his usual tact and sense of fairness soon had established law and order between the Indians and the whites. Having accomplished its task, returned to Fort McLeod in August, 1888, leaving the small settlement of Galbraith's Ferry, which was soon to be renamed Fort Steele, and still bears his name to this day.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0002 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
William Baillie
Newspaper article
| Internal ID: | 0054.0003 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | August 5th 1897 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
The Windsor Hotel at Fort Steele. Built in 1895 by Robert D. Mather-originally called "The Dalgardno House".
| Internal ID: | 0434.0003 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
Old Willicome Home at Fort Steele, BC
Allen Ritchie, Eleanor B. 'Willicome' Ritchie, John Lewis Willicome, Karren P. 'Lee' Willicome, in front of the old home of Lewis and Fanny Willicome at Fort Steele, BC.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0003 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1997 |
FAort Steele, 1960
Fort Steele townsite, 1960 with gas pump in front of the Kershaw store, then owned by Mr. Wendell Dempsey (to right in photoi).
| Internal ID: | 2506.0003 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1960 |
Queen Brothers, Fort Steele Trappers
A photo of both Queen brothers at Fort Steele, behind their cabin on Riverside Avenue withpart of the winter harvest.
| Internal ID: | 0015.0004 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1910 |
Kootenay Club
Members of the Kootenay Club at Fort Steele advocating for erection of a new club building.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0004 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 13th 1900 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
The Ferry Office at Fort Steele. Part of this log building dates back to the Wild Horse Creek Gold Rush of 1864-66. Built by John Galbraith and used first as the Ferry Office, it later served as Post Office and residence. John Galbraith operated the ferry from 1864 until 1870. Robert Galbraith then took over and operated it until the first bridge was built in 1888.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0004 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
Lewis Arthur Willicome
Lewis Arthur Willicome walking the strets of Calgary, Alberta. Lewis was the son of Lewis Floyd WIllicome and Fanny Lyle, born October 17th, 1899 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. Lewis came to Fort Steele in 1912 and married Winnifred Irene Phillips in Cranbrook, B.C., on September 10th, 1924. Lewis passed away at Kimberley, B.C., on September 14th, 1974.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0004 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1965 |
Harwood Steele at Fort Steele, 1965
Harwood Steele autographing his book 'The Red Serge' in the N.W.M.P. barracks built by his father's division at Galbraith's Ferry in 1887, now Fort Steele Historic Park, 1965.
| Internal ID: | 2515.0004 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1965 |
Queen Brothers, Fort Steele Trappers
The Queen Brothers at Fort Steele, shown at the back of their cabin on Riverside Avenue with part of their winter harvest.
| Internal ID: | 0015.0005 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1910 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
A drawing of the original Fort Steele Water Tower. Built in 1897 near the original site of the 1887 North West Mounted Police post, this water tower became a prominent landmark of Fort Steele. Often mistaken as part of a fortification of the Police Post, it was perhaps a symbol of the optimism of the townspeople of the 1890's.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0005 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
First Passenger Train into Fort Steele
First passenger train into Fort Steele, on the Kootenay Central Railway, Sept. 30th 1912, negative pocket #66.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0005 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | September 30th 1912 |
The Prospector Staff
Staff of the Fort Steele Prospector newspaper with founder Alexander Benjamin Grace front centre and his neice Gracie McNeil.
| Internal ID: | 0015.0006 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1900 |
City Bakery
A newspaper ad reporting tha fresh baked goods and produce are kept on hand constantly at the City Bakery.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0006 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Mrs. McNeish Returning
Newspaper article
| Internal ID: | 0054.0006 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | August 12th 1897 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
The Express and Stageline Office at Fort Steele Historic Park. This was an original building converted to a display depicting the stage service operating in the 1890s between Fort Steele and Golden and Kalispell, U.S.A.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0006 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
From Imperial Hotel, Fort Steele
A scenic view from the Imperial Hotel at Fort Steele, Sept. 29th 1912, negative pocket #67.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0006 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | September 29th 1912 |
L. Cohn
Newspaper ad for a Fort Steele tailor, stating he is an importer of fine woolens.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0007 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Fort Steele Heritage Town 1987
Stage Coach ride at Fort Steele, BC
| Internal ID: | 0414.0007 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1987 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
The Perry Creek Water Wheel. This prominent landmark at Fort Steele Historic Park was built on Perry Creek in 1933-34. It was designed to provide cheap power for pumping water from placer mine tunnels at bed rock deep under the channel of Perry Creek, 25 miles west of Fort Steele. The 32-foot diameter Overshot Wheel operated only intermittently over several years.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0007 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
Family Reunion at Fort Steele, BC
The John Lewis & Karren P. 'Lee' Willicome family gather at the old Lewis and Winnifred Willicome home at Fort Steele, B.C. The family had gathered to clear the lilac bushes which had overgrown the front of the old family home.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0007 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1997 |
Fort Steele, B.C.
A view of Fort Steele from the Imperial Hotel on September 29th 1912, negative pocket #67. The Government Building is visible in its original location.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0007 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | September 29th 1912 |
Fort Steele Bakery
The Fort Steele Bakery, stressing its location.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0008 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Fort Steele 1987
Steam train platform at Fort Steele
| Internal ID: | 0414.0008 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1987 |
8 Pen and Ink Drawings of Fort Steele
St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Fort Steele. The first church to be built at Fort Steele, it was dedicated on October 31, 1897 by Father Coccola.
| Internal ID: | 0434.0008 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Ephemera |
| Date: | 1975 |
SS Annerly on the Kootenay River
The Annerly was built at Jennings, Montana, in 1892 She started her first trip north in late May, 1893 and was the first stramboat to navigate the upper Kootenay River. The boat was named to compliment Mrs. Annie McCracken, wife of John McCracken of Jennings, Montana.
| Internal ID: | 2518.0008 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1895 |
Fort Steele Archaeological Dig
Archaeological dig at Fort Steele, opposite Lum property, Wayne Choquette archaeologist – September-October, 1984
| Internal ID: | 2605.0008 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | October 1st 1984 |
Dan McDonald holding rudder from steamboat Echo
Dan McDonald holding the rudder from steamboat Echo at Moyie. The rudder was recovered from Moyie Lake and placed at Fort Steele Heritage Town
| Internal ID: | 0002.0010 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1960 |
Grez the Barber
Advertisement for Al Grez, hairstyling/shaving.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0010 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
View of Selkirks from Fort Steele
View of the Selkirk Range and the mouth of the St. Mary River from Fort Steele on October 27th 1912, negative pocket #69.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0010 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | October 27th 1912 |
Chinese Altar at Wild Horse Creek c. 1920
A ceremonial altar in the Chinese grave yard at Wild Horse Creek c. 1920.
| Internal ID: | 2507.0010 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1920 |
Andrew Neidig
Contracter/builder, specializing in house and sign painting.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0011 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
RO Jennings
Promoting mining in the East Kootenay mining region.
| Internal ID: | 0054.0011 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | September 2nd 1897 |
The Maxwells at Fort Steele
The Maxwells,with Patrick in the sleigh & 'Don' the dog harnessed. Fort Steele buildings visible in the background, February 1913, negative pocket #70.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0011 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | February 1st 1913 |
2605.0011
Archaeological dig at Fort Steele, opposite Lum property, Wayne Choquette archaeologist – September-October, 1984. Susan Campbell in the pit.
| Internal ID: | 2605.0011 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | October 1st 1984 |
Fort Steele Cigar Store
Fort Steele tobacconist, featuring access to telegraphs and a pool parlor.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0012 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
The Maxwells at Fort Steele
The Maxwells in front of building, possibly part of the former Northwest Mounted Police post, with Patrick in the sleigh & 'Don' the dog in harness. Fort Steele, January 12th 1913, negative pocket #70.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0012 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | January 12th 1913 |
Bridge at Fort Steele, B.C.
The second bridge constructed across the Kootenay River at Fort Steele, B.C. - 1913.
| Internal ID: | 0436.0013 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Postcard |
| Date: | 1913 |
Auction Sale
Auctioning of items from the Soldier Settlement Board of Canada at Doyle's Livery Barn at Fort Steele.
| Internal ID: | 0481.0013 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | July 25th 1924 |
The Maxwells at Fort Steele
The Maxwells in front of a Fort Steele building, possibly part of the former Northwest Mounted Police post, with Patrick in sleigh & 'Don' the dog in harness. Fort Steele, January 12th 1913, negative pocket #70.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0013 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | January 12th 1930 |
National Historic Sites Fort Steele Momunment
A cairn placed at Fort Steele by National Historic Sites in 1925 commemorating the first Northwest Mounted Police post west of the Rockies. FS # FS 8 428 FS 1973 159 473
| Internal ID: | 2501.0013 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1960 |
Pioneer Drug Hall
Newspaper ad stating Mr. Bleasdell intends the continued trade of pure drugs during 1900.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0014 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Bridge at Fort Steele, B.C.
The second bridge constructed across the Kootenay River at Fort Steele, B.C. - 1913.
| Internal ID: | 0436.0014 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Postcard |
| Date: | 1913 |
The Maxwells at Fort Steele
The Maxwells at Fort Steele, with Patrick in sleigh & 'Don' the dog in harness, also a little terrier. Fort Steele, February 1913, negative pocket #70.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0014 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | February 1st 1913 |
Black Bears at Fort Steele
Ernie Howard and tethered black bears tied to posts, at the Imperial Hotel Fort Steele, January 12th 1913, negative pocket #71
| Internal ID: | 0518.0015 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | January 12th 1913 |
Grassick & Dempsey
Newspaper ad for Fort Steele contractors.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0016 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Sydney Willicome at Fort Steele
Sydney Willicome, son of Lewis and Fanny Willicome, riding his tricycle on the boardwalk at Fort Steele. The large building to the right is the Opera House and Masonic Lodge.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0016 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1920 |
Fort Steele, B.C.
SHowing the range of Rockies running north from Fort Steele, buildings in the forground. A good shot of some of the yards and outbuildings. January 12th 1913, negative pocket #72.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0016 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | January 12th 1913 |
Ross-Saskatoon Lumber Company, Waldo
A Baldwin Shay logging locomotive of the Ross-Saskatoon Lumber Company of Waldo, B.C.
| Internal ID: | 2515.0016 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1920 |
Bank of Commerce
Newspaper article stating that the Canadian Bank of Commerce will be opened for business on October 23rd, and the location is set to be in Fort steele.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0017 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Kootenay Central Railway Construction Office
Office of the Construction Department, Assaying & Engineering C.P.R., on the Kootenay Central Railway, Fort Steele. January 14th 1913, negative pocket #73.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0017 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | January 14th 1913 |
Fort Steele Brass Band
Newspaper article about the Fort Steele Brass Band, extendng their thanks for all the donations.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0018 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Sleighing Party at Fort Steele
Sleighing party at Fort Steele, possibly in front of Mrs. Levett's boarding house. February 1913.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0018 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | February 1st 1913 |
Fort Steele Overview
A view of Fort Steel taken in 1898 from across the Kootenay River. A very good view showing the sprawl of the town and the steps leading down to river access.
| Internal ID: | 0524.0018 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1898 |
Harvey and McCarter
Newspaper ad advertising barristers, solicitors, and notaries public.
| Internal ID: | 0053.0019 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 6th 1900 |
Fanny and Lewis Willicome
Fanny (Lyle) Willicome and Lewis Willicome at the family home on Rocky Mountain Avenue in Fort Steele.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0019 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1928 |
Lewis, Lewis Arthur, Fanny & Winnifred Irene Willicome
This photo is taken in front of the Willicome home on Rocky Mountain Avenue in Fort Steele. In 2010 the house was still standing inside Fort Steele Heritage Town, but in a severely compromised condition. Lewis Floyd Willicome was born February 6, 1862 at Chepstow, Monmouth, England and died August 22, 1942 at Cranbrook, B.C. He married Fanny Lyle on December 25, 1887 at Cardiff, Wales. Fanny (Lyle) Willicome was born March 21, 1867 at Barnstaple, Devon, England. She passed away October 12, 1950 in Cranbrook, B.C. Lewis and Fanny came to Canada from Cardiff, Wales, in June 1912. They crossed from Liverpool to Montreal on the ship Tunisian, a member of the Allen Line. They immigrated with two children, Emily Annie WIllicome (age 22) and son Lewis Arthur Willicome (age 12). Lewis Arthur Willicome was born October 17, 1899 at Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales and died September 14, 1974 at Kimberley, B.C. Winnifred Irene Phillips was born August 22, 1903 at Cayo Farm, Longtown, Hereford, England and died on January 28, 1937 at Cranbrook, B.C. She married Lewis Arthur Willicome on September 16, 1924 in Cranbrook.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0020 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1925 |
Property Owners Meet
Newspaper article urging Fort Steele property owners to attend meeting to discuss Fort Steele becoming a historical site.
| Internal ID: | 0050.0021 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 5th 1961 |
Lewis Arthur Willicome at Fort Steele
Lewis Arthur Willicome in front of his parents' home on Rocky Mountain Avenue at Fort Steele. He is standing beside a Model T Ford touring car.
| Internal ID: | 0492.0021 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | 1920 |
Property Owners Ad
Newspaper advertisement Fort Steele property owners required to attend a public meeting to discuss and decide to establish a Historical Site.
| Internal ID: | 0050.0022 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 5th 1961 |
Picnic at Wild Horse
A picnic party at Fort Steele getting ready to leave for Fisherville on Wild Horse Creek, near Fort Steele. Unknown people but presumably part of the CPR assaying and engineering group. May 1913, negative pocket #75.
| Internal ID: | 0518.0022 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Photograph |
| Date: | May 1st 1913 |
Favoured By Property Owners
Newspaper article Fort Steele property owners in favour of provincial government proposal to return Fort Steele to Gold Rush era and turn into historical site.
| Internal ID: | 0050.0023 |
|---|---|
| Medium: | Newspaper |
| Date: | January 12th 1961 |
