125 YEARS AGO: FEB. 18, 1899
Spences Bridge Slide: The slide that dammed the Thompson just below Spences Bridge is gradually being cut away by the river, and will, it is thought, not do damage at high water.
Cariboo Road: The recent soft weather has been followed by a most severe snap. Mr. S. Locke, the popular driver for the B.X. between Barkerville and Quesnelle, says he feels the cold worse than on any former occasion. Perhaps it is because you are not as young as you used to be, Sandy. There is no snow in Ashcroft at this time, and but very little in sight. The weather for the past few days has been warm and delightful.
150-Mile House: Your correspondent was more than surprised at the scenes of activity at this small but important centre, which is the chief distributing point for Horsefly and Quesnelle Forks districts. There were upwards of 30 freight teams loaded with general merchandise for these districts, all having arrived the same day your representative happened in town. Combining these with stage passengers and the regular patrons of the 150-Mile House, citizens of the town found Messrs. Veith & Borland at their wits’ end as to how best to furnish accommodations for so many. The capacity of the house was taxed to the utmost. However, they made room for all and everything passed off smoothly. The writer looked into the commodious sample room and found a well-stocked bar presided over by an up-to-date mixiological artist.
100 YEARS AGO: FEB. 16, 1924
Hockey Club Dance Big Success: The dance given in the Town Hall on St. Valentine’s night under the auspices of the Ashcroft Hockey Club proved a big success. The large attendance from Clinton, Walhachin, and the surrounding district of Ashcroft made the dance one of the largest and most successful that’s been held in the town for years. Great credit is due the local archestra for the excellent music furnished. Credit is also due the women and those who furnished sandwiches and cake for the supper. Dancing was kept up until after 3 a.m.
Hospital Raffle: Some 500 raffle tickets [for a Ford automobile being raffled off to support an extension to the Lady Minto Hospital in Ashcroft] have been torn off the stubs, and as this involves one of the few transactions where the credit system is not in vogue, we presume have been paid for. The remaining 500 we expect to dispose of within three weeks, and the drawing will take place one week from the sale of the last ticket. There is a new garage being built in Clinton, we understand, to house the “Lizzie” that is being raffled
Lillooet: A wholesale poisoning of dogs took place the last few days. No valuable dogs were poisoned, but many were children’s pets. The police are seeking the person responsible for this outrage.
Spring: Buttercups are out, which is generally a sure sign of spring.
75 YEARS AGO: FEB. 17, 1949
Will Petition For South Road Here: The editor has been approached by several business men in town with regards to a highway on the south side of the Thompson river from Spences Bridge to Ashcroft. The feeling is that action should be taken now by interested citizens and start boosting for this highway, which would be a much better and safer one to drive on. People living along the south side would take favourably to this suggestion. At Toketic the only means of getting out is via Spences Bridge, if that way. A petition is being prepared and will be placed in businesses for signatures of all those interested.
Clinton Dance: Plans are going ahead for the dance in the Community Hall on Friday, Feb. 25th sponsored by the skating rink committee, in an endeavour to get out of debt. The rink is playing a very big part in the life of the community these winter days. It is a grand spot for the young fry to get rid of their surplus energy in a very healthful way, and judging by the crowds at the hockey matches, the grown-ups are getting plenty of fun out of it too. But the actual upkeep costs a lot of money — so let’s all back up our outdoor play centre and come to the dance. Music by the Clinton Music Makers.
Clinton High School: At the P.T.A. meeting last week a lively discussion took place on the question of the possible closing of the high school in Clinton and the building of a dormitory and high school in Ashcroft or vicinity. Much surprise was expressed at this being suggested when $4,000 has just been spent on a high school building in Clinton. It is understood that a public meeting will be called to discuss the question thoroughly and present it to as many people as possible.
Old Stage Coach Days Recalled: The old “B.C.X.” (British Columbia Express Co.) stable which stands on the now Holgate farms across the Thompson river [in what is now North Ashcroft], is to be torn down by Norman MacLeod, who has purchased it, and the timbers and lumber will be used for a honey house which Mr. MacLeod will build on his recently acquired property across the [Bonaparte] river from Mr. Holgate. To the cheechacko there is no sentiment attached to its demolition because they lack any background that would be necessary to create such interest. The old stable was built on completion of the C.P.R. about 1885, when Ashcroft was first established as the Gateway to Cariboo and the stagecoach came from Yale to the new terminus. It was used for the housing of stage horses until the coming of the horseless carriage about 1912, and was originally roofed with shakes, but was modernized in the early years of the century with up-to-date cedar shingles. It was thought to have been built on the south side of the river before the erection of the first bridge across the river at Ashcroft, otherwise this [town] side would have been more convenient for the company.
50 YEARS AGO: FEB. 14, 1974
Ashcroft Library News: As from 1st of March 1974, the hours of opening to the public are being extended at the Ashcroft Library. The new schedule means that the library at Ashcroft will be open for 17 hours in total each week and it is anticipated that an increased readership will result. The library is located upstairs of the Community Hall, Bancroft Street, and entrance is by the inside stairs from the main entrance hall. As from 1st January 1974, the Ashcroft Library became the responsibility of the Thompson Nicola Library System. All residents of this Regional District are entitled to borrow books from any of the existing libraries in the district free of charge.
Educational Program Development In Area: A number of educational programs are being developed in the Lillooet and South Cariboo districts which are designed to meet the needs of students in the society in which they live. One of the programs being examined is “Family Life Education”, which looks at the total concept of family living, the role of parents, children, and the place of the family in the fabric of society. Particular emphasis is to be placed on inter-personal relationships between family members; between members of the opposite sex; on personal development both physical and mental; on the effect of economics on family life; and on the responsibilities and problems of parenthood. The program design is to provide a continuum of information, knowledge, and understanding which will supplement the training a child receives in his own home and will try to enable him to cope with the life he faces at any point in time and prepare him for parenthood.
