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Turning Back the Pages: A look back at 1923 in Golden

Colleen Palumbo takes a look back at what was happen 90 years ago in Golden.
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The attached picture is from a postcard of the Golden Arms Hotel.

Often while going through the back editions of the Golden Star I come across small items that would be interesting for the public but not long enough for a column. While looking up a genealogy query in the 1923 edition I found several items that caught my attention and share them here with you.

April 6, 1923 – A GOOD SUGGESTION; HOW ABOUT SOME ACTION

Now that the snow is gone and the ground is drying up the suggestion, and we consider it a good, has been put forward that a general clean-up of the town would not be amiss.

One of the best means of advertising a town receives is from travellers passing through. What impression is left on the minds of the travelling public after viewing the scenery at present existing in the vicinity of the railway station? What would your impression be were you a traveller? We think this is a matter for which the Golden Board of Trade should take action on immediately. The south side of the town cannot be seen from the railway tracks and the first thing that strikes the eye of a passenger on leaving the train is – broken down fences, rubbish scattered about, etc.

There is no use trying to induce tourists and others to believe in the excellent mountain scenery and beauty spots in this valley when they are confronted with such a sight as they are at present on alighting from the trains.

Prompt action is therefore needed. How about it?

Note: The old station no longer sits in its original location, and the trains no longer stop but they certainly slow down enough to notice those abandoned, half-finished buildings and the unsightly remains of the old Golden Arms.

June 29, 1923 – SIGHT CHOSEN FOR AUTO TOURIST CAMP

A meeting of the Golden Board of Trade was held in the Queens Hotel on Thursday evening of last week when a number of matters were dealt with. President J.C. Green occupied the chair.

The question of a site for an automobile camp was discussed at length and it was decided to ascertain the exact boundaries of the recreation park and establish the camp at the western end. This location would not interfere with the present ball grounds, as it was considered that there was ample room outside the enclosure to accommodate all visiting autoists. In this connection a discussion ensured as to the possibility of establishing a golf links at Golden for the use of tourists as well as local enthusiasts. An earnest effort is being made to locate a site for this purpose as it is considered of vital importance to Golden as an attraction to tourists.

Note: The Board of Trade became the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Campground has been in the same location ever since.

July 20, 1923

Even the C.P.R. appears to value objects of mysterious shape and origin. Failing to secure any relics from King Tutankhamen’s tomb, they have now on exhibition on flat cards here several of the identical jars reputed to have been occupied at a remote period of Ali Baba and the forty thieves. It is the intention of the Company, we believe, to bury these articles in the soil adjacent to the railway track at the end of the Kicking Horse canyon, where they will in future be safe from further vandalism.

Note: Hmmmmmm

September 7, 1923 – LOCAL CREAMERY MAKES A GOOD SHOWING AT COAST

The showing of the Columbia Valley Co-Operative Creamery Association at the Vancouver Exhibition is deserving of special mention. Three classes of butter were exhibited, each made from a regular churning, and all ranked within three points of the prize winner. The flavour was the stumbling block to the honors, though when the local exhibit was competing against butter made from select cream, especially churned for exhibition purposes, the showing made is considered excellent.

Note: The Columbia Valley Creamery Association, located across the street from Town Hall behind that abandoned looking building, was shipped butter all over the province.