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Tales old envelopes tell
Several envelopes that sold at auction have intriguing connections to West Kootenay Japanese-Canadian, Chinese Canadian, and mining history.
Greg Nesteroff
May 13, 20213 min read
542 views
0 comments


The final Fifers
I was surprised to seen an obituary for Emma Zahn. Surprised because she was born in Fife. I thought no native Fifers were left.
Greg Nesteroff
May 12, 20212 min read
1,081 views
2 comments


A Kootenay street in England
What is a Kootenay Avenue doing in Southampton, England? I have a theory.
Greg Nesteroff
May 11, 20212 min read
705 views
0 comments


Main streets of West Kootenay/Boundary
Most West Kootenay/Boundary towns have an obvious primary commercial thoroughfare. However, it’s not always the one originally intended.
Greg Nesteroff
May 5, 202120 min read
1,542 views
4 comments


Tom Murphy (1932-2021)
The two things Tom Murphy was best known for happened within three months of each other: fighting Nelson’s deadliest fire and an epic swim.
Greg Nesteroff
Apr 28, 20214 min read
1,415 views
0 comments


Then & Now: A sunny day in Trail, 1957
Three spectacular slides give us a glimpse of downtown Trail buildings and businesses more than 60 years ago.
Greg Nesteroff
Apr 15, 20219 min read
3,403 views
6 comments


A place called Skalistoye
Grohman Narrows Park has been many things, including a Doukhobor ranch and the site of a First Nations battle.
Jonathan Kalmakoff and Greg Nesteroff
Apr 1, 202121 min read
3,166 views
8 comments


Pioneer women of West Kootenay: Kitty Hope
A couple of postcards sold on eBay, both mailed in 1908 to a Miss Kitty Hope of Sandon. Who was she?
Greg Nesteroff
Mar 9, 20217 min read
1,023 views
5 comments


Tiny Thompson and Sandon
Sandon produced a Hall of Fame NHL goaltender. But Tiny Thompson’s relationship with his birthplace has not been explored — until now.
Greg Nesteroff
Mar 1, 20216 min read
992 views
0 comments


Nelson’s floating pavilions
Nelson once had a floating dance pavilion and a large clubhouse for the boat club, both at the foot of Josephine Street.
Greg Nesteroff
Jan 31, 20217 min read
3,052 views
6 comments


Trail’s hidden homes
Homes at 801 Victoria St., 1498 Cedar Ave., and 1560 Bay Ave. were covered up by commercial storefronts, but continue to peek out overtop.
Greg Nesteroff
Jan 20, 20218 min read
3,960 views
2 comments


Sandon in watercolour, 1944
The story behind a charming painting created more than 75 years ago. At least two people who were there that day are still around.
Greg Nesteroff
Jan 10, 20214 min read
1,911 views
6 comments


Paradise denied
The little-known story of how Prairie Doukhobor radicals attempted to settle in British Columbia in 1902.
Jonathan Kalmakoff and Greg Nesteroff
Dec 11, 20208 min read
1,228 views
0 comments


Maggie Bond, gravedigger
In the 1930s, a Kaslo resident claimed to be the first — and for a time, only — woman in Canada digging graves.
Greg Nesteroff
Dec 7, 20203 min read
2,124 views
4 comments


Pete Seeger in Trail
Folk singer Pete Seeger said he once performed a concert in Trail. But when?
Greg Nesteroff
Dec 1, 20203 min read
843 views
5 comments


Gil Evans in Nelson
A man Miles Davis called “the greatest musician in the world” briefly went to school in Nelson.
Greg Nesteroff
Nov 25, 202015 min read
670 views
1 comment


Grand Forks’ North Fork bridges
Several different bridges have crossed the North Fork of the Kettle River since 1894.
Greg Nesteroff
Nov 18, 20205 min read
1,348 views
2 comments


8 lesser-known Trail hotels
While Trail has had several famous hotels, here is a list of some others that didn't receive nearly the same attention.
Greg Nesteroff
Nov 9, 202015 min read
3,379 views
6 comments


West Kootenay Boundary’s first Doukhobors
New discoveries reveal that Doukhobors were finding their way to British Columbia several years before a mass migration began in 1908.
Jonathan Kalmakoff and Greg Nesteroff
Oct 22, 20205 min read
1,678 views
1 comment


Little-known Nelson heritage buildings: 120 Vernon St.
The full story of the former Doukhobor headquarters in Nelson.
Greg Nesteroff
Oct 13, 202016 min read
2,345 views
1 comment
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