Hockey has long been a cornerstone of Rossland's sporting culture, but did you know that in the early 1900s, the women's team was a force to be reckoned with?
A remarkable photograph from 1899 captures these trailblazing athletes, including (left to right): Alice Cooper, _ Blackman, Mellie Inches (Miss E. Morrison), (Unknown], Miss Effie Agnew (Shilvock), Miss Alice Northy, and (Unknown].
Originally formed as a "novelty" event for the third Rossland Winter Carnival, two teams, the "Crescents" and the "Stars," soon merged to create a dominant squad.
Clad in ankle-length wool skirts and heavy sweaters, these women defied expectations, remaining undefeated for 15 years.
Their only recorded loss came in the 1917 provincial finals, a hard-fought 2-1 match against Grand Forks.
Unfortunately, the team disbanded in 1918 due to the impact of World War I and the flu epidemic, but their legacy as one of the toughest and most skilled teams of their era endures.
Do you have stories about Rossland's early hockey teams?
Share them with the Rossland museum.
Do you have original photos showcasing the city's rich history?
Consider donating them to the Rossland archives: photos can be scanned and originals retained.
