William K. Esling Memorial Plaque - Rossland, BC
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T0SHEA
N 49° 04.697 W 117° 48.116
11U E 441436 N 5436467
The William K. Esling Memorial Plaque is one of two plaques framing the entrance to the Pioneer Park parking area on Spokane Street in Rossland.
Waymark Code: WMHWVQ
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 08/21/2013
Views: 2
As a matter of fact, this park, when established, was named Esling Park. It is still known locally as Esling Park.
William Esling was primarily a politician, a member of the Conservative Party. From 1921 to 1924 he served in the provincial legislature. He was elected to Parliament in 1925 and was re-elected in 1926, 1930 and 1935. Changing parties, he was re-elected in 1940 as a member of the National Government party. He did not seek re-election in 1945. He also held the distinction of being the only blind Member of Parliament during his tenure in the House.
An American born in Philadelphia, upon arrival in Rossland, Esling was the pioneer publisher of The "Rossland Record" and then the "Rossland Miner" until 1915, when failing eyesight prevented his continuing as a newspaper publisher. It was at this time that he turned to politics, eventually entering the BC Provincial Legislature in 1921.
Passing away only two years after his retirement from Parliament, he is still affectionately remembered as a gentleman journalist who played a large part, both as a journalist and as a politician, in the area's history and development.