history

The earliest record of wine production in the Okanagan Valley dates back to Father Pandosy’s Okanagan Mission in 1859. British Columbia had provincial prohibition of alcoholic beverages from 1917 to 1921. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Winery donates tasting fees to Summerland Museum

Museum has provided Back Door Winery with information about prohibition era in Canada

 

Pharis and Jason Romero filmed their latest video with Rick Magnell in the historic 153 Mile Store. (Rick Magnell video capture)

VIDEO: Juno-award winning folk duo showcase B.C. history in new song

Video filmed in historic 153 Mile Store was the ‘perfect place’

 

In 1911, Tommy Young rented this building in Summerland from Judge Wellington C. Kelley, for a Flour and Feed store. By 1912, he had purchased the building from Kelley and expanded his facilities. Today, this site is Summerland’s Municipal Hall parking lot. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Young was a Summerland entrepreneur

In the early 1900s, Tommy Young launched numerous ventures

 

Nanaimo’s No. 1 mine. (Submitted photo)

May 3, 1887: Remembering 150 lives lost in B.C.’s worst-ever mining disaster

City of Nanaimo lowering flags to commemorate Esplanade Mine explosion that killed 150

Nanaimo’s No. 1 mine. (Submitted photo)
Traffic in 1915 was not the same as it is today. This picture shows the edge of what is now Summerland’s Main Street. At that time, the majority of transportation was done by horse-drawn wagons rather than gasoline-powered cars and trucks. Electric vehicle charging stations at public spots in downtown Summerland did not exist until nearly a century later. The first charging stations opened in April, 2013. The house in the background is the Alex Steven home, which still overlooks the downtown core. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland has been transititioning its transportation

Horse-drawn wagons, automobiles and now electric vehicles used on streets in community

Traffic in 1915 was not the same as it is today. This picture shows the edge of what is now Summerland’s Main Street. At that time, the majority of transportation was done by horse-drawn wagons rather than gasoline-powered cars and trucks. Electric vehicle charging stations at public spots in downtown Summerland did not exist until nearly a century later. The first charging stations opened in April, 2013. The house in the background is the Alex Steven home, which still overlooks the downtown core. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
In the late 19th century, William Hespeler played a key role in bringing immigrants from eastern Europe to Canada. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Former Summerland landowner brought immigrants from eastern Europe

Hespeler Road is named after William Hespeler

In the late 19th century, William Hespeler played a key role in bringing immigrants from eastern Europe to Canada. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Ellison Hall in Summerland was officially opened in 1911 by provincial government cabinet minister Price Ellison. The building was located in what is now Peach Orchard Park. Ellison was the provincial minister of finance in Premier Richard McBride’s cabinet. The building was used for the Summerland Fall Fair, flower shows, drama presentations and a few municipal council meetings. It was demolished in 1955. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum.)

Hall in Summerland was named after former provincial cabinet minister

Price Ellison was once British Columbia’s Minister of Finance

Ellison Hall in Summerland was officially opened in 1911 by provincial government cabinet minister Price Ellison. The building was located in what is now Peach Orchard Park. Ellison was the provincial minister of finance in Premier Richard McBride’s cabinet. The building was used for the Summerland Fall Fair, flower shows, drama presentations and a few municipal council meetings. It was demolished in 1955. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum.)
Volunteers are organizing to purchase and preserve Golden’s Swiss Village. (RE/MAX Golden)

Golden’s Swiss Village Foundation crowdfunds to save property

The Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation has temporarily secured the property

Volunteers are organizing to purchase and preserve Golden’s Swiss Village. (RE/MAX Golden)
This 1910 photograph shows the first Cadillac in the Okanagan Valley. The driver was Summerland pioneer James Ritchie and in the back seat was Summerland’s first teacher, Ken Hogg. Minnie Smith was technically Summerland’s first teacher, but she could not start the 1904 to 1905 school year and Hogg was the substitute teacher. Cadillacs were first made in 1902. Electric starters for the car didn’t appear until 1912, so a crank was required. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

First Cadillac in the Okanagan was owned by Summerland’s reeve

James Ritchie was also instrumental in bringing rail transportation to the community

This 1910 photograph shows the first Cadillac in the Okanagan Valley. The driver was Summerland pioneer James Ritchie and in the back seat was Summerland’s first teacher, Ken Hogg. Minnie Smith was technically Summerland’s first teacher, but she could not start the 1904 to 1905 school year and Hogg was the substitute teacher. Cadillacs were first made in 1902. Electric starters for the car didn’t appear until 1912, so a crank was required. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Neskonlith knowledge keeper Louis Thomas and Salmon Arm Arts Centre supporter Dolores Mori take time for a chat on March 25, 2022 as Thomas speaks about the significance of the Good Spirit Box which contains digital recordings of Secwépemc creation stories or Chiptekwilah. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Good Spirit Box shares digital recordings of Secwépemc creation stories

Stories from Neskonlith, Splatsin provide guidance regarding relationship to the land

Neskonlith knowledge keeper Louis Thomas and Salmon Arm Arts Centre supporter Dolores Mori take time for a chat on March 25, 2022 as Thomas speaks about the significance of the Good Spirit Box which contains digital recordings of Secwépemc creation stories or Chiptekwilah. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Lake Country boat landmark destroyed in fire April 1, 2021

Iconic Highway 97 boat will not be replaced following fire

The historic blue and white boat was destroyed in a fire April 2021 near Lake Country

  • Mar 30, 2022
Lake Country boat landmark destroyed in fire April 1, 2021
The construction crew of the Vernon Courthouse in 1911, prior to the completion in 1914. (Vernon Photo Co./Greater Vernon Museum and Archives)

Okanagan history preserved online

Historial documents, photos available to public through partnerships

The construction crew of the Vernon Courthouse in 1911, prior to the completion in 1914. (Vernon Photo Co./Greater Vernon Museum and Archives)
Summerland’s old name was Nicola Prairie. This old term was used to describe someone’s property, in this case, Grand Chief Nicola. One reason this area was chosen was because of the excellent protection provided by the silt cliffs. Lake access to the flat land was limited to just a few trails. Three access trails have evidence of battle sites. The most famous was the Battle of Aqskepkina. Numerous burial sites, arrowheads, some jade jewelry and one green copper knife were found. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Indigenous artifacts have been found in and near Summerland

Present-day community was once Indigenous land

Summerland’s old name was Nicola Prairie. This old term was used to describe someone’s property, in this case, Grand Chief Nicola. One reason this area was chosen was because of the excellent protection provided by the silt cliffs. Lake access to the flat land was limited to just a few trails. Three access trails have evidence of battle sites. The most famous was the Battle of Aqskepkina. Numerous burial sites, arrowheads, some jade jewelry and one green copper knife were found. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
This 1917 photograph shows Joan Steven (nee Nicoll) and her daughters Joan and Margaret. The Steven home is the home on the hillside at the end of Main Street in Summerland and is the site of the Christmas nativity scene. The building to the left in the photograph is the Summerland Baptist Church, officially opened in January 1909. (Summerland Museum photo)

Steven exported fruit to the British Empire

Street in Summerland named after pioneer orchardist

This 1917 photograph shows Joan Steven (nee Nicoll) and her daughters Joan and Margaret. The Steven home is the home on the hillside at the end of Main Street in Summerland and is the site of the Christmas nativity scene. The building to the left in the photograph is the Summerland Baptist Church, officially opened in January 1909. (Summerland Museum photo)
Lakeshore Drive in 1930, looking east. (Penticton Museum and Archives photo)

Penticton’s Okanagan lakeshore was not always owned by the city

W. T. Shatford donated waterfront so it would always be public and not ‘marred by unsightly buildings’

Lakeshore Drive in 1930, looking east. (Penticton Museum and Archives photo)
Recently, the Summerland Museum was given a photograph of the Summerland Hotel, In 1902, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy quickly had this hotel built, shortly after he founded Summerland. This photograph of the hotel is the finest photograph in the museum’s collection. Today, the site of this hotel is the vacant lot across the street from the Trout Hatchery. The museum is always searching for old photographs. Old photographs can be scanned by museum staff and promptly returned to the owner. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland had hotel near lakeshore

Summerland Hotel was built in 1902, but destroyed by fire in 1925

Recently, the Summerland Museum was given a photograph of the Summerland Hotel, In 1902, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy quickly had this hotel built, shortly after he founded Summerland. This photograph of the hotel is the finest photograph in the museum’s collection. Today, the site of this hotel is the vacant lot across the street from the Trout Hatchery. The museum is always searching for old photographs. Old photographs can be scanned by museum staff and promptly returned to the owner. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
The village is over a century old and is an important historical site and was at one point the gateway to the mountaneering community in the Canadian Rockies. (RE/MAX photo)

Saving Golden’s Swiss Village: Dr. Johann Roduit and Dr. Ilona Spaar reflect on iconic B.C. spot

The historic Edelweiss Village has been for sale for over a year, and preservation talks are moving

The village is over a century old and is an important historical site and was at one point the gateway to the mountaneering community in the Canadian Rockies. (RE/MAX photo)
Harrowdene was the name given to Harry Dunsdon’s ranch house in Garnett Valley. He pre-empted his land on April 2 1894, just west of the Garnett brothers. The name came from Dunsdon’s hometown in Middlesex, England. The family home was located across a field from the prestigious Harrow School. Several of Summerland’s first pioneers had been students at the school. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Dunsdon family played role in Summerland’s history

Harry Dunsdon settled in area in 1890s and constructed first dam

Harrowdene was the name given to Harry Dunsdon’s ranch house in Garnett Valley. He pre-empted his land on April 2 1894, just west of the Garnett brothers. The name came from Dunsdon’s hometown in Middlesex, England. The family home was located across a field from the prestigious Harrow School. Several of Summerland’s first pioneers had been students at the school. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Greater Victoria photographer Don Denton is working to discover and preserve the history of B.C.’s forgotten photographers. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C. photographer working to unearth province’s forgotten camera artists

Don Denton collecting and preserving details of mostly unknown photographers

Greater Victoria photographer Don Denton is working to discover and preserve the history of B.C.’s forgotten photographers. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Lee Brandt, A Langley-based crane operator who grew up in Milner will make his television show debut with History TV Canada’s new series, Lost Car Rescue. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

Crane, planes and automobiles star in History Network’s Lost Car Rescue

Rescuing classic cars requires more than a love for the classics and…

Lee Brandt, A Langley-based crane operator who grew up in Milner will make his television show debut with History TV Canada’s new series, Lost Car Rescue. (Special to Langley Advance Times)