The Okanagan Centre Submarine
In the summer of 1986 a casual glance out to the beautiful waters off Okanagan Centre just might reveal the unmistakable profile of a submarine conning tower. ... [Continue Reading]
Latest Posts
Cattle Rustling in the Okanagan in 1892
Thomas Wood, cattle rancher and Justice of the Peace from Lake Country, wrote three letters from Vernon to Frederick Hussey, Superintendent of Provincial Police in Victoria requesting his assistance with a rustling case 1 . Hussey replied to these. Some excerpts... [Continue Reading]
Which Bird might I see today? – FALL –Nuthatches and creeper
At this time of year, when so many of our colourful summer breeding birds are winging their way southwards for the colder months, it is a pleasure to turn our attention to birds that stay here year round. This time... [Continue Reading]
The Early Days of Okanagan Centre
For the first three decades of the twentieth century, Okanagan Centre was the commercial hub of the area. From the late 1800s to the 1930s, Okanagan Centre was one of the main points for the Central Okanagan.... [Continue Reading]
Irrigation and the Beginning of Agriculture
Settlers began planting fruit trees in the Okanagan in the 1860s. Thought at this time planting fruit was considered a risk because the fruit was perishable and the only means of transportation could take up to two weeks to get... [Continue Reading]
OK Sawmill operations in the Central Okanagan.
Two Gibbons brothers, Harry from Ellison and Clare from Okanagan Centre went into partnership to establish OK Sawmills sometime shortly after 1940. The brothers operated their sawmill at a number of locations on the extensive forested slope south and east... [Continue Reading]
Vintage hand-tinted postcard of Duck Lake
From the collection of Bob Hayes Note the “sunflowers’ – official name being “arrow-leaf root balsam” – in the foreground of this postcard and the classic Okanagan sky. Black Knight Mountain (now known as Black Mountain) is partially visible in... [Continue Reading]
Haywire sawmills
Today the Central Okanagan enjoys a level of economic diversity unimaginable to earlier generations. In the first half of the twentieth century, our local economy was based primarily on the natural resources of the valley. A long growing season and... [Continue Reading]
The Importance of our Lakes
Lake Country is aptly named. Its four wards – Winfield, Okanagan Centre, Carr’s Landing and Oyama – have access to three major Lakes: Okanagan, Kalamalka, and Wood. The latter lake was named for pioneers Thomas (1841 – 1931) and Ellen... [Continue Reading]
Which Bird might I see today? SUMMER Flycatchers
Last summer I introduced you to our largest flycatchers, the kingbirds, Eastern Kingbird and Western Kingbird. This year let’s look at other flycatchers that also come here in summer to breed and raise their young on abundant insect food during... [Continue Reading]
Kierann Temlar is the 2020 Arnold Award Recipient
This year’s recipient of the Arnold Award is Kierann Temlar, a recent graduate of the George Elliot Secondary School in Lake Country. Kierann’s strong drive and passion for learning make him an excellent recipient of this award. Kierann has always... [Continue Reading]
Bush mill on the Commonage
Following upon previous blogs on logging in the region in the 1920s, I have more recent and personal remembrances to relate. My father, Harold, and grandfather, Harry, operated a portable bush mill on the Commonage in the 1950s, supported by... [Continue Reading]
The house that Jane built
The Swalwell Family.... [Continue Reading]
Fir Valley horse logging operations – Part 2
Learn more about the Munson Simpson Sawmill. ... [Continue Reading]
The Thomson Family – Part 3
The adult Thomson children visited their Kalamalka home on occasions for family picnics, to go hunting or to roar around Kalamalka Lake on a hydroplane. Three photos capture some of the spirit of the times. The first is a family... [Continue Reading]
The Thomson Family – Part 2
The Thomson family moved from their east bench orchard to their new home on Kalamalka Lake in 1929. By this time the children were either teenagers or young adults. The location on the lake was ideal for boating, swimming and... [Continue Reading]
Transporting logs to the Munson and Simpson mill
This is the third in a series of blogs exploring the logging history of Lake Country, this one focussing on transporting logs to the Munson and Simpson mill in Winfield in the 1927-9 period. Large logs were preferred because the... [Continue Reading]
Spanish Influenza Hits the Central Okanagan – Part 3
Author’s note: This article is dedicated to the victims of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. It contains words and attitudes which, while formerly in common use, are now recognized as racist and demeaning. The November 14, 1918 (page one) issue... [Continue Reading]
Spanish Influenza Hits the Central Okanagan – Part 2
Last week’s article provided some history of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic which decimated the world’s population, claiming millions of lives, making it arguably the twentieth century’s most lethal pandemic. As the summer of 1918 rolled into fall, the Spanish... [Continue Reading]
The 1918 Spanish Influenza – A Brief History Part 1
Today’s article – the first of a three-part series – examines the worldwide implications of the Spanish influenza. Next week’s article focuses on how this 1918 pandemic affected Central Okanagan residents. This article is not intended to cause fear or... [Continue Reading]
Munson and Simpson Sawmill in Lake Country
The donation of historic photographs by Pete Simpson to the Lake Country Museum has led me to examine the circumstances behind the building of a sawmill in Winfield in 1927. These photographs were of the Munson and Simpson mill located... [Continue Reading]
Problems, 1893 Style and the Formation of the BC Health Act
We’ve got problems right now. Big problems. But in 1893 they had some pretty wild problems! Thanks to a copy of a letter from the BC Archives, the Lake Country Museum has a unique glimpse into what life was like... [Continue Reading]
Which Bird might I see today? – SPRING – Turkey Vulture
When life is challenging it can be helpful to read the signs nature gives us of rebirth and renewal. Trees, flowers, and shrubs put on new growth and in the bird world, spring brings us the annual miracle of migration... [Continue Reading]