History

Discovering Peachland's Past

Not only is Peachland a vibrant and unique tourist destination, it is also rich with history. Its history begins 10,000 years ago as the Okanagan was sculpted into the unique geography that shapes our landscape today. The valley used to be home to an exceptionally large glacier that was up to 3000 meters thick. This was responsible for creating the shape of the valley and Okanagan Lake. Our scenic landscapes and mountain views are all remnants of this geological phenomenon.  

The first people to call the Okanagan home are the Syilx/Okanagan people. This territory that we are grateful to be situated on, encompasses 69,000 square kilometers of the Okanagan Valley, reaching into the Washington State. The Syilx people take care of this land and continue to practice their culture despite colonial oppression. To learn more, we encourage you to visit the sncewips heritage museum, 260-525 Hwy 97. S V1Z 4C9 www.sncewips.com 

In 1812 European settlers travelled through this area while completing an expedition throughout the Okanagan. In 1884, a man by the name of Charles Lambly began to ranch and grow crops. Peachland was called Lambly’s Landing at the time. It was soon seen in its potential to be a mining town. The first mine in Peachland was called the Gladstone Mine and it was owned by Gus Hewitt, later bought by J.M. Robinson. J.M. Robinson stayed at Lambly’s ranch for some time upon his arrival in Peachland. He was amazed at how well peaches grew at Lambly’s and how delicious they tasted. It was because of those delicious peaches that the town eventually got its name, Peachland in 1898.  

 

After the mining industry faded away, other industries in Peachland came to be. Agriculture was successful; however, logging and forestry soon became the most prolific industry in town. Nowadays, the only sawmill left in the area is Gorman’s mill which is just up the hill in Westbank.  

From these industries and humble beginnings, Peachland developed into the beautiful community that it is now. In 1909 Peachland became a municipality. There are still historic buildings and monuments around Peachland that can be seen to this day. We hope as you explore our town you will view the interpretive signs and historic photos and keep these fascinating historical roots in mind.   

 

The Four Food Chiefs

 

Chief Black Bear:
In the time of creation he was the first to offer his life for the sqilxʷ people. Chief skmxist granted the sqilxʷ people access to all living things so that we would have protection and nutrition. He is the eldest Chief and with his significant wisdom he is the true holder of where our traditions and protocols come from. During the winter season is then we are responsible for sharing our knowledge with one another. A true leader wouldn’t ask of his followers something he wouldn’t be willing to do himself we offer thanks to the tmixʷ for offering their lives for nourishment and so we can create told to thrive on our land is a sustainable way ensuring generations to come.

Chief Bitter Root
Chief Spitlem commemorates our occupation of the land since time immemorial. In the time of creation Chief Spitlem offered her life and gave the sqilxʷ people access to everything that grow’s underground for medicine and good. Her roots represent preservation of the land and continuance of understanding the need to protect the diverse territory we live in., During the spring season, she is the one who prioritizes heath wellness nd guides with unconditional love. Chief spitlem promotes the feminine aspects of new life that create nurturing relationships.

Chief Saskatoon Berry
Chief siya? gave the sqilxʷ people the ability to harvest all fruit bearing plants for medicine nd food throughout the summer. we emulate her teachings by providing service to our children elders and nation. We offer many thanks for her fists in helping us become attentive to the needs of others. She is the food chief responsible for our ability to be innovative and make our dreams a reality. Chief siya? represents the female aspects of life and women who dedicate themselves to the well being of culture language and sylix values, showing gratitude for all that has been provided in the previous year while aspiring for a fruitful year to come.

Chief Spring Salmon
Chief ntytikxw represents perseverance working against the current to earn prosperity. His male energy teaches us that water is our most valued resource and we must take action in a confident and focuses manner, Chief ntytikxw offers the sqilxʷ people his life and gives us access to everything that lives in the water for medicine and food. Chief ntytikxw offers remarkable teachings about life cycles in the fall season and the importance of taking care of one another in a good way.

Would You Like To Go On A Historic Tour Of Peachland?

In the summer months the Peachland Visitor Center is taking participants of all ages on an hour long walking tour of Peachland, showcasing the historic landmarks that make up our quaint little town.

We will walk from the visitor center to the museum and back whilst taking frequent stops in between to discuss the different landmarks of Peachland’ s past and present.

The tours are free and donations are welcome.

For more information, please call us at: 250-767-2455 or come talk to us in person in the visitor center!

 

History Mural

The historic mural, completed in 1999 was a combined project of the Peachland rotary club and the Peachland community arts council.

It was designed by 4 members of the arts council and painted by Robyn Lake, a member of the PCAC. Real residents and one dog are incorporated in the paining.

The PCAC continues to maintain the mural today.

The Baptist Church

The church was built in 1912 at an estimated cost of $1500. At one time, baptisms were held in the lake.

The congregation moved to their new church on 13th street in 1964. Since then it has been the municipal hall, fire brigade hall,

public library, and now the museum. The second floor contains a miniature scale model of the Kettle Valley Railway.

Walters Packing House

Heritage park was the original location of Walters Limited Packing House.

Local orchards provided the fruit that was loaded on to the rail barges to connect to the railway in

Kelowna for their long journey across Canada. It burnt down in 1979.

The  park currently features a gazebo built by the Peachland Rotary Club that provides a venue for civic events and a fully accessible lakefront pier,

a collaborative effort by Peachland Lions, Rotary club, and Sportsman association.

Lakeside Auto & Gas

Built in 1946, Lakeside Auto & Gas was one of 3 gas stations on Beach Ave. Beach Ave was the main highway.

The present highway was built in 1961. Lakeside Auto and Gas is the only known art deco service station in the Okanagan.

It has since become a popular eating place.

Cenotaph

Of the 23 men who left to serve in WWI only six returned. Four names were added after WWII.

Peachland had the most casualties per capita of any municipality in Canada.

Erected in 1921 the Cenotaph first stood on 2nd street beside the Edgewater Inn. It was moved to its present location in 1976.

Edgewater Inn

J.M Robertson’s home was built in 1898. Robertson came for the hold and is credited with founding Peachland and giving it the towns name.

Years later the fir tree in front of the building was carved into a totem pole and the establishment was named the totem inn.

It has since been a hotel, post office, and store. Today the Edgewater is a pub and live music venue.

Clements Store & Gas

The store and Imperial Oil Gas Station were built by James H. Clements around 1908.

Mary Clements baked 300 loaves of bread each week in a brick oven behind the store.

They were gone as soon as they were baked! The location has housed many restaurants over the years.

The Methodist Church

Constructed in 1911, the Methodist Church was the first church in Peachland to have a bell tower.

The bell, donated by T.E Eaton company has rung every Sunday since it became the united church in 1925.

Today “The bargain bin” a popular non-profit second-hand store is located on the lower level.

Little School House

The little school house was built in 1898. C.G Elliot was the first teacher in the one room schoolhouse.

In 1908 the student population outgrew the building and a new school was built on Beach Ave.

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church took over the building until it was deconsecrated as a church in 1990.

In 2001 it was renovated by volinteers and currently houses summer art shows & teas winter art workshops and meetings.

Historic School House

The historic School House was built in 1908. It closed in 2002 and reopened in the fall of 2014 after extensive renovations.

It now houses the Peachland Visitor Centre, Peachland Art Gallery, and the Boys & Girls Club.

The attic houses one of BC’s largest maternal bat colonies.

If Ogopogo is real what is it?

 

Celebrate the magic of N’ha-a-itk
sacred spirit of the lake a.k.a. Ogopogo
Worlds most credible sea serpent North America’s most famous sea serpent
Ogopogo has been seen in the lake Okanagan for thousands of years first by the indigenous Okanogan nation when it was known as the N’ha-a-itk lake monster and since 1872 by those of western culture
You can capture the magic
Come see for yourself Ogopogo lives near the West Bank first nations across lake Okanogan from Peachland in a cave more than 700 feet below water level by rattlesnake Ogopogo island and squally point
Ogopogo myth or real
People living around lake Okanogan have kept one eye on the lake since they were kids hoping to see Ogopogo many have seen it some more than once many you don’t talk about it for fear of ridicule
Many sightings have been attributed to being beavers large sturgeon water anomalies or other explainable events some say Ogopogo is but a native legend a water spirit kept alive for lessons to be learned from storytelling
Scotland’s Loch Ness may have the same as far as lake monsters go but for many monster searchers cryptozoologist Ogopogo is the most likely and best documented of all lake monsters
The catalogue of films and video of Ogopogo are more numerous and a better quality than anything I’ve personally seen at Lock ness and I believe that several of them are very persuasive that a large living unknown creature inhabits the lake (John Kirk BC scientific cryptozoology club )
1968 Folden and 1980 Tahl films are best examples
First Nations legends of N’ha-a-itk 
There are dozens of repeated lake monsters/sea serpents around the world but what makes ogle pogo especially interesting is its previous incarnation in Canadian first nation legends as a ferocious sea serpent called N’ha-a-itk that would command an animal sacrifice from travellers for safe passage across Lake Okanagan hundreds of years ago whenever natives adventure into the lake they brought chickens or other small animals to drop into the water to assure safe journey
As with most first nation legends there is a lesson within according to Westbank First Nation
“N’ha-a-itk is a metaphor for sustainability and a good topic to express our connection to the land
The meaning of N’ha-a-itk is secret spirit of the lake not like demon or monster
If N’ha-a-itk disappears due to pollution and miss use of the water so do the plants medicine trees and foods that’s sustain us
For this reason Westbank First Nation embraces N’ha-a-itk as is obvious on our logo as an important figure in our history and connection to the land.
N’ha-a-itk & the syilx people are calling to visitors to respect the lake secret source of water because water is life
What does Ogopogo look like 
the most common description among many hundreds of sightings is a 40 to 60 foot beast perhaps with horns smooth skin and some scales dark green/black skin with a saw tooth back and a head resembling one of a horse snake sheep or alligator one WFN siding from several generations ago described a horse like head with antlers and hair much like the postage stamp
Serpent versus Lake monster 
the terms are entertainable sea serpent describes appearance and possible origin and mon monster has evolved is a cute and cuddly mascot even in the 1920s fairies built for the lake or plan to be armed with monster repelling devices that plan was cancelled
today in Western culture ogle pogo is a regional mascot and hero a cuddly bringer of cheer and love why the change likely because ogle pogo has not been known to hurt people rather when chased it is more likely to depart the area quickly
for both indigenous and western cultures ogle pogo is now a benevolent creature
Some believe Ogopogo can be explained as a kind of prehistoric water dinosaur left over from the Ice Age. for example an animal similar to an extinct Plesiosaur( marine reptile)  was caught near New Zealand in 1977 most researchers later concluded it was a basking shark but the plesiosaur theory persists about the Ogopogo. Long neck with small heads and long tails Plesiosaurs would have been trapped when glaciers melted like (Okanagan was gouged out by glaciers and is very deep)
Some say Ogopogo is a primitive whale. Basilosaurus cetoides which echoes the log-like Ogopogo at rest.
Either way, some say that Ogopogo and Nessie are the same type of creature and can travel to see each other through underground waterways.
Here is an image that captures what most viewers say Ogopogo looks like in lake Okanagan, showing rattlesnake island (some say Ogopogo island) in the background.
Some exclamations are more Exoteric. They see the Ogopogo and other sea serpents and creatures as living forever past and future vibrating at different frequencies to be seen at different times and different places fourth dimension comes to mind
In any case there have been hundreds even thousands of credible sightings of Ogopogo many documented in books written by Mary Moon and Arlene gaal and on the website Ogopogo quest authored by Bill Steciuk

The Peachland Community Arts Council - CANADA 150 PROJECT

To commemorate Canadas birthday the Arts Council challenges themselves by asking locals  and tourists alike to assist them in breaking a Guinness world record. We needed excess of 2603 individual participants (the record number at the time held by a school in china) for the most contributors to participate in a “paint by number”. Not only did we put together a unique and interesting way to celebrate Canadas birthday, the project itself engaged Peachlanders and others from literally around the world as they brought family and friends into our Art Gallery to paint their 1” square and receive the commemorative postcard. It was an outstanding effort by everyone involved, drew a large number of people into the gallery and Peachland gained international exposure. We were in the process of receiving official verification when it was reported that 13,284 people in Doha, Qatar shattered our record of 6048 participants. Considering the demographics of the city of Doha, with a population base in excess of 1.5 million, Peachland should be extremely proud of itself! We know we are! Although we never officially held the Guinness world record, we do believe that it is still a a Canadian, if not North American record.
The picture
Taken about 1914, this rare picture of Peachland’s waterfront shows the ss Sicamous docked at the CPR wharf. It was from there many of the towns young men would board this boat to go to World War I. Unfortunately Peachland suffered more losses per capita than any other community in Canada at a total loss of 17 soldiers. They are honored on our towns cenotaph.
-the buildings on the lakeside are from left to right, the lakeview hotel (which would later move to J.M Robinsons home and become the Edgewater hotel. It has also been known as the totem inn as well.
-next to it is the Cutbill and Eyre livery stable.
– the building with the roof ventilators and chimney out front was one of BCs first jam factories.
-the last building with the square false front of 2 stories was the Peachland fruit union packing house.
-in the foreground is the famous eight sided Baptist church which is now the proud home of the Peachland museum.
*additional information available at the Peachland museum*

Peachland History

Gathering Power

Trepanier Creek saw its first dam, built of wood in 1909, replaced by concrete in  1938. Remains are still visible on the Stave Pipe Hiking Trail

Laundry Service

It’s 5:30am on Washday Wednesday as we call it. I have only 3 hours before the power is cut. I won’t have another chance for power until four o’clock this afternoon when they open the dam again. We have until midnight but..

Before, we had an extra two hours of power on Washday Wednesday, but now that’s gone. I pay extra to use my iron and they’re telling me how many lights I can use in my own home! I Try to avoid some of my water and power fees but they say I have  to pay because money helps repay the town’s government loan.

1909 – The township of Peachland was incorporated as a municipality in order to secure a debenture from the provincial government for the construction of a power system diverting approximately 50% of dam water to a reservoir through a wire-bound wooden pipeline.

1916 – The popularity of electric irons caused a strain on Washday Wednesday; the extra daytime hours of power were cut, and a monthly fee of 25 cents was applied to electric iron users.

1922 – Half day power cuts helped satisfy the growing demand for power and reduced strain on the plant

1942 – Extensive work was required to maintain and upgrade the overburdened plant; however, funding was unavailable due to delinquent tax payments

1945  – The provincial government created the BC power commission to acquire small utilities extending electrification in rural areas, building or modernizing both generating plants and transmission systems.

1947 – Peachland taxpayers voted 100 – 1 to sell the power systems to the BC power commission

 

Gathering Peaches

Many worked as loggers in winter and orchardists in the summer making logging and the fruit industry complementary partners.

Many Yellow Pine trees needed to be cleared for the orchardists to plant the fruit trees. The Pine logs were then used to build the orchardist homes and years later when the fruit began to grow, raw material was used to build boxes for packing and shipping.

 

Lambly Ranch

It’s 1887, and we are the Lamby Brothers rounding up horses and cattle on our settlement. We found this quiet, flat piece of land and built our home; were the only ones here as far as the eye can see. We planted 5 acres of fruit trees, our favorite being peaches. While we wait a couple of years for the trees to bear fruit, we are wondering what will become of this land…

1887 –  The Lambly brothers built the first home in the area which became known as Lambly Landing, located beside Trepanier Creek.

1889 – The commission of Lands and Works was established in Victoria BC, dividing out blocks of land accompanied by an official title; this was the beginning of early settlement in Peachland.

1890 –  JM Robinson visited Lambly Ranch. He purchased the adjacent land and formed the Peachland townsite company limited, naming the area Peachland.

1898 –  JM Robinson laid out the townsite and sub-divided the land into 10 acre parcels; they were easier ti sell than mine claims.

1905 – The first packing house in the area was built on lake Okanagan

1955 – The packing house closed its doors and was later forced into bankruptcy

1979  – The packing house burnt to the ground after deteriorating badly over the years. Many boasted they’d rid the town of the old eye-store but there was no proof. The mystery is still unsolved.

WHERE ARE THE PEACHLAND PEACHES?

The winter of 1949 to 1950 was devastating for the orchardists with spring temperatures dropping to -40 degrees, causing the lake to freeze over and wiping out the peach trees; other tree fruits suffered heavy damage as well. While locals enjoyed ice skating across the lake, it meant disaster for both the growers and the packing house.

 

Gathering Timber

Logging became the first sustainable industry in Peachland with five mills operating until the early 1970s

Trees of the Region

When the first pioneers settled in the area the hills of Peachland were covered in mature ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees. IT was not uncommon to also find jack pine, cottonwood, birch, maple, and cedar trees

 

Billy Miller

The names Billy Miller and they say I’m a legend, the most famous of Peachland loggers. Don’t know about that but I’m a big redheaded red-mustached man who’s hard to miss. I spend my days in the hills above Peachland. My men and I fell trees, dragging logs to the chutes using teams of horses. I’m proud of how steadily the logs move to the lake down the chutes, many of which I built myself. The logs scream down faster than a hungry cougar!

The first one I built was the drought hill chute in 1912. It carried the heavy Glen Rosa stand to the lake. The logs were hauled to the head of the chute by horses in the summer and sleigh in the winter

Another of my earlier chutes was a mile south of deep creek near Greta Ranch. This one ended on a high bank above the road. THe logs travelled with such momentum they shot high in the air across the rutted lakeshore road ending in the lake with a mighty splash!

I’m most proud of my chute just south of Deep Creek. It’s the longest and most spectacular! She runs over a mile long (1.6km) crossing the road at antlers beach. There’s little traffic on the road in 1922 but about 4 to 6 cars bounced down into the chute rut and out again each day, and one can often see a blue trail of smoke from the head generated by those logs burling down that chute. Sand is used to slow up logs on the fast places and tallow or good old animal fat saved by our wives to speed up the pace when they slow. It’s a wonder to See!

 

Sawdust

It’s 1899 and two of us had another hard day working with the pit saw making planks for flooring. It was down in the put pulling down on the saw getting covered in sawdust while up top my partner was straining to pull the saw back up. That’s how some of us got our names like Hugh “sawdust” McDougall who introduced our first portable sawmill

Dangers of Logging

Though logging and sawmills were the most booming industry in Peachland they were not without danger. Men were run over by their own loads, mauled by runaway saws in mills and of course some would often lose their fingers.

Charlie Pope

Such was the case with me, Charlie Pope, I was tending to one of those more modern bladed machines when I was soon without my right index finger. Upon recovering I was showing the guys how the accident happened and all of a sudden my left index finger was gone too! True Story!

1900  – Hugh McDougall Sawmill built at the site of camp Hewitt Wharf

1905 – Lee Mills Sawmill Co. LTD near garnet valley dam

1942 – Dan C. Cousins Sawmill on Trepanier Bench

1943 –  Dell and Witt purchased Dan C. Cousins Sawmill on Trepanier Bench

1944 – Peachland Sawmill and Box company was built by “Tiny” Dell and Neil Witt

1954 – Peachland Sawmill and Box Company was sold

1958  – Peachland Sawmill and Box Company was closed

1945 – Trautman-Garraway Mill

1955 – Trautman-Garraway Mill became Simpson’s sawmill and then Crown Zellerbach, the largest sawmill in Peachland history.

 

Gathering Minerals

Pincushion Mountain: The Promise of Gold

Hi, I’m J.M Robinson, a former newspaper man, teacher, and MLA from Manitoba. My wife and I rode pack horses into the Okanagan looking to do a bit of prospecting on our holiday. Were loaded with mining gear and have fallen in love with the area. I recently spoke with clairvoyant Mrs. Gillespie, a psychic who uses mineral psychometry to divine the best placement for a mine. I believe she will help me strike it rich.

It’s spring and we’re here at Gladstone Mine. We’ve Stockpiled gold over winter and it’s time for rawhiding. We have to pile the ore and tie it in raw cowhide, load the packhorses, and drag the lot down to the wharf. We’ve blessed our rock and tunneled in by hanging for 100 feet! We hope this works out.. It’s been hard.

 

Headwaters Lake: The Promise of Silver

JM Robinson here again. We are up in the hills near Headwaters Lake. I’ve purchased Silver King Mine. It has a tunnel that is 165 feet long with a vertical shaft at the end, the longest tunnel of these times, so I think this is going to be my chance to make it big!

 

Trepanier Creek: The Promise of Copper

Hi, I’m Bob Bechtel. I’ve reclaimed the Copper King Mine that’s been abandoned for 10 years! The prospectors before me tunneled about 185 feet along a 12 inch vein of chalcopyrite-molybdenum hoping to find gold or silver. They didn’t realize the value of low grade ore, molybdenum and abandoned the site in 1944, overlooking a golden opportunity! It’s going to take some convincing but I know this ore has grand potential…

 

A Lost Mine: The Promise of Gold

Many have tried to find a gold mine supposedly located on the mountain across from Peachland, but no one has had success.. Read on to hear the tale..

“Lost Gold Mine” Near Peachland Rouses Interest. Story that has become almost legendary is revived again! Peachland BC August 27, 1935

During the early mining years Leon D. McArtner discovered a rich find of ore across from Peachland on Okanagan lake. Marking the location with a pile of stones and fixing the proximity of their location to the town in their minds they returned home to tell of this rich find. Although many efforts were made to locate this site again, all were met with ill success… later there were reports of a Swedish prospector finding the markings made by Mr McCall and his partner but he in turn lost them and could not trace his way back to the place he had found.

At another time, firefighters working in the area his shovels to be retrieved later but could not find them.. With the steep ravines, rough country and an abundance of rattlesnakes the region is practically inaccessible… but perhaps…

 

The Eleven Mines

Molybdenum, copper: Brenda Mines, 1970: Operational for 20 years. Successful

Gold:  Gladstone mine: 1887, south side of pincushion mountain

Silver: Silver King Mine, Silver Queen Mine: 1888 located 9 miles apart on Glenn Robinson Mountain

Molybdenum, low grade ore, Copper king mine 1927 and Iron Horse Mine: Near the dam at Brenda Lake, Abandoned in 1944 after tunneling 185 ft, no success!

Copper, Silver, Gold, Bluebell Mine:  1934 near Lookout Mountain, tunneled in 6o0 feet

No Ore: Derby Gypsy Mine: 1934-1935, 60 feet into the side of a knoll of land. No success

Gold, Silver: Brinson Mines: Silver Lakes & Wilson Mountain. 1930’s up to 5 men working on 4 mine shafts and tunnels. Successful.

No Ore: Dandy Mines: Spring creek area, 150 foot deep tunnel, flooded. No success.

Magnetite, Kathleen Mines: near Glen Lake at Thirsk Road, early 1900’s and 1960 15 foot tunnel, magnetite (magnetic iron)

1887  –  The first record of mining activity at camp Hewitt mining & Development company

1888 – J.M Robinson formed the Canadian and American Gold Mining Co. and purchased Camp Hewitt Mining, renaming it Gladstone Mine

1901 – G. Hewitt built a wharf at the present day junction of Renfrew Road and Hwy 97 to ship gold ore to Tacoma, Washington for Smelting  – Logging, sawmills and agriculture all contributed to the upcoming vibrant community along with mining

1970  – Brenda Mine created the largest population growth in Peachland, but a capital outlay of $63.5 million was required to begin operation. A Substantial long term benefit to Peachland from Brenda Mine was increased capacity for water storage

1990 –  Brenda Mine ceased production

 

 

Thomas Shorts

I’m Captain Thomas D. Shorts operating a ferry service aboard my 22-foot rowboat, the Ruth Shorts. She can carry 2.5 tons and boasts a small sail. In good weather the round trip from Okanagan Landing to Penticton, 75 miles each way, takes about 9 days. My freight transport is steady, but I can carry only one paying passenger per month.

I have finally saved enough to invest in a 35 ft steamship, the Mary Victoria Green bow! No more rowing for me; this beauty is powered by an oil fired steam engine. Well, it’s my first trip but I’ve run out of fuel only halfway to Penticton! Now to have to borrow kerosene from cabins along the way…

1858  – After years of Packhorse trains delivering people and good the first wagons reached Peachland via the steep and rugged Fur Brigade Trail

1883  – Travel by water was the safest and most efficient the sternwheeler fleet grew to include the SS Aberdeen, SS York, SS Okanagan and SS Sicamous

1892  – The SS Sicamous and SS Okanagan CPR spur line connected Vernon to the north and Penticton to the south, including telegraph service

1906 – The first car arrived in Peachland by following the original Fur Brigade Trail of 1858

1914  – SS Naramata, a CPR launched steam tug pushed barged and broke ice on Okanagan Lake

1926 – The MV Kelowna, a CNR launched gas powered vessel was the first of its kind on Okanagan Lake

1936 – Steamships were joined on the lake by an increased presence of tugs and barges

1958 – Okanagan lake Bridge opened, connecting Hwy 97 to the north and south, replacing the revered steam wheelers and allowing for increased vehicle transportation

 

Highway 97

In 1953 highway 97 – The former Beach Ave – was completed, becoming the longest continuous highway in Canada at 2081 kilometers in length, running from the US border to the Yukon. Highway construction had to contend with the local formidable barriers, known as “the bumps” , large, solid, rocky outcroppings rising from the lake.

The Fur Brigade Trail

Over 100 years ago, this trail was used by fur traders to transport their goods from Peachland to Summerland and back. You can still see parts of the old irrigation flumes used to transport water from creeks and springs on the mountain down into the orchards and farms.

Discover this 7.9-km out-and-back trail near Peachland, British Columbia. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 40 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. – Alltrails.com

© 2024 Peachland Visitor Centre

Website designed by FS Creative