history

Group of cowboys on horses out rounding up cattle, 1888. The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives is celebrating Vernon Winter Carnival’s Wild West theme with a virtual trip back in time looking at the ranching days. (GVMA #5021)

Museum rounds up North Okanagan’s wild west past

Vernon Winter Carnival event, Meanwhile…Back at the Ranch, Feb. 9

 

The Hilborn home on Logie Road in Summerland was built by the Nelson brothers, who also built the buildings at the Summerland Research Station. (Contributed)

Early Summerland researcher pioneered greenhouse use

Joseph Hilborn and his brother William advoacated greenhouse work in the early 1900s

  • Jan 13, 2021

 

One of the artillery shells remaining in the Stevenson family collection. The one that is missing has distinctive German script stamped on the base and is believed to have been fired from a massive naval or siege gun. (Contributed)

Family seeks historical artillery shell casing missing from late father’s Shuswap home

The shell was once fired out of an uncommonly large German artillery gun during the First World War

 

The Vernon Towne Cinema is undergoing some seating upgrades during a pandemic related business hiatus, and residents are invited to pick up a free seat from the 1940s Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Upgrades to Vernon Towne Cinema prompt giveaway of chairs from the 1940s

The Towne is using pandemic down-time to upgrade seating, and locals can come claim a piece of Vernon history

The Vernon Towne Cinema is undergoing some seating upgrades during a pandemic related business hiatus, and residents are invited to pick up a free seat from the 1940s Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Dentice di Frasso, a member of Italian nobility, once owned land in Summerland. (Contributed)

Italian nobility family once lived in Summerland

Dentice di Frasso and his family owned land in the Prairie Valley area

  • Nov 28, 2020
Dentice di Frasso, a member of Italian nobility, once owned land in Summerland. (Contributed)
Originally the Summerland Reservoir was a glacial lake formed from surrounding groundwater. Former names have included Barclay Lake and Balcomo Lake. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum.)

Summerland’s reservoir was once a glacial lake

Water supply has had many names over the years.

Originally the Summerland Reservoir was a glacial lake formed from surrounding groundwater. Former names have included Barclay Lake and Balcomo Lake. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum.)
Mackenzie Avenue, with Mount Macpherson in the background, in 1940. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 655)

Glimpses of Revelstoke’s past for Oct. 22

Items from Revelstoke newspapers, as gleaned and edited by Cathy English, curator…

  • Oct 23, 2020
Mackenzie Avenue, with Mount Macpherson in the background, in 1940. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 655)
To guarantee water supply in 1933, Summerland’s Dominion Research Station (now Summerland Research and Development Centre) installed its own Okanagan Lake pumping station. Today, all communities on Okanagan Lake use lake water to supplement their water systems, except the District of Summerland. (Photo courtesy Summerland Museum)

Dominion Research Station once drew water from Okanagan Lake

In 1930s, facility in Summerland used lake water to have a guaranteed supply

To guarantee water supply in 1933, Summerland’s Dominion Research Station (now Summerland Research and Development Centre) installed its own Okanagan Lake pumping station. Today, all communities on Okanagan Lake use lake water to supplement their water systems, except the District of Summerland. (Photo courtesy Summerland Museum)
The community of Summerland was affected by a diphtheria outbreak in 1911. (Summerland Museum image)

Diphtheria outbreak affected Summerland in 1911

Contagious bacterial infection had 10 per cent fatality rate

The community of Summerland was affected by a diphtheria outbreak in 1911. (Summerland Museum image)
Automobile at Columbia River Canyon, just south of the present Revelstoke Dam, circa 1915. (Revelstoke Museum & Archives photo 1333)

Glimpses of Revelstoke’s past for Oct. 8

Local history pulled from newspaper archives

  • Oct 8, 2020
Automobile at Columbia River Canyon, just south of the present Revelstoke Dam, circa 1915. (Revelstoke Museum & Archives photo 1333)
Amanda Hope was 14 when she wrote her note in a bottle. It was 31 years before anyone read it. (Contributed)

Okanagan woman shocked by return of letter in a bottle, after 31 years

‘I honestly didn’t think it would get past the beaver pond.’

Amanda Hope was 14 when she wrote her note in a bottle. It was 31 years before anyone read it. (Contributed)
Glimpses of Revelstoke’s past for Sept. 17

Glimpses of Revelstoke’s past for Sept. 17

Items from Revelstoke newspapers, as gleaned and edited by Cathy English, curator…

  • Sep 18, 2020
Glimpses of Revelstoke’s past for Sept. 17
You might have the entire museum to yourself and your group this fall with small bookings in order to adhere to public health guidelines. (Greater Vernon Museum and Archives)

Fewer people, but more visits added to North Okanagan museum

‘Often, you may have the entire museum to yourself and your group, which could be very cool.’

You might have the entire museum to yourself and your group this fall with small bookings in order to adhere to public health guidelines. (Greater Vernon Museum and Archives)
Members of the Okanagan Historical Society have asked Summerland council for help in preserving an old cabin. One suggestion has been to dismantle the cabin and have it relocated to another site. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Okanagan Historical Society requests action from Summerland

Three heritage projects have been presented to municipality

Members of the Okanagan Historical Society have asked Summerland council for help in preserving an old cabin. One suggestion has been to dismantle the cabin and have it relocated to another site. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Great War Veterans Association (later known as the Revelstoke branch of the Royal Canadian Legion) with a German gun on the front lawn in 1920. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives 5974 photo)

Glimpses pf Revelstoke’s past for Sept. 3

What was making headlines 100 years ago?

  • Sep 4, 2020
Great War Veterans Association (later known as the Revelstoke branch of the Royal Canadian Legion) with a German gun on the front lawn in 1920. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives 5974 photo)
Columbia Park Elementary in under renovations. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

40-year-old treasure map unearthed in Revelstoke school during renovations

‘I hope there won’t be too many holes to fill before school starts’ says Columbia Park principal

Columbia Park Elementary in under renovations. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
The Okanagan Historical Society’s 84th annual report includes several items about Summerland’s history. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland’s history featured in Okanagan Historical Society’s annual report

Three local historians have contributed articles to 2020 publication

The Okanagan Historical Society’s 84th annual report includes several items about Summerland’s history. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
In 1905, Summerland was the first community in the Okanagan Valley to generate its own electrical power. The small square building in the centre of this picture was Summerland’s Electric Light Plant. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland had first electrical system in Okanagan Valley

Community’s electrical utility was created in 1905

In 1905, Summerland was the first community in the Okanagan Valley to generate its own electrical power. The small square building in the centre of this picture was Summerland’s Electric Light Plant. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Summerland’s first wedding took place June 1, 1904, when Harry Dunsdon married Annie Stevens. The wedding took place at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Giants Head Road. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

First wedding in Summerland was held in 1904

Harry Dunsdon and Annie Stevens were both from Middlesex, England

Summerland’s first wedding took place June 1, 1904, when Harry Dunsdon married Annie Stevens. The wedding took place at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Giants Head Road. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Train cars filling the CPR yards at Revelstoke on Aug. 29, 1950, on the eighth day of a nine-day strike. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 2988)

Glimpses of Revelstoke’s past for Aug. 27

From the Revelstoke Museum & Archive archives

  • Aug 27, 2020
Train cars filling the CPR yards at Revelstoke on Aug. 29, 1950, on the eighth day of a nine-day strike. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives photo 2988)