history

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

 

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.

 

(File photo)

BC Hall of Fame seeks memorabilia from legendary Vernon senior hockey team

The Hall is hoping to add items from the 1956 Vernon Canadians to a new exhibit at the SOEC

 

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)
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)
Vernon’s Historic O’Keefe Ranch has found the means to stay open for weekends through October and possibly for its operations in December, the ranch said Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. The ranch with more than 150 years of history has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. ((O’Keefe Ranch/Facebook)

Support keeps Vernon’s O’Keefe Ranch afloat through fall

The ranch hit hard by COVID-19 will stay open through October, possibly December

Vernon’s Historic O’Keefe Ranch has found the means to stay open for weekends through October and possibly for its operations in December, the ranch said Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020. The ranch with more than 150 years of history has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. ((O’Keefe Ranch/Facebook)
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 Vernon 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)
Coldstream Elementary School Grade 1 student Pat Marzoff (back row, left) has vivid memories of the first day of school 65 years ago in September 1955. (Marzoff family photo)

First day of school in Coldstream fondly remembered

Retired Vernon mechanic Pat Marzoff was accompanied by mom into classroom, and she stayed

Coldstream Elementary School Grade 1 student Pat Marzoff (back row, left) has vivid memories of the first day of school 65 years ago in September 1955. (Marzoff family 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)
25 years later: The water skiing legend on Kalamalka Lake

25 years later: The water skiing legend on Kalamalka Lake

A group of waterskiers were towed behind a plane on Kalamalka Lake back in 1995

25 years later: The water skiing legend on Kalamalka Lake
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)
In June 1978, crews were in Summerland to film a movie. The movie filming included a parade along Main Street. Around 2,000 Summerland residents were part of the parade. This included a marching band, led by John Tamblyn. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Movie was filmed in Summerland in 1978

Who’ll Save Our Children was aired on CBS Dec. 16, 1978

  • Aug 18, 2020
In June 1978, crews were in Summerland to film a movie. The movie filming included a parade along Main Street. Around 2,000 Summerland residents were part of the parade. This included a marching band, led by John Tamblyn. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
The Darke Lake area is a popular hunting area. In 1910, hunters from Summerland and Peachland built three cabins. Their names were Ken Hogg, Robert Hogg and Hamilton Lang. Because of their names, the area became know as the Piggeries. One of these hunting cabins still exists. (Photo courtesy of Al Tinka)

Hunting cabins were built west of Summerland

Area around Darke Lake was once known as the Piggeries

The Darke Lake area is a popular hunting area. In 1910, hunters from Summerland and Peachland built three cabins. Their names were Ken Hogg, Robert Hogg and Hamilton Lang. Because of their names, the area became know as the Piggeries. One of these hunting cabins still exists. (Photo courtesy of Al Tinka)
Polson Park track and field meet, 1940. Larry ‘Laurie’ Kwong, representing Vernon High School (VHS) broke the tape in first place. Larry later went on to break the National Hockey League colour barrier when he became the first person of Asian ancestry to play in league with the New York Rangers in 1948. {Greater Vernon Museum and Archives #31122)

Vernon’s History in Pictures

Legendary Vernon hockey player Larry Kwong was fast off the ice as well

Polson Park track and field meet, 1940. Larry ‘Laurie’ Kwong, representing Vernon High School (VHS) broke the tape in first place. Larry later went on to break the National Hockey League colour barrier when he became the first person of Asian ancestry to play in league with the New York Rangers in 1948. {Greater Vernon Museum and Archives #31122)
The S.S. Okanagan’s maiden voyage was on April 27 1907. The ship had a capacity of 250 passengers. These ships not only transported people. They were also used for freight and especially important to tow train cars loaded with Okanagan fruit destined for Calgary and other eastern destinations.(Photo courtesy of the Okanagan Archive Trust Society)

Sternwheelers once plied Okanagan Lake

Vessels once transported passengers and goods along the Okanagan Valley

The S.S. Okanagan’s maiden voyage was on April 27 1907. The ship had a capacity of 250 passengers. These ships not only transported people. They were also used for freight and especially important to tow train cars loaded with Okanagan fruit destined for Calgary and other eastern destinations.(Photo courtesy of the Okanagan Archive Trust Society)
Recognize any of these young faces learning to swim and beating the summer heat at the old pool in Polson Park (where the spray park is now)? How about the instructor at bottom left? This picture is from the summer of 1958. (Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Photo #23060)

Our History In Pictures

Back to a time when Vernon’s Polson Park housed an actual swimming pool

Recognize any of these young faces learning to swim and beating the summer heat at the old pool in Polson Park (where the spray park is now)? How about the instructor at bottom left? This picture is from the summer of 1958. (Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Photo #23060)