history

This historic photo is of ice skaters on Wittups Pond overlooking Glenmore, taken sometime in about 1914. Harry Wolff sent the photo to the Capital News stating he had receieved it from the Kelowna Centennial Museum. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Wittups Pond circa 1914

  • Dec 2, 2021

 

Spectators watching Summerland’s ski jumping competition at the community’s ski hill in Meadow Valley in 1956. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland had ski hill in 1940s and 1950s

Community’s ski hill was in Meadow Valley area

 

This historic photo is of an apple packing plant, in Kelowna, taken sometime in the early 1900s. Harry Wolff sent the photo to the Capital News after friends of his living in Sandbach, Cheshire (United Kingdom) found it at a public auction, possibly from someone’s private estate. The friends thought it would be nice for Wolff to have after they visited Kelowna some years ago. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Apple packing plant

  • Nov 25, 2021

 

Summerland’s Rotary Club was founded in 1946. From 1951 to 1956, the Rotary Club offered free swimming lessons at Powell Beach. In 1956, a portion of the shoreline of Summerland’s Lowertown was cleared. In 1957, the new Rotary Beach was officially opened. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Swimming lessons once offered at Summerland beaches

Beginning in 1950s, lessons were offered at Powell Beach and later at Rotary Beach

Summerland’s Rotary Club was founded in 1946. From 1951 to 1956, the Rotary Club offered free swimming lessons at Powell Beach. In 1956, a portion of the shoreline of Summerland’s Lowertown was cleared. In 1957, the new Rotary Beach was officially opened. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
This historic photo is of Bernard Avenue and Pandosy Street in 1912. It appears these little piggies went to market, sunning themself on the downtown corner. According to an avid Capital News reader who submitted the photo, it appears these piggies didn't know they were destined for Casorso's Sanitary Meat Market. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Piggies go to market

  • Nov 18, 2021
This historic photo is of Bernard Avenue and Pandosy Street in 1912. It appears these little piggies went to market, sunning themself on the downtown corner. According to an avid Capital News reader who submitted the photo, it appears these piggies didn't know they were destined for Casorso's Sanitary Meat Market. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
Operation of the howitzers at Roger Pass when the program was started in 1961. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives)

60 years of avalanche control in Rogers Pass

The avalanche control system, run by Parks Canada alongside the Canadian Military, started in 1961

Operation of the howitzers at Roger Pass when the program was started in 1961. (Revelstoke Museum and Archives)
The clock tower at the corner of Main Street and Victoria Road in Summerland was installed in the 1980s. The iconic landmark was set up when Summerland had a Tudor theme in place in its downtown. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Historic Summerland clock tower was part of community theme

Summerland once had a Tudor theme in place in its downtown

The clock tower at the corner of Main Street and Victoria Road in Summerland was installed in the 1980s. The iconic landmark was set up when Summerland had a Tudor theme in place in its downtown. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
This historic photo is of Kelowna during the roaring 1920s. The photo is a Ribelin Photo image of Kelowna's Bernard Avenue. The image comes from a postcard and was shared on the Old Kelowna Facebook page. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Bernard Avenue in the 1920s

  • Nov 4, 2021
This historic photo is of Kelowna during the roaring 1920s. The photo is a Ribelin Photo image of Kelowna's Bernard Avenue. The image comes from a postcard and was shared on the Old Kelowna Facebook page. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
Emma Scholefield, left, and Thea Scholefield show a banner of their great, great uncle, Charles Edward Russel Hall. He is one of Summerland’s fallen soldiers from the First World War. (Contributed)

Banners recognize Summerland’s fallen soldiers

Two names of fallen soldiers from First World War added to community’s banners

  • Nov 2, 2021
Emma Scholefield, left, and Thea Scholefield show a banner of their great, great uncle, Charles Edward Russel Hall. He is one of Summerland’s fallen soldiers from the First World War. (Contributed)
An alien invasion did not occur in New Jersey in October, 1938. (Pixabay.com)

COLUMN: The night the Martians didn’t invade earth

Chaos and panic resulted from a radio drama

An alien invasion did not occur in New Jersey in October, 1938. (Pixabay.com)
This historic photo is of Kelowna's Inn Towner Motel, taken sometime in the 1960s. The hotel was located at 1627 Abbott Street, which later became the Abbott Villa on the Lake for a number of years, before turning into Hotel Zed. The image comes from a postcard and was shared on the Old Kelowna Facebook page. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Kelowna’s Inn Towner Motel

  • Oct 28, 2021
This historic photo is of Kelowna's Inn Towner Motel, taken sometime in the 1960s. The hotel was located at 1627 Abbott Street, which later became the Abbott Villa on the Lake for a number of years, before turning into Hotel Zed. The image comes from a postcard and was shared on the Old Kelowna Facebook page. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
The Major Hutton home on Reynolds Avenue is one of Summerland’s heritage homes. However, unlike other old homes in the community, this one is believed to have a ghost. (Contributed)

Ghost sightings abound at Summerland heritage home

Sightings reported of elderly man and white dog at Major Hutton home

  • Oct 27, 2021
The Major Hutton home on Reynolds Avenue is one of Summerland’s heritage homes. However, unlike other old homes in the community, this one is believed to have a ghost. (Contributed)
This historic photo is of Rutland Road looking north, perhaps taken sometime after 1935. According to Jeanette Weber, the Meat Market featured to the right of the photo, was built by her father in 1935 and sold in 1955. Also along the street at the time was the Rutland Hall (left) and a gas station just behind the trees. The image was taken from a 2015 Central Okanagan Heritage Week video on YouTube titled: "Main Street: At the Heart of the Community”. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Undated early photo of Rutland Road

  • Oct 21, 2021
This historic photo is of Rutland Road looking north, perhaps taken sometime after 1935. According to Jeanette Weber, the Meat Market featured to the right of the photo, was built by her father in 1935 and sold in 1955. Also along the street at the time was the Rutland Hall (left) and a gas station just behind the trees. The image was taken from a 2015 Central Okanagan Heritage Week video on YouTube titled: "Main Street: At the Heart of the Community”. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
According to the earliest maps of the Okanagan Valley, the Summerland area was called Nicola Prairie. This name meant the land of Nicola; Grand Chief Nicola. In 1845, Chief Nicola was protected by eighty bodyguards. In 1902, when Summerland was founded, only three Indigenous families remained: the Johnny Pierre, Antoine Pierre and William Manuel families. The children of these three families attended Summerland’s first official school in 1904. This photograph shows William Manuel’s home in the lower left corner. The road, left of the home would become Rosedale Avenue. The home was surrounded by Alf Richardson’s lumber yard. Today, the Manuel house would be located close to the Summerland Animal Clinic. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland was once known as Nicola Prairie

Downtown Summerland was once Penticton Indian Reserve #3

According to the earliest maps of the Okanagan Valley, the Summerland area was called Nicola Prairie. This name meant the land of Nicola; Grand Chief Nicola. In 1845, Chief Nicola was protected by eighty bodyguards. In 1902, when Summerland was founded, only three Indigenous families remained: the Johnny Pierre, Antoine Pierre and William Manuel families. The children of these three families attended Summerland’s first official school in 1904. This photograph shows William Manuel’s home in the lower left corner. The road, left of the home would become Rosedale Avenue. The home was surrounded by Alf Richardson’s lumber yard. Today, the Manuel house would be located close to the Summerland Animal Clinic. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
This historic photo is of the City Park Cafe, circa 1920s. The cafe was owned by J. Quong and was located on the northeast corner of Abbott Street and Harvey Avenue, where the Prestige Beach House sits today. According to the Old Kelowna Facebook page, the Quong family operated this business from 1913 until it closed in 1964. "They were well known for staying open as long as customers wanted making it a favourite late-night hangout for many years," stated the Facebook page. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Cal Blackwood’s livery barn circa 1902

  • Oct 7, 2021
This historic photo is of the City Park Cafe, circa 1920s. The cafe was owned by J. Quong and was located on the northeast corner of Abbott Street and Harvey Avenue, where the Prestige Beach House sits today. According to the Old Kelowna Facebook page, the Quong family operated this business from 1913 until it closed in 1964. "They were well known for staying open as long as customers wanted making it a favourite late-night hangout for many years," stated the Facebook page. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
When the Summerland Development Company sold land in 1906, the company created a map to show the route to Summerland. The company president was Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

1906 map created to show how to get to Summerland

Many early settlers came to Okanagan from the Prairies

When the Summerland Development Company sold land in 1906, the company created a map to show the route to Summerland. The company president was Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Camas flowers in full bloom. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Vancouver Island camas meadows reveal agricultural impact of B.C. colonialism

Lekwungen food expert Cheryl Bryce looks to raise awareness of traditional food systems

  • Sep 30, 2021
Camas flowers in full bloom. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
This historic photo is of Cal Blackwood's livery barn circa 1902. The photo was taken about three years before Kelowna became a city, which occurred in 1905 when the population was just 600. The picture was posted to the Facebook group Old Kelowna by Emma Oliver. "It looks like it came straight out of an old west cowboy movie," commented Old Kelowna. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Cal Blackwood’s livery barn circa 1902

  • Sep 30, 2021
This historic photo is of Cal Blackwood's livery barn circa 1902. The photo was taken about three years before Kelowna became a city, which occurred in 1905 when the population was just 600. The picture was posted to the Facebook group Old Kelowna by Emma Oliver. "It looks like it came straight out of an old west cowboy movie," commented Old Kelowna. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
This historic photo is of Kelowna's Royal Bank of Canada in the 1920s at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Mill Street. The Royal Bank was the second bank to set up in the city, originally in 1907 in the old wood-frame first Lequime store, across Bernard Avenue. It then moved to the Bernard and Mill location and remained there until the 1960s, when Montreal Trust, another national financial institution, became the new occupant. Today, this is the location of Kelly O'Bryan's.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Kelowna’s Royal Bank of Canada circa 1920s

  • Sep 23, 2021
This historic photo is of Kelowna's Royal Bank of Canada in the 1920s at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Mill Street. The Royal Bank was the second bank to set up in the city, originally in 1907 in the old wood-frame first Lequime store, across Bernard Avenue. It then moved to the Bernard and Mill location and remained there until the 1960s, when Montreal Trust, another national financial institution, became the new occupant. Today, this is the location of Kelly O'Bryan's.
This historic photo is timely as students head back to class, as this picture is of the first day back at Glen Avenue Elementary School in 1952. According to the City of Kelowna, the historic two-storey red brick Old Glenn Avenue School was built in an Edwardian institutional style in 1910 at 1633 Richter St. in the North Central Neighbourhood. The building held six classrooms and was constructed by H.W. Raymer as the first brick school in Kelowna. In the 1980s, it became the Downtown Youth Centre of the Kelowna and District Boys and Girls Club, which continues to operate there. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

Glen Avenue Elementary School circa 1952

  • Sep 9, 2021
This historic photo is timely as students head back to class, as this picture is of the first day back at Glen Avenue Elementary School in 1952. According to the City of Kelowna, the historic two-storey red brick Old Glenn Avenue School was built in an Edwardian institutional style in 1910 at 1633 Richter St. in the North Central Neighbourhood. The building held six classrooms and was constructed by H.W. Raymer as the first brick school in Kelowna. In the 1980s, it became the Downtown Youth Centre of the Kelowna and District Boys and Girls Club, which continues to operate there. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.