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.

 

Marjorie and Earl Tomyn were excited to open a photography studio in Salmon Arm in 1976. Earl had a lot of photography and darkroom experience. He attended the Falk School of Professional Photography in Maryville, Missouri and worked at the Fairview Post, the Edmonton Journal and in several photography studios in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Minnesota. Earl’s Photo Studio closed in 1993. Image courtesy the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum

Shuswap history in pictures: Photographic memory

Marjorie and Earl Tomyn were excited to open a photography studio in…

  • Nov 17, 2020

 

One of the curator’s favourite photos, this crisp black and white shot features the bandstand that was across the road from Bedford’s Pharmacy (the Toronto Dominion Bank). Imagine the photographer hanging out a second storey window to record this scene. The entertainment: soldiers marching during a staged exercise and a break from their rail journey. Where were they headed? Image is from the Denis Marshall collection and courtesy the Salmon Arm Museum at R.J. Haney Heritage Village

Shuswap history in pictures: Rail stop

Soldiers march during a staged exercise and a break from their rail journey

  • Nov 3, 2020
One of the curator’s favourite photos, this crisp black and white shot features the bandstand that was across the road from Bedford’s Pharmacy (the Toronto Dominion Bank). Imagine the photographer hanging out a second storey window to record this scene. The entertainment: soldiers marching during a staged exercise and a break from their rail journey. Where were they headed? Image is from the Denis Marshall collection and courtesy the Salmon Arm Museum at R.J. Haney Heritage Village
This is one of those photographs that has staff at the Salmon Arm Museum archives. On the back of the image, the photographer wrote, “Eagle Harbour on the North Shore. Tolley thinks there should be some blue bass down there.” Is he or she referring to Eagle Harbour in North Vancouver? And who is Tolley? He also sent a postcard from Banff. How did he know Salmon Arm’s Kew family? Let us know if you know Tolley! Reach us at the archives@salmonarmmuseum.org. Image courtesy the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: Eagle harbour?

Message on back of photo a mystery for museum staff

  • Oct 27, 2020
This is one of those photographs that has staff at the Salmon Arm Museum archives. On the back of the image, the photographer wrote, “Eagle Harbour on the North Shore. Tolley thinks there should be some blue bass down there.” Is he or she referring to Eagle Harbour in North Vancouver? And who is Tolley? He also sent a postcard from Banff. How did he know Salmon Arm’s Kew family? Let us know if you know Tolley! Reach us at the archives@salmonarmmuseum.org. Image courtesy the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.
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 Sicamous cub scout pack in 1974. (Sicamous and District Historical Society Photo)

Shuswap History in Pictures: Cub scouts

Do you recognize any familiar faces among the 1974 Sicamous cub scout pack?

The Sicamous cub scout pack in 1974. (Sicamous and District Historical Society Photo)
Shuswap history in pictures: Around the cenotaph

Shuswap history in pictures: Around the cenotaph

Do you remember when Salmon Arm’s cenotaph was fenced?

  • Oct 12, 2020
Shuswap history in pictures: Around the cenotaph
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)
John and Ross Graham stand proudly by a large load of logs on their truck in 1941. (Sicamous and District Historical Society Photo)

Shuswap History in Pictures: Fully Loaded

John and Ross Graham show off an impressive load of logs bound for the sawmill in 1941.

John and Ross Graham stand proudly by a large load of logs on their truck in 1941. (Sicamous and District Historical Society Photo)
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)
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)
Shuswap history in pictures: Back to school

Shuswap history in pictures: Back to school

When will the weather change?

  • Sep 10, 2020
Shuswap history in pictures: Back to school
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 was 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)