Peachland

History

The Pacific Fur Company established the Brigade Trail, and it was used by fur traders until 1858, when its primary users changed to gold seekers. J.M. Robinson, arguably the father of Peachland, arrived with them in 1898. Robinson was the president of a mining company that operated gold mines on the mountainsides above Peachland. The slopes of the mountains surrounding Peachland at one time held orchards of fruit- most notably peaches. This resulted in the construction of several packinghouses on the waterfront. Sternwheelers and steamboats plied the waters of Okanagan Lake to dock at the town's wharf.

Peachland's Little Schoolhouse was built in 1898 and still stands today, lovingly restored. The Peachland Primary School was constructed in 1908. Two years later Peachland's famous eight-sided church (now the museum) was built in the downtown area.

Long before fur traders and gold seekers came to the area, the Okanagan First Nations knew the area was rich with wildlife. They also knew of Ogopogo, the lake monster, whose home is supposedly in an underwater cave across the lake, between Rattlesnake Island and Squally Point.

Peachland has been home to sawmills, a hydro-electric project on Trepanier Creek, and is home to many kilometers of unobstructed pebble beaches. It is the gateway to Glenn Lake, Headwaters Lakes, Silver Lake and Peachland Lake. Peachland is nestled on the shore of Okanagan Lake and is respectfully tucked into the mountainsides above it. Peachland is a place of natural beauty, charm and over a hundred years of history.

Written by Dave Preston, and taken from the City of Peachland website.

Location

Peachland is a quaint, small town nestled on the shore of Okanagan Lake between Kelowna and Penticton, with a population of approximately 5,000 residents. Peachland is a mere half-hour drive to either Kelowna or Penticton, and just 1 hour to Vernon.

Distances:

25 km South of Kelowna
380 km East of Vancouver
130 km North of the U.S. border
Approximately 50 minutes to Kelowna Airport
Approximately 30 minutes to Downtown Kelowna

Places to See

• Peachland Museum
  
  Built in 1910 as the Peachland Baptist Church, this unique 8-sided building was constucted by volunteers from the church congregation. It was purchased by the government in 1960, and in 1980, the Peachland Historical Society was granted permission to use the building to establishh a Peachland museum.
  
  
• Rattlesnake Island
  
  Directly across the lake from Peachland, this is the largest island in Okanagan Lake. A narrow channel separates the island from the mainland, and many boaters delight in exploring this channel where the water is a deep royal blue and a feeling of mystery exists. Close to the island in one of the underwater caves is said to lie the lair of the Okanagan's legendary monster Ogopogo.
  
  
• Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park
  
  Above the lakeshore are over 10,000 hectares of rugged landscape with mountain lakes, grasslands and spruce-fir forests accessible only on foot, horseback or bicycle. Trails and rustic campsites are the only facilities in this area of the wilderness. A wonderful setting for hikers– a climb to the top of Okanagan Mountain will lead you to beautiful scenic lake views to the west and the Monashee Mountains to the east.
  
  A boater’s paradise, this wilderness park dominates the east side of Okanagan Lake between Kelowna and Penticton. Six marine campgrounds and secluded bays and sheltered sandy beaches tucked into the 33 km of undeveloped shoreline make water exploring a true adventure. Mooring buoys available; horse-loading ramps available in parking lots.
  
  
• The Little Schoolhouse
  
  Built in 1898, the Little Schoolhouse was the community's first school, as well as a church and a hub for public and private meetings. In the year 2002, restoration work on the building was completed (after a Council motion two years prior had called for its demolition), and it now serves, once again, as a hub for the community.
  
  
• Parrot Island
  
  Parrot Island is a unique sanctuary for abandoned and abused exotic birds. Run by Ray Parkes and his wife Valerie, visitors are invited to come and share in their passion for these beautiful animals.
  
  
• Hainle Vinyards
  
  An award-winning organic winery, and the birthplace of Icewine in North America! The wine shop is available daily for tasting and shopping.
  
  There are also a number of other wineries located just minutes away from Peachland.
  
  
• Hardy Falls
  
  Hardy Falls is on Deep Creek at the south end of Peachland, just past the Peachland Lakeshore Inn and beside Antler Beach Trailer Park. The walk to the falls will take from 5 - 30 minutes, depending on how much time you spend admiring the gorgeous scenery. The walkway crosses Deep Creek several times on the way to the falls. It is not uncommon to see fish in the creek along the walk and there are benches to stop, take a break, enjoy the scenery and chat with others along the way. A picnic area and washroom facilities are available for public use, and the walkway is wheelchair accessible.

Things to Do

• Hiking!
  
  The many trails near Peachland provide excellent hiking opportunities.
  
  
• Fishing!
  
  Though known more for boating, water skiing, and water sports, Okanagan Lake contains rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.
  
  
• Land Sports
  
  Peachland has tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and paved areas for rollerblading, skating, and jogging!

Events

• Rattlesnake Island Swim
  
  An annual 3.1 or 7 kilometre swim from Peachland to Rattlesnake Island!
  
  
• Peachland Triathlon
  
  An annual triathlon that features a 750-kilometre swim, a 20-kilometre bike rid, and a 5-kilometre swim.
  
  
• Peachland Beach Run
  
  The annual Peachland Beach Run features a 5-kilometre or 10-kilometre run, and a 5-kilometre Mayor's Walk. Not only is this one of Peachland's Canada Day events, but it is also a fundraiser for children's cancer.
  
  
• World of Wheels Car Show
  
  With Okanagan Lake as the backdrop, this annual car show features street rods, custom cars, and trucks!
  
  
• Ogopogo Arts Festival
  
  Held during the long weekend every August, the main attraction of this festival is the boat competition, wherein families, businesses, and enthusiastic youth groups build boats resembling the Ogopogo. The boats are then brought onto Okanagan Lake for judging.
  
  Incidentally, reports of Ogopogo sightings tend to increase two-fold during this festival.

Notable Comments

• Within Okanagan Lake, near Peachland,
  The famed Ogopogo took my hand.
  I struggled helplessly, as blood poured out,
  And swallowed water, as I tried to shout
  For help; but alas! I found myself alone.
  Blacking out, I sank into the unknown
  Waters. I awakened alive and well,
  In a strange land where unknown monsters dwell.
  
  - Winfield Summerland, in his Gothic epic, "How I Spent My Summer in Peachland"
  
  
• "I like Peach-land!
  
  - Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic four-year old from Kamloops.

Contact Information

City of Peachland

Municipal Office:
5806 Beach Avenue
Peachland, B.C. V0H 1X7

Tel: 250-767-2647
Fax: 250-767-3433
E-mail: lnicholas@peachland.ca
Website: www.peachland.ca

Peachland Chamber of Commerce

5812 Beach Avenue
Peachland, British Columbia V0H 1X7

Phone: 250-767-2455
Fax: 250-767-2420
E-mail: PeachlandChamber@shawcable.com
Website: http://www.peachlandchamber.bc.ca