Local History

Vernon’s Larry Kwong is given his 2011 Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame induction plaque by Vernon student Gavin Donald. A push to have Kwong inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame continues. (Morning Star - file photo)

75 years ago today: B.C. player makes hockey history

Larry Kwong became first person of Asian descent to play in NHL when he suited up for the NY Rangers

 

Hand-tinted photograph of Vernon’s Kalamalka Hotel circa 1945. The hotel graces the cover of a new book, Room at the Inn, featuring stories of 40 historic hotels in B.C.’s southern Interior. (Museum and Archives of Vernon Photo #3633)

Historic Okanagan hotels feature prominently in new book

Room at the Inn looks at 40 historic hotels in B.C.’s southern Interior from the 1890s to the 1950s

 

A First World War internment camp in Vernon, at the site of what is now MacDonald Park, is the subject of a locally written and printed book which will be unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 21, at W.L. Seaton Secondary. (Contributed)

Vernon First World War internment camp subject of new book

The Vernon Internment Camp 1914 – 1920 will officially be unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 21

 

FROM THE ARCHIVES This historic photo shows William Wenman Sr. (right) and his son Billy Wenman (left) in front of the Shoe Repair Store first operated by the senior Wenman. The poster in the window is advertising the Second Annual Sports Days sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Association. (Contributed by the Golden Museum & Archives)

A look back at Golden’s past

The photo is contributed by the Golden Museum & Archives

  • Feb 9, 2023
FROM THE ARCHIVES This historic photo shows William Wenman Sr. (right) and his son Billy Wenman (left) in front of the Shoe Repair Store first operated by the senior Wenman. The poster in the window is advertising the Second Annual Sports Days sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Association. (Contributed by the Golden Museum & Archives)
This historic photo is of the Ptarmigan, which was built in Golden in 1903 by the Upper Columbia Navigation and Tramway Company. It was 110 feet long and 20 feet wide. This boat had a rough life. It was purchased by the Columbia River Company in 1903 and launched immediately. It hit a snag near Redrock in 1907 and had to be repaired. Later that same year it caught on fire and the upper works were destroyed. Repaired it went back to work in 1908 and was broken up in 1909. It was removed from the mariner’s book in 1911. ~ Golden Museum

From the Golden archives

The Ptarmigan

  • Jan 3, 2023
This historic photo is of the Ptarmigan, which was built in Golden in 1903 by the Upper Columbia Navigation and Tramway Company. It was 110 feet long and 20 feet wide. This boat had a rough life. It was purchased by the Columbia River Company in 1903 and launched immediately. It hit a snag near Redrock in 1907 and had to be repaired. Later that same year it caught on fire and the upper works were destroyed. Repaired it went back to work in 1908 and was broken up in 1909. It was removed from the mariner’s book in 1911. ~ Golden Museum
This historic photo is of George McDermot, a retired newspaper man, who came to Golden and took over the business previously opened by Mr. Lang. The business, opened in 1884 was a general merchandise store catering to miners and settlers. This building sat where Higher Ground is located today. ~ Golden Museum

From the Golden archives

George McDermot

  • Dec 29, 2022
This historic photo is of George McDermot, a retired newspaper man, who came to Golden and took over the business previously opened by Mr. Lang. The business, opened in 1884 was a general merchandise store catering to miners and settlers. This building sat where Higher Ground is located today. ~ Golden Museum
This historic photo is the Monarch Mine mill buildings are pictured here, the mine near Field, B.C. was first staked by Tom Wilson in 1882. Mining was only active on the mountain from 1928 until 1952 when the lease was no longer renewed by Parks Canada. ~ Golden Museum

From the Golden archives

A look back at Golden’s history

  • Dec 15, 2022
This historic photo is the Monarch Mine mill buildings are pictured here, the mine near Field, B.C. was first staked by Tom Wilson in 1882. Mining was only active on the mountain from 1928 until 1952 when the lease was no longer renewed by Parks Canada. ~ Golden Museum
This historic photo is from familiar faces and old businesses. Pictured is BC Hydro putting up the Christmas lights around town, which was featured in the Golden Star on Dec. 7, 1977. The Golden Variety Store was were Signature Clothing is in 2022.

From the Golden archives

Familiar faces and old businesses.

  • Dec 15, 2022
This historic photo is from familiar faces and old businesses. Pictured is BC Hydro putting up the Christmas lights around town, which was featured in the Golden Star on Dec. 7, 1977. The Golden Variety Store was were Signature Clothing is in 2022.
This historic photo is of Silver City, located near Lake Louise was the reason Golden got its name. Convinced his CPR camp would be a booming town Mike Carlin named it Silver City and not to be outdone the people in McMillian’s camp named our home Golden City because gold was worth more than silver. ~ Golden Museum

From the Golden archives

A look back at Golden’s history

  • Dec 8, 2022
This historic photo is of Silver City, located near Lake Louise was the reason Golden got its name. Convinced his CPR camp would be a booming town Mike Carlin named it Silver City and not to be outdone the people in McMillian’s camp named our home Golden City because gold was worth more than silver. ~ Golden Museum
This historic photo is of the Honorable J.H. King was present to officiate the opening on July 9, 1927, of the Kicking Horse Trail at Golden. The completion of this road would connect Field and Golden and link up with the Columbia River Road. (Golden Museum)

From the Golden archives

A look back at Golden’s history

  • Nov 30, 2022
This historic photo is of the Honorable J.H. King was present to officiate the opening on July 9, 1927, of the Kicking Horse Trail at Golden. The completion of this road would connect Field and Golden and link up with the Columbia River Road. (Golden Museum)
This historic photo is of the Kinbasket Lake Coffee Shop circa 1946. Check out the cool mural above the door. ~Golden Museum & Archives /BC Archives

From the Golden archives

A look back at Golden’s history

  • Oct 31, 2022
This historic photo is of the Kinbasket Lake Coffee Shop circa 1946. Check out the cool mural above the door. ~Golden Museum & Archives /BC Archives
This historic photo is of Peter Sebastian, the first black citizen of Golden. The photo was taken in the early 1900s of Sebastian on his 1907-1911 Indian, prior to his death in 1911. (Contributed by the Golden Museum & Archives)

A look back at Golden’s past

The photo is contributed by the Golden Museum & Archives

  • Oct 27, 2022
This historic photo is of Peter Sebastian, the first black citizen of Golden. The photo was taken in the early 1900s of Sebastian on his 1907-1911 Indian, prior to his death in 1911. (Contributed by the Golden Museum & Archives)
Nanaimo city council, at a meeting this week, voted to repeal a bylaw relating to public morals which prevented people from making use of any “profane, obscene, blasphemous or grossly insulting language.” (City of Nanaimo image)

B.C. city repeals 130-year-old bylaw banning drunken singing

City of Nanaimo retains bylaw banning nuclear weapons, but takes several other bylaws off the books

Nanaimo city council, at a meeting this week, voted to repeal a bylaw relating to public morals which prevented people from making use of any “profane, obscene, blasphemous or grossly insulting language.” (City of Nanaimo image)
Diana, Princess of Wales bends laughs at something over the shoulder of British Columbia Premier Bill Bennett while Prince Charles looks on. Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, were in Kelowna, B.C., May 3, 1986 for a brief visit as part of their eight day stay in Canada. (CP PHOTO/Ron Poling)

May 3, 1986: Princess Diana visits Kelowna

The royal couple arrived just days before Expo ‘86

Diana, Princess of Wales bends laughs at something over the shoulder of British Columbia Premier Bill Bennett while Prince Charles looks on. Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, were in Kelowna, B.C., May 3, 1986 for a brief visit as part of their eight day stay in Canada. (CP PHOTO/Ron Poling)
The Choirboy and the Bellydancer is a memoir written by Christine Potter. It is a love story of the Fort Langley couple who met in the U.K as teenagers and moved to Canada in late ‘90s.

Choir boy and belly dancer settle in B.C. after roller coaster love story

Christine and Christopher met as teens in the United Kingdom

The Choirboy and the Bellydancer is a memoir written by Christine Potter. It is a love story of the Fort Langley couple who met in the U.K as teenagers and moved to Canada in late ‘90s.
Volunteer university students Keagan Edwards of Port Moody (top) and Holly O’Neil of Maple Ridge search for artifacts at the site of the First World War Monashee Internment Camp east of Cherryville. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

WATCH: Digging into history east of Cherryville

Abbotsford anthropologist and team search for indications of what life was like

Volunteer university students Keagan Edwards of Port Moody (top) and Holly O’Neil of Maple Ridge search for artifacts at the site of the First World War Monashee Internment Camp east of Cherryville. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Soldiers crawling through a trench filled with mud and water at the Canadian Battle Drill School at the Coldstream Ranch. In the background, instructors watch over the proceedings. (1944 GVMA #11805)

Field trips dig into North Okanagan history

Museum hosting summer events at historically-significant locations

Soldiers crawling through a trench filled with mud and water at the Canadian Battle Drill School at the Coldstream Ranch. In the background, instructors watch over the proceedings. (1944 GVMA #11805)
Skip Bartholomew’s sons, Stephen, current production manager (left) and Josh, current controller (C) with current Wayside owner Neil Perry. Overlooking tables of memories that have been collected and preserved over the past 100 years.

PHOTOS: A century of service from Wayside in Vernon

The press and printing company, founded by Harold George Bartholomew, turns 100 in 2021

Skip Bartholomew’s sons, Stephen, current production manager (left) and Josh, current controller (C) with current Wayside owner Neil Perry. Overlooking tables of memories that have been collected and preserved over the past 100 years.
Back by popular demand for the summer is Spallumcheen’s Historic O’Keefe Ranch’s Yoga With Goats program. (Contributed)

Okanagan yoga going to the goats

Furry four-legged creatures take part in one-hour yoga lessons with you at Spallumcheen’s O’Keefe Ranch this summer

Back by popular demand for the summer is Spallumcheen’s Historic O’Keefe Ranch’s Yoga With Goats program. (Contributed)
Highway 97 being converted to four lanes in April 1990. This photo taken in Lake Country. (Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Photo #14025)

HISTORY: How the old Highway 97 in Lake Country got new name

Pelmewash Parkway recognizes the First Nations history in Lake Country

Highway 97 being converted to four lanes in April 1990. This photo taken in Lake Country. (Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Photo #14025)