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HISTORY OF KELOWNA
Fascinating from the start.
Artifacts suggest that hunters lived in the Kelowna area as far back as 2,000 years ago. However, the first European settlement took place in 1859 by three Oblate missionaries. Father Pandosy, Father Richard and Brother Surel set up a mission for the area’s natives, traders and new settlers. Three of the original buildings remain at the Father Pandosy Mission Provincial Heritage Site.
In 1893, Lord Aberdeen, Canada’s Governor General, bought huge tracts of land in the valley in recognition of Okanagan’s fruit growing potential. He also built Guisachan House, now a 2.4 acre heritage site.
Kelowna became a city in 1905 at a time when the population was 600. Its name comes from the story of August Gillard, an early settler who crawled from an underground shelter just as a group of Indians passed by. The Indians called out, “Kim-ach-touch”, meaning Brown Bear. Over time, this became Kelowna, meaning Grizzly Bear, which was easier to pronounce.
Today, the greater Kelowna area has a total population of 145,445. It also boasts a rich history. See fascinating exhibits in the Wine Museum, BC Orchard Industry Museum, the Kelowna Museum and the Military Museum.
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