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.

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.

Over the years 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

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.

 

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