Fun Facts About Kelowna: Kelowna, BC Interesting Facts & Trivia

In the southern region of British Columbia lies the blossoming and vibrant city of Kelowna. This Okanagan Valley treasure is the third-largest metro area in the province and boasts an urban vibe yet plenty of places for quiet respites. Downtown Kelowna has a lovely cultural district in addition to waterfront homes and a city park.

Kelowna offers its residents and visitors various mountains, parks, forests, orchards, and impressive vineyards. Nature abounds, including bears, as the name Kelowna is a derivative of the Okanagan language for 'grizzly bear.' With that fun fact revealed, the following information explores a few more.

Kelowna Is Home to 40 Wineries

Wine has grown—literally—into a top industry in Kelowna, and there are 40+ wineries and vineyards across the community. Its roots, however, were rather humble and began back in 1859 when Charles Pandosky started the first vineyard by planting Vitis labrusca, aka the fox grape, on his lands. Several small growers took up the trade, but the nectar production all but came to a crawl when Prohibition took hold in the United States, cutting back demand substantially.

After Prohibition in 1933, wine production in the Okanagan region was predominantly limited to cherries, berries, apples, and table grapes as vineyards moved back into production. The first resurgence was Calona Wines, British Columbia's first commercial winery and still the oldest continually running wine-making operation in the province.

By the 1970s, growers began taking advantage of the rich soil in Kelowna and started growing other varieties, including Vinis vinifera, pinot gris and blanc, Riesling, and Gewürtztraminer. People can learn more about wines in the region at the BC Wine Museum or head to one of the following popular wineries for tours and tastings:

• 50th Parallel Estate Winery
• Meadow Vista Honey Wines
• Gray Monk Estate Winery
• Kitsch Wines
• Mission Hill Family Estate
• Peak Cellars Winery

The Syilx People Were Kelowna's First Inhabitants

Also known as the Okanagan people, the Syilx were the first known people to inhabit Kelowna. Traditionally, their vast territory spanned through this region and south into Washington state. Drawn to the area for its exceptional seasonal hunting, foraging, and fishing opportunities ample to hold the tribe over through winter, the Syilx were quick to call the region home.

Nearly 3000 years ago, approximately 12,000 Syilx peoples were living in the Okanagan Valley and surrounding regions. They adapted to the lands by season, creating mobile shelters in warm months and semi-permanent housing villages in cold months for protection and food storage.

In 1846, the Pacific Northwest was partitioned by The Oregon Treaty, and the American branch of the Syilx in Washington fell under the guidance of Chief Tonasket during reorganization. The majority of the Syilx remained in Canada under the Okanagan Tribal Alliance. They recognize the American branch under the Confederated Tribes of the Colville, a multi-tribal Washington government.

Kelowna Was Once Known for Tobacco

Tobacco was once a staple crop in Kelowna due to the area's rich soil suitable for growing these leaves. Using Cuban seeds, farmer Louis Holman began growing tobacco in the region around 1894. Over the years, the leaves grew smaller, creating a finer and smoother tobacco product. Many others joined Holman and saw big profits.

At its peak, this industry reportedly produced more than three-quarters of a million cigars each year! During this era, tobacco was wrapped within locally grown Sumatra leaves. Two factories were established, but duties and fees made profits a struggle with large-scale operations. The now historic Tobacco Barn came to fruition in 1926, serving as a hub for the Thomson family. The most predominant pipe tobacco in Canada was sold under the brand 'Kelowna Pride.'

Okanagan Lake Is Said to Be Home to the Ogopogo

As with legendary creatures of the unknown, the Ogopogo is a true mystery. Said to reside in Okanagan Lake, sightings and stories of a snakelike dinosaur began thousands of years ago, where the earliest natives called it the 'spirit of the lake.' Mid-1800s settler John McDougall reported having his horses and canoe dragged across the lake by an unseen force that called for him to cut his lines to get free.

European settler Susan Allison reported a dinosaur-like creature in the lake in 1872, and more sightings would become routine. Eventually, what was first known as N'ha-a-itk became the Ogopogo, and the legend strengthened while the descriptions of the creature would vary. Early natives believed it to be a spirit that would transform into an aquatic sea serpent. Western cultures thought it was a large fish or extinct dinosaur. Most described it as having a 15-metre or longer snake-fish body and horse- or goat-like head.

A tourism agency in the 1980s offered a reward for anyone who could prove a sighting, but no one ever claimed the prize. However, over three dozen tourists spotted 'something' in the water and watched it for almost an hour as it traversed the lake. Sightings still periodically occur, and experts dispel some recorded footage.

Find Your Own Fun Facts in Kelowna

Whether you currently live here or are planning a move to Kelowna in the future, there is always a discovery waiting around the corner. Rich in history, new construction developments, and works in progress keep things interesting around this city. Come and explore the sites and relics of these fun facts and enjoy all there is to do in this friendly community.

If the opportunities in Kelowna excite you, contact the agents at KelownaHomes.ca at 250-999-9844 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find the perfect home in Kelowna today.