What Type of Historic Sites are Found Throughout Kelowna?

Posted by Dave Kotler on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022 at 11:33am.

Kelowna from Knox Mountain - Image Credit Kyle Pearce on flicker.comAs one of the most enchanting cities in Canada, there are plenty of historic sites found in Kelowna. Whether you prefer a tour of an old mission or of a park, there are plenty of choices. Here are some of the top historic sites found throughout Kelowna.

The Laurel Building

The Laurel Packinghouse was the first heritage building in Kelowna and was established in 1913. It started as a packing and shipping house. Today, the building houses the Wine Museum and the British Columbia Orchard Industry Museum. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, and the Laurel building is also a popular event venue. Past events have included everything from historical and cultural tours and demonstrations, escape rooms, holiday events, and more.

Guisachan Heritage Park

The 2.4-acre Guisachan Heritage Park is the perfect place for a garden tour or a special event. The Guisachan House Restaurant in the park was once the summer home of the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen in the 1890s.

The Guisachan House is a popular place for photos, as it's surrounded by perennial gardens with many types of flowers—some of the original roses and trees planted by its next residents, the Cameron family, in the 1920s are still thriving in the gardens today. The site also includes a Milk Shed Gift Shop.

Father Pandosy Mission

Founded in 1860 by Father Charles Pandosy, the Father Pandosy Mission was the place for priests to minister to the Indigenous population. It was also a farm with about 2,000 acres, but in 1908, the farm was sold and subdivided. By the 1950s the buildings were in disrepair. However, the entire site has been refurbished and is known as a Provincial Heritage Site with four acres of land and some of the original buildings.

Myra Canyon Trestles

Known as the jewel of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, the Myra Canyon Trestles are very interesting. Spanning 9.6 kilometres, the Myra Canyon section of the Kettle Valley Railway includes 16 timber-framed trestles, two steel bridges, and two tunnels, providing plenty of exploration opportunities to the adventurous. Though now defunct, at the time, this span of the railway was a feat of engineering, called "McCulloch's Wonder" after the chief engineer of the project. This historic site attracts more than 50,000 visitors yearly and serves as an important component of the trail network for the province. Hikers and cyclists enjoy the spectacular views provided by the carefully preserved tracks.

Knox Mountain

Wondering where the photo at the top of the post is from? It's the view of Kelowna from the lower Knox Mountain lookout. Knox Mountain is well-known in Kelowna for having some of the city's most popular hiking spots, such as Paul's Tomb Trail, and it has its share of history. The H.D. Riggs House, the Laurel building, and several other buildings around Kelowna were built from bricks sourced from Knox Mountain clay by the historic Kelowna Brick Works. Another story of the mountain involves the eponymous Rembler Paul, whose family tomb rests on the mountain and whose legacy includes many of the lilacs and irises hikers can see on the mountain.

Explore Kelowna's Storied History

There are many other historic sites found near Kelowna to enjoy. These are just a few of the top choices adding to the culture and heritage of this charming city.

Dave Kotler

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