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| The Kelowna Story by Sharron Simpson |
Editor: Bailey, Angela
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Sharron Simpson was born and raised in Kelowna and her father, Stanley M. Simpson was very involved in the Okanagan lumber industry. She left Kelowna to pursue her studies at UBC in Vancouver and York University in Toronto. She earned a BA and a Bachelor of Social Studies. After a decade in social work she returned to university and now armed with a masters in environmental studies she became a stockbroker. She returned to Kelowna in 1984 and turned to politics. She served a term as a city Councillor but was defeated in her bid for the mayor's chair the following term. Eventually she turned to writing and has authored other books based on the history of the city and valley.
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Sharron shared some of the stories and facts from her latest book, "The Kelowna Story" which was launched in November 2011. It details some of the perky and funny stories of the city's past as well as the lies of some of its more colorful characters.
Glenmore Valley, before development, was known as starvation flats and the dry valley. A contest was held to come up with a new name for the area and Glenmore Valley was the winning entry. The area became a viable agricultural venue once irrigation was introduced.
Bernard Avenue was built as wide as it is so that the buggies could turn around on the road.
Okanagan Lake often flooded almost all the way up to St. Paul Street.
Why is there a sawmill in the heart of town? Because it was there since the 1930s and built on swamp land.
Sharron wrote the book so that those who come to Kelowna and want to change things can appreciate the history and can know why things were and are the way they are. Kelowna was the last city to be developed after Vernon and Penticton.
The Hudson Bay fur trade came down the west side of the lake and it was the fur trade that established the Okanagan Valley through the use of the waterways that link it with the Columbia River and out to the ocean ports.
In the 1890s, when there was talk about a rail line going through this area, it prompted Kelowna's development and the real estate boom. Lord and Lady Aberdeen, who owned a large property along the lake front and extending up to Gordon Street, promoted this valley as a great fruit growing region.
Kelowna got its own train service in 1925 while Vernon got theirs in 1895 and Penticton in 1915. Prior to these services, commercial transportation was by steam boat up and down the lake.
A major event that provided a great boost to Kelowna was the 1949 opening of the Hope-Princeton highway. This highway first helped Penticton's boom because of the beaches and the fact that it was the first city that people arrived at in the Okanagan.
The original floating bridge opened in 1958 with Princess Margaret officiating. This bridge eliminated the ferry crossing to the city from the west side. Also in the 1950s the Kelowna International Regatta drew hundreds of people to town. The event was a five day affair. The large grandstand was constructed of wood and unfortunately burned down in the 1960s. It was never rebuilt and this lead to the eventual decline of the event.
Sharron's book details the very funny stories of many of the characters resident in Kelowna over the years and provides a great insight into the fascinating history of our city. |
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Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo
