Leaving the Chamber of Commerce building turn right along Beach Avenue. At the Edgewater Hotel on the corner of Beach Avenue and 2^nd Street, walk into the hotel’s lobby and take a look at the photos with their captions depicting Peachland’s past history.

Leaving the hotel cross Beach Avenue using the crosswalk. The Cenotaph (Point of Interest 1) is straight ahead.

From the Cenotaph take the path that continues south (left) along Beach Ave. Follow this path as it turns left, down toward the water then right, curving around the docks and right again, up the steps into Heritage Park (Point of Interest 2).

Stay on the path as it winds around by the water and back to Beach Ave. Turn left at Beach Ave. (stay on the left-hand side of the road) and continue to the Pentowna Marina. Opposite on your right, looking up, is The Bump (Point of Interest 3).

Cross Beach Ave. and turn right. As you proceed back along Beach you will pass on your left; The Mural (Point of Interest 4), the Peachland Museum (Point of Interest 5), Lakeside Auto & Gas (Point of Interest 6) now a coffee shop at the corner of 1^st , Sunnyside Market (Point of Interest 7) and the Peachland General Store (Point of Interest 8) now Frank’s Chinese Laundry.

Turn left at 4^th St. On your left, up ahead, is the Peachland United Church (Point of Interest 9).

Turn right at Brandon Lane. The small white building up ahead on your left is the Old School House (Point of Interest 10).

Turn right at the lane across from the school house, then left at the T-junction. Follow the lane through 5^th St to 6^th St and turn right.

Turn left on Beach Ave. On your left is the original Peachland Primary School (Point of Interest 11) then Cousins Park (Point of Interest 12).

Continue on Beach Ave. to just before the bridge over Trepanier Creek (Point of Interest 13).

Turn left into the linear path and follow it up. Before reaching the tunnel under Highway 97 turn left into Lambley Park via Harolds Walk (Point of Interest 14).

Follow the walk past the tennis courts over to 13th St. and continue down to Beach Ave. Turn right on Beach Ave. and follow it all the way back to the Chamber of Commerce, your starting point. Along the way you will notice directly across from downtown Peachland, The Island (Point of Interest 15).

Peachland Heritage Walk - Points of Interest

Points of Interest

2   Heritage Park: The downtown was a working waterfront from Peachland’s earliest years. Heritage Park is on the site of what was once Walters Limited Packinghouse and before that a fruit and vegetable cannery. Severe winter frosts in the early 50s caused a sharp decline in the soft fruit industry so the Packinghouse closed its doors in 1955. The building remained idle for several years while politicians debated the merits of "this or that use for it" but in 1979 the building mysteriously caught fire and burned to the ground. Many prominent citizens volunteered that they had struck the igniting match but none could be singled out to receive the medal of heroism they deserved for getting rid of what was by then an "old eyesore".

3   The Bumps: Before the modern highway was constructed in Peachland, long fingers of rock went straight out into the lake and the road went up and over them, hence the term "Bumps". There were 5 bumps located between Peachland village and Deep Creek. The bedrock was blasted out in 1937 and it caused a bit of excitement because during the explosion, two boulders crashed through the roof of the Packinghouse. Luckily the packers were busy loading a railway car with fruit and no one was injured.

4   Mural: Painted by local artist Robyn Lake and sponsored by the Peachland Rotary Club, this mural depicts the past and the present. Drawn from original photographs it includes: a native fishing at Hardy Falls; the Lambley House, which was one of the the first houses built in Peachland; the downtown waterfront both at the turn of the century and today.

5   Peachland Museum: Built in 1910 as the Peachland Baptist Church, this unique 8-sided building was constructed by volunteers from the church congregation. It was purchased by the government in 1960 and in 1980 the Peachland Historical Society was granted use of the building to establish a Peachland Museum. If it is open be sure to drop in.

6   Lakeside Auto & Gas (now a coffee shop): The only known art deco style service station in the Okanagan was built by Tom Redstone in 1946.

7   Sunnyside Market: This building was constructed in about 1910. The main floor of the original Morin & Thompson store not only had groceries but dry goods as well and a wide stairway going up from the dry goods section led to the furniture dept on the upper floor.

8   Peachland General Store (Frank’s Chinese Laundry): James Clements constructed this store in 1909 shortly after his arrival in Peachland, because he had ascertained that the little community needed another general store. His wife Mary baked up to 300 loaves of bread per week, which were snatched up by people coming to town to pick up their mail. The store was sold many times and operated as a general store until the mid 1980’s when it was renovated into a restaurant known as The Chinese Laundry.

9   Peachland United Church: This building was constructed in 1911 as a Methodist Church. It was the first church in Peachland to have a bell tower and the T. Eaton Co. donated the bell. The building has been in continuous service as a church since it was constructed and the bell is still rung every Sunday.

10   Old School House: This was a one-room school constructed in 1898 as the first permanent school for the young community. In 1908 when Peachland Primary was built, until 1990, this building served the Anglican congregation as St. Margaret’s Anglican Church. The building languished for the next 10 years but recently a group known as the Friends of the Little Schoolhouse have worked with great energy and enthusiasm to restore it.

11   Peachland Primary School: Constructed by the citizens of Peachland in 1908, it was home to children in grades 1 – 12 until 1949 when it became Peachland Elementary, and later Peachland Primary. Gracing our waterfront its windows look out on the beaches and playing fields where many generations of Peachland "kids" have skinned knees, bruised elbows and learned to swim.

12   Cousins Park: This park has been a focal point of sports activity near the lake since the early days of the community. Originally a gravel field it was used by the entire community to play baseball, track & field and other sporting events. A local family, the Cousins had 9 sons who loved baseball so much that a family team was formed. They played quite successfully throughout the Okanagan. The community honored the family by naming the park after the "nine Brothers who were also Cousins."

13   Trepanier Creek: The Trepanier Creek Linear Park, currently under construction will ascend from Okanagan Lake to the Okanagan Connector 4.7 Km away. One km. upstream from the lake one finds a rugged gorge with the remnants of the old Peachland Dam Site. This dam provided the water supply that drove the Pelton Wheel, which in turn produced Peachland’s hydroelectric needs from 1909 to 1947. The remains of the original wood stave pipe that served as the water conduit can still be seen.

14   Harolds Walk through Lambley Park: Harold was Harold Thwaite a long serving reeve, councillor, and mayor. The walk was completed by the Lion’s Club in 2002 in memory of his contribution to the Peachland community.

15   The Island: Directly across the lake from Peachland, it is the largest island in Okanagan Lake. The pioneers and old-timers simply called it "The Island" but it is now more commonly known as Rattlesnake Island (I wonder why!!) A narrow channel separates the island from the mainland and many boaters delight in exploring this channel where the water is a deep royal blue and a feeling of mystery exists. Close to the island in one of the underwater caves is said to lie the lair of Okanagan’s legendary monster Ogopogo.