A Brief History of the Kalamalka Hotel (Vernon, BC)

The Kalamalka Hotel was one of the first hotels to be built in Vernon and is certainly the longest lasting as it still exists today in the form of a sports-themed restaurant known as “The Kal”. It was completed in 1892, the same year that Vernon was incorporated as a city and that the Shuswap & Okanagan Railway reached Vernon and Okanagan Landing and connected them to the great transcontinental railway. 

The OHSR of 1935 (p.163) records: “When the new hotel was built in 1892 by T. E.  Crowel and J. Holland for the townsite company, the Okanagan  Land and Development Company, it was suggested that a suitable  name for it would be Kalamalka, the name of an Indian living on  what was then the Indian Reserve at the end of Long Lake and of  the range bordering the lake. The name then was frequently pronounced, Tanamalka.”

Vintage postcard of the early Kalamalka Hotel

Thus the hotel was named “Kalamalka” long before the lake itself. In fact some think that it was some clever marketing by the Hotel, or perhaps just its local notoriety, that influenced the re-naming of Long Lake (as it was then known) to Kalamalka. The locals were already calling it “Kalamalka” in the mid 1930’s and as one person of that day wrote: “…as there are now twenty-four other Long  Lakes in British Columbia, it is to be hoped the new name for the  lake will be adopted.” (OHSR 1935, p.165). The lake was officially re-named Kalamalka in the early 1950’s. 

An interesting story is told of how two teenage girls whose father once owned the hotel became responsible for the modern day spelling of “Kalamalka”: 

“The name, however, as it appeared on the hotel stationery after the hotel was opened was, Kalemalka, pronounced by some, Kaleem-  alka, and this was the name the hotel went by for some years.  After George R. Raymond took over the management of it he had the sign painted and put up which is still on the hotel. While it was being prepared his daughters, two charming young girls of about 15 and 16 years of age, the eldest, Ethel… and the younger, Elvie, … took a hand in what was going forward  and insisted that the name was improperly spelled; that the "e"  should be changed to an "a".  

Their father at first rather demurred, and the two girls invoking alliteration's artful aid, appealed to the  old-timers, or rather to as many of them as they knew, to know if  they were not right in their contention. Truth compels us to state that the old-timers went over in a body onto the side of the girls, and the girls carried the day, and the new form of the word soon came into general use.” (OHSR 1935, p.163-164)

The Kalamalka Hotel c.1913

The Kalamalka Hotel was a centre of social and business activity in early Vernon with many of the most prominent citizens either patronizing the hotel or even living there. All types of community events, entertainment shows and official banquets were held there. Lord Aberdeen, the Governor General of Canada and one time owner of the Coldstream Ranch, was known to patronize the hotel and the story is told of his brother-in-law, Dudley Coutts Majoribanks, would ride his horse up the stairs and into the lounge when he wished to get a drink. 

The Kalamalka Hotel was originally a grand place for this small western town costing the princely sum of $16,000 when it was built. However, as one history lover commented in 1980: “The Kalamalka Hotel downtown lost its two top floors this year to "progress." The hotel has now been deprived of its original beauty and has become just another of the plain square buildings which comprise most of the downtown area.” (OHSR 1980, p48)

Thankfully, in spite of the changes, this integral piece of Okanagan history still exists.

For more historical information please check out our booklet 

and Facebook page: "Kalamalka: A History" 

The Lake of Many Colors (Commonly called Kalamalka): Poem by A.V. Despard and Possible Origin of the Moniker

This poem by A.C. Despard (published in 1944) appears to be the first mention of the term "Lake of Many Colours" to refer to Kalamalka Lake. Since there is no evidence that the origin of the name "Kalamalka" means "Lake of Many Colours"*, then perhaps this is where we first got that particular nickname for the lake. 

There was a popular local song by Paul Malysh and Eric J. Hopkins entitled "The Kalamalka Calls (Lake of Many Colours)" written in 1958 and an orchestral piece composed by Jean Coulthard named "Kalamalka - Lake of Many Colours" but that was not published until 1974. There is no mention of the nickname in the Okanagan Historical Society Reports (that I can find) before a reference to Jean's composition in the 1977 issue. 

I will continue my research into the nickname "Lake of Many Colours" but if you have any information I've missed please contact me. Meanwhile enjoy this beautiful old poem about our lake! 

The Lake of Many Colors

(Commonly called Kalamalka)

O Lake of Many Colors,

Thou has found out how the pearl,

Though living in seclusion

Beneath the ocean swirl

From its opalescent matrix

Can gather all the hues

That make it queen of jewels

Above all that one could choose

Thou hast found out how the diamond

Though bedded deep in earth,

For aeons without number,

Can reveal its polished worth

When taken to the sunlight

Or brought to its baptism 

Of fire, by brightly flashing

All the colors of the prism

Rattlesnake Point/ PC: Joe Harder 

In every mood of nature,

So long as there is light

Thy colored surface changes,

To fresh beauties in our sight.

More vivid in the sunshine,

More subfusc* in the rain.

Thy scheme of color always

Is there – it doth remain.

When misty clouds descending,

Or smoke of forest fire

Obscure the sky, thy beauty

Only seems to mount the higher,

As the shadows grow more pallid,

As the mystery grows more deep;

As the calm comes o’er thy features

Half hidden, as in sleep.

When storm clouds gather darkly,

Mid the thunder, or the hail

Beats fiercely o’er thy bosom;

When the spindrift** lifts the veil

From thy glorious naked beauty,

Thy colors still are there,

Though frowning and more murky,

And perhaps not quite so fair.

In thy workshop grimly working

With a cunning all thine own

On silica, aluminium

And chromium, thou hast shown

To every rapt beholder

How refracted may be seen

From thy valley – beds the emerald’s

Incomparable green.

A.V. Despard  

From "Songs Of Kalamalka" 1944

• *Subfusc: dull; gloomy. “the light was subfusc and aqueous”
• ** Spindrift: spray blown from the crests of waves by the wind.

* "One problem with the name Kalamalka is that it has no known or remembered N'syilxcen (Okanagan language) meaning." Dr. Duane Thomson, Lake Country Museum blogs, comments section, Aug 21 2015).

For more historical info on Kalamalka please visit our Facebook Page - Kalamalka: A History ! 

Ogopogo in Kalamalka Lake?

There have been many reported sightings of the Ogopogo ('N’ha-a-tik' in Syilx) in Okanagan Lake but did you know that in 1956 a group of 25-30 American tourists claimed to have seen the Ogopogo in Kalamalka Lake?


 

(An image purportedly showing Ogopogo in Okanagan Lake - Photo Credit: Penticton Herald Article)

In an almost facetious sounding newspaper report the Mayor at the time reported it to his City Council. He, 

“… told aldermen at a city council meeting here that the legendary landlocked sea serpent has returned to Kalamalka lake.” 

The article also suggested that it probably came to Kalamalaka through the creek that ran through Polson Park! 

(Source: Nanaimo Daily Free Press June 20, 1956, p.3)

From the booklet: "Kalamalka: A History"

Kalamalka: A History (Book, PDF and eBook)

This booklet is a project I’ve been working on for some time now. It includes some of my original photographs as well as a lot of historical info about Kalamalka – a very special lake for those who live in, or have visited, the North Okanagan in British Columbia.

From the Introduction:

When I moved to Vernon, BC in 2004 I was soon struck by the ubiquitous presence of the name “Kalamalka” or simply “Kal”. It was, of course, the name of one of the most beautiful lakes I had ever seen... In this booklet I hope you will find some beautiful photos and interesting historical facts about Kalamalka but even more so I hope you will find the story of Kalamalka. This is a story of generations of people falling in love with a very special lake with a very rich history.

You can preview it and order it online at the following links: 

eBook ($4.99):

http://www.blurb.ca/ebooks/672417-kalamalka

8x10 Colour Softcover  ($10) or PDF:

http://www.blurb.ca/b/8893072-kalamalka 

You can also check out the eBay listing: 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/283135054698

And be sure to "like" us on Facebook:

fb.me/KalamalkaHistoryBook

4 Fascinating Facts About the History of Kekuli Bay Provincial Park

For information about the campground please click here .

#1 Origin and Name of the Park

Kekuli Bay Provincial Park was established on March 8th, 1990. It consists of 57 hectares overlooking the beautiful Kalamalka Lake about 11 Km south of Vernon, BC. Originally the park was called “Kalamalka Lake West Park” (as opposed to the provincial park on the east side of the lake directly across from it). 

A small creek enters Kalamalka Lake at Kekuli Bay: PC Joe Harder

This name was changed though to reflect the rich history of the “Kekulis” (see next Fact) that once dotted the landscape there. The current name was chosen from submissions of local students who participated in a naming contest. There is also a “Kickwillie Loop” near the head of Kalamalka Lake that reflects this history. 

#2 What Is a Kekuli?

Sometimes referred to as a “Quiggly Hole” or “Kickwillie”, a Kekuli is a semi-underground pithouse used by the Indigenous Peoples of the Okanagan Valley and elsewhere in British Columbia. An article in the 1971 issue of the Okanagan Historical Society Reports describes it as follows: 

Artistic rendition of a  Kekuli : Lake Country Museum

“A hole was dug, making a flat earth floor, then the stones carried up as  a low wall. Then poles would be lashed together in a low conical manner,  leaving an opening at the top. This would be the entrance to the dwelling via  a long notched pole. Over the lashed pole structure, would be laid other  poles, then mats and hides, and the whole thing covered with earth. The top  entrance hole would also serve as the means whereby smoke could escape.”

Kekulis “Generally come in large groupings known as quiggly towns, some with hundreds of holes indicating a potential population of thousands.” (Wikipedia).  Am Okanagan/ Shuswap woman, Mary Thomas, helped reconstruct a Kekuli that is now housed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.. 

#3 Some Military History

On the east shore of Kalamalka Lake across from Kekuli Park is Cosens Bay which was once owned by Cornelius Cosens c. 1893. This land was used for military training during WW2 and “A trench was blasted out of steep rock face near Cosens Bay.” (Coldstream Nulli Secundus, Page 80). 

Military personnel scanning for bombs at Cosens Bay, 1973.

Image Credit: Image Courtesy: Vernon Museum and Archives- Photo No. 9933

The training was meant to simulate actual combat conditions and as a local newsletter reports “During the war amphibious assaults were practiced on Kalamalka Lake, with the ships launching from Kekuli Bay. Guns would be firing as they approached Cosens Bay.” Many UXOs (Unexploded Explosive Ordnances) have been found in this area since but military sweeps have cleared most of them. 

#4 Okanagan Rail Trail 

In 1926 the Canadian National Railway “…opened its line on the west side of Kalamalka Lake to Wood Lake and Kelowna.” (Coldstream Nulli Secundus, Page 29).  Nearly a century later the line was defunct and a new purpose was sought for the right-of-way along the western shores of this amazing lake.

Okanagan Rail Trail: PC Joe Harder 

Enter the Okanagan Rail Trail  - “…a continuous, uninterrupted corridor that connects the urban centres of the valley and provides access to many of the valley’s most scenic features.” The Rail Trail is in its finishing stages and just happens to bisect Kekuli Bay Provincial Park. The park provides an excellent entry point to the trail. 

"He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul." Psalm 23

Sources:

Kekulia Bay Provincial Park:  http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kekuli_bay/

Kalamalka West: 
http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/e4e1d259d05211d892e2080020a0f4c9

Coldstream Nulli Secundus by Margaret A. Ormsby

Military: http://www.kalamalkapark.ca/Know_Your_Park.html

Okanagan Rail Trail:  https://okanaganrailtrail.ca/faq

Kickwillie Loop:  https://www.castanet.net/news/Central-Okanagan/81402/Highway-construction-digs-up-history

Kekuli: https://www.lakecountrymuseum.com/indian-life-in-early-winfield/

What Kal Beach Looked Like Over 100 Years Ago!

Note: These photos are over 100 years old and are found in the book "Coldstream Nulli Secundus" by the great B.C. Historian Margaret A. Ormsby. 

It is almost impossible to imagine such a time when the once famous and highly sought after "Lot 3888" (Now Kal Beach and Kalavista Subdivision) were once so raw and natural with not a building in sight. This land was formerly part of the Coldstream Ranch and part of it was also a First Nations Reserve. The famous Chief Kalamalka himself would have resided in this area during his lifetime.

I am personally very grateful that I can take my family to Kal Beach and enjoy the same thing that so many humans have enjoyed for centuries. It's also a good reminder to keep Kalamalka Lake  pristine as we head into the future!  

One can clearly see a plain hillside in the distance where the highway now lies.

Lord Aberdeen was the third owner of the Coldstream Ranch and Governor General of Canada.
Rattlesnake Point can be seen in the distance. 

"He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul..." Psalm 23

“Sunny Joe: 4 Fascinating Facts About Joe Harwood of Vernon, BC”

My family and I have lived in Vernon for over 14 years but just this past year have moved into the area known simply as “Harwood”. Being a bit of a hobby historian I thought I would take a look at who was behind this name and quickly find out it was a very notable citizen of Vernon’s early years  - Joe Harwood. 

#1 A Child Immigrant from England 

Joseph Harwood was born in Hertford, England in 1868 and came to Canada, through the streets of London, at the tender age of 14 with literally only a shilling to his name. Joe was one of the many children known as “Home Children” or “Barnardo’s Boys” – the roughly 100,000 British children who were disadvantaged or orphaned and sent to Canada between 1869 and 1939. Although this movement was likely well-intentioned, it was not without controversy either. However, for Joe Harwood, this movement was something he was always grateful for. 

Sean Arthur Joyce writes:  “Arriving in Canada illiterate left a deep mark on Joe Harwood. In later years he felt it was his duty to encourage public education in any way possible. He had a natural love of children and it was said he was the only trustee in the board’s history to visit the school every day. “He envisioned equal opportunities for all children, be they rich, poor or middle class,” writes Okanagan historian Mabel Johnson.” 

#2 Finding Vernon, BC

Joe arrived in Canada in 1882 where he worked on a farm near Brandon, Manitoba. From there he worked in railway construction, lived in Calgary for a while as a liveryman and finally found Vernon, the home of his greatest accomplishments, in 1893. 

Joe married Marion Bioletti and together they had 5 sons and 2 daughters whom they raised in Vernon. They were married for over 50 years. Mr. Harwood served on the board of Vernon Jubilee Hospital for 20 years and was a strong supporter of the Salvation Army  - “The site on which the present Salvation Army Citadel now stands, on 32nd  Street and 31st Avenue … was donated by Mr. Harwood”.  

#3 His Love of Education

Joe also served on the Vernon School Board for 28 consecutive years until he was finally named president of the B.C. School Trustees Association. The Okanagan Historical Society report records that: “In the 1930’s, he was named as B.C. school-trustee-delegate to a great rally of educational authorities in San Francisco, attended by delegates from 54 nations. He took the conference by storm. His photograph, 4 columns wide, adorned the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle, covering the event. "I had no education myself; that's the reason I want to see today's children get one," he said, addressing 7,000 delegates.”

 Another local education pioneer, Anna Fulton Cail, tells this story of Harwood: “Then there was the time when Joe Harwood got stuck in a heating grill at Central School (Beairsto) when he was coming to play Santa for the children.  I remember there was an air vent in the northeast room.  There was a little flag that blew in the breeze all the time.  Suddenly, we were expecting nothing, there is a noise and the vent comes off and here appears Joe Harwood.  He was a Trustee and he was built like Santa Clause so he didn’t need any padding.  Here was Santa coming through the vent.  But, I heard afterwards from my Dad that he and Bill English, who was the head maintenance man, were behind and he (Harwood) was stuck.” 

#4 Joe Harwood’s Legacy

A kind and congenial man, Harwood was known as “Sunshine (Sunny) Joe” to the locals. He was a tremendously hard worker and owned many local businesses, was the post master, was active in the local railways and finally, on April 20th, 1950 Harwood Elementary was opened and named in his honour – just a month after he passed away. The neighbourhood now surrounding the elementary school is also known as “Harwood” and for this we should be very proud and grateful. 

In closing, the OHSR records again for us: “In giant, well-equipped, adequately lighted and heated schools, (Joe Harwood) …saw the sons and daughters of prosperous people, some of whom stemmed from the British aristocracy, rub shoulders, sharpen pencils and play games, also learn the three R's, with the children of penniless immigrants from other countries, who had come to Canada to seek those very things for which Joe crusaded.”



"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27 


Sources and Further Reading:

https://vernonmuseum.ca/ex_anna_cail.html
(OHSR 24:37-43)

https://chameleonfire1.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/barnardos-poster-boys-in-the-west-part-one/