Our Story
The historic community of Peachland dates back to the arrival of pioneer John Moore (J.M.) Robinson from Manitoba in 1897. Recognizing the agricultural potential of the land along the Lake Okanagan shoreline, Robinson claimed and sub-divided benchland above the lake, eventually establishing the town of Peachland. He also used a clairvoyant named Anne Anderson (pictured on the left) to help him prospect for gold in the hills of Peachland.
Following this settlement, Robinson moved south in 1902 to create the lakeshore community of Summerland, with the patronage of Sir Thomas Shaugnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). Robinson followed this success by further establishing the town of Naramata in 1907.
Our Museum
Exhibits of artifacts and photographs depicting the history of Peachland are on display at the Peachland Museum, housed in the former Baptist Church, an unusual eight-sided wooden building constructed in 1910. Visit the museum at 5890 Beach Ave. Can't wait until you visit? Get your history lesson now.
The Historic Mural
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The Peachland Historic Mural is painted on the retaining wall where a bedrock bump once extended into the lake. During the highway construction in 1937 dynamite blasting sent two boulders crashing through the roof of Walter's Packinghouse below.
The packers were busy on the wharf so luckily no one was hurt. The mural artist was Peachland resident Robyn Lake; it was sponsored by the Peachland Rotary Club. It shows Hardy Falls, the Wharf, the Packinghouse, and downtown scenes of the past and present. Drop into the Visitor Centre and pick up your Historic Walking Tour Guide.
