Heritage Matters

Okanagan Life ponders preservation. Should we seek to save reminders of our past or let the wind of progress blow them away?

In this issue we spotlight a gallery of vintage structures and reveal the fascinating stories that unfolded within their walls. You'll meet heritage-conscious Okanaganites who willingly pour their personal toil and treasure into restoration; characters who interpret the past and enliven the present; and the wheeling-dealing developer whose vision transformed the Valley. We'll take you under the K and along for 10 K. All this and more...

For the Love of Something...Old?!?
Take a look at all the new development in the Valley. Flashy, modern amenities reign supreme with the usual “live-play-work” lifestyle promises attached. Yet for a few ardent Okanaganites newer doesn’t mean better. It may mean cheaper and less exhausting, but also less rewarding. For these brave and committed souls, nothing is better than restoring a piece of our local heritage — through hard work and uncertainty (plus lots and lots of money) — to its former glory. Do these fixer-uppers have a few screws loose? They’d probably wear that distinction proudly, and they see every reason to connect us with our past, even at the expense of one more lock-and-leave play pad for a seasonal Albertan.

Love It or Lose It
With a whirlwind of development blowing us into the future, it’s more important than ever that we safeguard the reminders of our past. These seven structures aren’t necessarily the oldest, the grandest or even the cutest heritage buildings in the Okanagan, but each one represents a significant story in the history of our Valley.

Destination Okanagan
Shape up for this hike and you’re in for clean air and open spaces … plus a history lesson, agri-tour and personal experience of at least four unique ecosystems.

Who Among Us
The Dun-Waters estate at Fintry Provincial Park and historic sites throughout the Okanagan would be lost without the work of dedicated volunteers like Ken and Jan Waldon.

Rear View
Musings on the world of bodacious ta-tas.

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