1909 Vernon Directories
The city of Vernon derives its name from Forbes G Vernon (at one time Minister of Lands and Works in the Provincial Government) and his brother, Charles, both of whom formerly owned large properties in the district, including the Coldstream Ranch. These were the days when Messrs O'Keefe, Tronson, Price Ellison, Greenhow, and other "Old Timers" ran their large herds of cattle over the very ground which is now being split up into fruit lots. What cattle raising meant then, to the village of "Centreville", as it was termed, that, and more, does fruit-culture mean to the city of Vernon today.
Over the vast Prairie Country to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains is spreading a nation whose local climatic conditions absolutely preclude any attempts at successful fruit-growing; therefore their needs must be met by those who are best able to do so. In this respect the Okanagan has demonstrated its fitness for the position of caterer: hence, all available land is in great demand, and has consequently become very valuable.
The position of Vernon (with its immense tributary district) lying as it does, at the centre, or "Hub" of the Okanagan, has been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the city, for it is on this account the shipping point on the railroad for the large quantities of produce destined for the outside world. During the busy season boatloads of all manner of fruit arrive from the lake towns on the south, whilst from the Coldstream Valley to the eastward hundreds of tons are brought by wagons, and from all other directions fruit pours into Vernon for shipment---and not only fruit, but hay and grain, potatoes and every variety of garden and field produce, as well as lumber, cattle, canned goods, and the many other necessaries of life.
Situated on elevated ground, and girt about with sloping hills, whose orchard-covered benches extend back to the mountains, the situation of the town is admirably chosen. If we take the letter "Y" and invert it, Vernon would lie at the junction of the forks. We should have, as it were, the main valley stretching northward through Armstrong and Enderby, and terminating at Sicamous, forty-six miles distant. The south-west arm ("Priest Valley", an open farming country) would bring us to Okanagan Lake. The south-east fork reaches to the Mission Valley at Kelowna, embracing Long and Wood's Lakes, which extend for 15 miles almost parallel to the Okanagan Lake. Another branch from this fork, in an easterly direction takes us to Lumby through the Coldstream and White Valleys, along good Government roads, such as are to be found connecting Vernon with all the outlying towns. These roads, since they for the most part wind through the valleys, present an ever-changeful scene to the eye of the traveller. In every direction lie the farms, orchards, green pastures, meadows and market gardens all flanked by grassy uplands terminating in timbered bluffs and rocky crags, from which, through the ravines, one or more streams ripple in a succession of trout pools on their way down to the deep, blue lakes. Along the route at various points irrigation ditches branch off, and, intersecting the land, re-branch until they become finally absorbed by the rich, warm soil---for, although not all the land here needs irrigation, yet the presence of water in this manner is a certain assurance of successful crops.
On reference to the latest pamphlet of the Vernon Board of Trade, and to statistics elsewhere in this "Guide", we shall see how the opening remarks relative to fruit and produce are borne out, but we must here confine ourselves to the mere statement that all kinds of sub-tropical fruits have not only done well in this locality, but have materially assisted in the distinction which the Okanagan Valley has gained at the various great exhibitions, as well as contributing to the individual prestige of Vernon itself.
The soil here varies little from that in other parts of the Valley, since it consists of a light clay loam and decomposed rock on the higher lands, whilst, on the bottom lands, this alternates in places with a rich black loamy soil.
The climate also--as elsewhere throughout the valley--is mild and dry. The summers, as the winters, do not show any great and prolonged extremes, owing to the tempering effect of the large lakes. Some years the thermometer may indicate zero, and even fifteen, or perhaps twenty degrees below, but these "spells" are only a matter of hours and are not usual. The hottest days--"the ripening days of fruit"--seldom reach 100 degrees, and cool evenings afford pleasant hours for rest and recreation. In short, the climate is ideal.
From the sportsman's standpoint the immediate vicinity of Vernon cannot be considered a "happy hunting ground"; for, in common with all thickly-settled districts, the encroachments of the agriculturist have caused the game to retire into the mountains. But if we are prepared to camp out overnight we may find very fair sport amongst the headwaters of the creeks in the neighborhood, or, again, on the west side of Okanagan Lake. Guides and horses may be procured if desired.
The fishing is very good. Trout, weighing 10 pounds, are often caught in the larger lakes, especially in Long Lake (the summer resort), which is only two and a half miles from the town, and along whose beaches the boat-houses and tents of the summer campers are picturesquely strewn.
Vernon has its full complement of sporting clubs and from time to time interesting matches take place with outside towns. So that the lover of football, cricket, lacrosse, baseball, etc. will find ample scope for recreation. In the winter the spacious skating rink permits the holding of carnivals and curling and hockey matches. Season tickets will here save the skater a journey to Long Lake, on the off chance of finding clean ice.
Vernon was incorporated as a city in 1893, with a mayor (WF Cameron, Esq) and five aldermen. It lies at an altitude of 1258 feet above sea-level, is 1196 miles from Winnipeg, and 382 miles from Vancouver. It is virtually at the end of the S & O branch of the CP Ry, if we except the short extension to Okanagan Landing. As an instance of the growth of Vernon we may here record the fact that the townsite of the city once sold for forty dollars, and later, changed hands for sixty dollars. At present although cheap properties may be obtained, it is not too much to say that six thousand dollars will not buy some of the business lots. In point of population the census within the city limits showed over 2500 for 1908 as compared with some 700 at the time of incorporation.
The city boasts of shady tree-bordered streets and avenues and has excellent electric lighting and telephone systems. Furthermore, the Council is spending some 60,000 dollars on a sewerage system which will place her to the fore amongst the cities of the Interior as soon as the problem of an increased water supply is settled. The central location of Vernon in the Okanagan Valley accounts no doubt for the Provincial Government Offices and Court House, wherein are held the Assizes semi-annually. The City Hall does duty for minor sessions, and for meetings of the various Civic Bodies, besides embracing within its walls the Police Station, The Public Library, and the Fire Station.
Vernon's hotels are spacious and modern. The new 50,000 dollar Hospital; the branch institution of the Provincial Asylum for the Insane (mild cases only being treated); the Churches and Public Schools in most cases re-modelled, or entirely rebuilt, to suit the needs of the rapidly-growing population; the sash and door factories, the steam laundry, two printing and publishing offices, viz., those of the Vernon News (published Thursdays) and the Semi-Weekly Okanagan (published Wednesdays and Saturdays), and a meat-packing factory and a brick yard, both on the outskirts of the town, still further swell the number of local industries and bear witness in other ways to the importance of Vernon as a growing city.
The present Post Office (CB Lefroy, Postmaster) is situated on the main street (Barnard Avenue), four minutes walk from the station. Mails may be had during the usual business hours and boxes can be rented at a nominal figure. A new Post Office, which will supplant the present one, is shortly to be erected near the station, and will include the Customs Offices. The Bank of Montreal, too, will build a costly structure on Barnard Avenue during the coming year.
The Coldstream Packing Co, Ltd, ships a large quantity of fruit and farm produce; and a Farmers' Association assists in the furthering of technical knowledge amongst the many who are interested in Agriculture. Again, the Vernon Fruit Co, Ltd, handles fruit and produce in the city and district, whilst a Board of Trade, composed of the leading business men of the city, looks after the welfare of local business.
A company of The Okanagan Mounted Rifles, numbering some 120 members (and having its own band) has recently been formed, and the calibre and membership of this and the various sporting clubs are very high.
Music is dispensed by three good bands--the Fire Brigade Band, which is in a high state of proficiency, and gives public entertainments throughout the summer months; The Okanagan Mounted Rifle Band, and that of the Salvation Army which is well organized. The Drama is upheld by a very capable Amateur Operatic Society.
Population 2,500
For a inhabitants list please see: Inhabitants List