1924 Vernon Directories
Vernon, situated in the sunny okanagan, as the valley is so often called, from its beautiful climate, has long been famous for its apple growing, but the possibilities for mixed farming, small fruits and truck gardening must not be overlooked.
The city occupies the site of the inevitable distributing centre of the Okanagan Valley, being virtually the terminus of the Okanagan rail line of the CPR , 46 miles south of Sicamous, on the main line, and connecting through Okanagan Landing, 4 miles south, with the Okanagan Lake points in Southern Okanagan; and it is 381 miles east of Vancouver. The city occupies a site at the foot of a long, low hill, the slopes of which are terraced with avenues and dotted with residences surrounded with shade trees, gardens and orchards, and enjoying a view of the north end of Okanagan Lake and the hills piled in majestic ranges.
The population of the immediate locality is over 6,000. It has been recruited largely from the great eastern centres and from the Old Country. The population of the city is about 4,500.
Vernon has the offices of the Provincial Agent, Assistant Horticulturist, Provincial Agricultural Department, Land Commissioner, Osoyoos Land Recording District, Provincial Police, Gold Commissioner, Agent Dominion Department of Indian Affairs, Customs Outport of Revelstoke amd District Registrar of the Supreme and County Courts. The city enjoys all modern conveniences. Has Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Roman Catholic churches. The city owns one of the most modern electric light power stations in the province. It enjoys the benefit of gravity water system, piped from a mountain stream.
It maintains a well-equipped fire department with motor-driven chemical and hose wagon, etc, with an electric alarm system serving all parts of the city There is a large and well appointed hospital with modern operating room, x-ray department, separate maternity home and an isolation ward. Educational facilities are excellent, including high and public schools, a preparatory school for boys (Rev A C Mackie, Coldstream), and a private school for girls (St Michael's). The hotel accommodation is ample and of a superior class. In addition there are several large apartment and boarding houses.
Close to Vernon lies the Coldstream municipality, populated with successful fruit growers and containing within its bounds the celebrated Coldstream Estate, consisting of 13,000 acres, with its large orchard of 800 acres. Bordering on the town in another direction is the orchard and farm property of the Land & Agricultural Co of Canada, containing 14,000 acres, most of which has been divided into fruit and mixed farms.
The head office of the Associated Growers of B C Ltd are located in Vernon. This concern is a co-operative enterprise which ships and markets the fruits of over 85 per cent of the fruit growers of the interior of the province and is run in connection with numerous locals.
The Vernon Fruit Union has the largest fruit warehouse in B C situated here. The main building is 400 feet long by 80 feet wide, with a frost-proof basement and first story capable of storing 250 cars of apples. An addition of 100 by 150 feet with basement has been added. There are other packing warehouses also.
There is a cider plant and one by -products plant. These take care of the small and cull apples. Timber is plentiful and there is a planing mill and sash and door factory.
At the present time considerable interest is being taken in the operations of a locally-formed oil company, which is now drilling north of Armstrong. They are down a considerable distance and indications are good.
The Vernon district offers great attractions to the hunter and fisherman. There is an abundance of feathered game within easy reach of Vernon. The more mountainous districts offer various species of large game, among which are deer, cariboo, moose, mountain lion, bear and mountain goat. In both Kalamalka and Okanagan Lakes trout and other fish abound.
The head office of the Soldier Settlement Board for the interior has been established here, where the interest of the returned soldies is looked after.
H F Beattie, Secretary, Board of Trade
Population 6,000
For a inhabitants list please see: Inhabitants List