Keremeos, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Keremeos is a village in the Southern Interior of British Columbia
, Canada
. The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek which flows down from the Upper Benchlands to the Similkameen River
that runs by the village. Local legend claims the name means "the meeting of the winds" due to the often windy conditions experienced in the valley.
Keremeos' main industries are horticulture
, agriculture
, ranching, and wine making, among others. Fruit stand
s are also a major component of the local economy, making it the self-titled "fruit stand capital of Canada
." All sorts of soft fruits and vegetables are grown in the South Similkameen's warm climate and vineyards and wineries are quickly being added as the Valley's wine-growing potential is being recognized.
With K Mountain as a backdrop, Keremeos, BC is a community, whose "Wild West" looks date back to 1909 when the postmaster of the now-abandoned community of Upper Keremeos, Mr. George Kirby, purchased land alongside the Similkameen River in anticipation of the V.V. & E. Railway passing through the area. He was right and other businesses soon followed. Keremeos was officially incorporated in 1956.
Area attractions include Cathedral Provincial Park, the Red Bridge, the Keremeos Columns
, the Keremeos Grist Mill, excellent fishing in area lakes and rivers, Apex Mountain Resort
, Twin Lakes Golf Resort, Spotted Lake
, the Hedley Mining Museum
and the Mascot Mine.
The geography of the Keremeos area ranges from cottonwood groves along the river to orchards to desert-like landscapes to alpine peaks.
suggests evidence that the expedition did take place. Some pictographs called "prisoner paintings" are painted on rock near Keremeos. The pictographs were made by the natives of that era and supposedly depict the Spanish expedition.
British Columbia Interior
The British Columbia Interior or BC Interior or Interior of British Columbia, usually referred to only as the Interior, is one of the three main regions of the Canadian province of British Columbia, the other two being the Lower Mainland, which comprises the overlapping areas of Greater Vancouver...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek which flows down from the Upper Benchlands to the Similkameen River
Similkameen River
The Similkameen River runs through southern British Columbia, eventually discharging into the Okanogan River near Oroville, Washington in the United States. The river is approximately long, and its drainage basin is in area...
that runs by the village. Local legend claims the name means "the meeting of the winds" due to the often windy conditions experienced in the valley.
Keremeos' main industries are horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
, agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, ranching, and wine making, among others. Fruit stand
Fruit stand
A fruit stand is a primarily open-air business venue that sells seasonal fruit and many fruit products from local business. It might also sell vegetables and various processed items derived from fruit...
s are also a major component of the local economy, making it the self-titled "fruit stand capital of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
." All sorts of soft fruits and vegetables are grown in the South Similkameen's warm climate and vineyards and wineries are quickly being added as the Valley's wine-growing potential is being recognized.
With K Mountain as a backdrop, Keremeos, BC is a community, whose "Wild West" looks date back to 1909 when the postmaster of the now-abandoned community of Upper Keremeos, Mr. George Kirby, purchased land alongside the Similkameen River in anticipation of the V.V. & E. Railway passing through the area. He was right and other businesses soon followed. Keremeos was officially incorporated in 1956.
Area attractions include Cathedral Provincial Park, the Red Bridge, the Keremeos Columns
Keremeos Columns Provincial Park
Keremeos Columns Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada.-References:...
, the Keremeos Grist Mill, excellent fishing in area lakes and rivers, Apex Mountain Resort
Apex Mountain Resort
Apex Mountain Resort is a ski resort located on Beaconsfield Mountain just west of Penticton, BC, Canada .Apex mountain has a summit elevation of 2187 m and receives an average of 600 cm of snow a year. There are 1112 acres of skiable terrain and 50 km of groomed cross-country terrain...
, Twin Lakes Golf Resort, Spotted Lake
Spotted Lake
Spotted Lake is a saline endorheic alkali lake located northwest of Osoyoos in British Columbia. It is located near the city of Osoyoos, beside Highway 3.- Mineral and salt concentration :...
, the Hedley Mining Museum
Hedley, British Columbia
Hedley is an unincorporated town in southern British Columbia, Canada, named after Robert R. Hedley, the manager of the Hall Smelter in Nelson. Hedley is located at the foot of Nickel Plate Mountain in the Similkameen. The town had a population of approximately 400 as of 2005. In the early...
and the Mascot Mine.
The geography of the Keremeos area ranges from cottonwood groves along the river to orchards to desert-like landscapes to alpine peaks.
The Spanish Mound
Copper Indian armour-plate was recovered from an ancient Indian burial near Keremeos. Each piece is fashioned from heavy copper and is perforated at the top. The Spanish Mound is a low lying grassy mound in which are buried the weapons, armour and remains of dead Spanish soldiers. The Spanish Soldiers were part of an ill fated expedition which was ambushed by Similkameen Natives two centuries ago. The legend of the mound concerns a Spanish expedition which came into the Similkameen long before King George's men arrived. The natives tell a story of men wearing metal cloths setting up camp near Keremeos. An altercation ensued between the Natives and Spanish. The Spanish were chased out and they disappeared up the Valley of Keremeos Creek. The following spring the Spanish expedition appeared near the upper reaches of Keremeos Creek. The Spanish expedition was ambushed and slaughtered to the last man. The Similkameen Natives buried the strangers with their armour and weapons in a small mound between the last Spanish camp and the Keremye'us Native village. It must be noted that there are no official Spanish records to substantiate the theory that the Spanish expedition actually existed. Historian Bill BarleeBill Barlee
Neville Langrell Barlee is a Canadian politician who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a New Democrat in 1988...
suggests evidence that the expedition did take place. Some pictographs called "prisoner paintings" are painted on rock near Keremeos. The pictographs were made by the natives of that era and supposedly depict the Spanish expedition.