Coldstream, 1898

Archival photographs are used in the video to illustrate some of the people, buildings, and places in the Coldstream area that Lady Aberdeen described in her journal. These include: views of Long Lake, which borders the Coldstream Ranch; the Coldstream orchards; the Coldstream Ranch packinghouse; orchard pickers; downtown Vernon decorated for the Aberdeens; and crowds of people at the Vernon train station.

 Coldstream, 1898

 En route between St. Paul and (Sault) Ste. Marie, August 6^th, 1898

The whole place has taken a great step forward since we saw it eighteen months ago and the development of the orchards strikes one most of all … The orchards now look beautifully cared for.  The trees have grown marvellously, so that they look quite established. The old instead of young plantations about which there is only hope to feed on.

The Northern Spy trees are bearing this year and many of the trees were simply laden with fruit.  Mr. Ricardo estimated having 15 tons of apples to dispose of – but he has 50 and it is all sold to two wholesale firms – at 2 ½¢ a lb. – they will be picking and packing in three weeks.

The new fruit packinghouse is also very business like and the little wooden boxes are now being made at the rate of 100 boxes a day by a boy by means of a simple machine – the same way with the apple boxes and crates – the wood is supplied in stacks of the right size and is made up by our own men.

There will also be a great crop of plums and a good one of pears – we are to begin to make vinegar with the rejected apples this autumn and the growing of vegetables will go forward on a large scale now that the wholesale vegetable merchant in the Kootenay undertakes to purchase them.

On Saturday we had a regular party for luncheon. Then we all proceeded to the other side to the place the children call the ‘race course’ for a round up of the cattle … and then a picnic at the head of the Long Lake which is quite a success. We left the party to go on the Lake for a row whilst we went to pay farewell calls to the plot holders…

We had a hurried dinner with the Markleys, Mr. Acland and Mr. Brown … and then drove in for farewell festivities at Vernon – special platform erected outside – Chinese lanterns, decoration – address from the Mayor and citizens – fireworks and farewell reception with a further rather drawn out farewell at the station.

The engine of our special train could not find the heart to go and groaned and fumed in the attempt considerably. Morrison and Mrs Morrison have come up from Guisachan to see us and A sent for their children to see the fireworks. All going well there and it is to pay its way this year, they say, without a doubt.

Central Okanagan Heritage Society; Lady Aberdeen portrayed by Sandra Harwood; Costuming by Lake Country Museum & Archives; Filming by Riley Grandel and Alicia van der Sluijs, Centre for Arts & Technology; Photos courtesy of the Kelowna Public Archives and The Greater Vernon Museum & Archives