In 1859, European missionaries arrived, establishing a settlement that would grow over time. Father Pandosy, Father Richard, and Brother Surel set up a mission to serve Indigenous people, traders, and settlers. Today, three of the original buildings remain at the Father Pandosy Mission Provincial Heritage Site, offering a glimpse into this era of Kelowna’s history.
Recognizing the valley’s agricultural potential, Canada’s Governor General, Lord Aberdeen, purchased vast tracts of land in 1893, helping to shape Kelowna’s fruit-growing legacy. He also built Guisachan House, now a 2.4-acre heritage site.
Kelowna officially became a city in 1905, with just 600 residents. Its name comes from the syilx Okanagan language, nsyilxcən, meaning "Grizzly Bear", inspired by an early settler’s encounter with local Indigenous people.
Today, Kelowna is home to over 220,000 people and a rich history preserved in museums, heritage sites, and the orchards and vineyards that continue to thrive across the region. See fascinating exhibits in the Wine Museum, BC Orchard Industry Museum, the Kelowna Museum and the Military Museum.
