Once Thomas Shorts introduced the first steamboat on the lake, there was a steady rotation of new and better commercial vessels in the Okanagan, continuing until the mid 20th century. Each of these ships, however small, seemed to achieve a personality of their own, solidifying themselves into the collective memory of the community. In the Okanagan valley, each of these distinctive personalities helped to establish and provide for the settler communities in a myriad of ways.

Front Street is one of the original streets in Penticton and as such has a distinct history. The beginnings of Front Street date back to...

Canadian Pacific Railway owned and operated trains and hotels across Canada, built to encourage people to travel and see the country.

The popularity of luggage trunks skyrocketed during the Victorian era, perfectly timed with the golden age of railroad and ship transportati

There were a number of men who Captained this ship, but the longest serving was Joseph Weeks. The SS Sicamous left Penticton about 6:20...

The Jingle and Gong system between the Captain and the Engine Room

Firemen working to keep the coal in the burners producing steam at the right pressure.

Air pump and jet condenser for a coal fired steam engine paddlewheeler

The engine room of the SS Sicamous and an explanation of how the steam engines work to turn the paddlewheel

Many members of Royalty have visited the Okanagan over the years. The Duke of Connaught was one of the early ones. The Okanagan has been...