Showing 153 results

authority records
Norris (family)
MS 47 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1887-1978

The Norris family lived in Canoe, near Salmon Arm. Clara Maud Bayliff had family in Australia who corresponded with her before and after her marriage to Eric Norris. Little else is known about the family. Maud Bayliff Norris had a brother, John George Bayliff of Australia who died in 1918. George corresponded with his sister from 1911 until his death.

North Okanagan Coin Club
MS 48 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1963-2003

The North Okanagan Coin Club was formed in 1963. Meetings were held in member's homes, usually with a dozen or more in attendance. In 1938, membership numbered 38. In 1977 there were 17 paid up members, in 1982 there were 17, and in 1984 there were 14.

A special meeting was called in January 1979 to decide whether to carry on or terminate the club. Those present chose to carry on and a new slate of officers was installed.

In 1984, another discussion was held re: the future of the club, and again, a decision was postponed.

Finally, in 2003, Syd Bedwell and Bill Kernahagn signed to close the bank account and the money, approximately $150.00, was donated to the new Salmon Arm Legion building.

Owens (family)
MS 49 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1866-1955

Patrick Owens (1866-1955) was born in Cavan County, Ireland. He immigrated to Canada in 1883, living in Nova Scotia for a time before returning to Ireland. When he immigrated to Canada again, British Columbia became his permanent home. Owens fought in the second Riel Rebellion in 1885, receiving as payment one section of prairie land in Alberta, but sold the property later for ten dollars. He claimed to have been at Craigellachie during the driving of the last spike, which completed the CPR. He went on to mine in the Kootenays, Slocan area and Vancouver Island.

Owens arrived in Salmon Arm in 1891 and homesteaded his property on what would become Lakeshore Ave, planting orchards and supplying some of the apples that were first shipped from Salmon Arm. He sold his orchard and acquired property in the Salmon Valley, became a dairyman and established a milk delivery business on the site of what is now Canadian Tire. Later, during the First World War, he sold his dairy herd and engaged in mixed farming. After venturing into diversified crops, Owens specialized in growing asparagus.

Owens was an active member of the community, serving on municipal council for thirteen years, a member of the police commission and a member in the Farmers' Institute.

Information gathered on Patrick's wife, Mary, is sketchy. Ontario born, Mary Dolan Owens (1870-1944) was the child of Thomas Dolan and Catherine Stone. According to her obituary Mary came to Salmon Arm in 1900. She was a sister to Jack and Steve Dolan, the early settlers of Upper Salmon Arm (Dolan's Corner). The couple were married and two daughters, Kay (Watters) of Salmon Arm and Annie Owens of Vancouver, and one son Thomas of South Burnaby.

Perrier, Hector Joseph
MS 50 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Person · 1877-1966

Hector Joseph Perrier was born 18 July 1877 at Alfred, Ontario. When he was twenty-six years old, he moved to Nelson, BC where he obtained employment at David Wadd's Studio and trained as a photographer.

In 1907 he opened a studio in Pincher Creek, AB where he did portrait work and finishing film for amateurs. He married Ellen in 1909. The couple had two children, Arthur and Irene. They continued to live in Pincer Creek until 1915, when the family moved to Salmon Arm and Perrier opened a photography studio.

Perrier's work in Salmon Arm included portraits and landscapes. His portraits were often taken in his subject's homes, a significant departure from previous photographic styles. Perrier posed many of his subjects in natural settings, so we get a closer glimpse of the people behind the portraits. His wartime postcards are a fine record of military activities. Perrier captured scenes of men as they enlisted to fight overseas. His streetscapes are an uncommon record of Salmon Arm in its early years.

Near the end of WW I, Perrier moved to Edmonton where he worked in other professions, as a salesman, clerk and insurance agent. However, he continued to work in the darkroom, retouching photographs for Alderson Photography and McCutcheon's.

In 1927 Perrier moved to Jasper, AB where he opened a photograph finishing business. According to authors Jack McCuaig and Don Stewart, he later concentrated on the retail trade and was able to pursue landscape photography once again.

Perrier retired in 1948 and his son, Art, took over the business. Perrier died in St. Albert, AB in Youville Home of the Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns) July 21, 1966. Perrier was buried in the Jasper Cemetery.

MS 110 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1948-1996

In May of 1948, Ed Peterson and his five sons (Hubert, Elmer, Hjalmar, Floyd and Alf) formalized their business activities, forming the Peterson Bros. Co-Operative Association. The family had undertaken a variety of ventures including land-clearing, bull-dozing, various types of fruit growing, heavy duty equipment repairs, and trucking. Once incorporated, they expanded their operations and added John Deere tractor sales to their operations in 1955.

In June of 1952, the Petersons decided to incorporate, as their business did not function like a co-operative. The new name was Peterson Bros. (Salmon Arm) Ltd. Some of their notable jobs include the Joint Waterworks Project, logging roads on Fly Hills and Hunters Range, the bulldozing associated with adding to or building many local schools, and the dam at South Canoe. Each member of the family business contributed individual talents to the communal effort.

During the Second World War, the Petersons worked particularly hard -often twenty-four hours a day-at these various pursuits, as the shortage of workers was acute.

The Petersons got out of the John Deere business in the seventies, as well as discontinuing their bulldozing and road building work. As this is written, in October of 2002, the Petersons still grow a large variety of apples and other fruit in their Broadview-area orchards. In this capacity, they continue to contribute to the community as growers, employers, and community historians.

Peterson Family
MS 105 · Family · 1906-1998

Ed Peterson and his brother Ivor immigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1908, changing their surname from Persson to Peterson. Their search for work led them and friends Eric Wessman (previously Anderson) and Anton Swanburg, to the Shuswap area in 1911 where they cleared land and cut firewood. Ed Peterson had been a river driver back in Sweden, but he adapted well to the frontier life in his new home.

Eric Wessman's sister Vilhemina, 22 at the time, joined them in 1912 as their cook. More than her cooking seems to have impressed Ed, as they were married on July 4, 1914 at the Presbyterian Manse in Revelstoke. Ed and Mina raised eight children, Hubert, Elmer, Hjalmar, Floyd, Margaret, Violet, Alf, and Ingrid. The family was close, forming a business, then several businesses, some of which continue in an altered form to this day.

At one time or another, the Petersons built roads, snow-plowed, excavated foundations, built dams and water lines, logged, did custom orchard-work, were John Deere dealers, mechanics, and fruit growers. All the Peterson children followed their parents example and worked very hard. Not only active in business, the Petersons also played major roles in community organizations, including the Okanagan Historical Society, the Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association, the Salmar Community Association, Mainline Co-operative, the Orchard Museum in Kelowna, the Shuswap Naturalists, the Salmon Arm Farmers' Exchange, Technocracy, the Joint Water Board, the Photography Club, Old Time Dance Club, and various BC Tree Fruit organizations.

R. Turner and Sons
MS 77 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1935-1961

Robert Turner was born in Ireland in 1868, immigrating to Canada in 1888. He apprenticed as a blacksmith in Ontario. Turner later took on work with the CPR as a second cook in the dining car. He came to Salmon Arm and bought 70 acres from Alex Paul just east of 8th Ave. NE. By 1906 the orchard was thriving, growing Red Astrachans, Duchess Kings, Golden Russets, Northern Spy, Peewaukee, and Seek-No-Further apples. Turner name his operation "Coraghwood Orchard".

Robert married Maude Louise in 1907, youngest daughter of Alexander and Agnes McGuire. Maude arrived with her family in 1890. The couple had four children: Edward Charles, Marjorie Eglah, Ronald Hudson and Alexander Robert (Sandy).

Robert joined the Salmon Arm Farmers' Exchange in 1907, but for reasons of economy resumed packing his apples at the farm. In 1935 Turner purchased the E.A. Palmer warehouse and used the Turner label on all his boxes. The limited corporation R. Turner and Sons was formed in 1936 and the Turner label was used on fruit boxes after that time. Correspondence from the mid 1930s bears the name R. Turner & Sons. The packing house was enlarged, adding a cost storage plant in 1938. Further expansions took place in1940 and 1948.

During the peak years, Turner's packing business shipped 66 car loads of apples nationally and internationally. R. Turner died in 1950 during the "Big Freeze" which eliminated many of Salmon Arm's orchards. His son Eddie C. Turner succeeded as President of the R. Turner and Sons Ltd, while Eddie's wife Eileen M. Turner was Secretary and Eddie's brother, Ronald H. Turner, remained as a Director. Other family members held shares in the company. Many land transactions and mortages were conducted by this company, mostly from the original piece of land in the hospital area. Eddie Turner became Reeve of the District of Salmon Arm and served for almost ten years in the 1950s. After Eddie's death, brother Ronald Turner succeeded Eddie in the business.

Reinhard, William
MS 53 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Person · 1851-1922

Dr. William Reinhard was Salmon Arm's first resident doctor. Born Georg Theodore Adolf Wilhelm Reinhard in Bavaria (1851-1922), known now as Melsungen, Germany, William Reinhard studied medicine at four prominent universities in Europe, including Berlin, Baden, Munich, and Zurich. Dr. Reinhard specialized in studies of the ear, eye, nose and throat. In the early 1880s, he moved to Wisconsin to join his brothers. He married Marie Buchbinder in 1883 and practiced medicine there for a short while. The couple had four children while living in Wisconsin, two boys and two girls: Oscar, Anna, Thekla and Gus. In 1886, the family was joined by Caroline (also known as Lina or Lena). Lina came to Wisconsin to help her sister with the large family and to take care of her younger brother Carl.

In 1888 the family moved to Ladner's Landing in British Columbia, Canada where another son, Wilhelm, was born. Marie died in Ladner's Landing in 1891, at the age of 31. Lina assumed the mother role to the young children. The family moved to Vernon to purchase an already-established practice. Since Dr. Reinhard considered it improper to live with an unmarried woman, he moved to Barkerville for a year and became house physician there. By 1893, he had returned to Vernon and had married his sister-in-law, Caroline Buchbinder.

Dr. Reinhard came to practice medicine in Salmon Arm in 1906. In 1910 he purchased the Orange Hall and remodelled the building for offices. The Salmon Arm practice was sold in 1913 when Dr. Reinhard became seriously ill. He returned to Salmon Arm in 1916 and practiced for a year. Dr. Reinhard also moved his practice to Armstrong and Nelson, while his family remained in Vernon. In 1907 he bought and built a pre-fabricated house on the East Hill of Vernon. Eventually, Dr. Reinhard practiced medicine in the logging camps on the Queen Charlotte Islands and then became the director of the government hospital in Bella Coola. He died of a heart attack in 1922 and is buried in Vernon alongside of his wife, Lina, and his sons Gus and Oscar.

Richards (family)
MS 54 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1897-1986

Norman Sydney Richards (1897-1986) was born in Bristol, England. He was the youngest brother of the Rt. Honourable Lord Milverton. Richards was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, and immigrated to Salmon Arm in 1914 with his widowed mother, Amelia, and her travelling companion, Miss South. Richards purchased land with the goal of developing an orchard. He had heard of the Salmon Arm area through his mother, who met a friend of the Ehlers family in Bristol, England.

Richards returned to England to join the war effort, leaving his mother behind to supervise the completion of the family home. Richards went to France in 1917. His mother returned to Bristol.

Richards was injured in 1917 and he spent the next two years recovering. He met and married Pearl Cullimore of Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Miss Cullimore had been working as a VAD while Richards was recuperating from his war wounds. Richards and his bride, "Peter", relocated to Salmon Arm in 1919. The couple had two daughters, Pam and Esme.

Lack of water resulted in Richards giving up the orchard. He took poultry correspondence courses and opened a hatchery operation. He took a partner, F. Frank, for a few years but the relationship dissolved by 1930.

In 1929 Pearl returned to England for surgery, taking the two girls with her. They remained for a year, the daughters attending a school for young ladies.

The hatchery closed in 1962. Richards continued to sell vegetables, cherries and flowers. In 1981 the land was designated as residential and taxes increased.

Richards was admitted to hospital in 1983 and died in 1986 at the age of 89. Richards enjoyed fishing and tennis. He was a charter member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 62.

Pearl Cullimore (1899-1991) was born in Berkeley, Gos., England. She married Norman Richards in 1919 and immigrated to Canada as a wartime bride. Mrs. Richards worshipped at St. John's Anglican Church in Salmon Arm. She was secretary-treasurer of the Altar Guild for many years. Pearl enjoyed tennis, boating, camping, and gardening.

Robert Turner and Family
MS 126 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1868-1950

Robert Turner was born in Poyntzpass, Armagh, Ireland in 1868, immigrating to Canada in 1888. He apprenticed as a blacksmith in Ontario. Turner later took on work with the C.P.R. as a second cook in the dining car. He came to Salmon Arm and bought 70 acres from Alex Paul just east of present day 8th Ave. NE. By 1906 he had a thriving orchard, growing Red Astrachans, Duchess Kings, Golden Russets, Northern Spy, Peewaukee and Seek-No-Further apples. Robert Turner named his operation “Coraghwood Orchard.” He originated and propagated the Turner Red Delicious Apple, identified to have come from nursery stock brought from Vernon’s Coldstream Ranch.

Robert married Maude Louise in 1907, youngest daughter of Alexander and Agnes McGuire. Maude arrived with her family in 1890. The Turners had four children: Edward Charles, Marjorie Eglah (later Brooks), Ronald Hudson, and Alexander Robert (Sandy).

Robert Turner died the year of the Big Freeze (1949/1950) which eliminated most of Salmon Arm’s orchards. Luckily, he never knew of the devastation.

Ruth Adair Peterson
MS 148 · Person · 1921-2008

When Ruth Adair Peterson (nee Brooke) died August 1, 2008 in Reno, Nevada, a succession of remarkable events repatriated to Salmon Arm a collection of significant paintings which celebrate a lovely story, a loving family, and its community.

More than three hundred paintings by Ruth’s father, Arthur Adair Brooke, were found under her bed wrapped in a cotton pillow slip and tied with a green ribbon. They came “home”. The one-of-a-kind collection was archival in every sense of the word. It spanned an important period of time and documented rural life in the Mt. Ida District of Salmon Arm.

Ruth’s story begins in 1921. Life on the Brookes’ farm, Asterfield, was unexpectedly interrupted with her birth. She was a fourth child and the first daughter to middle aged parents Arthur Adair and Annie Florence Brooke. She was given her mother’s maiden name and raised like an only child, adored by her adult brothers. Family members tell us her parents were strict Baptists. Ruth left home to attend business school in Calgary. It was there she met the love of her life, a divorced American baseball player named Bill Peterson. Ruth followed Bill to the States and they were married in 1951. Ruth and her new husband lived in Oakland, California and Reno, Nevada. The couple had a long marriage until Bill’s death in 1985.

But the story really began with the artist. Born in Rome in 1874, Arthur Adair Brooke had a long journey to Salmon Arm, British Columbia. The eldest child of Arthur Swindells and Amelia Adair Brooke had little memory at the age of two of moving with his family to Switzerland. His father was a professional watercolour artist and supported the family of 9 surviving children by painting landscapes.

When A.A. Brooke finished secondary school he was sent to England before emigrating to Canada in 1890. The first stop in Canada was Manitoba where he learned to farm under the tutelage of Joseph Merry at the Barnsley Farm Home. Four years later, Brooke began working his own farm.

Brooke married Annie Florence Ruth in 1898. Their first son, Harold Arthur, was born at Barnsley two years later. The family moved to Didsbury, Alberta, and two more sons joined the family, Ralph Edward in 1902 and Ernest Cuthbert in 1903. A.A. Brooke worked a homestead and received his Western Land Grant in 1904.

Alberta was not to be the end of the journey. Brooke sold the homestead and its improvements, and moved the household west after purchasing 60 acres of the Goforth farm in the Mt. Ida District near Salmon Arm. They arrived by train in 1907 with two loads of settlers’ effects and set up residence, naming their new home Asterfield.

Still adjusting to retirement, the couple moved again, this time south to another farming community, Cloverdale in the Fraser Valley. Arthur Adair spent his remaining years painting.

Annie Florence passed away December 6th, 1957. After her death, Arthur ached with loneliness and moved to Siska Lodge at Lytton, B.C. to be with his son Harold. He kept busy painting watercolours to sell in the Lodge’s coffee shop.

Arthur Adair was a prolific artist and left a legacy of a significant body of work. The farmer artist sketched images all his life, using his drawings as inspiration for later watercolours. His landscapes depict Switzerland, Ireland, Manitoba, Alberta, Alaska, and British Columbia. Numerous watercolours and sketches are held in private collections, at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, the Dufferin Historical Society Museum in Carman, Manitoba and the Salmon Arm Museum. But his best work is said to be Ruth’s baby books that document his daughter's early life.

Arthur died thirteen months after Annie on January 13, 1959.

Ruth (family)
MS 55 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Family · 1883-1981

Percy A. Ruth was a pioneer in the conifer tree seed business in British Columbia and particularly in the Salmon Arm area of Shuswap.

Percy Ruth first came to the Shuswap from Carman, Manitoba in 1907 at the age of 24 years, to visit his sister and brother-in-law. His parents, Mr and Mrs A.R. Ruth moved from Carman to Salmon Arm in 1908 and established a retail business. Subsequently, Percy returned to Salmon Arm to assist in the family business, and in 1913, married Lyla Margaret McDiarmid. Their children were: Dorothy Margaret b. 13 October, 1914; Donald Frederick b. 19 May, 1918; Douglas Stewart b. 11 September, 1932.

Lyla McDiarmid was born in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. Her parents Stuart and Catherine McDiarmid, moved to Salmon Arm in 1909. Lyla was the second eldest of nine children. She was very active in the United church and sang in the choir. She loved skating and long walks and her family was very important to her.

At the outbreak of WWI, Percy joined the Rocky Mountain Rangers and became a sergeant in the Military Police stationed in Kamloops. Following the war, a few years were spent working in various jobs at the coast, but prior to 1922, he returned to Salmon Arm. In that year, the Dominion of Canada Forestry Branch Department of the interior established the first seed extraction plant in New Westminster. Four years later, the forestry office in Salmon Arm received a request from the Dominion Forestry Branch for conifer seed.

Percy Ruth welcomed a new business challenge and the promising source of extra income and in 1927 became a seed supplier. His son, Douglas R. Ruth wrote the history of the Conifer Seed Business and dedicated it to the Secwepemc, the First People of the Shuswap who were major contributors to the business with their knowledge and skills.

S.A.F.E. Ltd.
MS 67 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1913-1976

The Salmon Arm Farmers’ Exchange operated a shipping organization that expanded into the retail market. Local retail merchants objected to the expansion and petitioned the C.P.R. (Canadian Pacific Railway) to control the activities of its leaseholder, The Salmon Arm Farmers’ Exchange. In 1913 the C.P.R. served the Exchange with a notice demanding the organization vacate the premises within thirty days and cancelled the lease. The Exchange was in violation by operating a retail business. As a result, The S.A.F.E. Limited, Salmon Arm’s first co-operative retail store was created. On April 30, 1914 shareholders appointed Robert Turner, Frank Black, James Evans, W.J. Andrew, and G.G. Barber as Directors. G.G. Barber was made Manager.

In response to the eviction, a lot was purchased by The S.A.F.E. Limited August 3, 1914, for $1700, located across from the Salmon Arm Farmers’ Exchange on Shuswap Street. The lot was cleared, except for the R.K. Scales Store. The Salmon Arm Farmers’ Exchange financed the construction of The S.A.F.E. Limited building. In 1914, a $900/year lease agreement was drawn up between The Salmon Arm Farmers’ Exchange and The S.A.F.E. Limited. The retail operation boomed. Purchases were made in cash. No credit was issued. On July 18, 1917 an agreement was drawn up between the two associations detailing commodities carried, sales practices and procedures. On March 1, 1918 an agreement to rent to own was drawn up. August 29, 1933, The S.A.F.E. Limited fulfilled the agreement. The ownership of the building transferred to The S.A.F.E. Limited.

August 25, 1956 saw the store levelled by fire. The building was reconstructed during the winter of 1956-57 by Mackie and Hooper Construction Co. Ltd. of Vernon, B.C. and opened November, 1957. Unanticipated construction costs combined with opening delays, drained The S.A.F.E. Limited financially. Shareholders entered into an agreement with the B.C. Co-operative Wholesale Society for sale of assets of The S.A.F.E. Limited. On November 21, 1959 the newly incorporated Shuswap Consumers’ Cooperative Association bought the equity of The S.A.F.E. Limited.

The S.A.F.E. Limited Holding Society was incorporated January 6, 1961 Ato safe guard the interests of the former shareholders of The S.A.F.E. Limited and to maintain contact between such former shareholders as part of the payment consisted of debentures to run for fifteen years@. The board consisted of President D.F. Marshall, Secretary Treasurer Ernest Doe, and Directors C.C. Barker, E.C. Turner, Hjalmar Peterson, and S.F. Hanna. Annual meetings were held until there were no outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligations. The S.A.F.E. Holding Society surrendered its charter July 15, 1976. The history of Salmon Arm’s first retail cooperative came to an end.

Salmar Community Association
MS 144 · Corporate body · 1946-

The Salmon Arm Community Co-operative Sports Center Association met October 1st, 1946. The first order of business was the consideration of the name change to Salmon Arm Community Cooperative Association.

Directors elected were S.C. Elliot, F. Marshall, P.E. Pike, N.S. Minion, A.A. Robinson, F. Ibbotson, C.C. Barker, J.E. Campbell, and Ken Hunter. The directors were authorized to purchase the Rex Theatre at the same meeting.

The group was formed to consider the creation of a memorial to those who had served in the Second World War. The decision was made to build a memorial arena that also met the community’s needs for skating and ice hockey facilities.

The Association investigated sources of financing for this project and it was decided to purchase the existing Rex Theatre by the sale of debentures and non-interest bearing shares. It soon became apparent that the Rex Theatre building and equipment were outdated and it was decided that a new theatre should be built and officially opened for business.

In the meantime, a separate organization was formed to secure funds for the construction of the proposed arena. Construction was commenced in 1956 and the Salmon Arm Memorial Arena was ready for use on July 1, 1958. Surplus revenues from the operation of the Salmar were directed to the arena until responsibility for the operation of the arena was assumed by local government.

With the future of the arena assured, the objectives of the Association were expanded to include many other worthwhile community endeavors including sport and recreation, healthcare and the arts. Theatre revenues were also used to upgrade and enhance the Salmar. In the mid-1970s, the Salmar was renovated and new projection equipment purchased. In 1984, further renovations, including reconstruction of the lobby, enlargement of the stage and installation of special lighting to encourage live performances, were completed. In 1990 the Alexander Street façade of the Salmar, including signage, was upgraded. Technical improvements to projection and sound equipment continued to be made on an ongoing basis.

In 1978 the Association purchased the Starlite Drive-In Theatre and operated that facility in conjunction with the Salmar for many years. The Starlite was sold in September of 1990 to make way for the planned expansion of the junction of Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 97B.

In November of 1987, the name of the Association was changed to Salmar Community Association with the intent of making the community ownership of the Salmar more obvious to the many new residents of the Salmon Arm area.

By 1992 it became apparent that the operations of the Association needed to be expanded both to service the entertainment needs of a rapidly growing community and to ensure that the operations of the Association would remain commercially viable. After considerable discussion it was determined that the Association would build a new theatre complex.

Many issues, including the location and design of the new complex were considered and dealt with over the next several years. A suitable site was located on a portion of an undeveloped public parking lot on Hudson Avenue. It was then determined that a multiplex facility would be built, with four separate movie screens sharing a common projection room, lobby and other facilities. Financing was secured and construction commenced in October of 1996. The new complex was officially opened to the public as Salmar Grand Cinemas May 16, 1997.

The theatre capacity created by Salmar Grand Cinemas allows the Association to offer a wide variety of movies, often on the same date they are released in larger centres. The Association continues to operate the Salmar Theatre as a movie theatre and as a venue for live performances.

Salmar Community Association continues, in accordance with the vision of its founding members, to operate its community owned facilities for the benefit of the residents of Salmon Arm and Shuswap.

Salmon Arm 4-H Club
MS 71 · Corporate body · 1961-1991

According to the BC 4-H Club website, the Boys and Girls Club came into being in 1914. In the first year, over 200 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 were involved in competitions sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. The first clubs focused on potatoes, but later expanded to poultry in order to attract more young people and widen the influence of progressive farming practices on the BC farming community (see footnote below for source). When a local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club was formed in Salmon Arm is not known, but the Club was first mentioned in the Salmon Arm Observer in 1917.

The Boys and Girls Club was renamed 4-H in 1952. The name stood for the 4-Hs were: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. The Four objectives of the 4-H are:

  1. To train the heads and hands of the boys and girls.
  2. To give them broad and big hearts.
  3. To improve their health by giving them an interest in outdoor life.
  4. To encourage, on the part of all Canadians, a strong and more intelligent interest in agriculture.
    The objectives are accomplished by competing and exhibiting at Fall Fairs.

The motto of the club is “Learn to do by doing.”

Oddly, the first mention of the 4-H Club in the Salmon Arm Observer was in 1951 as members of Armstrong, Kamloops, Salmon Arm and Lumby 4-H Clubs joined together to attend
the PNE in Vancouver.

Over the years there were multiple branches within the Club including Beef, Dairy, Horse, Goat, Honey Bee, and Clothing Clubs. A 4-H District Council served the area from Sicamous, Mara, Grindrod, Deep Creek, Salmon Arm and Sorrento.

Footnote: History of BC 4-H Club https://www.4hbc.ca/contact/history

MS 58 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1898-

Salmon Arm Agricultural Society was formed in 1898 with the mandate to hold an Annual Fair and Cattle Show at Salmon Arm. The first fall fair was held in 1897. A search for permanent fair grounds was actively discussed in 1908. In 1910 a committee recommended the purchase of five acres at an estimated cost of two thousand dollars, the committee further recommended that a skating rink and exhibition building be built at a cost of three thousand dollars.

The Association received its certificate of incorporation in 1911 and then issued twenty-five dollar debentures to raise funds to build a hall. The building was opened in 1912. The fair was cancelled in 1914, for lack of stock sheds. The necessary sheds were completed and the fair was held in 1915.

MS 94 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1909-

The Salmon Arm Board of Trade was founded in 1905. It represents business interests in the community. The Board published promotional material and held social events. The name was subsequently changed in 1940 to the Salmon Arm and District Chamber of Commerce.

Corporate body · 1947-1987

An organizational meeting was held in the Court House, Salmon Arm, B.C., 2 December, 1948 with 31 people in attendance. A slate of officers was nominated and accepted by acclamation. The constitution of the Vernon Horticultural Society was read and those present voted to adopt the Vernon Constitution. Membership fees were set at one dollar per year/one dollar and fifty cents per year for two or more members of one family.

The first executive meeting was held 15 December, 1947 and the first general meeting was held 24 February, 1949. According to the records, meetings continued until 10 February, 1987. The society was also known as the Salmon Arm Garden Club.

90 · Corporate body · 1933 - 1983

A collection of Voters' records containing names, addresses and occupations of eligible voters in the Salmon Arm and Shuswap Electoral Districts. Printed by the King's and Queens Printers.

MS 57 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1905-

The District Municipality of Salmon Arm was incorporated in 1905. It used a ward system to allocate public funds. The first District Council included J. Harbell, R. Hobson, W. Baker, D. Sinclair, J. Johnson and H. Donnelly.

On March 12, 1912, the City of Salmon Arm was incorporated. R.K. Scales was the city's first mayor. Aldermen were: W.L. Gibbard, J.E. Lacey, F.C. Haydock, G.M. Warren and W.R. Greenaway. The District continued to be governed separately.

With the incorporation of the City, the District Municipality lost part of the territory it originally controlled and many taxpayers. The city boundaries did not include one complete ward of the district.

The municipality and city were reunited on September 1, 1970 with the governing council of the new District of Salmon Arm. The members of both councils completed their terms of office and a complete council was elected.

MS 132 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1911-1917

Organized schooling began at Hedgeman's Corner in 1890. The school served Township 20, Range 10. The school trustees consisted of A.J. Palmer, T. Shaw, and J.S. Smith. The first teacher was Miss. F.M. Goodrich. The school opened with ten students.

Until 1906 each school was governed by its own trustees. In April of that year, a board was put in place to supervise all schools within the region. Each area sent an elected representative to trustee meetings. In 1911 the board included F.B. Shaw, Wm Halliday, W.A. Banks, C. Brooke and M. MacKay.

MS 69 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 2003-2006

With the centennial of the community of Salmon Arm approaching, a steering committee was formed to co-ordinate celebrations. It first met June 2003. As it was a short term venture, the committee did not apply for non-profit status.

The Steering Committee reported to the District of Salmon Arm. It met weekly and hosted a monthly community meeting with different organizations (such as the Salmon Arm Museum at R.J. Haney Heritage Village). The office was at the Salmar Classic Theatre, 362 Alexander Street, Salmon Arm (V1E 4P2).

Committee members included:
Louise Wallace, Volunteer Co-chair (private citizen)
Warren Welter, Volunteer Co-chair (private citizen)
Duncan Myers, Salmon Arm Museum
Patrick Allwood, Town Crier
Allan Finch, Treasurer
Tony Burge, Sunwave Centre
James Young, Promowest Promotional Products
Sandy Shepherd, Co-ordinator, Shuswap Recreation Society, and
Doug Lagore, District of Salmon Arm (replaced by Carl Bannister after Lagore’s move to Alberta).

The committee received its mandate from the District of Salmon Arm. It was to help groups co-ordinate their own centennial events. The committee organized three main events: The New Year Eve Celebration, the City’s official birthday party on May 15, and the 10-day Homecoming Celebration in July. The May celebration noted a change in the community’s status. The mayor Colin Mayes read a proclamation announcing the creation of the City of Salmon Arm.
Community volunteers ran the events with help from Katimavik workers.

Each of the days of the Homecoming had a different theme:
Saturday: Heritage Day
Sunday: Cultural Day
Monday: Agri-tourism Day
Tuesday: Pioneer Day
Wednesday: Market Day (with the Wild West show in downtown Salmon Arm)
Thursday: Forestry Day
Friday: Railway Day
Saturday: Wharf Day, and
Sunday: Reunion Day.

Funding was a partnership between the District of Salmon Arm, Community Futures, Twin Anchors, the new car dealers of Salmon Arm, Prestige Inn, and gold, silver and bronze sponsors.

The celebration was promoted in parades throughout the province and the Calgary Stampede. The float was designed to look like a paddlewheeler and carried the mascot, Patrick Allwood, the Town Crier.

Events included:
Fall Fair, Fifties Block Party, High School Reunion
Heroes and Rogues Exhibit by Craig Pulsifer
Party of the Century (May 15/05)
Fiber Alive exhibit and fashion show,
Heritage Ball
RCMP Musical Ride
Antique Appraisal Day at Haney Heritage Park
Homecoming (July 1-10)
New Year’s Eve Centennial Extravaganza
Taste of the Shuswap
Scavenger Hunt
Lantern Festival
Shuswap Writers Centennial Competition
Wild West Show
Town Crier Competition

Merchandizing included Books, DVDs and a coin.

Salmon Arm Cricket Club
MS 108 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1911-1939

The Salmon Arm Cricket Club was organized in 1911. The team members included R.H. Fortune, John Harragin, George Holmes, H. Verity, Eric Bivar, A.D. Meek, W. Meek, Hugh and Norman Bowden, a bank clerk, Ashton and Claude Barlow. Team members played at the Fall Fair in Armstrong, travelling by democrat buggies, switching horses in Enderby.

Mrs. A. McGuire donated four acres to the west ofa the wharf for a playing field. The club members cleared and levelled the grounds. The north end was developed into tennis courts. A pavilion was made out of a shed donated by Mrs. McGuire.

In 1914 the club was disbanded with news of the Great War. It reconvened in the 1920s with the help of the Doe family.

1936 members consist of: Guy Elphinston, Art Smith, Don Campbell, Vic Nancollas, J. Nancollas, R. Harvey, Alex Cragg, Constable Hodgkin, Max Ladner, N.H. Bowden, M. Pottie, T. Prescott, Jack Milling, Major F. Bivar, N.C. Dawson.

MS 60 · Corporate body · 1952-1966

The Salmon Arm Elementary Parent-Teacher Association was formed to promote the welfare of children and youth in the Salmon Arm Elementary School. The group raised funds, gave awards and scholarships, sold calendars, sponsored graduation and teachers' banquets and held dances.

Salmon Arm Elementary School
MS 60 (Salmon Arm Museum) · Corporate body · 1922-2003

The first Elementary School in downtown Salmon Arm opened in August, 1898 in a building on the north side of Front Street, on the site of the present (2004) Lordco business. Between 1898 and 1908, classes were held in various locations, but in August, 1908, a new four -room school was opened on Harris street (2nd Avenue NE). This school, known as City School, was destroyed when fire broke out in the basement, shortly after 10.00 a.m., January 31, 1917. The building was evacuated in an orderly fashion. The loss of this building once again necessitated classes being conducted in buildings around town until a new school on Harris Street was completed in January, 1919.

By 1922, the need for more Elementary School space, plus an increased demand for High School classrooms, saw the construction of a new High School which later became the Salmon Arm Elementary School.

Throughout the 1940s, overcrowding forced classes once again to be held in temporary quarters such as City Hall, and repeated by-laws for new schools were defeated by the public. Finally, in June 1949, another plan which called for the construction of a new Junior-Senior High School (J.L. Jackson) and conversion of the High School to an Elementary School was presented to the rate-payers and was approved. In September 1950, the Minister of Education, Hon W. T. Smith, opened the two schools

By the 1990s, the elementary school boasted eleven divisions from kindergarten to grade seven and a full and part-time staff of 20-25 people. However, the late 1990s saw the effects of a declining birth rate, a change in demographics, and the government's decision to consolidate enrolment in fewer classrooms. In 2003, despite strong protests from parents, students, and educators, Salmon arm Elementary closed its doors.