Naramata, British Columbia

Naramata is an unincorporated community in the Okanagan region of south central British Columbia. On the eastern shore of southern Lake Okanagan, the locality is by road about north of Penticton.

Name origin

In November 1906, John Moore Robinson purchased land. Over the following nine months, the name changed from Nine Mile Point to East Summerland, to Brighton Beach, and finally to Naramata. Robinson claimed the name came in a séance, but more likely, he knew the value of a good story in promoting the sale of home sites and orchard lots. Alternative theories have suggested the name derives from a First Nations word or an Australian Aboriginal one, but supporting evidence is lacking.

First Nations

The Syilx name for the area is “Citxws Peqlqin," or "Eagle's House." The Naramata bench provided a seasonal camp site for elk hunting and food gathering.

Early community

Robinson advertised and sold parcels of land to people from other parts of Canada as well as the British Isles. At the time Naramata became known as a cultural centre. People from across the Okanagan would arrive by boat for concerts, plays, operas, regattas- and as Robinson and his wife were spiritualists-seances. Paddlewheelers regularly stopped at the local wharf carrying freight and passengers up and down Lake Okanagan.

Ferry

In March 1908, an east–west Summerland–East Summerland charter ferry service commenced. The first two operators proved unsatisfactory. That October, Summerland Trust Co. took over. In 1911, the Okanagan Lake Boat Co. implemented a run via Penticton. The 1913 tender charter continued to name the locality as East Summerland. In July 1926, the service ceased.

Railway

In 1914, Naramata received a new link with the rest of Canada when the Kettle Valley Railway was completed on the hillside above the village. Due to the intense volume of rock work it gained the reputation as one of the most difficult stretches of KVR construction. It was in operation until 1974. Today, remnants of the KVR make for great exploration, such as the train tunnels, rock ovens, and the railway right-of-way which clings to the hillside high above. The lake and is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail.

Economy

The many orchards have included varieties of peach, plum, pear, cherry, apricot and apple. Naramata is more known now, however, as a top wine-producing region in the country and its wineries have begun to attract international acclaim. The decline in the relative economic importance of fruit growing has occurred but the impressive landscape still abounds with orchards. The most savvy growers no longer sell to the Naramata fruit-packing facility (part of the Okanagan Tree Fruit Co-operative), but rather sell privately, often preferring to deal with international brokers.

Agriculture and tourism form the economic base of the village of Naramata. The agricultural sector once mostly consisting of orchards is rapidly being supplanted by vineyards and wineries that are collectively referred to as the "Naramata Bench". Tourism is served by motels, beach side resorts and a variety of bed and breakfast operations that cater to summertime visitors. Summer months see a spike in inhabitants and economic activity. A farmers market is held weekly and there are numerous roadside produce sellers in addition to the wineries, cideries and craft spirit producers. Since the 1960s and continuing to this day it has been a rite of passage for countless French-Canadian students to make their way across the country and pick fruit for a summer.

Much of Naramata lies within the bounds of the Agricultural Land Reserve, created by the British Columbia government in the early 1970s as a food security measure and largely responsible for preserving the character and pace of Naramata which is seen by many as its biggest charm- after the breathtaking scenery.

The Centre at Naramata, a conference and educational centre of The United Church of Canada, was founded in 1947.

Climate

Naramata has a semi-arid climate (Köppen ''BSk'').

See also

*Steamboats of Lake Okanagan

References

External links

Naramata Centre

{{Authority control

Unincorporated settlements in British Columbia
Populated places in the South Okanagan
Designated places in British Columbia
Populated places on Okanagan Lake
Populated places in the Okanagan Country