Keremeos, British Columbia
| Village of Keremeos | |
|---|---|
| — Village — | |
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| Motto: Healthy Living, Naturally | |
 Village of Keremeos
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| Coordinates: 49°12′9″N 119°49′46″W / 49.2025°N 119.82944°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  British Columbia |
| Region | Similkameen |
| Regional district | Okanagan-Similkameen |
| Incorporated | 1956 |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Government | |
| • Governing body | Keremeos Village Council |
| • Mayor | Walter F. Despot |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.11 km2 (0.81 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 365 m (1,198 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 1,289 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| Highways | Highway 3 Highway 3A |
| Waterways | Similkameen River |
| Website | Village of Keremeos |
Keremeos (
/kɛrəˈmiːəs/) is a village in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada.[1] The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek which flows down from the Upper Benchlands to the Similkameen River that runs by the village.[2] Local legend claims the name means "the meeting of the winds" due to the often windy conditions experienced in the valley.[3]
Keremeos' main industries are horticulture, agriculture, ranching, and wine making, among others. Fruit stands are also a major component of the local economy, making it the self-titled "fruit stand capital of Canada." All sorts of soft fruits and vegetables are grown in the South Similkameen's warm climate and vineyards and wineries are quickly being added as the Valley's wine-growing potential is being recognized.
With K Mountain as a backdrop, Keremeos, BC is a community, whose "Wild West" looks date back to 1909 when the postmaster of the now-abandoned community of Upper Keremeos, Mr. George Kirby, purchased land alongside the Similkameen River in anticipation of the V.V. & E. Railway passing through the area. He was right and other businesses soon followed. Keremeos was officially incorporated in 1956.
Area attractions include Cathedral Provincial Park, the Red Bridge, the Keremeos Columns, the Keremeos Grist Mill, excellent fishing in area lakes and rivers, Apex Mountain Resort, Twin Lakes Golf Resort, Spotted Lake, the Hedley Mining Museum and the Mascot Mine.
The geography of the Keremeos area ranges from cottonwood groves along the river to orchards to desert-like landscapes to alpine peaks.
Contents |
[edit] The Spanish Mound
Copper Indian armour-plate was recovered from an ancient Indian burial near Keremeos. Each piece is fashioned from heavy copper and is perforated at the top. The Spanish Mound is a low lying grassy mound in which are buried the weapons, armour and remains of dead Spanish soldiers. The Spanish Soldiers were part of an ill fated expedition which was ambushed by Similkameen Natives two centuries ago. The legend of the mound concerns a Spanish expedition which came into the Similkameen long before King George's men arrived. The natives tell a story of men wearing metal cloths setting up camp near Keremeos. An altercation ensued between the Natives and Spanish. The Spanish were chased out and they disappeared up the Valley of Keremeos Creek. The following spring the Spanish expedition appeared near the upper reaches of Keremeos Creek. The Spanish expedition was ambushed and slaughtered to the last man. The Similkameen Natives buried the strangers with their armour and weapons in a small mound between the last Spanish camp and the Keremye'us Native village. It must be noted that there are no official Spanish records to substantiate the theory that the Spanish expedition actually existed. Historian Bill Barlee suggests evidence that the expedition did take place. Some pictographs called "prisoner paintings" are painted on rock near Keremeos. The pictographs were made by the natives of that era and supposedly depict the Spanish expedition.[4]
[edit] Climate
| Climate data for Fernie | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 13 (55) |
16.5 (61.7) |
26 (79) |
31 (88) |
36.5 (97.7) |
38 (100) |
39.5 (103.1) |
37.5 (99.5) |
36 (97) |
28.5 (83.3) |
18 (64) |
12 (54) |
39.5 (103.1) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 0.9 (33.6) |
5.3 (41.5) |
11.9 (53.4) |
17 (63) |
21.1 (70.0) |
24.7 (76.5) |
28.2 (82.8) |
28.4 (83.1) |
23.7 (74.7) |
15.4 (59.7) |
6.1 (43.0) |
0.5 (32.9) |
15.3 (59.5) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −5.3 (22.5) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
0.1 (32.2) |
3.5 (38.3) |
7.6 (45.7) |
11.1 (52.0) |
13.5 (56.3) |
13 (55) |
8.7 (47.7) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−1.2 (29.8) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
3.8 (38.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −25 (−13) |
−22 (−8) |
−14.5 (5.9) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
−2 (28) |
2 (36) |
5 (41) |
4 (39) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
−14 (7) |
−24.5 (−12.1) |
−26 (−15) |
−26 (−15) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 31 (1.22) |
22.6 (0.89) |
19.2 (0.756) |
20.8 (0.819) |
34.8 (1.37) |
38.5 (1.516) |
29.2 (1.15) |
25.7 (1.012) |
15.6 (0.614) |
18.4 (0.724) |
29.7 (1.169) |
37.5 (1.476) |
323.1 (12.72) |
| Source: Environment Canada[5] | |||||||||||||
[edit] Television
Keremeos was featured on the historical television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns, Season 3, Episode 12.
[edit] References
- ^ "Keremeos". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/3779.html.
- ^ "Keremeos Creek". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/3781.html.
- ^ New Findings Fill in ‘Missing Link’ in Similkameen Prehistory, Langara Archaeology Summer Field School 2003
- ^ N.L. Barlee (1973), Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns. Canada West Publications.
- ^ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 24 March 2010
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 49°12′19″N 119°49′25″W / 49.20528°N 119.82361°W
