Former curator for the Penticton Museum and historian Randy Manuel preparing notes for a lecture today on the history of early white settlement in the South Okanagan – including a plea for preservation, restoration and protection of three buildings on Road 22 – south of Oliver.

John Carmichael Haynes (Judge Haynes) along with a partner established a 20 thousand acre ranch in the valley bottom north of Osoyoos. On December 21 1875 – son Valentine was born – the first of six children. In July of 1888- Val’s father died. At the time the Haynes’ lived on the east side of Osoyoos Lake within view of the spit (Haynes Point).

The land fell to Tom Ellis of Penticton who held a mortgage and Val was placed in the position of becoming a manager. In 1919 the Southern Okanagan Lands Co. was sold to the government for soldier resettlement. Val Haynes acquired Swan Lake Ranch at Vaseux, the Garrison Ranch on Hester Creek and the Meadows near the Okanagan River.

Part of today’s meeting of interested parties including the RDOS, Town, Province and various historical organizations was to ascertain the ownership of the land at the Meadows and the cost of any form of preservation or restoration. Three buildings include aging ranch house, bunkhouse and a barn thought to be younger in age and better maintained.

A lot of money is needed for this project with some observers stating it’s remarkable any of it stands today with so little protection.