0^
SHAWN WrevatMCi^ The Be^innin^
The concept for a college came to the people of Summerland during a visit from Reverend A.J. Saunders, the District Super• intendent of Missions for the B.C. Baptist Convention. The Reverend discovered that the small town of Summerland had the Baptist men and women he v/as looking for. Reverend Saunders v;as especially impressed by three men, James, William, and Thomas Ritchie. The Ritchie brothers assured the Reverend free land and a donation of $20,000. Reverend Saunders then presented his request for a college in the Okanagan to the Home Mission Board in Vancouver, where it was readily accepted, provided a "sustination" fund could be raised to help cover the costs of construction. Reverend Saunders raised #30,000 altogether, $20,000 from the Ritchie brothers, and Si10,000 from the community. With enough money raised, construction began on the first building of the Okanagan College.
EVERETT W. SAWYER, «.e.t. Oppiccnai PRINCIPAU J. P. MclNTYRB, M.D. CHAIRMAN MISS KATHERYN C. MCLEOD T. N. MitCMie. B. A. - LADY PRINCIPAU ••cretarv REV. S. evertonVm-Au. JAMES RITCHIE, ESQR. VIOK RRINCIPAt^
OFFICE OF THE TREASURER
Wtsl ^nmmttlmh, p. Jun^ 15/15, ,191.
Municipality of Sumtiorland ,
P.J.Nixon CoATector.
De^r Sir:-
lilX yon kim'Ty have the watej- ami lijUt turneu off .from all the Collese bullninss until fiu'ther notice,and oblije,
Yourf3 tr'ily , Under Way
In the Fall of I9O6 a committee made up of Summerland Baptists began organizing cldsses for the year. Though construction had not yet begun, the committee was eager to proceed with the classes. In the Fall classes began under the instruction of Reverend G. Campbell, and were held in the Empire Hall. This hall was donated as a temporary post-secondary learning facility by J.M. Robinson. Reverend Estabrooks easily enrolled twenty-six students in the make-shift college, and educational instruction began soon after. Meanwhile the college committee had selected a site for the future college. It was to be located on Giant's Head mountain, overlooking the town of West Summerland. In the Spring of 1907, constru.ction began on Ritchie Hall, and was completed by the Pall Morton Hall
By 1909, the college had been under way for almost tv/o years, and its popularity had increased to the point that hopefull students had to be turned away by the college committee for lack of housing. It was during this time that the college principal. Dr. Sawyer, came up with the idea of a second building. The idea was readily accepted by the college committee, but a funding problem delayed the construction of the building. The problem was quickly solved by an out• pouring of donations from comjiunity and students who were pleased with the idea of another college building. So with money in hand, the committee arranged construction to begin in early 1910, and the new'buildings location was to be with in two hundred yards of Ritchie Hall for convenience to the * students and faculty, fly late I9IO, the new building was completed, and wiis awaiting the arrival of the forty or so ladies which it v/ould house. The new residence was named Morton Hall, and was a welcome addition to the college institution. The Gollepce Gymnasium
i)'or the college students, gymnastics and physical education were stressed to be an essential part of learning; however, with• out the proper equipment and facilities, the progi^am was down- gi-aaed to only a oasic exercise clast. The college committee saw this as a major problem, and rallied the community for donations and support to build a college gym. In I9IO the gym was ouilt at the foot of College Hill on land donated by MT. Thomas Jale, and v/ds used to serve both the college and the coiafiiunity. Tnrough the years, the gym v/as put to use as a packing house, ooy scout hall', a dance hall, and a recreation center.
THE EARLY YEARS
The old Okanagan College gym is now the home of the Summerland Youth Centre thanks to a major refurbish• ing project under taken by Youth Centre officials. In past years the gym has served as a fruit storage site and at one time it was heated with peach pits. The floor is still considered to be one of the finest.
OKANAGAN COLLEGE GYMNASIUM The Teachers
The teaching staff at the college were clearly a gifted group. They came from far and near to bless the college v/ith their wisdom of the world, and knov/ledge of the arts. Their valuable contributions made the college a highly regarded learning institution.
Reverend H.G. Campbell
Reverend Campbell was one of xhe first teachers to aquire a job at the college when it first opened. In 1906 he began instructing classes in Empire Hall, and he helped organize the first classes at the college. In 1907, he resigned as a paster in favour of pursuing his teaching career. In the college he taught history and modern language. Reverend Campbell received his Piasters at McMaster University.
Dr. Everett W. Sawyer
Dr. Sawyer viras the college's first principal. He had graduated from both Acadia, and Harvard Universities, and he later became an associate professor back at Acadia University. Dr. Sawyer was present at the dedication of the college in 1907, and soon after, began teaching. In addition to his work as principal, he also taught Latin, Greek, Bible Studies, math, and English. Dr. Sawyer v/as principal till the suramer of 1914, when poor health and eyesight forcedi-to resign his job. He still stayed active vvith the college for he v/as leader of the "Forward Movement", vv'hich v/as dedicated to raising funds for the college. When the college closed in 1915, he returned East. Professor G.S« Denton
Professor Denton had a Masters in Math, and was in charg:;- of the Math department. After three years of service, he had to resign owing to ill health. After a time of rest, he returned to the college and taught part-time in addition to his work with the Peachland church.
7 Miss Eunice Haines
Miss Haines was a piano instructer in charge of the Music department. She was an honor graduate from Acadia Seminary.
Miss Catherine Davison
Miss Davison was a voice and music instructer, and she conducted choral classes in both Summerland and Peachland. Professor Aaron J. Perry
Professor Perry received his Masters in latin from Acadia University, and a Masters in English from Yale. Prom here, he left to take post- graduate studies at the Universitj^ of Chicago. A year later he accepted a position as a Professor of English at the University of Manitoba.
Okanagan College Students 1911-1912 Ed Armstrong Jimmy Weir ; Arnold Gayton Harold English Pete Menzies College Courses
The college curriculum was considered extensive and varied, ; and most appealing to the students who v/ere fortunate enough to graduate from secondary school. For the first year student he or she had a choice of the major courses such as English T - Math 1, latin 1, Greek 1, French 1, German 1, and Bible Studies.; • A students choice for first year minors v/ere: Physics 1, History; Ii, Biology 1, and Chemistry 1. With a students first year completed',! he or she could nov/ concentrate on his or her field of speciality. Second year courses offered by the college were the same as the ' first, with Philosophy added. For second year minors the student' could choose from the first year minors plus Political Economy and Geology. Courses in the Arts included music, choral and singing, and drawing expression.
u S W
a o a >> 1 O m o ft s C • S 03 c o be ft O c C .2 .2 .2 2 fco "a c "y '-^ c o 5^ to to 0) s C I 2 a) S ttl tn S o E J' o s a; bo o 0) O "C O H The LyceiAin During the Christmas season of 1906, the college committee began sending out copies of the Lyceum. The booklet was designed by the committee to be an informative guide to the activities of the students az the college. The booklet came out each month and was under the editorship of Mr. Prank Kayward. The Lyceum gave detailed information on upcoming activities and college development. The Lyceum was also a great source of entertainment for it included student poems and short-stories which were highly regarded by the community. The Lyceum also gave detailed reports of the activities at the Y.M.G.A. and the Y.W.C.A. r ^ Graduation After .several months of intense study and training, the students approach the time of graduation. 3y m.id June the students prepare for their commencement exercises and are finishing the last of their school v/ork. The exercises lasted between four to five days of enthusiastic recitals and ceremonies At the end of these, the students then participated in the formal graduation ceremonies. In 1914, the college committee shortened the exercises to two days, yet they still retained their high quality and spirit. To their enjoyment, graduated students found that they had made a name for themselves at several universities such as University of Alberta, and McMaster University, 1 The j'inal Days In June of 1915, the college closed its doors for the final time. During its last years, the college had had rough financial difficulties because of poor economic conditions in B.G. at the time. As W.W.I neared its beginning, the conditions grew worse, and during the wars first years, many eligable college students left for France and Belgium. By 1915, the college enrollment had dropped to a low of 59, and funds to the college had tappered off. To tr;y' and keep the college going, t/.e faculty members visited churches and schools to emphasize the importence of the college to the coxmnunity, but few donations came in. The final decision to shut dov/n the college came in 1915, at the B.C. Baptist Convention in Vancouver. [I Ritchie Hall's End After its closing in 1915, Ritchie Hall remained idle for five years until 1920, v/hen it was used to house high school students. After .-;*wo years of use, the college closed again, and remained closed until 1951. 'That year a religious group took over the hall to use as a home for the friendless. After several complaints were received about the group, an investigation found that the group's leader was mentally unfit for his job, and was taken away. After several years, a second group made the hall their home, but their stay was short a,nd uneventful. In 1941, Ritchie Hall caught fire and burned to the ground. feorton Hall After its closing, Morton Hall had housed both the high school students and the religious groups as did Ritchie Hall before its loes in 1941. After Ritchie Hall burned down, Morton Hall remained closed and vacant till late that same decade. At this time it was purchased by two nurses to use as an old age home called Mountain Veiw, but this venture fell through a few years later. 'The hall remained idle till 1963. This tine it was bought to be used as the headquarters of a missionary organization, but because of a lack of money the organization had to sell it. In 197 3 the hall was bought by G-erry Kiesson to use as his private residence. Then in ^^'i'9 the hall was bought by Gareth Young, Bert Van Asten, and Vern Byers who planned to renovate the hall into a resort, but because of unexpected expenses and a lack of money, the hall fell into receivership. In 19b2 the hall was bought by Mary Otte, who continued the project until the resort was completed that same year, and named the Somerset Inn. It has remained in its imposing position for many many the large obstacle because of impending excavation years, but the fears it would topple into town one day work near the over sized boulder, prompting fears a were laid to rest as Miller Trucking crew members dug wrong move might set the mass off on a course for a large hole and then proceeded to rock and push the town. boulder until it rolled to rest. The crews had to move 19- !0t " THE EARLY YEARS This photo of Dr. Everett Sawder M.A. was part of an early Okanagan College brochure. Dr. Sawyer, the founding principal of the first Okanagan College was a graduate of Acadia University and Harvard, and Associate Professor at Acadia. He came to Summerland in early 1907 to help set up this Christian school for boys and girls from Western Canada and abroad. He remained principal until 1914 and returned to the east after the college closed in 191S. A tombstone in Peach Orchard Cemetery pays tribute to his wife who died in 1916. -Brochure from the Ruth Slykhuis collection. Some details of text are from "The First Okanagan College" an article by Douglas Scott printed in 46th Report of Okanagan Historical Society. Submitted by Mary Orr. Everett w. Sawyer. -PRINCIPAL OKANAGAN COLLEGE. V r W. H.A.Moore. W. M. WriRht. D.H.Mcintosh. Eunice W. Hair e. This is a picture of the faculty of Okanagan College, Summerland in loan us a copy so this picture could be reproduced. The College's 1910-11. The photo was taken from a copy of 'The Okanagan Lyceum' gymnasium is now the Summerland Youth Center, and it will be the published by the students of the College. Among those on the scene of a dinner evening on June 18 to mark the 75th anniversary of editorial staff of 'The Lyceum was Bob Tingley, and he was able to the founding of the College. 1 75th year First OK College to celebrate ByDr.D.V.Fbher In 1910, Morton Hall and the college had high hopes., Des• Summerland Youth Centre Does this sound strange? Not College Gymnasium (now pite its closure in 1915 many of Association, will be the Sum• really. The first Okanagan Summerland Youth Centre) the graduates proceeded to merland Scandinavian Society College affiliated with Mc were erected. Morton Hall other institutions of learning which is responsible for the Master University, Torpnto, house the girls dormitories and the college left a legacy of •dinner and the Summerland commenced instruction in and the Music Department. It fine citizens who have served Museum and Arts Society, September 1906 with an enrol• is the building upon which so Summerland m a distinguish• which will present a selection ment of 26 students. much recent work- has been ed manner. of Cdlege niem As part of the program al, memorable event will be the presentation and dedication of., Of historical society >Bronze Plaque to be placed! in the Youth Centre, by an ] official of the HeriUge Branch;; of the Government of British:: S'lahd native past Columbia. This plaque will be presented to the two oldest., local living graduates of Okan-^.^ : Jack Armstrong of Enderby House at the foot of the Gulch days and possibly also on the agan College. completed his two year term as Road, Summerlajid. His fathpr Ladies College. Tickets for the dinner are..\ President of the parent body, (Bill) and uncle (George) had Over the years Bill Arm- limited to 228 persons and will Okanagan Historical Society at arrived in Summerland in May strong built a great many be available shortly from, the annual general meeting of 1910. He says one of Jbe;^ houses and buildings in Sum- People's Drug Store, Mrs,.. held in the Oliver Community first jobs Iheywwkedon^^ merland. Besides Jack another Lloyd Shannon, Dr. D. L. Centre on Sunday, May 3. ~meX^^c^^^^^^^^m^^^^^__son Norman was also born Mcintosh, Dr. D. V. Fisher;.: * Mr. Armstrong was born in IhlToutF Centre) as^arp.ent^ here. They have continued to and Miss Louise Atkinson at; the old hospital in the Fenner ers at~25c atTTioS^^ a keen interest in our the Municipal Office. <• , . community and will attend ~~~ some of the 75th Anniversary i celebrations. 2) 1915 THE SUMMERLAND YOUTH CENTRE B>:D,V. Fisher An •dive oinpiijm to mije «ev- eral thousand dollars to at least materially r«duee the liabilltie* of Okanaffan College and tj put Us affairs In such shape that it may be reopened, has been inaugurated. For the past few weelcs Principal Everton has i)een busy on this cam• paign in the Interior, and finished his work for the present in the up• per country by two forceful appeals on Sunday last, one in the after• noon in the Parkdale Baptist Church, and the other in the Lakeside Church in the eveninf;. Going from here to the Coast Mr Everton wilt be joined by Rev. F. W. Patterson of Edmonton, and Principal Whld- den of Brandon Collenre, both of whom are griving their vacations to this work. Field Secretary Sayer also assists in the campaign. Mr Everton in apeaklnff on the aims of Okanagan College proved conclusively that the effort* of the past had been well worth while. The institution has already been of invaluable benefit to a large number of students whose outlook on life has been broadened or wholly chang• ed, and he urged the neceaslty of continuing the work. In travelling over the province. Principal Everton finds everywhere a growing optimism for the future of British Oilumbia. People are beginning to realitt something of' the vast wealth of the province, and' those who have a vision of what the next ten, twenty,*or thirty years contains for us, fully realize the necessity of such an Institution as. Okanagan College. The speaker be-, lieves that ourvatleya, auch as the; Okanagan, will aoon be well pop ulated, and quoted Mr Bury of the C.P.R. as stating that half the wealth of this wealthy province Is In Ita valleya. The ending of the war will bring people from Eur• ope, and more problems for our leaders of twenty years hence than those of to-day. 1>ie means to train our young men ar* needed, for then men and women with clear vision and Chriit*llke charac• ter will be needed. Only those who are educated and trained in ^'JilJinpi in town. Yd to look at the Youth Centre from the outside (and the inside) it appears m the west will be able to nnder- atand the cosmopolitan conditions • itpiark.ihlc state of picscr\'ation having recently benenttcd from painting and renovation. of our social life. "••Vic iMv.i.;ib!c by tlie Federal Lxical Initiatives Program under the direction of Youth Centre Mr Everton is strong In hit be• ^">(1cnnniacnt Arthur K!; illeranillcran. lief that Summerland is the Ideal ToE!) back to the start, the Youth Centre was erected largely from subscriptions obtained by place for such an Institution, and •••-H'vnis of Okanagan College which, was opened in 1906 under the auspices of the Baptist also that such Isan Invaluable aaae< to the community. Acknowledg •^tn'iiiinMion fiom 1910 until I'M'), aithoiigli it served a number of functions, it was known ment with hearty appreciation was WaUy as tlic "College Gym." The building was erected by the late Harry Tomlin an-nd' served as made of the generoua support Sum- •p-inasium and auditorium for the College until 1915 when Okanagan College w.•a- s forced to merland has always given the Col• and ajoining lege, which unfortunately has not its doors because of the exodus of so many young men from Summerland a been so generously supported elae- »:r»v to the armed forces. where. Pledge cards are being cir• rti.m 1915 until 19,33, although still owned by the I3aptist denomination, the College Gym culated, and while any amount »M uvd nininly as a meeting place for Scouts and lor basketball, both of which activities were will be gratefully received the man• ager! are endeavoring to get pled• ropular in that pciiod. Among present local resii'cnts who were involved in these two ac- ges covering three years at »I0 per '•""•irs at that tune were Gordon and Ralph Hlewett, Clarence and Irvine Adams, Dr, James year, W. C, Kelley has beet ap- poiBtad trauanr (or this (and. OKANAGAN REG'.ONA!- LIBRARY Mountain View Home Continues Good Work The Mountain ^ncw JIo:".'^ ni I irovvaid Milne residence at College Ilill on Gi.Tnt's Head.a- ; West Summerland and have West SiiiTinicrl- nd has bcon sold I moved into it. They are Miss to Mr. and !^ -s. K. V. H)av?.c, I Florence Taylor, Miss Leila CzecliGslov'p' iaii rc'ugce.^'. The i Wecse, Miss Violet Harris, Miss HInvacs arc at. tho head of the Frances Wesley, and Miss Celia Missionary C.liristian Fellowship Hurka. Lottie Warren, and John —World-''Vide, and have miss• . , .ill. lornicT residents at "le ionary interests in Airica. Yug• ; lioine, live with them. oslavia and Cyprus. They are world travellers and have mads The Mountain View Home, t.heir home in Vancouver since '^'MH originally in 1910 as a coming to Canada. They left women's residence for Okana- 'iiieir native land following the <^an Baptist College v/as at that German occupation of Czech• time called "Morton Hall,' nam• oslovakia during World War II. ed after a prominent Baptist The Home is to be carried on woman, Rulh Morton. It served in much the same manner as It this purpose until the college has been operated. It will be a closed its doors in 1915 when lesidence lor Christian senior the First World War made such citizens and is licensed under inroads into its enrolment that the .provincial department of it was forced to close down. Tlie name of the hump called Coll• welfare for 2.^ guests. There are ege Hill, on Giant's Head where rooms and convenient space the building stands, gets its ior 23 older people. name from the institution. The Mr .and Mr.s. H. E. Martin other c-ollege building, "Ritch• formerly of Penticton, have ie Hall" burned to the ground been engaged as manager and in 1941. matron, and are in residence. Mr. Martin has been a business In 1931 the two buildings man and his wife hks had ex• were purchaser by a charitable perience in institutional house• organization known as "The keeping. A houseman-gai-dener Home for the Friendless," a has been engaged and other staff group foi-med tn Winnipeg many meirtbers will be added a re• years (previously. The spiritual quired. teaching of the institution was Guests will be accepted from under the Rev. W. R. Pike, an anywhere in British Columbia. ordained Mennonite minister, Purchase price has not been following Mr. Pike',s death, his made public. widow and others carried on the Original charier members of institution until the present the Home have purchased the time. Old college building sold, future use no! disclosed ^^^^ Wi^ One of Summci hind's mo^l pioinincnf laiuhnaiUs has birn .-^old! II was Ic-irncd Ihis wccU IhnI Ihi- "Hoiisr on the Ilill", or llic old ('(illcLic hiiiMlii^; on (Jianl'-s Head Momdaiii, lias hcoii liiiicliasrd hv Steve Zakall of Oliver. Zakall would iiol reveal whal Ihe hiiililiiij; will he used for, bill he said, SumiiK'ilaiul Miiiii( ip.d CniiiK il v\ill have lo IK- approarliod and eerlaiii ar- r:iii!'.enirnls m.ule liofore ;in aiuiouni-enienl car he made, luohahlv liexl week. The eolli;:e lias been owned liv (lie Sevi:-nlli-llay .Advenli^l lieloini Moviineiil since l!Ui7. ,\n said it lias been used as .1 school, al which a niiiuher of chiMren li;ive received llwir ediic.ilioii up to kMade ri(dil standing. II \\;is leporlcd lli;i( |lie liiiildinc was put up for s.ile since a loealioii w.-c; d(-siief| lhal would be more central to sliideiils (if llic province ulio would use if. In .uldilion lo llie house, Zakall puichascd 2,42 acres of l;iii(l. however Ihe Cliuicli has relalned over nine acres Gc-nltl Iv Nicsscii. fDinictly of Old luuncs and landiuarks are OI:o((iI:s, .\ll)Ci)a, .'mDoiinccd tliis not new lo the Niessen family. \\(-(-k (lie imicliasc ol llic "llnim" He said he formerly owned an on the Ilill". on (;i;inrs Head old mill in Okoloks which be Monidaiti in .SninnKMland. llHUouynly remodelled and sold 'or a \eiy handsome pri<'c. lint, Nic-scii. an ctvinccf. said lie he added, he is nol in the busi• lioindil the eoiiintniiil\; ness of buying and selliiu; old on November 15. fioiu .'^le\ houses and his plans are lo live Zaka lof Oliver lie said his plans in Summerland in Ihe old col- are lo use the house siniply as a le!;e bui'dint;. residence for his finiiily of fotir, and "not for any commercial Niessen said he discovered the luirposcs." 'House on Ihe Hill' (hiring a holi- When Ihe family S"ltles it\ d:iy last .\ear and d(M'ided then to ahoiit March 1, Ihey (ilan to do hi':' it. He has already done a some extensive i eniodclliii'!. re• c»nsi:1cral)le amouiil of research painting and general "fixingup". into its history. "We know its a Niessen has ordererl fitly fruit historical place in Summerland, trees to platd around the house, and we intend to keep il that and he also plans to flood light way," he staled. the hinldiiig at night time. IJeiuodcdIing could inchule tear ing out the third floor hedrooins and Ihe building of a ballroom, he said. LETTER 20 year resident Dear Sir, Also you may be interested to Please find enclosed my pay• know I lived in that building for ment for a year's subscription over 20 years and we took care to the Summerland Review. An of elderly people when it was old friend of mine sent me a called the Mountain View copy before Christmas in which Home. it told of the building on the hill We were not a religious sect, and the plans to dismantle it but an Interdenominational So• and put it up in Penticton. ciety. Thanking you. Being a former Summerland Yours Sincerely, resident, 1 am quite interested. Mrs, Elsie Potts « Marshall, Dr. W.H.B. Munn, Alf Johnson, Earle and Doney Wilson; and Mike Clay of Pen• ticton. The Gym was well supplied with climbing ropes, parallel bars and similar equipment. Although smaller than the minimum regulation size for a basketball floor, many exciting games were played with spectators standing hard against the walls as well as on the stage. Because of its construction on 2 x 12 cedar joists, the floor had a fine spring to it which still is remarked upon by the square dancers who rent it several times during each winter season. The Gym also was used in the 1915 to 1933 period for badminton and for a while as a hall for church ser/ices of the "Home for the Friendless" who had acquired the two college buildings on hill above, and for many years operated a home for destitute persons. •, 1934 the late Alex H. Steven leased and later bought the College Gym which he operated until 1939 as a packing house. During that period present local residents who worked for A.H. Steven include John Bennest, Henry Mohr and Bert Simpson. From 1942 to 1948, Mr. Harry Beeman, now a Kamloops resident, leased the College Gym and used it as a combination furniture manufacturing plant and living quarters for the Beeman House on the hili family, in 1948 the late A.E. Smith of Garnett Valley, father of local resident Roy Smith, purchased Newcomers and visitors to the building from Mr. Steven with the intention of converting the premises into a cannery under Summerland invariablj' ask the management of W.G. Rempel. However, Mr. Rempel ieir Summerland and the plan failed to materialize. At this time, for a short period. Pollock Motors used the building as a storage area "What is that building up on for used farm equipment. the hill?" It is part of the Ok• As the population of Summerland increased, the time arrived in 1949 when it became anagan College built on the necessary to build a new High School with expanded facilities including gymnasium, auditorium north side of Giant's Head bj' and special classrooms. As a result of this development the school gymnasium, which for many J, the Baptists years ago.. Tlie,s years had served not only as a gymnasium but also a meeting place for Scouts and other youth building wffich^ we sef was the org.".nizations, was demolished. ladies' ttesidence, called Mor• The need thus became urgent to find a meeting place for Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides ton Hall. The men's residence and Teen Town whose total membership at that time exceeded 250 young people. Leaders of has long since been cleared these organizations formed an "Inter-Group Building Committee" consisting of Mrs. T.C. Croil, away. Mrs. Betty Mcintosh, the late Mrs. J. Marshall and Messrs. G.R. Beggs, H.R, McLarty, J.R. Butler, A.D. Coggan, E.F. Smith and J. McLachlan under the chairmanship of D.V. Fisher who The college was forced to was at that time Scoutmaster of 1st Summerland Scout Troup. close in 1915 when the stu• A public meeting was called for June 20, 1949, in the Oddfellows Hail to consider purchase dents joined up during World of the College Gym for $3,500.00 The decision to purchase was made and a group of local War I. Later it became a citizens signed a note for 51,000.00 at the Bank of Montreal to cover the 5500.00 down payment home for the aged, called the on the purchase price plus 5500.00 for urgent repairs. F.E. Atkinson was elected Chairman, and Home for the Friendless, then the late E.R. Butler, Secretary-Treasurer, of the new organization which on Nov. 3, 1949, was successively an old folks home, incorporated under the Societies Act of B.C. as the Surrimeriand Youth Centre Association. The a hotel, a sort of nursing home directors who signed the constitution were E.F. Smith, the late E.R. Butler, Ross McLachlan, the late Mrs. F.V. Harrison and Mrs. T.C. Croil. run bv a famous charcter cal• Renovations necessary to put the building into usable condition consisted of restoring ever>' led "Ma White" for a short pane of glass in the building (which was done by the Scouts), re-roofing the south side of the time and is at present oper• building, modern wiring, a new maple floor (provided and laid by the Rotary Club), renovation ated by the Seventh Day Ad• of plumbing facilities, painting, complete insulation and a furnace. Local organizations and ventist Church. individuals gave freely of their time and by Oct. 6 of 1949 the 1st Summerland Scout Troop The Youth Centre was at Timenced to use the hall, shortly followed by other youth organizations. that time the College Gymnas• epair and renovation activities continued all the winter of 1949-50, the coldest and longest ium. «^cord, but the hail was continuously heated by the new furnace which burned peach pits fed automatically by a coal stoker. Local residents claimed it was the first time the "Gym" had ever been warm m winter, and the cost of heating amounted to only a few tons of stoker coal used to supplement the peach pits in the coldest weather. The peach pit furnace finally gave out in 1970 when the present gas heating system was installed. In 1950, the old manual training building was obtained from the School Board for one doilar, cut in half and the two pieces attached to the back of the Youth Centre to provide a spacious kitchen and a storage space for seating benches. In the first three years of operation, the Youth Centre executive had the very dem.anding task of raising funds to pay otf the purchase price and to undertake improvements. These consisted of giant fund raising campaigns, sale of non-interest bearing bonds, membership drives, am-ateur nights. New Years' Eve dances, etc., and great creadit goes to former Reeve F.E- Atkinson for master-minding and directing these activities. Since the Youth Centre Association was formed, approximately 527,000 has been invested in the present building and im• provements. In 1961 the present parking let to the west of the Youth Centre, was purchased from the Nixon Estate. This also has proven a most useful games area for youth groups meeting in thi building. In the early years the main source of operating income was obtained from membership | campaigns which usually raised around SI ,000,00 and a small grant from the Municipality equal to the taxes. Because the Youth Centre is in effect a com.munity facility and membership drives „„ly derived funds from certain persons, the Municipal Council agreed to increase its annual (.rant to the Youth Centre in lieu of membership drives. At the present time the grant is 5600.00 out of which the Youth Centre in 1972 paid 5478.00 in taxes, light and water rates. Today the Youth Centre finds many uses. Accommodation is provided for Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Girl Guides. In addition, it is popular for square dancing and frequently is used on Saturdays for auctions. Being the largest hall in town (apart from the Secondary' School .-luditorium) it also serves as polling station for Provincial and Federal elections. It is very well heated, has good kitchen facilities, a raised stage with draw curtains, public address sy'stem, parking lot and central location. According to its constitution, the Youth Centre is available for use by any youth group with responsible adult sponsorship. No specific rental is laid down for such groups but sponsors of present organizations using the Youth Centre contribute toward its upkeep. At the present time, it also is being used as overflow accommodation for the secondary school physical education program. The present officers consist of Arthur Halleran, President; Lome Bloomfield, Vice- President: Mrs. Betty Sharpe, Treasurer; Ted Farkas. Secretary; and the Executive, Don Hstabrooks, David Munn, Hans Schmid, Bill Barkwill, Lloyd Gartrell, Doug Grant and Don Fisher. With its new paint job and improved interior facilities this 63 year old building stands ready !o serve many Summeriatid needs for years to come. The old and the new: Co//ege by//d/ng ta Smamerlmnd Review — 4 ThiirBday,Feb. 15,1979 become hotel CO An ambitions hotel deve• Combining with architect With a pre-summer start, of the hoped for projects got lopment plan for the college Pierre Avard of Naramata, the the complex will be scheduled off the ground, and thus tiie' building on Giant's Head group has developed a plan for a spring 1980 opening. latest proposal for the Mountain has been proposed; which could prove very excit• To kick off the project, and complex. a plan which will utilize the ing for the Summerland area. to familiarize residents with When presented.to munici-' existing building as well as Plans call for the remodeling the plan, an open house has pal council in October, the require the addition of an of the interior of the structure been scheduled for Saturday, technical planning committee additional 2,000 square feet of as well as the addition of the March 3, at which time per• recommended rejection of the space. 2,000 square feet, which will sons will be encouraged to look proposal for the building until Proposed by 5005 Holding house the restaurant. In addi• over the building and enjoy the water main was upgraded Ltd. the project is to uiclude a tion, there will be a stage for refreshments while discussing and College Road improved to 150 seat licensed dining theatrical productions as well the proposed complex. handle the increased volume rpom, lounge and tavern, as live entertainment at the The history of- the building of traffic the complex would tennis courts, a swimming complex. dates back to its construction generate. pool, 18 hotel rooms as well as Developer Byers said late in 1910 and 1911, at which The advisory planning, a roof-top terrace over the last week there is no name time it served as the ladies committee however recoin-^ dhiing area. selected for the new project residence for Okanagan mended approval of the re-l College, .which was establish• Approval for the project has but community suggestions zoning application. ed on the site hi 1906. been granted by the Summer- will be sought. ? The application was iatei| The college closed in 1915 land Municipal council, with In addition, a community given approval by couni:^ witii ti)e outbreak of World the stipulation the developers survey will be conducted to following its being uncontest^ War I, but saw a number of provide access to the project establish whether there is ed at a public hearing. uses in the ensuing years, via a new road off the Giant's widespread support for the The developers are current-*, including a boarding house for Head road. The existing road project. A 6o per cent approval ly ui the process of applying to' a religious sect, as well as a 'to the site is considered to be must be obtained before the the Liquor Control Branch for ^ welfare home for children, he too twisty to be practical. construction can begin. a Qass A liquor permit. *• An October public hearing latter was supervised by 'Ma The project developers are into the re-zoning and deve• White'. Garreth Young and Bert Van lopment of the land resulted in The historic building was Asten, both of whom worked no complaints being lodged, taken over in 1%7 by the at the Jasper Park Lodge hi leading the developers to Seventh Day Adventist Church Jasper, Alberta. The third believe the proposal will get which used the facility for a1 partner is Vernon Byers of underway as hoped in the study center and school until Penticton. sorine. 1973, at which time it was sold, to one of their members, the Nieseen family who lived in it and at one time considered converting the structure into a Disney type haunted house. ' Other tentative plans called for using the college biiilduig as a dinins facilitv. but none new owners New plans for'House^on Hill'Motor-hotel The venerable 'House on the Hill' will not only enjoy the completion modern new rooms in the addition which will share the magnificent of renovations to the interior of the building, but will also be joined by view of the valley, town, and lake. The motor-hotel may be able to a new addition on the west side of the building. The eighteen rooms open by Christmas in the existing building, with the new addition, of accommodation in the main building will be augmented by 20 swimming pool, and landscaping being completed next spring. Thonday, Septenber 10,1981 Snnmwilaiid Review - 3 Summerland received the Mr. Otte said that the present work would start in early welcome news last week that building would be finished into spring on the new addition, the 'House on the Hill' had 18 rooms, and the new addit• the swimming pool, landscap• been purchased, and would ion would provide on a further ing, and other work. be completed as a motor hotel. 20 units of accommodation. Mr. Otte said that they plan The purchasers are Richard The new wing he said would changes to the original design . and Mary Otte of Westbank, have modern rooms a littie for the grounds which would who were completing arrange• larger than the present ones, have included a driveway up to ments for the transaction on fitted with conveniences that the front of the building. Their the weekend. Mr. Otte told the would include balconies. plan, he said, would be to Review Friday that the deal In their survey of the original preserve as much of the was still in the hands of plans, the Ottes felt tiiat there grounds as possible in grass lawyers, but the details were were sufficient restaurant and and landscaped areas to fit expected to be completed by hospitality facilities provided, into a more relaxed atmos• the weekend. however additional rooms phere. The new owner's plans were needed, prompting plans The large swimming pool will include the hope that the exist• for the new wing. be located in the front of the ing building can be completed buildings, so that it and the EARLY START by Christmas, with exterior landscaped surroundings will work and a new addition being Mr. Otte said that an be visible from all rooms. added in the spring. architect for the work has been The target is to have all of the NEW ADDITION engaged, and it was hoped work, including the landscap• An addition to the former that work would resume on the ing and the new wing, compl• plans would be the construct• building in a few weeks time. eted in time for next year's ion of a new wing attached to Once inside work oh the main tourist season. the west side of the building at building was completed, it Another chtjige will be to the ^^J> an angle that would provide a would open for business, planned name for the building. r] view of the valley, town and hopefully by Christmas. Mr. Otte said that a final 1 lake from all rooms. Depending on the weather. choice had not been made, but -J the couple favoured something English to match the building 1 and community theme, that would also incorporate the name of the community. A final choice will likely be announced in the next few A« several hundred persons looked on widi anticipation former Okanagan College student Bob Tingley rode up in a horse drawn carriage, offer• ed a few humourous remarks and with that, sliced through the balloon trimmed ribbon to officially open the Somerset Inn. Under gorgeous sunny skies Monday afternoon, visitors and well wishers gathered for more than an hour to take in the opening ceremonies, which brought together Mr. Tingley, one of only two known surviving original college stud• ents, the new owners Mary and Richard Otte as well as Okanagan College Board chairman Alan Donaldson. Also on hand to offer his remarks and congratulations was Mayor Ken Blagbome, who during the ceremonies was dubbed the mayor of Somerset through a sUp of the tongue. Later remarking on her error, owner Mary Otte extended apologies and then an invitat• ion to the mayor to actually become the mayor of Somer• set, an invitation the mayor said he would gladly accept While the speeches and ribbon cutting were going on ceremonies. As the wind changed direction several with thanks. just a few feet away, this visitor to the Somerset Inn times, the youngster made his way forward to offer his opening Monday afternoon found the blowing balloons form of wind to the natural gusts. More information much more appealing than the hoopla of the about the opening is available on page 9. Uood wishes marK opBnmg As helium balloons buffeted In asking for understanding Okanagan College administr• the current building program. Somerset Inn will draw visit• in the wind, the guests gather• as the first few bi gs are ironed ation, Alan Donaldson, chau-- Mayor Ken Blagbome was on ors to Summerland from ed on the front entrance way in out, Mrs. Otte says she looks man of the college board hand to extend his good around the world. large plush chairs, as Mr. forward to a bright future for re-called the vivid past of the wishes and congratulations on Following the brief opening^: Tingley was escorted in his the facility. Summerland building, noting behalf of the municipal council ceremonies, a large portion of horse drawn buggy by Sum• Also on hand to enjoy the the area was selected for the and community, again defer• the estimated 300 persons oa merland Trail Riders repres• festivities was Mr. Otte, who college as it lacked any social ring to the past to recall the hand made their way into the entative Joe Borle. has assisted his wife in playing distractions. fire that destroyed one of the building to view the new Mr. Tingley then took his a large part in the complet• He also noted the college two buildings that made up the surroundings, which enjoyed a place by the ribbon, taking a ion of the Somerset project. enjoyed the use of a gym, a college site in Summerland. most successful first weekend: few moments to recall the last In offering his congratulat• facihty some of the college The mayor concluded his prior to the ribbon cutting- time he was accorded such ions on behalf of the current officials are still seeking for remarks by saying he hopes ceremonies. attention. 'I haven't been in a spot like this since I got drunk at my uncle's wedding,' the speaker remarked to the delight of the gathering. 'It's taken 10 years Inn's sewage system first to live it down - how would you like to stay sober for 10 years?' he queried to still more laughter. On a more serious note, Mr. of its kind in province Tingley went on to remind the gathering the former Okanag• an College building stood for so many years deteriorating If Somerset Inn is a unique erable challenge to sewage Ltd., the extensive sewage tanks together have a capaci^| and was more of an eye sore facility above ground, it also disposal and it has resulted in treatment system includes six of 35,000 gallons providing a' than a tribute to tne commun• has much to its credit under• the first installation of its kind large tanks and two wells hddmg system, surge tank, ity. ground as well. in British Columbia. drilled 300 feet deep. collection tank, and an over-' But the new owners, he said, Because of its location, the Installed by Peter DeBroekert flow system. have combined the distant new resort presented a consid• of Dave MUler Trucking (1977) Peter explains that the large After processing, filtering' past, modem construction and and chlorinating, the efDuent- considerable expertise to is pressurized for dispersal in~ create what the former student the two 300 feet wells which says is more like a dream come are used alternately. As back• true. up, an overflow system comes 'We have to express our into use and it is equipped appreciation for the vision and with a 400 lineal foot disposal energy that brought it to field. -: fruition', he said. The entire system is under With that, the scissors were the supervision of die Envir• drawn and the ribbon sliced as onmental Department vSRct is several of the blue and yellow Penticton. Being the first helium balloons made their system of its kind in the way skyward to mark the province, a great deal of- occasion. interest is being expressed in how it (grates since it may HOPES FOR THE FUTURE become the prototype of instal- Following the introduction of laticms at ski resorts, lake- Mary Otte, the new ovraer of shore ccmdominiams and sim- the f- '"ty, the speaker said iliar places. ,. ;; she :s to make Somerset Inn t of the nicest places in ( the area. " -"5" There were words of thanks and delighted the crowd with a few appreciation Monday afternoon as remarks and then sliced through the Somerset Inn owners Mary Otte and balloon trimmed ribbon. Some 300 husband Richard descended the stairs persons looked on and later toured the at the facility to thank ribbon cutter facility. Bob Tingley just moments after he •AT *. The Chandelier dining room at the Somerset Inn provides a most enjoyable view of the community admist comfortable surroundings in the new addition to the former college building. In excess of 200 servings were delivered to dining room. visitors during the Mother's Day festivities at the Inn. THE EARLY YEARS This was Giant's Head before the College buildings, the House the profile of 'the guardian' still stand, though they have on" the Hill and Somerset Inn. The picture is from the Ritchie grown a great deal over the years. The family's connection with family collection taken around the turn of the century. the area has been recognized in the new Somerset Inn with the Catherine Ritchie points out that the most prominent trees on naming of one of the meeting rooms as 'Ritchie Hall'. ' Taking part in the college evening were from left Bob Imayoshi, Ian Sprinkling, Rutb Dale, Bany Wilson, Nettie Broadland, Bedford (Bob Tingley), Reverend Kutch Shannon, Bob BuUer and Rita Hermiston. . •- , .- • • . \ - • • • • •' ^ At anniversarvxlmiTer^^^^^ i " • • • Students and staff 51 The old college gymnasium District representative on the Scandinavian Society, saying echoed with the sounds of Board Colleen Morrison, he how pleased they were to cater music and laughter, Thurs• remarked on the 'humour, for the banquet, and Bob day night, as seven of the energy, and superior qualities Butier spoke on behalf of the original Okanagan College of life' of these old time Museum Sodety expressing students and many of their students, saying today's their pleasure m participating friends gathered for a cele• students could learn a lot from in the celebration. Barry bration banquet. them. Wilson, President of the Youth The occasion was sponsored Guest speaker for the evening Centre, presented Dr. D. VJ by three Summerland groups - was Rev. Kutch Imayoshi. Fisher, who emceed the occas• the Youth Centre Association Rev. Don Knipfel introduced ion, with a plaque for his long - who own and operate the him as 'a local boy, bom and service and devotion to the building, the Scandinavian bred in Summerland.' Centre, and Alderman Rita Qub who served an excellent Imayoshi said 'Its wonderful Hermiston brought the good meal, and the Museum and to be back to meet old friends wishes of the municipality. Arts Society who provided a and renew acquaintances,' Music throughout the even• display of the old college and he reminisced about his ing was provided\by pianist memorabilia. It was all part of school days in this community. Art Hunt, and his void time Summerland's Anniversary While studying to become a melodies created a plVasurable celebrations. Baptist Minister at McMaster background for this night of 'Its 71 years since 1 walked University, Imayoshi wrote a nostalgic memories. through that door and climbed thesis on the history of the The plaque now hangs on the onto that platform to receive original Okanagan College. He wall of the Youtii Centre for all my diploma'. Bedford (Bob) gave a brief summary of this to see. The old college ^m- Tingley told the 178 diners^ history for the benefit of the nasium is now officially part of and he went on to entertain gathering, telling them if they Summerland's heritage. them with fantasy tales of his wished to know more on the life through the years. subject, copies of his thesis are Tingley and Miss Ruth Dale, in the Sunpmerland Museum. as the two oldest graduates, EARLY BEGINNINGS graced the head table, and He explained how motivation assisted Bob Broadland of the for the college started in 1900, B.C. Government's Heritage and it was when the local and Conservation Branch in Baptist community, and the unveiling a wall plaque pro• Ritchie brothers in particular claiming the building to be agreed to help with the * 'the gymnasium of the Okan• financing, the idea came to agan College founded in 1906.' fmition in 1906. They and the other five Ritchie Hall, the first college former students in attendance building was opened in 1907, ^ - Mrs. Grace Whitaker, Mrs. and the gymnasium anil Mort- Margaret Wright, and the on Hall, the ladies residence, three Gayton brothers, were added in 1910. The Arnold, Joe and Warren, were College ran until 1915, and presented with scrolls by Ian finally closed its doors through Sprinkling, Registrar of the lack of financial support from present Okanagan College. outside the community. It was The name of Mrs. Annie affiliated with McMaster Univ• Gowans was unfortunately ersity in Ontario, and was the omitted and a scroll will be first educational institution in delivered to her by hand. the Interior of B.C. Sprinkling explained that the 'It was started by concerned scrolls were replicas of the* men devoted to the task of plaque, and after expressing giving education to young the good wishes of the present people', Imayoshi said, adding college principal Peter Will• 'God bless those pioneers.' iams, and Summerland School Nettie Shannon spoke for the by Dave Gamble Somerset Brace yourself. The Some• rset Inn is to be moved to Penticton. history The historic Summerland the Okanagan College building has been pur• which had occupied the chased by Eldon Peacoclc, bench on Giant's Head owner of Peacock's Perch Mountain since 1906. and Ted Udzenija of Pentic• The College closed in 1915 ton. The sale, which had to and the faculty formed the have Court approval since nucleus of the University of the building was in receiv• British Columbia. ership, received the neces• Following the closure, the sary approval in Kelowna ladies residence had a num• Court on Wednesday, ber of uses. For many years November 25. it served as a boarding The date of possession will school for a religious sect. be on February 1st next Later it became a foster year, and presumably the home for welfare children operation of moving it will operated by the then fa• take place after that time. mous 'Ma White'. The sale was handled by In 1967 it was operated by Allan Eden of Realty World when it is put back together the Seventh Day Adventist Locations West in Summer- it would be run profession• Reform Movement foi;^ a land. ally by experienced people. school and study cen^r. Penticton businessman Udzenija himself is an ex Two Alberta residents Ted Udzenija told the Re• hotel man. conceived the idea of a view Tuesday that the HISTORIC PAST hotel resort. ground work on the feasib• What is known as the The costs proved much ility of moving the hotel and however, and it went into dining room in sections had * Somerset Inn has had an in• receivership in January of been done by Peacock. The teresting and varied history 1981. The project lan• plan is to divide the struc• going back to its original guished until the following ture into moveable sections construction in 1910 or 1911 year when it was purchased which will be re erected on as the ladies residence of by Mary Otte who comp• property owned by Udze• Cont'd on Page 3 leted the renovations, and opened the hotel for nija on Skaha Lake Road in See Somerset ij Penticton. business in the summer of ^"We recognize that the- 1982. V building is a monument and Unfortunately the opening has historic value," Udze• coincided with the deterior• nija Saidi, adding that it ating economy of the early would be treated with re• 1980's and it was closed Somerset Inn during 1984. spect and carefully re• assembled in its new loca• With a strengthening tion. "We would duplicate economy, the facility was everything about it,"he purchased by Karin and said. Brian Noseworthy who reo• to be moved pened it in the summer of Udzenija said that all but the ground floor can be suc• 1985. cessfully moved. When this However in the late spring operation is complete, the of 1986 it was apparent that site would be cleaned and to Penticton! there were financial diffi- made available for pur• , culties and Somerset Inn chase. again went into bankrup• The re established hotel tcy. and dining room will be Since that time the offers named by public sugges• continued, but were com• tions, and Udzenija said plicated by sewage disposal that if there was enough in• problems that seemed vir• terest it could remain tually unresolvable until known as the 'Somerset Realtor Allan Eden pro• Inn'. posed Using an adjacent un• Udzenija noted that "the used corner of Municipal building has been left to de• land. teriorate, and his and Pea• At that point earlier this cock's plan would return it year, encouraged by the to active use. He added that sewage disposal develop• ment, there were a number of offers which would have • established the facility ei• ther in its former hotel - dining room role, or as a se• niors retirement center. 5^ Background to the sale of the 'House on the Hill' There has been a lot of The statement indicated her 30, 1986 and advertised In Lewis' opinion, a haul public discussion in the diat Judge Arkell of the it for sale in B.C., Albert to an off site system would past week about the recent B.C. Supreme Court sitting and Ontario and through have a capital cost of surprise announcement in Kelowna approved the the 51 offices of the Recei• $115,000 and an operating diat the Somerset Inn had sale of the Somerset Inn to ver. cost of $26,320 per year. been sold and that it would Hdon Peacock and Ted Ud• Campana said that 95 in• Pumping out and disposing be moved to a new location zenija for a total price of terested parties responded die sewage at the Summer- in Penticton. $285,000 with a completion and the property was land disposal site was not While most people say date for the sale of Febr• shown to at least 30 pro• acceptable to the Ministry they would be sorry to see it uary 1,1988. The successful spective buyers. A total of of the Environment. go, there has been an abs• offer was presented to the 12 offers were received, 11 Campana noted that the ence of any real solutions to Court by the Credit Union of them conditional on the Peacock - Udzenija offer the problems that led to its through its lawyer Tom prospective purchaser ei• was the only unconditional present predicament. Johnston. ther obtaining financing or one received since the Inn Among those fielding in• The statement said that obtaining a waste disposal went into receivership. He quiries, protests and opini• die property had been pur• permit from the Ministry of said that the extraordinarily ons is the Summerland and chased on July 19, 1985 by the Environment. expensive costs of instal• District Credit Union which Brian and Karin Nosewor• On November 30,1986 the ling a sewage system meet• provided the financing for thy and the Credit Union Somerset Inn was closed by ing the Ministry require• the previous owners and provided the financing. The the Ministry of the Environ• ments was clearly,a major applied for the sale. Noseworthy's operated the ment due to the septic dis• deterrent. In a press release this facility until May 30, 1986 posal system being found week. Credit Union Mana• at which time the Credit inadequate, and the Minis• The statement said that ger Lou Campana recoun• Union appointed Thorne, try demanded that a hydro the only other active offer ted the circumstances sur- Riddell Inc. as Receiver - geological study would be before Judge Arkell on rouhding receivership of Manager, and it has re• required before a new sep• November 25 was one from the Summerland landmark mained in receivership tic disposal permit would Holiday Holdings Inc. but and revealed the steps the since that time. be issued. Just prior to that this offer was subject to the Credit Union has taken in The Receiver Manager time the Inn was appraised prospective purchasers the past year to secure a operated the facility as a at $333,000. arranging suitable financ• new owner. going concern until Novem- On January 21, 1987 the ing. ^.' Credit Union obtained an Campana said that the opinion from Civil Engineer Credit Union sincerely re• R.D. Lewis which set out grets the possible loss of the cost of the sewage dis• the Somerset Inn but if it posal alternatives. In does move to Penticton, "it Lewis' opinion an on site is clear that the real reason \ disposal sewage system Summerland is losing this would have a capital cost of fine facility is because of $350,000 and an operating the lack of a sewage system cost of $11,500 per year. in this community." LETTER Dear Editor: made j A lot of people will be up Soon, only the scars will ticton. in arms over the removal of be left, and let's hope they Instead of pouring money the House on the Hill, as at least will be cherished. into further revitalization, another part of Summer- What is to happen to the why not spend some on land's heritage disappears. land where the present venerating the past. Face Unfortunately, the former building stands? It's part of lifting Summerland is dest• ladies residence no longer 22 acres donated by former roying its character. Let's qualifies as a heritage residents for the sole pur• building, as although built pose of benefitting this learn from mistakes made in 1910, it underwent a face community as a whole. The by altering the House on Somerset lift a few years ago, altering Ritchies and Dales and the Hill. the original structure and other members of the Bapt• If the structure hadn't changing it into a hotel. ist Church also raised over been changed in 1980, to• $40,000 to furnish the col• move in Face lilts may rejuvenate day it could be standing as lege buildings. but they also leave scars, a monument to the past. It often hidden by elaborate In last weeks issue of the coiffures designed to con• Summerland Review, you could qualify under the mid-April ceal and attract. Sometimes quoted one of the new ow• Heritage Act, and perhaps 1 face lifts don't work; invari• ners as saying "The site house an art centre. j Somerset Inn is slated to take' ably they change personal• would be cleaned and made This way, all would benefit \ ities. This is what hap• available for purchase." Is its trip down the highway to its under the Heritage Trust, i new home in Penticton about pened to the House on the there any hope it could be Sincerely, | saved for posterity? Is there the middle or third week in Hill. Freda Store" i any hope of reclaiming the!; April, says owner Ted Udze• property and making it into" nija. The Penticton businessman a memorial park? Perhaps a Udzenija said the plans call for told the Review last week that plaque could be placed on the structure to be moved in ; he is awaiting final word from;j| the site relating the history three pieces. The main gabled : provincial highway authorities ^ of the college. It was an in• building will remain intact, k tegral part of the commun• while the new addition will be j on exactly when heavy load re• ity from 1906 to 1915 and cut into two. The lower floor i strictions will be lifted, proba• set the tone for Summer- which houses the banquet room bly April 1. land in its mostly formative cannot be moved. The hardest Meanwhile he is still discuss• years. corner to manoeuver the pieces i ing the moving details with pro- Today, far too much around will be at the intersec- ' specUve building moving firms. money is being spent on tion of Milne Road and Giant's Both are "excellent" firms, face lifting Summerland. j Head Road. says Udzenija, but added he would like to keep the work wi• The town is in danger of; The move will be made at \ thin the Valley. Mix Brothers of losing its personality. Local! night so as to minimize disrup• Edmonton has done much of merchants are so anxious to', tion to traffic, although Udze• the legwbrk, he said, but he has * attract outsiders to come nija says the Department of also been in contact with Nickel and buy their goods,; Transport doesn't think the Brothers of New Westminster | they're forgetting the peo-- highway will have to be closed. who would work with Interior - pie who created Summer-i Some furnishings and interiors Movers of Kelowna if they were land, and those remaining), are being moved a bit at a time given the contract. Nickel who have roots here. ! to be stored in Udzenija's three Brothers was the firm which _ Many of us liked the small ^ Penticton warehouses. moved "Castle Vancouver" to town as we knew it. It had a i The flood lights have been personality all its own. Our the Vander Zalm Fantasy Gar• turned on again to prevent dens last year. children grew up here and vandalism. Udzenija says, giv• are horrified by the > ing Summerland residents less changes. Old landmarks than two months to savour the are concealed or removed picturesque image of the altogether, and we're fast "House im the Hilir''""- "'"T* becoming a satellite of Pen- \ Somerset Inn may be leaking down at Summerland for die that die Morton HaU section seen in the right background is a final Christmas if plans proceed Uiis spring to move it to heritage buildirtg. however the dining room section in the Penticton, The Summerland Heritage Committee has stated foreground whlfh was adding during renovations is not | SA YS COMMITTEE .-.tl Morton Hall is a heritage Members of the Summer- ing". In a recent report re• tage Committee, the fact is Hobson's inventory, with land Heritage Advisory ceived from Robert Hobson that before its "face-lift" in 31 sites rating 62 points or Committee has issued a of the Heritage Trust, the 1980, Morton Hall was in bettef, and having the larg• statement which clarifies building was highly rated. pretty sad shape, having est number of Class A sites points made in letter about Hobson prepared an in• been completely stuccoed of all the communities in Somerset Inn in the Dec. 10 ventory of all Heritage sites and in need of repair. The the report. Such results issue of the Review. in the Okanagan Similka- renovations did alter the show the people of Sum• meen for the Regional Dis• size of the building, says merland have already es• The letter contended that trict (see Nov. 5 Review) the Committee, but the tablished integrity and re• alterations done to the for• and through much research changes enhanced it spect for heritage as indi• mer college residence, to and field work, came up appearance so it more cated in the Heritage In• change it into a hotel, dis• with a list of 105 sites to be closely resembled its orig• ventory, says the commit• qualified it from being con• recognized as such. inal 1910 architectural style tee. sidered a Heritage Building of Tudor Revival. An information evening on and perhaps save it from Out of a possible 100 The letter also contended heritage issues will be pre• being moved. points, the House on the Hill scored 82 - 30 for archi• that Summerland was in sented by the committee Not so says the Advisory tecture, 40 for culture, 17 danger of losing it person• during Heritage Week, Feb Committee, who point out for context, and only 5 were ality and historical build• 15-22. Hobson will give a that "Morton Hall", the la• deducted for desecration ( ings. presentation on his find- •• dies' residence of Okana• impact of changes on style, The Advisory Committee ings, and a local historian * gan College DOES still qua• design, or construction.) however, points outs that will talk on Summerland's lify as a "Heritage Build• In addition, says the Heri• Summerland "shone" in heritage. Ws^ O(tV0 Hunter says she will the sigh! of Somerset Inn from her balcony at Parkdate Lodge* When the hMoHc bMitv$ Is moved to Penticton In a month or so. Turn to Page 10 lor some recollections of Mrs. Hunter's and a look back at what was once Morton hall, the ladles residence of the first Okanagan College. Somerset inn reca/ied It won't be too long before the Somerset Inn takes its trip down the hill toward Penticton (end of April is the expected date), leaving the Youth Centre as the only remaining building of what was once Okanagan College. We have published historical accounts of the College previ• ously, but perhaps just once more look back might be appro• priate before this landmark is lost to Summerland forever. There are very few people ar• ound today who remember first hand what the College was like in the early days. Local resident Olive Hunter (formerly Rum- ball) recalls that ironically, she was a teenager in Vegreville, Alberta when she first heard of Okanagan College - in fact of Summerland, for that matter. Her father was a Methodist ; Minister there, and two new when it housed high school stu• contents were sold and Mr. members joined the congrega• dents, remained closed until Hunter still has a simple woo• tion about 1913 or 1914, recen• 1931. A religious group took den chest with a flip up lid tly arrived from Summerland. over the hall as a home for the which was used to store the Mrs. Hunter said they were a friendless, but it to was closed young ladies' starched shirtwa• Mr. and Mrs. Stickle (and their -down. After several years an• ists flat. She also had a hall son Grant), and had been in• other religious group made the stand from the College, but it volved with the College as staff. hall their home but caught fire has since been given to the mu• Mrs. Hunter notes that several in 1941 and burned to the seum. years later she got to see the ground. For a brief period, Morton Hall , College first hand when she Mrs. Hunter remembers her was used as nursing home cal• .married Laurence Rumball and son Harold (who was later killed led Mountain View, but was ' moved to Summerland. in the war) had a big grey car later closed an remained so un• . Although she never attended and he and brother Lf s helped til 1963. It was bought to be the College, she remembers her to transport the residents of the used as the headquarters of a first husband's cousin Mary building down the hill away missionary organization but be• y. Mclntyre from Chilliwack was from the fire. cause of lack of money was •: an early student. After Ritchie Hall was dest• sold. After the College closed down royed, only Morton Hall, the In 197*1 the hall was purchased ; in 1915, the main building (or, Women's Residence construc• by Gerry Niessen as^ private Ritchie Hall) remained idle and ted in 1910, was left standing rcsidcni-c, then in 19w1 sold to • except for two briefs years on Giant's Head. Much of the Gareth Young. Bert Van Asten and Vern Byers who planned to renovate the hall into a resort. Unfortunately the hall fell into receivership but was purchased in 1981 by Mary Otte, who completed the project the same year and named it Somerset Inn. Although recollections of the first Okanagan College exist only with a few remaining oldtimcrs such as Mrs. Hunter, documents and photographs , are still around to remind us of .what once was. For more infor- 'mation on the College, drop by .the ^ Summerland Museum •which has a display of College memorabilia and a coniprehcn- sivc album about its history complied by Shawn Hutchings. Somerset update All the pieces are starting to where the pub and banquet cessitating considerable work to come together for Somerset room are presently located will repair. Some outside doors Inn owner led Udzenija. be left behind and demolished, . have also buckled and wood Last week the Penticton busi• but the building will be placed panels damaged. nessman made contract ar• on a similar foundation floor at Much of the furniture has been rangements with Mix Brothers the Skaha Road site. moved out of the dining room Moving of Edmonton to move Bay windows, similar to those and lower floor and the televi• the hotel to its new location at on the north side of the dining sions have all been taken out of 2572 Skaha Lake Road (between room lounge will form the front the 19 guests rooms. The beds the Granada Motel and Baker of the new ground floor pub and bedside lamps however, Nissan). area, covered by three gables to will stay in the rooms during draw the building together ar• the move because they are bol• Udzenija said the Edmonton chitecturally. ted down! The same furnish• firm was the only one who said The banquet room will be en- ings will be used in the new they could move the building in • larged by 85 seats, while the Inn,.and more antiques will gra• no more than two pieces. He dining room will be decreased dually be added to replace said Mix Brothers gave the .to 100 seats from 120. Udzenija those which seem to have gone highest estimate, but also has says he has already picked out a missing over the years. the most sophisticated moving chef and promises the menus equipment. Udzenija has set himself a goal will be constantly changing of a May 30 moving date, but It's important the job be done according to tastes. admits that could easily change right, says Udzenija, who real• The sundeck located over the depending on what the moving izes there are no second dining room, which has seen lit• contractor encounters. It is up chances with a job so large. tle use in Summerland, will be to the contractor to obtain a per• "We know the building is a converted into "The Rose Gar• mit from the Ministry of High• landmark, it has character, it den'*.Decorated with flowers, it ways for trucking the building has a story. It's important the will be art open air spot for bar• down Hwy. 97, but discussions move be done properly." becues, light meals and bever• between the contractor's staff The building will be split leng• ages. engineer and the ministry seem thwise, leaving the main, old Sitting unattended for many favourable. structure intact, but slicing months has caused some deter• Udzenij^ hopes to have the through the new addition in• ioration of the building which dining rooms and accommoda• cluding the dining room. The greatly disappoints Udzenija. tion rooms open for business by dining addition and the three Water seepage has caused the first week of July and the stories of the old building will cracking and breakdown of pub and banquet rooms shortly be moved. The ground floor plaster walls and ceilings, ne• after. How Somerset Inn will be moved... Frank Dlugos. foreman of the Mix Brothers crew which is from its foundation. To the left of the truck is one of the jacks moving Somerset Inn. stands by the truck which contains the which will be hooked up by hoses to the truck. specialized hydraulic equipment which will lift the building J u xiomerset move Somerset now mid-June The last main bureaucratic thin the next tew weeks. hurdle has been overcome, pav• Owner Ted Udzenija said ing the way for the dismantling Monday that moving plans had go-aheBd and moving of Somerset in wi• been held up while he waited for the final moving permit to be granted by the (he Ministry of Transportation and High• ways. The permit was received last week. Moving expert Ron Mix of Mix Brothers Movers in Edmonton was to arrive in Summerland Monday night for a consultation the next day with with Udzenija and a local crew from Canyon View Construction, which will be carrying out the "cutting" of the structure Jnto two parts. Cutting was expected to start tion on Skaha Lake Road. rset's Licence application - the Wednesday, Udzenija said. His application had been op• other parties were located too posed by several other Pentic• far away. The heavy equipment and ton licenced establishments and Roberts said "It is clear that trailers needed to move the was heard by the Commercial the Somerset Hotel has unde• building were also expected to Appeals Commission of the Li• rgone very extensive renova• arrive Tuesday or Wednesday quor Control and Licensing tions, which include excellent and Udzenija estimates it will Branch. Appellants in the case extensive kitchen facilities and take about 12 working days be• were The Barley Mill, the Cop• equipment. While the Somerset fore the building is ready to roll per Mug, Wrangler's Inn (next has only 19 rooms, it is obvious down to its new home in Pentic• to the Pilgrim Hotel), Three Ga• from its appearance, its history, ton. bles, slack Alice's, Nite Moves its renovations, interior decor and the Neighbourhood Pub and furnishings, and its facilit• LICENCE APPROVED . Association of B.C. ies, that the Somerset has the Udzenija also won another bat• Commission chairman Arthur potential to be a tourist - tle with bureaucracy last week, Roberts found that only the attracting benefit to Penticton with the final approval of a li• Barley Mill, because its proxim• and a good facility for the quor licence for the transplan• ity to the new Somerset location community. The applicant's ted Inn when it begins opera• was entitled to appeal Some• proposal to move the whole Somerset Hotel building from Summerland to Penticton is am• bitious and indeed an excifing example of free enterprise." At its new location, Somerset will have a pub licence for 83 seats, a lounge licence for 58 seats and licences for the dining room of 20 seats, banquet room of 180 seats, meeting rooms of 18 seats and patio of 158 seats. be set in place to lift to building By Jolene Palmer up off the foundation. The jacks Somerset Inn has been cut in are attached to a special control two and is fast becoming ready unit housed on a truck which for its journey to Penticton. senses the weight and adjusts Summerland crews from Can• the rate of lift at each point. yon View Construction had cut This compensation allows the the structure into two sections building to rise in one relatively by Friday of last week and Mix smooth, even motion. Brothers Movers of Edmonton Dlugos says the old Morton were preparing to slide the gi• Hall structure is in quite good ant steel girders into place un• Condominiums on shape and should withstand the derneath the building for sup• moving without too much crack• port. ing or shifting. For most Summerland resi• Numerous wheel units are in• Somerset Inn site dents, the concept of moving stalled under the beams - 64 the 19 room hotel down the hill wheels along the two beams Soinetset Inn owner Ted Udzenija told the Review last week and to Penticton seems far near the centre, sets of eight at that once the buildirtg is moved, he WOutdlike to bUild 20 con• fetched. But project foreman the front and rear. Another 14 ft dominium units on the 2,8 acre site, Jft UdzeDtllft'^S plans, the Frank Dlugos of Mix Brothers steel beam will be welded in present retaining wail north of the Upper parklag lot would speaks matter - of - factly about between the two longitudinal form the back wall of the units, which WOuld be btjllf In a semi• the latest job of his 29 year car• girders, forming a sort of circle w ith a view of SummerJand off S foot balconies. He envi• eer in the building moving busi• bridge. A 16 wheel steering sions four two - story structures, with five unUs each - two lar• ness. dolly will be positioned at the ger units on the lower floor and three smaller tmitS on the up• The Somerset move is about centre of this bridge piece, per floor, Udzenija pians to keep the tennis court Sftd outdoor "medium" compared to the which is also where the tractor whirlpool intact. Final approval of any construction however, projects undertaken by Mix arm is attached. Another steer• would depend on the septic capacity Ctf the wte as detemtjoed Brothers, he says. They com• ing control unit will be located by the public health department. monly move grain elevators at the back of the building. which are three times the When the first section of the height and weight of Somerset. building is ready to roll, it will Big oil tanks, water towers, a be moved out of the way so that church and steeple 60 feet high, bearing walls can be construc• portable schools, large num• ted on each section (where the bers of homes - these are all cut was made )and sheathed in items moved by the company in to keep the weather out. various locations across Ca• nada. The firm even has its own For the journey to Penticton, plane and pilot, to shuttle crews both sections will be turned ar• from the job sites back home to ound from the way they sit now. the Edmonton area on the wee• This means that the west end of kends. the building will be going down the hill first, Dlugos explains how two 140 Dlugos says the highways foot steel girders (originally ministry has given them three from a bridge) will run leng• hours for the trip, but couldn't thwise (east to west) under the say exactly when the move largest of the two sections would take place, other than which made up of the original that it would be after midnight. Morton Hall structure and the The moving date is about an• north half of the dining room other 2 1/2 to 3 weeks off. addition. Similar 110 foot beams will be placed under the A portable generator will tra• other half of the building - the vel with the convoy to power south part of the dining room, floodlights and other lights plus the kitchen and storage ar• which will illuminate the struc• eas. tures at it travels at a speed of 10-12 miles per hour along the Four more steel beams topped highway. with wood (called soapers) will Numerous Summerland trade• sit at right angles on top of the speople have or will be involved long girders. The wood surface with the Somerset project in ar• is rubbed with Ivory bar soap to eas such as dismantling and make it slippery for the easing clean-up, cutting (Bill in of yet more header beams Yargcau's Canyon View Con• which will be attached under struction), welding (Jack Gan- the floor joists to keep the struc• zeveld), supplies (Rental ture stable. Centre, Builder's Mart ) and About 20 hydraulic jacks will many others. 0, •:) Somerset Inn going^ but still not gone 1 The elegant lady is reluctant to The next step will see the sec• sary and the move was put leave. The Somerset Inn has de• tions of building moved from ahead. clined two invitations in the Summerland to Penficton Udzenija said he fell in love past week to move down where they wjll be reassembled with the dining room when he Giant's Head Mountain and on the lot immediately south of first saw it, but one look at the down Highway 97 to a ^new Discount Carpet on Skaha Lake books and what he described as home on Skaha Lake Road in Road. a lifetime of experience in the Penticton. The move has struck wides• food industry, told him that the The first false alarm was late pread interest with many peo• fixed costs faced by the previ• Friday evening when it was ple turning out both mornings ous owners made it unecono• found that an additional sup• only to learn thaf the move was mic. port was needed under the postponed. On Saturday one He said he consulted septic main building, and this cancel• couple had travelled here all the disposal experts but they were led the Saturday morning way from Enderby. not encouraging, then he con• appointment. The move will involve an in• sulted the movers. The move was rescheduled un• terruption in electrical service Udzenija told the Chamber it til Wednesday morning and in the area affected and further hurt him to see the damage the things appeared to be going word on this will be announced building had sustained while smoothly Tuesday evening as plans are reformulated. out of operation, including when the huge Somerset Inn .structure could be seen turning end for end for the desired or• New name: 'Okanagan Inn' ientation, carried on massive steel and wood beams which in . NEW NAME water damage from a leak and turn rested on gangs of tires on damage to exterior lights from a articulated and braked dollies. Speaking to the June 23 Sum• pellet gun. One light had over But as preparations continued merland Chamber of Commerce 21 pellets inside he said. "In into Tuesday evening, compli• meeting, Somerset owner Ted one or two years the building cations set in around 10.30pm Udzenija announced that the would have been gone," he when the third 'kitchen' section new name of the Somerset Inn said. of the building was reluctant to when it is re-established in Pen• "In Penticton, the building rise off its foundations, and the ticton will be the 'Okanagan will still be yours," he pro• move was put off until some• Inn', unless someone comes up mised, with good food, at• time next week, possibly Tues• with a better idea. mosphere and upscale features. day morning. Udzenija announced that he Among the planned changes he The plan will be to begin with had chosen the new name, but said the dining room will be en• the dining room, the smallest of added "If someone comes up larged by 85 seats for a capacity three sections, which will be with something better I will of 200, "and the pub will be moved down the mountain on change it and make a public an• made larger with a higher ceil• Milne Road, across Giant's nouncement'. ing, and parts will be opened tip Head Road, and down Atkinson At the time he spoke, plans with bay windows. Road below the Hospital to the were to move the building last "It will be a nice place to relax lot next to the Bowling Alley. Saturday morning. In fact he in and enjoy", he s£hd. Next, the larger sections will announced Thursday that the Udzenija showed a video tape make their way down the hill to final approval for the move had of a television program on the the same waiting area. The op• been received that morning. On Mix Brothers moving company erations have been scheduled to Friday however, it was an• showing some of their past ac• start at 4am and finish several nounced that more work on the complishments as well as their The main part of the Somerset Inn building is seen evening, but complications with raising the third 'ready to roll' on its gigantic supports and casters. section off its foundations postponed the move The building was turned end for end Tuesday until next week, possibfy oil Tuesday.' Pniiifar nnf fnr Q i /9 hf>ufs for first leg of Somerset Inn move by Dave Gamble After a considerable delay, and a power was restored in town. Shortly thing from grain elevators to Greek i "It's the most exciting thing that's lot of excitement as die structure afterward the Uiree building sections Orthodox Churches 'down theroad' happened here since the Shirley tilted and the fifth wheel tongue were parked adjacent to die Sum- over the years, and diey really know Jones movie"; "It's lunacy"; "I would twisted under the strain, a Municipal merfair Shopping Centre at die end their job. never have believed it could be jackhammer was used to chip enough of the first leg of their journey. But while Summerland experienced , done"; "I'll sue!"; "It gives you the rock away for the turn to he made At press time it was not clear what the novelty of seeing die three strac- , creeps"; "My freezer has defrosted!" several hours after it became ramifications the extended power lures sitting temporarily next lo ' There was a variety of reactions to jammed. outage might have caused. Among Summerfair Shopping Centre, Mix what turned out to be a marathon the inconveniences, Super Markets, and his crew were busy al press time By now the rain had stopped, and move for the Somerset Inn on which had twice before cleared dieir getting the sections ready for die the crowd enlarged as onlookers were Wednesday morning. One thing meat and produce sections, had next stage of dieir journey. Among mind boggled as the enormous build• certain was die interest in the move concerns for perishables, and also the work to be done was to stietch ing turned and then headed mas• which began in the very early hours for their computer systems which the wheel units under die large sec- sively down Giant's Head Road to and grew during the day. Giant's lose their memories and such things lion of die building, exchanging the next comer, also somewhat dif• Head Road area residents found sleep as inventory lists after several hours some maneuverability which was ficult. difficult, nol only from anxiety about widiout power. needed on die way down Giant's the huge structure that would soon But it was negotiated successfully, Many businesses including banks Head, for belter weight distribution be towering over their homes, but widi the removal of anodier tele• were not able to open for business which will be needed when crossing from the steady stream of traffic and phone pole and die sawing off of during the whole morning. Il was the Okanagan River bridge. police vehicles preparing for the another power pole crossbar. "Add nol clear who complainants would The next stage in die move was event it to the bill", quipped an onlooker. see - die movers, or Somerset Inn scheduled lo start al 2Bm Thursday The power went off on schedule at There was a further holdup on the owner Ted Udzenija. when die three sections i 3:30am, but it was some time later, hill below the hospital when the THE REST OF THE TRIP are to move down Highway 97, in steady rain, before the huge main highest chimney on the tall structure "A lol of people seem to tiiink across the Okanagan River bridge, structure could be seen moving its snagged an overhead power line, we're going to lose il (die Somerset and into Penticton. This leg of die bulk down the fairly steep incline of even diough it was being held aloft Inn) on the hill, but I'm very confi- Uip will bring die convoy to the Milne Road. by a giraffe track. One of the Mix denteverydiing will go well."Those Arnold Brodiers yard between die Except for the odd tree branch being Brothers Movers personnel climbed were the comments of Ron Mix who new Okanagan College building and caught in die lady's 'hair', the move a ladder and walked along die peak was in charge of the big Somerset the railway overpass. down the hill went smoothly. It was of the building, lifting die wu-es over Inn move, and despite a lol of skep• The third and final move was to on the sharp comer onto Giant's the chimney. ticism on the part of most residents lake place at 2«im Friday when the Head Road that die first problem who understandably just could nol convoy is lo cross the CP Rail line arose. Though die tractor trailer By this lime il was approaching see a building the size of Somerset overland easl of die overpass, then towing the massive load just kept its noon hour and with the two smaller Inn being moved down the moun• proceed down die Channel Parkway tires on the edge of the road, there sections righlbehind the main build• tain, il was done. to Green Avenue, turn left and u-avel was no room for the back end of die ing, a halt was called before another Not dial Mix BroUiers Moving of easl to Main Street From there they building to swing past the rock bluff power line was cut. Edmonton have nol encountered will proceed north on Skaha Lake behind. Finally, at five minutes to one, the skeptics before. They have amazed Road to the new site Ijetween Dis• s Alberta residents by moving every• count Carpet and Baker Nissan. The move that became a marathon... Heading down Hung up Almost there RCMP Sgt. Mike McCague and Mayor Bob Shewfelt size up die situation at die point where die building is jammed at the bottom of Milne Road. It was like ti-ying to drive a bus between the the livingroom and the dining room at times. Here the massive structure is seen inching around thecorner from Giant's Head Road down Adcinson toward the Hospital. With inches to spare, and widi the help of a loader to pull the front of the U'aclor over, die turn was safely made, and the worst of the move was over. "Nope, not much room on this side'. An onlooker At last the building was free again and started to sizes up the few inches left between die tractor trailer move end first down Giant's Head Road. Onlookers and the bank as the Somerset Inn waited to be freed were as fearless as the Mix Moving crew members, from its tight spot at the bottom of Milne Road by a and RCMP often had to urge them to move. Others, jackhammer. Often during the move every inch of taking one look at die staggering bulk of the moving space on turns was used by die skilled crew in order building, needed no furdier invitation to stay safely to turn the massive structure. Often too, Uiis was to die side, the uphill side that is. Homes did not have done on an uneven sloped comer, adding to the the option, but die movers were able to safely bring challenge of the big moving job. die Uiree sections to dieir interim destination. The spectacle was definitely not share to die waiting, but at last, nored the driving rain and accom• one to miss, and there were specta• around 5 AM die big building could panied the familiar building down tors on die scene before diere was be seen moving behind the trees at the hill from Giant's Head where it anything to see. The rain added its the top of die hill. Spectators ig- became lodged for several hours. A variety of rain apparel was used - those with more foresight coming armed-widi sHckers and umbrellas. Optimists generally got wet in run• ning shoes, light jackets and no hat., The rain on the pavement did not seem to make any difference in the tiiiction of the multiple tired dollies under die big building which held the over 200 tons in check during the sometimes steep descent. The new home of Somerset Inn? When the main building became jammed at the back of die building some leeway behind freed the bottom of Milne Road, a frequent comment was The building and allowed die d-ip to continue. This part of new home of Somerset Inn'. A t Uiis point die building the operation lasted several hours, during which die was squeezed between die guardrail at the right and rain stopped, and serious onlookers got away for a a rock bluff at the back. A Municipal jack hammer few minutes lo change out of soaking clodies and was brought to die scene to help chip away some of grab some breakfast. The breakfast part was die the rock outcrop, and gradually die combination of hardest since most of the town was widiout electric• pulling die tractor unit down die road and giving die ity, and hot coffee was at a premium. OKANAGAN COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS 1910 -1988 1910 built as girl's residence Okanagan College 1915 closed as col lege,shortage of students remained idle 1920-22 used for high school classes remained idle 1931-37 "Home for the Friendless" remained idle 1940's "Mountain View" until! the 1950's remained idle 1963 bought and used as headquarters for a missionary group 1973-79 private residence,Gerry Niessen 1979 purchased to be turned into hotel complex 1981 fell into receivership,bought by Mary Otte who operated it as a hotel . under the name of "Sommerset Inn" 1984 went into receivership 1985 bought by Brian and Karen Noseworthy and operated as hotel 1986 went into receivership 1988 . Feb.bought by Ted Udzenija 1988 Duly 6,1988 moved down the hill,July 8,1988 final move to Penticton TIIE SOMERSET Inn found its and Hastings Avenue (below). way home this morning. The third The move, orchestrated by a crew Somerset Inn and final leg of the journey in of eight and a number of city, po• volved a move to its new home on lice and highway men, proceeded Skaha Lake Road (above) from its with few hitches. (Juanita Ng, at new home resting place at Channel Parkway photos) The newest addition to Pentic• ton's hospitaHty industry was set in place at 4:45 a.m. today. Despite opposition from local businessmen and the threat of lawsuits, the monumental task of moving the three-storey Somerset Inn from atop Summerland's Giant's Head Mountain to its Skaha Lake Road site in Penticton was completed this morning. "Am I happy? Do birds fly?" local businessman Ted Udzenija said from his Penticton home this morning. Udzenija and partners Conrad Workun and Rob Phillips hope to open their hotel, dining room, lounge and pub by mid-Septem• ber, IJdzenija said. The work will begin tommorrow for Greyback Construction, which will be responsible for all renova• tions and overseeing subcontract• ing. Udzenija said he and his part• ners are undecided on a name for the hotel but plans for Its opera• tion are firmly in place. The hotel will feature 19 rooms, he said. The pub will seat 83, the lounge 58, the dining room approximately 100 and a patio terrace will seat 158. He added the banquet room will accommodate 215 and the two boardrooms will each seat up to 20 people. The partners are discussing the possibility of various styles of en• tertainment, he said. And the menu will be upscale. 73 luesdoy, July \Z, ivaa SMOOTH JOURNEY HOME Above, the Somerset Inn negoti• been taken care of. The only glitch halted the proceedings for a few ates the final turn into its new in plans occurred as the convoy minutes (left). (Juanita Ng, quarters on Skaha Lake Road at turned into the Peach Tree Mall photos) about 5:30 a.m. Almost every po• parking lot — movers had not tential tie-up along the route had counted on a stop sign which r Heritage Lost Tlie Story of Summerland's House on the Hill by Sherril Foster 1998 Although it's been ten years since the residents of Summerland watched grand old "Lady Morton" wind her way down from her seat on Giant's Head Mountain and along Highway 97 to Penticton, the sting of the loss is still a vivid memory. Summerland's heritage huffs are closely watching the rest of their town's historically significant buildings hoping they will never be "sold down the road" again. It was said that having to climb the steep hill to the Okanagan Baptist College was one of the factors that led to its demise. Although nothing but memories remain of this institution, for eight years in the early part of this century, Summerland had a college in its midst. Summerland developer and promoter James Ritchie donated a site on the north side of his pre-emption on Giant's Head IVIountain and, along with his brothers William and Thomas, some $26,000 for the building of a Baptist college. The Baptist Convention of B.C. had decided that a college was needed for young men and women who were living in areas with no post secondary facilities (which was anywhere outside Vancouver or Victoria) and they chose Summerland. Not only was the community considered of "high moral tone", but the Baptist contingent was strong here with the likes of the Ritchies and J.M. Robinson (promoter of Peachland, Summerland, and Naramata) who reportedly had been the president of the Manitoba and Northwest Baptist foundation before arriving in the Okanagan. He had influenced many of that faith to relocate in the valley. Classes began in October 1907 at a brand-new Ritchie Hall with twenty-six students (seventy-two by year's end) and three professors. The structure was three and a half stories, had a concrete basement, classrooms, chapel, library and study, and college office plus accommodation for one hundred boarders. The first college classes however, had been held in Empire Hall on the lake side's Shaughnessy Avenue, while awaiting the completion of the new facility. Okanagan College offered high school courses, commercial (stenography and typewriting) and music courses, (pianoforte and vocal), and two years of university leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in affiliation with McMaster University in Ontario. Tuition fees were $48 per year and room and board was $20 per month. Many locals attended and the college was very much a part of the community. The "Bean-Eaters" (college residents) would take on the "Hill-Climbers" (locals) in various sports activities and the choral society and literary society, which published a newspaper, the Lyceum were enthusiastically supported by the town. The popularity of Okanagan College increased so much (almost tripling in the second year) that the college committee was having to turn away potential students due to the lack of housing. Principal, Dr. E.H. Sawyer went to work soliciting funds and three years later, thanks to many donations and the 2 fund raising efforts of the college students, a gymnasium was erected on property donated by Thomas Dale at the foot of "College Hill" on Giant's Head Road. During its lifetime, this building served a variety of uses in the community (including a packing house, furniture manufacturing plant and Youth Centre) until its demolition in 1995. The other addition in 1910 was a ladies' residence, Morton Hall, situated a few hundred yards from Ritchie Hall on the north face of Giant's Head Mountain. World War One reared its ugly head to affect yet another aspect of Okanagan life and the student enrolment at the college declined. June of 1 91 5 produced the last group of graduates and also much speculation about why the institution hadn't made it. A lot of blame was placed on the "impractical site which was only accessible to hardy citizens and strong horses" ^ and also the fact that Summerland was a small town, not a large centre with lots of population from which to draw. Yet, this was part of the original philosophy of why the community had been chosen because it was thought that students could concentrate better away from the attractive social events of a big city! Other factors blamed for its closure were the general economic conditions, lack of support from Baptists elsewhere, a meagre college endowment fund, and talk of more colleges opening in Vancouver and Calgary (the University of British Columbia did open that year). Following the closure James Ritchie purchased the two vacant buildings from the Baptist Convention for $3000 and they sat idle for many years. Ritchie Hall did serve briefly as temporary digs for Summerland's high school students in the early 1 920's while they awaited the completion of the new elementary facility which would make the old central school available to them. In 1 931 Ritchie sold the College buildings, for a reported $6000, to a group from Winnipeg—the Home of the Friendless. This organization had been formed "to rescue those from the lower strata of life and those who through misfortune had lost hope".^ The religious sect, under the leadership of evangelist leader Laura Crouch, arrived and set up their institution for elderly people, orphans, and people with illnesses. A printing press was operated by the group which produced a religious publication, The Messenger of God to help supplement their income. However, after a while, young girls who lived at the Home of the Friendless were coming to residences in town claiming that they were being mistreated. "Weird stories of strange happenings in the building; lights blinking at night and other phenomena calculated to stir up rumours, gave the big white [sic] building the aura of a 'ghost house' for some time until the matter was cleared up by a government investigation".^ A recently published article from the Winnipeg Free Press (1995) explained the story of Mrs. Crouch and the Home of the Friendless as it was operated in Winnipeg before moving west. Said the article, "... it was billed as a refuge but was actually a workhouse and prison". University of Manitoba social work professor Len Kaminski stated, "The home used classic indoctrination techniques employed by modern day cults including fear, intimidation, starvation, long hours of work with little rest, being cut off from family and community and being forced to participate in religious services for hours on end". It was never disclosed if such tactics were practised here but there was enough evidence gathered to instigate an investigation, resulting in legal action. There were concerns that some of the inmates suffered from tuberculosis, that the younger ones were not receiving proper education, and that the establishment could become a charge on the Municipality as they were experiencing financial difficulties. Reported The Province (1 982), "Complaints about conditions at this [Summerland] and another Home for the Friendless in Burnaby sparked an investigation by a royal commission in 1937 that resulted in legislation calling for licensing of all private welfare institutions in B.C." Mrs. Crouch died during the inquiry and things were left for ' Imayoshi, K. (1953). The History of Okanagan Baptist College. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Divinity School, McMaster University. Hamilton, Ontario ^Andrew, Dr. F.W. (1945). The Story of Summerland. Penticton: Penticton Herald ^Lyons, CP. Updated by L. Cook (1957/1970). Mileposts in Ogopogoland. Surrey: Foremost Publishing. 3 Reverend William Pike (who was an ordained minister in the United Missionary Church and spiritual teacher at the institution) and his wife to sort it out. They sent the children elsewhere and many of the older girls found positions in private homes. After Reverend Pike died, his widow and their daughter carried on with the institution. When Ritchie Hall was completely destroyed by fire in 1941, the Home of the Friendless operated solely from Morton Hall, and about thirty people stayed on surviving on their pension cheques, taking work at the canneries (those who were able) and growing garden produce for extra income. In 1943 Summerland's Municipal Council accepted an offer from the provincial government that would provide medical aid and both governments chipped in to help the pensioners. Morton Hall, named after prominent Baptist, Ruth Morton, had a longer and more interesting history than Ritchie Hall yet would unfortunately meet with the same fiery fate fifty years later. It was built especially for the schooling of young ladies with accommodation for forty students and resident teachers. "Morton Hall was designed in a vaguely Tudor Revival style, with a series of gabled protrusions masking the hipped roof Mock timbering completed the picture" ^. During the 1950's exterior renovations would see all of the half timbering removed and the lower wooden portion refinished with white stucco (therefore adding to its "ghostly" countenance). After serving as the Home of the Friendless, Morton Hall became known as Mountain View Home, a licensed residence for the elderly. In the fifties, the institution functioned under a board of four Summerlanders and the thirty residents, about half of them pensioners, helped with household duties and were given an allowance. In 1958, the HIavacs of Vancouver purchased the business running it as a residence for Christian senior citizens. Then, for a short while, it became an orphanage under the management of Mr. and Mrs. (Ma) Whyte but it wasn't long before this group made plans to move on and before departing, held a sale of children's clothes and toys. (Apparently Ma Whyte and twenty-five of her children had appeared on The Gary Moore Show in New York and the orphans had received numerous gifts of toys.) The Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement purchased the building in 1 967 and ran it as a school and study centre for children in the elementary grades. In Summerland's Canada Centennial pamphlet (1 967), the facility was referred to as the Mountain View Missionary Centre which two years later was granted permission by the local government to operate a bakery from the premises as a home occupation. But this group decided to move on as well deciding it would better serve its people from a more central location in the province. In 1 973 one of the church's members from Oliver bought the building with the idea of starting the Giant's Head Rock Training Centre, a non-profit organization that would teach "everything natural" like cooking, horticulture, ecology and carpentry. "People will be taught how to work and obey", said owner Steve Zakall. Obviously this was only a pipe dream because later that year Bev and Gerry Niessen bought the house and remodelled the lower floor for their family's living quarters. They planted an orchard on the approximate two and a half acres, and along with produce from their other concerns, shipped fruit to the prairies. There was talk of Niessen developing a Disneyland-type haunted house attraction or refurbishing Morton Hall for a fine dining and dancing facility but until 1978, the former ladies' residence was just their home. (Niessen had previously refurbished an old mill in Okotoks, Alberta and had sold it "for a handsome price"). At that time the "House on the Hill" was purchased by three young entrepreneurs from Jasper, Alberta; Gareth Young, Bert Van Asten and Vern Byers. Plans were drawn up and government assistance sought to refurbish the heritage building as it stood and construct a two thousand square foot addition. This would include a large dining room and kitchen, laundry and staff areas on the main ^Hobson, R. & Associates (1988). Okanagan Similkameen Heritage Resource Inventory. Penticton: Regional District Okanagan Similkameen. 4 floor, a roof terrace on the second floor and a tavern and guests' sauna in the basement. The exterior was given a complete facelift to emulate its original Tudor Revival architectural style, and the prospective hotel furnished with English antiques to be operated as Ye Olde College Inn, the House on the Hill Resort. Unfortunately, it didn't open its doors under the ownership of these men, and fell into receivership. There were just too many unforeseen costs. As it stood empty in 1981, a contingent of interested Summerlanders toured the "House on the Hill" with an eye to giving it a use in the community. Some of the folks saw an opportunity for a cultural centre, still bitter after their losing battle to obtain the Century House (Summerland's former hospital) for the arts five years earlier. There was also talk of a community centre and a School of Fine Arts. But before any serious deliberations began, a new owner was found and Mary Otte of Westbank finished the renovating Job and opened the hotel as the Somerset Inn. Within three years the business once again fell into receivership, this time, the deteriorating economy blamed. Then in 1 985, Brian and Karin Noseworthy of Sardis, B.C. decided to market the eighteen guest room facility but lost it to their creditors before it was open a year. Whether it was the fault of the alleged ghost in the attic, the apathy of the town in supporting the business, the horrible gossip, or some kind of a Jinx, it seemed that no one could make a go of it. When the receivers tried to keep the hotel open, the Ministry of the Environment declared that the building's septic system was inadequate. Interestingly enough, it was that same Ministry that had come up with a solution to the sewage disposal question when the renovations had begun in 1979. The system, which used six 35,000 gallon tanks and two 300 foot wells, was the first of its type to be installed in B.C. In theory, the procedure was to pressurize the effluent for dispersal in the wells after it was processed, filtered and chlorinated, but as time went on, the residents at the bottom of College Hill became the first to become aware of the system's shortcomings! When the offers to purchase the hotel began again, many potential candidates were discouraged because the cost of sewage disposal became another burden for an owner to bear. Nevertheless, the House on the Hill didn't deserve the treatment it was about to get. In 1 988 Ted Udzenija, a businessman from Penticton, and Summerland's Eldon Peacock (only the first to be mentioned in a long line of Udzenija's partners) purchased the building, but plans didn't involve leaving it on its visible roost on College Hill. The Somerset Inn would be given a new home and a new life—in Penticton. Many doubted the feasibility of such an undertaking but sure enough, after a few delays in the spring for various reasons, the big moving day came about on July 6, 1 988. The convoy of a tractor towing the inn (now split into three sections) on numerous sixteen-wheel supports, some 1 00,000 pounds of steel girders supported by a hydraulic jack system and front-end loaders attached behind to take some of the momentum off the load, began its trip south. The specialized moving company transported the structures down Milne Road, onto Giant's Head Road and along Prairie Valley Road to Highway 97 with overnight stops at Summer Fair Shopping Centre and then again at the Channel Parkway and Hastings Avenue in Penticton, but not without producing some uneasy moments. The Summerland Review surmised that "the elegant lady was reluctant to leave" when the original gabled section (36' by 70' and 40' high) got caught up on a rock corner at Milne and Giant's Head Roads causing a power outage in Summerland which lasted most of the day (nine and a half hours to be exact). The rains didn't discourage the anxious audience as Lady Morton made her exit. A large crowd of Summerland's residents (and no doubt people from all over the valley) lined the streets to watch, many because they just couldn't believe it was actually happening and many because their work had been halted due to the power outage. Nevertheless, the Penticton Herald reported "Despite opposition from local [Penticton] businessmen and the threat of lawsuits, the monumental task of moving the three-story Somerset Inn from atop Summerland's Giant's Head Mountain to its Skaha Lake Road site in Penticton was completed this morning [July 1 2]". 5 The beautiful old building stuck out like a sore thumb in its new location yet Udzenija's talk included grand opening celebrations for September of that year. But in fact, nothing much happened until almost three years later when Morton Hall met its ultimate fate. Before the restorations were anywhere near completion, the "House-not-on-the-Hill" mysteriously burned to the ground in the wee hours of February 11 th, 1 991. No one was ever made accountable for the mishap. Back in Summerland, the barren site on College Hill was sold to local developers and new homes now surround the spot where "Lady Morton" perched for seventy-eight years, royally greeting all those returning home or visiting the town of Summerland. This article appeared on the 1999 edition of the Okanagan IHistorical Report. A question tiiat visitors often aslc residents is "wiiat is tiie house on residence of the Gerry Niessen family; may have a new role to play in the the hill?" — Summerland's venerable landmark; formerly the ladies near future. Several ideas are being considered for the building that will residence of the original Okanagan College, and now the private offer opportunities for visitors to satisfy their curiosity about it. By Dave Gamble, * approach was dropped, partly ately the family is too tied up Review Managing Editor because the company has al• with the orchard to escort Summerland's traditional ready planned its develop• visiters who still knock on the landmark, "The house on the ments through to 1985. door despite a sign on the Hill", is still attracting lots of attention, and the future may With a view to acquiring college road discouraging hold a brand new role fOr it. more information on the them. mechanics of such an opera• Owners Gerry and Bev Most of the callers are visit• tion, the couple plans to Niessen advise that they are ors from the Prairies anxious attend Disneyland University contemplating two possible to learn about the history of for two weeks this winter to ideas — one is to convert it to the place and if it is possible to aid them in making their a Disneyland type haunted tour the house. eventual decision. house attraction — the otbT It is the Niessens' hope that is to remodel it into a hign At present 2.5 acres around by 1980 some form of attrac• class dine and dance facility the college building is planted tion will in fact open the house with several guest suites on to orchard in connection with to local residents and visitors the upper floors. No decisions Summerfresh Farms Ltd. — in the form of the dine and have been made, however the Niessen said that he has dance facility, a Disneyland Niessens hope to embark on planted it to cherries, prune- type Attraction, or some simi• one of the projects in time for plums, apples and peaches, lar idea. the 1980 summer season. with several varieties being Whatever is done, Niessen tested to determine the most The building was construc• said that it would be some• suitable for the location. The ted in 1910 or 1911 as the thing Summerland could be firm runs four tractor-trailers ladies residence of the Okan• proud of, and that would offer to the Prairie provinces with agan College, which was es• a chance for everyone to visit tablished on the site in 1906. fruit, with the slogan, 'A nice it. A large companion building, place to visit" on the side of the original college building the vehicles. was built in 1907 but was A number of people have destroyed by fire in 1941. evidently taken up the sug• The college itself closed in gestion and have visited Sum• 1915 with the onset of the first merland on their holidays. world war and the present Niessen said that unfortun• building saw a number of uses after being the ladies resi• dence. For many years it was operated as a boarding school by a religious sect, and later it served as a home for welfare children under the direction of the well known 'Ma White'. In 1967 it was taken over by the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement and it operated under their auspices as a school and study center Disneyland feature until March of 1973 when it was sold to one of the mem• bers, who in turn sold to the Niessen family in August of or dine and dance that year. When it was acquired by the Niessens in 1973, the lower floor was remodelled into living quarters for the family that includes daughter Laurie 17 and son Gerry 14. Since the building had pre• viously been devoted to in• stitutional use, changes were made to provide a kitchen, living room, and other quar• ters for family use. All told there are 45 rooms in the structure. During the period they have been considering the Disneyland approach, the Niessens have been in touch with the Disney company and for a time were in negotiation with them regarding the dev• elopment of the house. This fMorton-Somerset. SI grand dd Cody ivfiose passing is mourned By adxvfio knexv fier. Sfie tvas Bom in 1910, andSummedandgrexv up under her ivatckfuleye. She sheCtendyoung students, toas friend to the homeCess (and vice versa), andaCtfumgh she cGdn't need it, endured aface-Cift in order to host visitors to SummerCand She zvas a Beacon for the community, setting the tone and reminding us aCrvays of our heritage. !Her passing zuas to some apuhCic spectacle; But to those who thought, some- funo, she zvould aCzvays Be there in her accustomed pCace, it was wrenching, and does not Bear description. She is impfaceoBk, OKP others of her kind. But her (ovefy presence widecho here in the years to come, in the memories of those wfio cared. O^piv her friends cannot help But wonder, who mH Be ne?(t? THE BIG MOVE By Jacqueline McGinnis of Penticton It's more than I can bear." My home was on a mountain side For many, many years, We then began the journey, I was Mother to a lot of folks From my mountain held so dear, Fed and sheltered these. I waved goodbye on shakey legs As I am growing older. And shed a silent tear. Not many come these days. There was a rumor going around I'm settling slowly in my space, I would leave this place. No move was done in haste I am a senior citizen. The journey down not all that bad Too old to change my ways, My parts seem in their place. This is where I want to be, For all the rest my days. I'm getting a lot of attention, People are really kind. I heard the talk and planning They understand my feelings, As they poked my delicate beams. The condition of my mind. Good gracious! the sudden interest They were looking at my seams. I'll be seeing .some new faces, What they planned to do with me. And hopefully some old, Is what I failed to see. I'll probably be Mother again. Shelter folks on the road. To have me move away so soon To some other pleasant shore? My name is Lady Somerset, The view that I had loved so long, I hear they'll change my name. I'd not see anymore? But as far as I'm concerned, I'll always be the same. I see I'm in the paper now. Remember me. And photographs of me, The Lady on the Mountain I am a proud old Lady, Somerset wUl remam. Why can't they let me be? I'm told there was a gentleman Who really wanted me. Would put me in a brand new place For all the world to see; And Heavens I have a face lift. Be young and spry again, I must confess misgivings. When paranoia set m. I begin to think about it And finally said "Let's go!" Might just as well join 'em And put aside my dreams. Then one day to my horror Along came big machines. I felt myself being lifted My roots began to tear. "Goodgrief!" 1 said, "Becareful. MorUm-Somtrset. grand M (cuhf zuhose passing is mourned By aHzoho kpew fier. Sht was Bom in 1910, andSummenandgrew up under fier zvaicfiful eye. Sfie sfieCiered young students, was friend to tfie ftomefess (and vice versa), andaCthough sfie didn't need it, endured aface-fift in order to ftost visitors toSummerfand Sfie was a Beacon for tfie community, setting the tone and reminding us aCways of our fieritage. Surpassing zuas to some apuBCic spectacle; But to those wfio thought, some• how, she TVoufd always Be there in her accustomed place, it was ximnching, and does not Bear description. She is irrepCaceaBle, liKf others of her kind. But her lovely presence wiK echo here in the years to come, in the memories of those who cared. 9{pw her friends cannot help But wonder, who xvidBe ney(tF I The sign welcoming Somerset Inn "home" to its new site in of the old Iandmar1< sitting on a lot on Skaha Lake Road. The Penticton seems a bit incongruous, but then so does the sight building is still on blocks while a foundation is being prepared. Oct Somerset reopening By Jolene Palmer want to make sure it is done albeit without the part which says Somerset Inn may still be up in right." ""the House on the Hill Resort". the air, but plans for the re• Meanwhile, Udzenija has just YOUR BEST SHOT opening of the building in completed signing a partnership Retaining the history behind die Penticton are gradually coming agreement with Rob Phillips of former college residence is very together. Penticton, who will take on the important to Udzenija. For that The foundation is still being job of Hotel Manager. They plan reason, he and Phillips have come poured at the Skaha Road site, to have die building ready to open up with the idea of a "Somerset explained owner Ted Udzenija, some dme in October. Inn Photo Contest". Four adding it will be about two more BY ANY OTHER NAME... categories include best black and weeks before Ron Mix and his When the building does open, it white, best colour, oldest picture crew (the moving company) come will still be under die name of and best of the actual move. The to remove the beams and wheels "Somerset Inn". "Everyone said it most unique photo wins its owner which have been supporting the should be retained, and in all a trip for two to Vancouver (see former Summerland landmark. fairness, I agreed," Udzenija said, advertisement this issue). "Very much importance is being and has scrapped plans to rename Deadline for entries is August 31. placed on the foundation," said it "Okanagan Inn." In addition, Cont'd on Page 6 Udzenija. "Greyback Construction the same logo will be used. See 'Somerset' Judges will be Penticton . photographers Ron Boerboom, Hugo Redivo and Fran Dolezsar. * Selected photos will be displayed throughout the hotel to remind patrons of the building's , historical significance and of its unique trip down die mountain. A special tree planting ceremony.. | is tentatively planned for thep opening also, and will involve a special guest who worked on the "Morton Hall" building during construction in 1910. THE OLD SITE * Udzenija said die site on Giant's t Head was to be cleaned up diis ' week, debris removed and theM ground levelled. He said he had so• me future plans for the site, but wants to ensure it is something " Council will approve of." Ted Udzenija(left) and Rob Phillips shake hands ticton. Phillips will be Hotel Manager when the | as new partners in running Somerset Inn in Pen- Inn opens, probably in October. The sight of Somerset Inn is missing on Giants Head Moun-1 tain, but the view is not the same j from on top either. The former location still commands a pano• ramic view of Summerland, however until the projected condominiums are built on the site, it will remain something of an empty stage. SOMERSET INN RIDES AGAIN...in two videos available for viewing at the Summerland Museum on Wharton Street. Aug. 22 - Sept. 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. everyday. Re-live the move of Summerland's most famous landmark. b34c2 4 1 ) Somerset set dowH 1 St step for Somerset rezoning The first step has been taken to rezone the former Somerset Inn property, which would pave die way for condominium-type development on the land. Council gave preliminary approval to a rezoning application submitted by Ted Udzenija's Tadko Enterprises which requests dial die rezonmg be changed from Tourist Commercial to Multi Family Residential. The Official Community Plan designation would also have to be changed. The application will now be presented into bylaw form and go to a public hearing. In commenting on the application, RDOS planner Peter Bloodoff said no specific plans have to be Submitted by the owner outlining the scope of the proposed developmeht. However,, given the difficulties of developing the 2.42 acre site under its present commercial designation, Bloodoff said die requested zoning would appear to be an appropriate use. "A clustering of the housing units would provide opportuniUes to deal with die topographical and effluent disposal problems inherent in the site," Bloodoff stated. Bloodoff also recommended that Council rezone a small adjoining road closure, so that all of the Tourist Commercial designation is removed from die area. Mix: "rm not By Jolene Palmer "It's here now and I'm not going The Somerset Inn move was The company is presently trees from Kelowna as part of die • to move it again!" said Edmonton affected by numerous setbacks and working on a variety of projects - landscaping design. building mover Ron Mix with a delays, which is perhaps not moving massive oil tanks in There is siill one mystery to be chuckle last Friday, as he and his surprising given the magnitude of Montreal, Ohio, Victoria and solved however - the whereabouts ; crew spent the final few hours at Uie project. "It took a lot longer Regina and the "Dream Home" of the huge carved and painted the Somerset Inn site in than we anticipated," Ron Mix prize in the Edmonton Klondike sign which stood in the parking Penucton. told the Review at the site on Days draw. lol at Ihc cnirancc to the "House The last remaining support Friday. "It was a big job - not so Udzenija and Phillips now have on the Hill". The sign was beam was removed by the Mix much in size, we've moved things a lot of details of their own to supposed to have been moved to a Brothers crew that afternoon, a lol heavier - but in the look after, transforming the old storage warehouse in Peniicton marking the end of the first phase complications. Such as the bad inn into a ne.v business. The with other Somerset Inn items, of the old hotel's relocation. The corners, rocks, hills and bridges. but cannot be found. While three sections of the building have There were a lot of details." Somerset Inn name will-slay of Udzenija says he thinks perhaps been joined logedier on a massive Udzenija and Mix agree that the course, and Udzenija says he someone "swiped" il, he admits new foundation and the general Edmonton company was probably thinks Summerland residents will there isn't much one could do contractor can now proceed on the one of the few who were able to patronize the new facility more with a giant sign with the words project, without having to work carry out the mind-boggling than they did when it was in their "Somerset Inn" carved into il. around the wheels, beams and move. "Everything we had, we home town. Hopefully, it will turn up (or be cribbing left by the movers. needed", Mix said of the Entries have been received in the turned in) in lime to be installed The project had been delayed specialized equipment and Plioto Contest announced several for ihe grand opening. over a month by problems in months ago, but judging has not getung the movers' equipment and hydraulic jacking system. Four yet been done. The partners hope experienced crews back to the site. truck loads of equipment (about lo announce the contest winners But now the work should progress 45,000 pounds each) have already in conjunction with the grand quickly, says hotel manager Rob been taken back to Alberta on flat opening. Phillips. The completion work is deck trucks. Another two loads Udzenija says he has hired two being carried out by Greyback have yet lo go. lop notch chefs (one from Conslruciion of Penticton. London) to preside over the The new banquet room and pub Most of the crew members were restaurant. The rest of the staff on the ground floor will soon take set to fly out of Penticton last will be hired laier. Plans are also shape, the decking on the second Friday night. A couple will stay being made to bring in some large floor is being installed and behind to do the final clean-up. services arc being connected. But neither Phillips nor his partner Ted Udzenija want to commit themselves to an opening date. Last Friday, this loader was puUing out the last remaining support from Summerland to Penticton. This portion of the job is now over beam which had been placed underneath Somerset Inn for its move for Ron Mix and his movers. Somerset land changes hands The former site of Somerset Inn development under the name on Giant's Head has been sold and "Eagleridge Estates". They also is now back in the hands of two own an adjoining five acre parcel Summerland businessmen. below the Somerset site on Col• Partners Jim Hunt and Jim Ric- lege Road which may be incorpo• ciuti have purchased die diree acre rated into the plans. site from Penticton businessman Municipal council recently ap• Ted Udzenija who is developing proved the down-zoning of the the former landmark at its new Somerset property from tourist location on Skaha Lake Roa± commercial to multi-family use. The deal was finalized on Mon• The number of units which may day. be built on die site will depend on Jim Hunt said the concept for the septic capacity and Hunt said the site is still in the planning the application is currenUy being stages, but that they intend to looked at by die public healdi in• pursue the idea of a condominium spector in Summerland. \ ByJOHNMOORHOUSE structure meant spirallmg costs Penticton Herald Staff for crews and equipment already I- It's a classici in place for related activities such l^xample of al as moving telephone and power luies. •Ibotel looking for I E-an investor. Even after the successful move :• It has been lOl of the hotel, the added weight ;Mong months! meant another unexpected ex• -since the excite-1 pense. : ment of JastI PhUlips explams that mstead of : July, when thej having the foundation consist of - ambitious move I four-foot high concrete walls with I of the Somerset! wooden posts supportmg the rpst Inn from Sum-1 of the building, the steel-rein• merland to Pen-' forced concrete walls had to be 13 ticton made TED feet high and 10 inches thick to headlines UDZENIJA support the entu-e structure. : throughout the Okanagan. With the exception of one small comer at the back of the budding, '.- Activity at the Inn's new site on the foundation was completed be• ; Skaha Lake Road has been ouiet fore work stopped last fall. since last October, when work on After the move, came the fu-st - re-opening the 19-room hotel major financial setback for the ; stopped because of a lack of funds. Inn's owners. With costs going up, For owner Ted Udzenija and his the banks added a number of other partner Rob Phillips the months criteria including a final cost esti• since that time have i)een frustrat- mate which wasn't available untU - ing ones. Despite the mtense me- after all the mover's equipment t dia attention given the project, was removed in October. The deal ; they have so far come up empty- eventually fell through. - handed m theu- attempts to gain Another bank offer was declined ' funding to complete the renova- by the mn's owners because of the : tions. large number of stipulations at-- Phillips, who became Udzeni- tached. • ja's partner at the time of last After other efforts to obtain fi• , summer's move, explains that the nancing proved unsuccessful, Ud• I banks wouldn't agree to lend any zenija and Phillips have starting I money for the project until after a looking at other possible sources Penticlon Herakl/John Moortiouse {: liquor licence was ebtained and of both local and offshore mon^y ' the move was completed. for the project. Constructton'Sctivity-atthe Somerset Inn has hopeful that additional financing can soon be ' Looking back to last summer, A West German investor is the been on hold since last October. However, co- found to get the renovations completed and the Udzenija says the bdls started latest to be interested in the hotel. owners Ted Udzenija and Rob Phillips remain historic building open again. mounting right from the start. EarUer this year a Hong Kong in• paid, including Greyback Con• It was origmally suggested the vestor was all set to get mvolved, "Plus the momentum has been nancially viable operation at its struction, the contractors for the Somerset Inn could be moved to but the deal fell through just be• lost," adds Phillips. "And the ru• former location. He says in parti• project. The Penticton Indian- Penticton for $300,000, but that es• fore the papers were to be signed mors are startuig in town." cular the sewage disposal require• Band is also involved through an timate was thrown out the wmdow after he decided to invest ui Seat• ^ Among the more far-fetched ru• ments at the Giant's Head location tle instead. mors was one that the Somerset were cost-prohibitive. earlier loan which has been par• after it was lifted from its founda• tially repaid through the sale of Udzenija admits it is disappoint- Inn would i)e moved back to Sum• "Our intentions were to save the tions. the lot at the Inn's former site on mg not to be able to immediately merland. beautiful building," says Phillips. The historic budding ended up the side of Giant's Head. weighmg twice as much as had or• get the necessary funding, but Phillips emphasizes that while "To avoid having a structure such However, Udzenija emphasizes iginally been projected. The re• notes they have no control over they mtend to preserve the build- as that just waste away." mg as it was in Summerland, the the creditors have been extremely sulting delay to bring in more rising interest rates or the eco• Udzenija admits there are a Inn would never have been a fi• patient and understanding of the wheels to transport the huge nomic climate that exists today. number of creditors waiting to be (2 situation and are as anxious as he is to see tiie project get going again. A recent report on tlie Somerset Inn by an international hotel ap• praisal company said it was a fi• nancially viable operation. Although he declines to give ex• act figures, Phillips notes the fi• nancing they need is about half of the Inn's estimated market value which he feels gives good security to an investor. Phillips also points to comments made by the chairman of the B.C. Commercial Appeals Commission as another example of the hotel's viabdity. In his April 1988 decision on an appeal of the hotel's newly- granted liquor licence, Arthur Roberts Q.C. stated, "While the Somerset Inn has only 19 rooms, it is obvious from its appearance, its history, its renovations, interior decor and furnishings, and its fa• cilities that the Somerset has the )otential to be a tourist-attracting )enefit to Pet^ticton and a good fa• cility for the community." It's this attitude that Udzenija and Phillips hope will attract an investor and get the hotel open again. When asked if he would have still gone ahead with the project a year ago, knowing what he knows today, Udzenija responds, "A year ago, I said 'yes'. Six months. ago I said 'yes'. Three months ago I said 'yes'. Do you think I'm going to say'no'today?" "I'm not a quitter. You've got to keep on fighting." Somerset Inn survives move in good siiape i ' • t; For a heritage building that was mer's move, but nothing that amount of work to be done to open There are also plans to add a Csplit mto three pieces and moved would cause any great concern. the main kitchen, dining room and meeting room able to handle up to |to a new location 20 kilometres A tour through the 19-room hotel lounge. 65 people, in addition to two !«way, the Somerset Inn is in sur- with co-owner Rob Phillips pro• smaller meetuig rooms already m vides a chance for a close-up look The biggest change and the tprisingly good shape, most work that remains to be done place. t' Certainty there are a few cracks at its present and future faculties. is in the basement. Phillips ex• Although the inn's frontage on iand other visible signs of minor A piece of antique furniture re- plains that the new foundations al• Skaha Lake Road is not as large as damage resulting from last sum- mams m each room. In fact none of the larger pieces were removed ow for a much higher ceding and other hotels, the 2.15-acre lot has from the rooms durmg the move brighter atmosphere for the en• ample parking room at the rear of itself, although some were laid larged pub and banquet room. the site. A landscaped entrance and unloading area are planned flat on the floor to lessen the But right now, besides the ce• for the front. chance of being damaged. ment foundation walls and lami• A huge stained glass partition m nated beams, the area is a bare WhUe Phillips and Ted Udzenija the dining room also made it shell. Phillips estimates that ab• are admittedly concerned about through the trin unscathed. out two months' work is needed to the extra time needed to get addi• The rooms are almost ready to get the hotel in operation, al• tional financing for the project, go, because the building came though it could be opened in stages the delay has not been that bad for down intact," says PhUlips, who with development of the banquet the inn itself. adds there is also a minimal room kept until last. For a small hotel, the list of fa• Udzenija points out the budding culties and their capacity is im• has had a chance to settle on its pressive. new foundations. Doors which didn't close immediately after the While the Somerset Inn has only move now shut properly. Cracks 19 rooms, there is a 120-seat dining which might have shown up after room with adjoining 58-seat the hotel's reopening can now be lounge. A sunroof terrace would repaired beforehand. be avaUable for food and beverage service in the summer, with room So perhaps the drama of last for 158 people. summer's move and the subse• The 83-seat pub would be si• quent stall in contruction work tuated beside the large ground have added to the aura surround• floor banquet room with seating ing the Somerset Inn. It is cer• for 208. tainly unique. Penticton HeraW. John Mooftiouse In character with its past heritage, each room in the Somerset Inn includes a piece of antique furniture. Here, co-owner Rob Phillips displays one such example. Despite the move of the massive building from its old site on the side of Giants Head in Summerland to its new home in Penticton, none of the larger antiques were removed from the rooms and none were damaged. (1 'Somerset Inn biding its time ! Although it's Ijeen almost a year budget from the very beginning, since the much-publicized move when the cost of moving the from Summerland, Somerset Inn building to Penticton escalated is still sitting quietly on its new considerably fix)m an initial esti• foundation in Pendcton while a mate of $300,000. Then, a larg- source of financing is being er-than-anticipated foundation has sought for the 19 room hotel. to be constructed at the Penticton However, owner Ted Udzenija site. In the face of these rising and his parmer Rob Phillips may costs,bank financing fell through be close to finding an investor for or was decUned by Udzenija be• the historic building to enable cause of too many strings at• them to complete the renovations tached. and open up the facility to the Although it has sat dormant for pubUc. about a year, die heritage budding "Something is cooking", the survived the move in good shape always-optimistic Udzenija told and would need minimal work to the Reviey^ early this week, but open to the pubUc. The new ban• refrained from giving any details quet area and pub on the lower undl a deal is signed. floor remains empty, but could be The project began to go over finished in several months. Somerset Inn sits atop its new foundation, but otherwise very little has changed over the past few months at the Skaha Lake Road site. Owner Ted Udzenija and partner Rob Phillips are still seeking financing to get the old landmark open once more. Historic inn glutted by blaze Penticton HeraW Rob Mulljn A $3 million overnight fire at Penticton's Somerset Inn on Skaha much media attention in 1988 when it was moved at great expense Lake Road has destroyed the financially-plagued building before it from Giant's Head Road in Summerland. The hotel's owners ran had a chartce to open its pJoors in Pentteton. The structure received -into financial difficulty and were unable to re-opgn it. media attention the hotel re• ceived, they were having trouble "finding funding to continue with Estimated renovations. Neither could be reached for comment this morn• ing. The owners said they could not $3 million secure a hank loan bccau.se of too many criteria, and had sought support for the project from local and offshore investors. in damage No signs of activity have been ByTRACEY HYMAS evident at the hotel in the 21 Penticton Herald Staff The Somerset Inn has been de• months since Udzenija and Phil• stroyed by a fire that ripped lips were interviewed. through the historic structure Since that time a court action early this morning causing an esti• against the owners of the hotel has mated $3 million in damage. been undertaken and was set to Deputy Fire Chief Doug Hutche- continue in Penticton court this son said firefighters were called morning. out at 12:33 a.m., after a local sec• The court action was underta• urity company reported the fire. ken to address debts owing to vari• ous creditors, including Greyback Flames were leaping out the Construction Ltd., who were the windows of the four-storey empty contractors who did the work on hotel in the 2500 block of Skaha the Penticton site. Lake Road when firefighters ar• rived. "We had lots of flame," Hutcheson said from the fire site "There's quite a few people in this morning. volved," said Terry Brown, Thirty firefighters battled the spokesman for Greyback, this blaze through the early morning morning. "It's an on-going legal hours. Firefighters, including a action" crew working from the fire de• lie said a number of legal ap• partment's hydraulic platform, pearances have been ni;i(le lo try were still busy extinguishing the to find "a soliitiiin to llie problem " smouldering building at press and that today's appearance in time this morning. A cloud of court "is just one more step." smoke billowed from the black• Brown believes the court ap• ened structure as they doused it pearance was lo conliniic as sche• with water. duled this morning. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The smoldering "I think it will still proceed. remains of the building must cool '1 here is a normal course that has down before an investigation can to be followed." begin Tuesday. lie said fire is "a tragedy for Penticton RCMP Insp. Trevor the community. Everybody in the Thompsett confirmed that RCMP southern end of the valley has will be investigating the fire "to been touched by il."' see whether or not there is any Skaha Lake Road was closed lo foul play (involved)." traffic in the 2500 block this morn• -Hutcheson said it has not yet ing. A spokesman for the Pentic• been decided if the Fire Mar• ton niblic works department shall's office will investigate the cotilc not sav when the street will early-morning blaze. be reopened to traffic. The 19-room hotel was moved from Giant's Head in Summerland to Penticton amid much fanfare in July 1988, but following some ini• tial work in reconnecting sections of the building and placing it on a foundation, activity ceased in Oc• tober of that year because of a lack of funds. Partners Ted Udzenija and Rob Phillips said in an interview in May 1989 that, in spite of all the A firerighter walks in front of the burning remains of what was formerly a college and resort in Summerland, the Somerset Inn in Penticton Fire guts Somerset Inn .-ire ripped Uirough the histwic Somerset Inn in Penticton FebMl mountain overlooking die town Of West Summerland. jEjausing an estimated $3 million m damage. Construction began on Ritchie Hall during die Sf»ing of 1907 and The historical building, once lodged ujx)n Giant's Head Mountain in was completed by Fail. Two years later, college principal. Dr. Everett ,;§ummeriand, had 30 firefighters balding die blaze dirough die early Savvyer, came up with the idea of a seccmd building. Funds were scarce mwning hours. but donations poured in from die community and students. The new A fire department spokesman said firefighters were called out at building, to house 40 or so ladies, was completed in 1910 and called 1^33 a.m:*kftef a local security company reported the fire. Morton HaU. The four-storey empty building, proposed to house a hotel, was Rough financial times ami low enrolment due ttJ Uie First World War l^ted on Skaha Lake Road. saw die college close its doors and a chapter of its existance. Deputy Fire Chief Doug Hutcheson said Pch. 12 diat die department The doors were re-opeiioi in 1920 on both buildings housing high ~had begun to "systematically remove sections of die building to try and school students and religious groups until 1941 when Ritchie Hall locate die area and origin of the fire." burned to die ground. Morton Hall remained closed and vacant until Hutcheson said an extensive invesdgation had begun to determine later the sarhe decade when it was purchased by two nurses to use as an rlhc cause. He said the building was old and therefore dry. Damage was old age home called Mountain View, but it fell Uirough a few years Extensive to die interior weakening the exterior of the building. later. I The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is still under It remained idle until 1963 when it was bought to be used as die liuvesiigation. headquarters of a missionary organization, but due to a lack of money, - The old building has many memories for Summerland residents. Il it was sold. Gerry Niesson bought it in 1973 to u.se as a private was an addition to the original Okanagan College. The concept of residence. iftarting a college in Summerland came during a visit from Rev. A. J. The hall was bought in 1979 by Garedi Young, Bert Van Asten and , Saunders, district Superintendent of Missions for the B.C. Baptist Vem Byers who planned to renovate die hall into a resort Expenses tlonvendon. and lack of funds saw die hall fall into its first of three receiverships. Rev. Saunders was impressed widi Summerland and three men of Richard and Mary Otte bought the hall in 1981 and continued die tie local congregation, James, William and Thomas Ritchie. The project until die resort was completed. It was named Somerset Inn, -lUtchie brothers generously offered free land and a donation of before falling into receivership in 1984. Brian and Karen NoseworUty ,000 to start the college. bought it in 1985 but, again, it went into receivership, iTie idea caught and Saunders raised S30,000 and die community Ted Udzenija bought the Inn in Dec. 1987 and brought it down off $10,000. die hill, moving it to Penticton and its final destination. Udzenija and A committee of Summerland Baptists began organizing classes in his present partner Rob Philips have been proposing to make a hotel 1906 for die year, even diough construction had not yet begun. Classes with dining room, lounge and pub. held at Empire Hall, which was donated by J.M. Robinson. The move down the hill started July 6, 1988 and finished two day's Meanwhile, die college committee selected a site, upon Giant's Head later widi die old building set in place at 4:45 a.m. ^| Thursday, February 21, l! History comes crasliing Last Friday, crews were busy dismantling sections of the Som• erset Inn. Penticton Deputy Fire Chief, Doug Hutcheson, said the investigation into the cause of the fire required crumbling walls, ceilings, etc., be removed to allow for safe inspection of the build• ing. Hutcheson says the investiga• tion has now been completed, and a report is being prepared. He said some tests were being conducted at the Crime Lab in Vancouver and he hoped they would be completed and the results back by late next week. Asked about the origin of the fire, Hutcheson would only say it was of suspicious origin, and a final determination of the cause would not be released until all the results were in and the report completed. I I hrough I 1""^ mistofanearlysutn- ' / / mer day you could jl now definitely see ^ movement at die top of College Road on Giant's Head. And then, unbeh'-vdhly, the huge bulk of 1 he House on the Hill'took shape and slowly the noble lady creaked her way down die Sleep incline. We captioned one of die pic-' lures of die old building ulted downhill at an undignified sheltering the work of die or• able building aga'n worked its ; angle 'No way to treat a lady', ganization for a numlxir of charms and new owners reo• but unfortunately that was not years. pened die hotel. Inevitably they die last indignity she had to Much later ihe House on ihc too came up against irresistible suffer. Early Uiis week her Hill served as something of a economic barriers. flames lept into die skies of seminary as well as carrying on And so the House on die Hill, ; Penticton, miles from the fa• its history of beingapubli-shing aka die Somerset Inn, went back miliar site on Giant's Head house for religious tracts, arole into limbo. Mountain where she had sur• it played right into the 1970's. The properly was con.sidered veyed the valley from 1910 A few years later it was pur• as a potential retirement cenu-e until the time of the ill-fated chased from the religious group or training faciUly and efforts; move. by well-known auctioneer were made to gel around die Perhaps some sentimental Gerry Niessen and his family seemingly insurmountable person will gadier a few of die who renovated interior of the problems of sewage disposal, ashes and scatter them at die bottom floor into an attractive but diere was always die sium- old site on Giant's Head in residence and fruit-farmed the bling block. memory of Uie many years of balance of die property. Then came the almost impos- Summerland history that the At ihis stage die grand lady of siblencws thatabuyer intended • budding looked down on. Cer• Giant's Head was enjoying the toAfOV£dieHouseon die Hill? tainly few residents have had most prosaic role of her Ufe, bui The upshot of a lot of contro• more interesting lives than it even ihcn her destiny was call• versy was that no workable : did. ing. Gerry Niessen .saw greater alternative liad been found, and The'House on the Hdl'be• possibilities for die facdily and besides, who could believe dial gan life in 1910 when it was investigated die possibilities of a building diat large could actu• added to die Okanagan Col• a Disneyland-like development al 1 y be mo ved, especially do wn lege as die women' s residence. widi die Disney organization. Giant's Head Mountain. Almost from the beginning it Though this seemed promising And lhal brings us to that rainy was a building in search of its for a lime, die proposal never morning when the huge bulk j destiny because the following took off. actually left from the top of year die College was closed, Some years later die budding College Road! and widi die companion main cast its spell (it was good at As we know, die dream of diis building which was of similar this) on two entrepreneurs from latest owner to be capluretl by design, a long brooding vigil Alberta who saw it as a hotel the charm of the building was over Summerland was begun. with unique possibilities. They never fulfilled, and after the While die town grew below, poured money, time and exper• move the budding rested sadly, it was not unUl 1931 according tise into il, as well as andqucs looking very out of place on to Bert Stent and Doctors Munn from England, but the task Skaha Lake Road in Penucton. and Andrew, die audiors of die proved 100 large and the trans• Its gone now, having lived a 'The Summerland Story', that formation was nol complete. full life, winning many loves the College buildings assumed The next owner who fell in and breaking quite a few hearts. a new role. The property was love with il did succeed how• True to prediction. Summer- purchased by a charitable or• ever, and widi anodicr sizeable land has never really seemed ganization known as 'The infusion of money the project the same widiout' die House on Home for die Friendless', and was completed and 'Tlic Som• the Hill's' familiar bulk look• under the guidance of 'Ma erset Inn' began operation, ing down from Giant's Head. Crouch' it offered protecdon opening the most glamorous The building can be said to for boUi homeless children and phase of the building's life. have shared a much larger pari elderly people who had no This lime il was the economic of the romance of life dian most means of support. slowdown of die early 1980's mere structures, let alone In 1941 die main College coupled with odicr problems people. It will be remembered building was destroyed by fire, such as sewage disposal diat fondly by many Summerland and die original ladies residence interrupted the dream. residents for many years to stood in solitude and carried on After several years the remark• come. A sad ending for a former local landmark The burned out remains of the once proud Somerset Inn were demolished last The building, standing I Historic landmark reduced to rubble Penticton Herald Rob Mullin The remains of tfie Somerset Inn on Skafia Lake molition, ordered by tfie city, began Monday and Road are being torn down after a spectacular fire the bulk of tfie work is to be completed by tomor- gutted tfie fiistoric landmark in February. Its de- row. SOMERSET INN written by Jo.So. She sat high on the mountain, She looked out of place serene as a queen next to a car lot and then Overlooking the lake, Nothing happened for the town in between. three years and when She had many owners, One awful night she caught fire was changed with each one, and was all aflame A college, a school, It seemed like the end a hotel, a home. of a grand old dame. Each change failed to bring She sat as before the owner to fame though this time was a wreck And now she stood empty, ' Windows all broken neglected, in shame! and charred upper deck. But wait; "Get rid of that mess" another buyer came into view the mayor roared. Oh help her He was right of course, be useful and start life anew! she could not be restored. But alas, This time she was shovelled up it was a terrible sight to see in a huge lump She was pried from her spot And unceremoniously and chainsawed in three! dumped at the dump! She was dragged What an awful ending from the mountain, to a building like that. it was such a pity Why didn't we do something And set up on a lot to keep her intact? in the heart of the city. If there is a hotel heaven, she'll be there. Reminiscing with the Incola, what a pair! We will not forget you Sumerset Inn, Memories of past times float in. Of elegant dinners, orchestras and dancing within. Okanagan University College