Keremeos


Keremeos is a village in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek which flows down from the Upper Benchlands to the Similkameen River that runs by the village. Local legend claims the name means "the meeting of the winds" and joke that the only time it's calm is when the wind blows equally from all four directions. Residents often abbreviate Keremeos as 'K Town'.

Economy

Keremeos' main industries are horticulture, agriculture, ranching, and wine making, among others. Fruit stands are also a major component of the local economy, making it the self-titled "fruit stand capital of Canada." All sorts of soft fruits, apples, cherries, peaches, etc. and vegetables are grown in the South Similkameen's dry warm climate, and vineyards and wineries are quickly being added as the valley's wine-growing potential is being recognized.
Area attractions include Cathedral Provincial Park, the Red Bridge, the Keremeos Columns, the Keremeos Grist Mill, excellent fishing in area lakes and rivers, Apex Mountain Resort, Twin Lakes Golf Resort, Spotted Lake, the Hedley Mining Museum and the Mascot Mine.

Geography

The geography of the Keremeos area ranges from cottonwood groves along the river, to dense orchards and farms, to desert-like landscapes along the bases of the surrounding mountains, up to alpine peaks and plateaux on top.

History

With K Mountain as a backdrop, Keremeos is a community whose "Wild West" looks date back to 1909 when the postmaster of the now-abandoned community of Upper Keremeos, Mr. George Kirby, purchased land alongside the Similkameen River in anticipation of the V.V. & E. Railway passing through the area. Eventually the Great Northern Railway from the US built a branch line up to Hedley and other businesses soon followed. Keremeos was incorporated in 1956.

Transportation

Keremeos is served by public transit in the South Okanagan-Similkameen Transit System along Route 50 thrice weekly year round. Buses go as far as Coalmont, British Columbia to the west and Penticton in the East, with connections on BC Transit to Kelowna and Osoyoos. The thrice-weekly public transit service is the only intercity transportation available to residents after Greyhound terminated their services along the Hope, British Columbia-Penticton corridor on June 1, 2019. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is the Penticton Regional Airport 41 km to the north. The nearest major airport with international flights is Kelowna International Airport. Keremeos historically had a train station, though no tracks remain in the Similkameen Valley with either the Great Northern Railway or the Kettle Valley Railway.

Indian reserves and governance

The head offices of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band are located in Keremeos. Two of their reserves, Keremeos Forks Indian Reserve Nos. 12 & 12A are located 6–7 miles north of the town towards Kaleden, just south of the Green Mountain Road junction, while Alexis Indian Reserve No. 9 is located about 4 miles west of town on Highway 3. The most populated of the band's reserves are at Chopaka, where Reserves Nos 7 & 8 abut the border with the United States. Many of the band's reserves are located around Cawston, which is just southeast of Keremeos.
12 and 12A do not belong to LSIB private property.

Climate

Keremeos has a semi-arid climate with cool but short winters and hot, dry summers. Precipitation is low at and evenly distributed throughout the year.

Television

Keremeos was featured on the historical television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns, Season 3, Episode 12.

Schools

Schools in Keremeos' vicinity include Cawston primary school, Penticton Secondary School, Princess Margaret Secondary School, Osoyoos, Princeton, and Similkameen Elementary Secondary School.