Gellatly Heritage

Gellatly Heritage Regional Park is 2.6 hectares open to the public throughout the year. The park was developed in partnership with the Gellatly family and built almost entirely with public funds.

Features:

• A restored log home and barn
• A short interpretive trail
• A picnic area
• The century-old Gellatly family cemetery

Things To Do:

Tour the Gellatly Heritage Park Interpretive Trail and see the original site of the Gellatly postmaster along the way. Wander over to the viewpoint from the rock bluff overlooking Okanagan Lake and the scenic agricultural land below.

Regional Parks Interpretive Programs are available by donation for school and community groups who would like to learn about our local environment and cultural history.

General Information:

Dogs must be kept on a leash within park boundaries and owners should clean up after their pets. Overnight camping, open fires and smoking are not permitted.

Help protect park vegetation by using only designated trails. Leave only footprints and take only pictures.

History:

Many people in the later 1800s heard the call from the west, and consequently moved their families out that way. The Okanagan Valley was slowly explored and claimed. Billy Powers, for whom Powers Creek is named after, claimed a piece of land just outside of Westbank. Unluckily, Powers only resided on this land, Powers Flat (Gellatly), from 1889-1890. During this time Powers constructed himself a log home and barn.

Powers was not the only one who saw this piece of land as a jewel. Later in 1890, G H Rashdales (known for the construction of the Enderby Grist Mill) claimed this land as his own. However, in 1892 Rashdale mortgaged it to Rev. George Hill (British Columbias first Bishop).

In 1900, the records show that Powers Flat was placed into the possession of a family by the name of Gellatly. David Gellatly and wife Eliza, both from Scotland immigrated to Canada with their infant son David in 1883. Originally residing in Ontario the family moved to Vernon in 1893 (now with 2 sons and 4 daughters).

David worked as a carpenter for two years before renting land at Shorts Point (Fintry) and beginning a farming career. Unable to buy the land at Shorts Point, Gellatly went in search for the perfect piece of land. In 1900 Gellatly found Powers Flat (Gellatly).

A Gellatly family descendent, Ferne Jean spearheaded the acquisition and development of the park. The Gellatly family and Regional Parks formed a partnership in 1996 and the original family home and barn were donated by R.J. Bennett and moved from his property on Gellatly Flats up the hill to the park. The buildings were restored and the grand opening of the park was celebrated in the summer of 2000.

Directions:

Gellatly Road from Highway 97 S. At the Glen Rosa interchange on Highway 97 turn south and follow Gellatly Road until the parking lot on the right hand side.