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Robinson, John Moore, 1855-1934
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Alec Steven interview

CALL NUMBER: T1078:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Alec H. Steven discusses life in Summerland from 1902 to 1930. He describes his early life in Scotland; why he came to Canada; a period in Manitoba; the attraction of the Okanagan; his ;first impressions; J.M. Robinson and the Summerland Development Company; Steven's work for Robinson; selling orchard lots; James Ritchie and West Summerland; Mr. Steven's own property; selling and shipping fruit; a trip back to Scotland in 1911; his involvement with immigration; resisting subdivision of property; why he chose Summerland; interest in the CPR; getting started in Summerland and social life. TRACK 2: Mr. Steven continues discussing J.M. Robinson; stories about liquor coming in by boat; the story of J.M. Robinson and his contributions; other people in the area such as Preston; Paddy Acland; Major Hutton and Sam McGee; more about work with Robinson; a story about Alexander MacKay, who came to buy land.

CALL NUMBER: T1078:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Steven continues his story about Alexander MacKay, who bought land with gold coins he carried in a dirty handkerchief; a description of MacKay; the joy in life; hard times; no money in circulation but only promissory notes; an anecdote. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Anita Morgan interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Anita Morgan discusses life in the Summerland area, 1903 to 1914. She describes how she came to the Okanagan with her family in 1903; her first impressions; other early families at Summerland; J.M. Robinson; family land; stories about Duncan Woods of the Hedley Mascot mine; the Gartrell family; early settlers of Summerland; young Englishmen in the area; a description of J.M. Robinson and his family; the Faulder family; Alec Steven; social life and recreation. TRACK 2: Mrs. Morgan continues by describing how her husband, Granville Morgan, came to the Okanagan, and his early experiences there; Mrs. Morgan's father's work as an Indian agent; the family orchard; the Baptist college at Summerland; James Ritchie; the journey from Qu'Appelle; Indians of the Summerland area; Douglas Hamilton; remittance men; and Faulder.

Charlie Shaw interview

CALL NUMBER: T1118:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Charlie Shaw talks about his experiences in the Okanagan and other recollections from 1886 to 1911. Mr. Shaw outlines several experiences: his father was the first Reeve of Burnaby; Sha;w was sent east as a boy; returned to Armstrong and became a printer; worked in Penticton; knew Robert Service in Dawson City; his father's background; childhood memories of the Vancouver area; his mother's family; details of his father's business; his move to Kamloops; returning to help his uncle print a paper in Armstrong; Armstrong and the area around 1900; stories about Cornelius O'Keefe; George Anderson; S.C. Smith and his lumber business; development in the Penticton area and Penticton social life. TRACK 2: Mr. Shaw continues with more on the development of Penticton including the business and settlers; starting the newspaper there; a lengthy discussion of printing and printing techniques; work on the newspaper; anti-Chinese agitation in Penticton and elsewhere; the "Komagata Maru"; incident in Vancouver in [1914]; more about Penticton and its growth to 1906; alcohol; Price Ellison; social life in the Vernon area; social behavior and manners.

CALL NUMBER: T1118:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Shaw discusses the anti-Chinese feeling in Armstrong; a story of an anti-Chinese prank; the moral character of Armstrong; Lord and Lady Aberdeen in Vernon and their effect on Vernon soci;ety; Kelowna in those days; J.M. Robinson and Naramata; a description of Robinson; real estate promoters "Breezy" Lee and "Windy" Young; an anecdote about Colonel Sam Hughes inspecting militia at Vern;on; and a remittance man and his wager. TRACK 2: Mr. Shaw recalls Dawson City in 1906 and 1907, including how he came to Dawson; a story about a newspaper serial; details of travel to and from Dawso;n City; gold dust as currency; the value of money; goods in Dawson City; sled dog teams; Adam Cruickshank; Smith and his gambling house; law and order; moral attitudes in Dawson; prostitutes; drinking; and Christmas.NOTE: The sound quality on this track is not up to par with the other tracks.

CALL NUMBER: T1118:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Shaw continues by describing Dawson City from 1906 to 1910, including entertainment; Robert W. Service and his verse; and the people of Dawson. He discusses Grand Forks as a mining community in 1907; more on the people of Dawson; a wager on the Johnson/Burns fight in 1907; the Liberty gold mine near Grand Forks; various people in the Grand Forks area at the time; an Englishmen in the Okanagan and his wager; and remittance men. [TRACK 2: blank.]

Gwen Hayman and Dorothy and William Robinson : interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-27 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Land promoter John Moore Robinson is recalled by his daughters Dorothy Robinson and Gwen Hayman, and by a nephew, William Robinson, who also discuss life in the central Okanagan, 1897 to 191;4. The three speakers all speak together so it is not specified who says what. The discussion begins by describing Robinson's background; memories of Summerland; the SS "Okanagan" and Captain Estabrooks; trips on the family houseboat; how Robinson came west and founded Peachland; early days in Peachland and Summerland; James Ritchie; Robinson's companies; CPR interest in Summerland; early days of Naramata, including what life was like there and in Summerland. TRACK 2: The Robinsons offer childhood memories; a discussion about J.M. Robinson and Mrs. Robinson; early church service; first impressions of the Okanagan; the trip out from Brandon; the family house; more on Robinson's background and the founding of Peachland; Robinson's enthusiasm for the Okanagan; Summerland days; visits of CPR; financiers; stories about the Robinson's family Chinese cook; impressions of Penticton and Kelowna; and a westerner's view of eastern Canadians.

H.V. "Paddy" Acland interview

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Paddy Acland remembers a few anecdotes about hunting and hiking in the BC interior. He explains how he came out to British Columbia from England after serving with the British Army duri;ng the Boer War. He describes expectations of life in BC and offers comments on the background of his father, John Acland. He arrived in BC in 1908; he describes the appearance of Summerland. He discusses his first jobs in the Okanagan; building his first log cabin; an anecdote about digging a basement for "Old Johnson"; buying and pre empting land in the Okanagan. TRACK 2: Paddy Acland describes the development of his own property near Eneas Lake between Peachland and Summerland. He discusses his first impressions of the Okanagan Valley, coming into it via train and boat. He describes ;the sternwheeler "Aberdeen"; labouring for a tobacco farmer in Kelowna; working for a dairy farmer, the meanest man Mr. Acland had ever met; comments on another employer, named "Fluffy" Williston. Mr. Acland offers further comments on British immigrants who came to the Okanagan during this era.

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland mentions his first jobs in the Okanagan, including lumber sorting and surveying. Mr. Acland returned to England for two months, and then returned to the Okanagan. He offers an; anecdote about a man being thrown into Lake Okanagan with all of his belongings, for making a pass at a local girl, and the "rough" justice of the era. More anecdotes about promiscuity between wives; of landed settlers and hired working men. Mr. Acland discusses his marriage to a girl from Summerland, and a digression on the different types of English immigrants, including the class that settled; in Vernon during the early decades of the century, which he found snobbish and pretentious. He describes the mixture of settlers in Kelowna during this era. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland offers comments about the Edgelow family of Kelowna, particularly Mrs. Edgelow, who delighted in shocking Kelowna residents prior to World War I. He comments on the background of the Acland family and offers anecdotes ;about his mother-in-law, Mrs. Hutton of Kelowna, an ardent Catholic convert who often entertained in her large home. He tells a story about an English orchardist who planted his trees upside down, an;d describes dances and social activities in the Okanagan Valley during this era. He describes the growth and development of Summerland during its early years and reflects upon the different currents ;of immigrants and settlers which have made up the fabric of Canadian society.

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland discusses some early Okanagan Valley residents. He admits that he joined the Baptist church choir to meet young and single women. He discusses relations with the Indians in the reserve near Summerland; the story of Sam McGee; comments on how the capital of early settlers was used and misused; a recollection of J.M. Robinson; comments on the Manitoba farmers induced to come; to the Okanagan Valley by Robinson; comments on how young men made a living in the Okanagan during this era; a story about the fortunes of three young working men; and comments on the Dominion Experimental Farm at Summerland. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland recalls several characters at Cobble Hill, Duncan, and offers a comparison between Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley during the early years of t;he century. He discusses personalities and experiences at Thetis Island; then he tells a story about two young men who shot a policeman in the Okanagan Valley, and were hunted by posses throughout the valley. More comments on English settlers; the story of the Belleview Hotel; anecdotes about the antics at the Belleview Hotel, and a physical description of the hotel.;

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0004 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland retraces early working experiences and life in the Okanagan Valley. He describes Okanagan Falls around the time of the First World War; the town of Kaleden; a story about Tom E;llis; stories about rattlesnakes; a story about competing in the long jump against an Indian at Penticton; comments about Penticton and Naramata; a description of Peachland; comments about settlements; on the west side of Okanagan Lake; J.C. Dun-Waters and the building of Fintry; dairy farming; comments about the simple funerals of several wealthy Okanagan residents; and an anecdote about the funeral of Matt Wilson. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland recalls his service with a military regiment in the Okanagan Valley; organizational and disciplinary problems with the Okanagan military regiment; military stories and training with different military regiments in BC and eastern Canada.;

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0005 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland discusses military training and service overseas with a Canadian battalion during the First World War. He offers further recollections of aspects of military training in British Columbia. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland tells a story of bear hunting behind his homestead with a local Indian. He describes his service as a government weed inspector along Lake Okanagan, and tells a story; about entry into the military. He comments about training in the Okanagan and he traces his military career.

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0006 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland discusses further aspects of his military experience overseas during World War I. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland offers recollections about flying aircraft and training pilots during World War I; returning to the Okanagan Valley after the war; a story about losing his land after the war, and serving as a manager at the Eldorado ranch. Finally, he discusses hard times.

H.W. Corbitt interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Henry Corbitt talks about Summerland and Kaleden from 1908 to 1914. He describes why he came to Canada in 1906, including stories of his work and travels; his first impressions of Summer;land; his father's shipping line in England; J.M. Robinson and the beginnings of Peachland and Summerland; the orchards at Summerland; real estate salesmen; the great optimism about fruit growing; young bachelors; work in Kaleden; a discussion of Jim Ritchie and the beginnings of Kaleden; the Kaleden Hotel; and general comments. [TRACK 2: blank.]

John H. Wilson interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-04-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. John Wilson talks about life and people in the Peachland area, 1910 to 1920. He begins with stories about the Miller brothers including hunting and fishing; a description of the two you;ng Englishmen coming to the Okanagan in 1910; fruit farming; Fred and Lionel Akins; impressions of what life was like then, including 'toughness'; odd jobs; the real estate boom; logging; J.M. Robinso;n and the beginning of Peachland; real estate dealings; more on Robinson; settlement in the Westbank area; stories about the Gellatly family; drinking; various people; life in Peachland and travel in ;the Okanagan. TRACK 2: Mr. Wilson tells the story of the shooting of a policeman on a sternwheeler; Bob Angus, who was the village cop; antics in Peachland; a brawl in Kelowna; rough characters; an ;attempt to exchange land with Indians; stories about "Big Tex" and the McDougall family; more on the McDougalls; Jim Silver; Harry Hardy and his cabin; the Granite Creek trail; Jacques of Jacques Cree;k; Paddy Acland; the Silver King Mine and Alec Miller.;

R.E. Gamman interview

CALL NUMBER: T0322:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Robert E. Gamman recalls life in the Okanagan; 1908 to 1914. He describes how he came to the Okanagan in 1908 via the U.S.; odd jobs in Vernon; trapping; J.M. Robinson and Naramata; land dealings; irrigation; life as a greenhorn in a cabin; the man who lent him the cabin; "real men"; a story of a man who froze to death on a trail; Nahun Landing; trapping in the Monashee area; the story of how he came to Naramata; work there and surveying. TRACK 2: Mr. Gamman describes early days in Naramata; survey work in the South Okanagan; an encounter with wild cattle; Mrs. Kruger and her boys; hospitality then as compared to today; Okanagan Falls; packing into Camp McKinney; the story of Arnott, who had owned the site of Kaleden, and his partner Bill Hines; their ranch; other characters; a visit from a game warden regarding deer; and the town of Fairview.

CALL NUMBER: T0322:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Gamman describes surveying and the construction of the Kettle Valley Railway; accidents; survey work; work in Northern BC; surveying the watershed of Deadman River; an anecdote about the; beginning of World War I; Kelowna and remittance men, including one who pretended to own a ranch; a description of Kelowna; Vernon; bad debts back then; other people such as Tommy Wilmot and Paddy Acland; early days in Penticton; Naramata; more on J.M. Robinson who was "a real pioneer"; early growth in Naramata and irrigation. TRACK 2: Mr. Gamman tells stories of people in Naramata; development ;in Naramata over World War I; land between there and Penticton; his own early life there; the Green family of Green Mountain; a story about getting locked up overnight in Kelowna; various odd jobs such as prospecting and pruning trees.

Robinson family fonds

  • PR-0291
  • Fonds
  • 1860-1960 [Microfilmed 198-?]

The fonds consists of family memorabilia and records, notebook and diaries. The bulk of the fonds consists of minute books, photographs, correspondence, financial and legal records relating to John Moore Robinson's various development companies. Fonds includes two maps.

Robinson Family (John Moore Robinson). Naramata; Land Developers

Robinson family records

Series consists of some family memorabilia, and records relating to the career of J.M. Robinson as a school teacher, MLA and newspaper proprietor (Brandon Times and the Portage La Prairie Printing and Publishing Co.) in Manitoba. Several notebooks and a diary relate to his interest in prospecting in B.C. (area between Rossland and Okanagan) and to his interest in spiritualism, including its use in prospecting.

The bulk of the series consists of minute books, correspondence, financial and legal records relating to Robinson's various development companies: Okanagan Securities, Canadian Irrigated Orchards, Okanagan Realty, Naramata Supply Co., Hotel Naramata, Hotel Summerland and Crescent Beach Co.

The series also contains letters inward to the Headmistress of Naramata School for Girls, 1942-1946 and photographs of school activities, Visual Records accession 198504-16. Microfilm (neg.) 1879, 1897, 1929-1931 35 mm 6 reels [A01438-A01443] John Moore Robinson (1855-1934) moved to the Okanagan in 1898 and acquired and developed property at Peachland, Summerland and Naramata. He also had a career as a school teacher, MLA and newspaper proprietor (Brandon Times and the Portage La Prairie Printing and Publishing Company) in Manitoba. He had an interest in prospecting in British Columbia (area between Rossland and Okanagan) and spiritualism, including its use in prospecting. His business interests included the Summerland Trust Company, incorporated in 1907. The company name changed to Okanagan Trust Company Limited, on September 12, 1911, and finally to Okanagan Securities Limited on August 28, 1915. He was also involved with the Naramata Development Company (incorporated in 1907) which became Canadian Irrigated Orchards Limited in October 5, 1926. The bulk of the records consist of minute books, correspondence, financial and legal records relating to Robinson's companies: Okanagan Securities, Canadian Irrigated Orchards, Okanagan Realty, Naramata Supply Company, Hotel Naramata, Hotel Summerland and Crescent Beach Company. There are several notebooks and a diary related to prospecting and spiritualism. Also included is some family memorabilia and letters inward to the Headmistress of Naramata School for Girls, 1942-1946. Maps transferred to Map accession 19419.

The Okanagan : cattle and peaches

SUMMARY: Stories from the early days of settlement in the Okanagan Valley: the missionary priest Father Pandosy; the cattle ranches; rancher and politician Price Ellison; the beginnings of Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Peachland; real estate promoter J.M. Robinson; and the fruit orchards. The voices heard are: Myra DeBeck; Primrose Upton; Charlie Shaw; Bob Gamman; Len Hayman; and H.V. "Paddy" Acland.

Walter Wright interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Walter Wright recalls Summerland from 1909 to 1915. He describes coming from Ontario in 1909; a description of what Summerland was like when he arrived; problems with irrigation; people ;who were brought to the valley by J.M. Robinson; the character of people who came to the area; stories about Tom Kelly and Sam McGee, who allegedly knew Robert W. Service, and inspired a story; Major Hutton; the Gartrell family; Harry Dunston and his bride; speaker's club in Summerland; public works; the Baptist college and its effect on the community, including sports; the history of the college building above the town. [TRACK 2: blank.]