Games section - Virtual Tour /Introduction- The Grist Mill at Keremeos, British Columbia

Hello Kids! My name is Gristy. I am the Grist Mill located in the beautiful Similkameen valley at Keremeos British Columbia. Since I've been here in the Similkameen valley there have been some exciting times. Would you be interested in hearing my story?

TOUR MAP

INTRODUCTION

CIRCLE GARDENS

APPLE ORCHARD

WHEAT FIELDS

GRIST MILL

EXHIBIT BUILDING

ROOT CELLAR

VISITOR'S CENTRE

Keremeos
Grist Mill

*Introduction*
The question that I get asked the most is what is grist? Grist is the process of getting grain ready to be ground by the mill. Now that we have answered that question please let me introduce you to my site...

Before I was built, the land in the Similkameen valley was occupied by a number of First Nation Bands. Local First Nation Bands in the Similkameen area gave 'Keremeos' its name. "According to elders of the Similkameen Indian Bands, Keremeos (the only Indian name in B.C. with an 'r') means 'cutting' or 'creek that cuts'," this is because the creek cuts a big ravine into the land. (Cuyler Page. The Grist Mill (Keremeos, B.C.: Heritage Interpretation Services, 1995) 5.)

The excitement started about 1861 with fur trading and the gold rush. The Hudson's Bay Company built a post to carry on fur trade and supply the gold miners with all the equipment they needed. They also bought the gold from the miners. This post was transferred to Keremeos creek in 1863 where it stayed until its close in 1871. One year later a man by the name of Barrington Price, my first owner, came to the area to set up a cattle ranch. Mr. Price knew the Similkameen valley would be a good area for farming and would be able to support a Grist Mill.

Mr. Price recognized that the land near the old Hudson's Bay Company site would be an ideal location for a Grist Mill. With this in mind Mr. Price "took over the land of the abandoned Similkameen Post of the Hudson's Bay Company in addition to his homestead property." (Grist Mill, 2.) In 1877, Barrington Price opened me for business! I was making flour! I would be able to provide a closer source of flour for residents of the Similkameen valley, who until know had to travel 270 kilometers by foot or horseback to Colville, U.S.A. to get their flour. Many people believe that I am responsible for the beginning of the agricultural development of the area. Agricultural development was encouraged with the building of the mill (That's me Gristy). Residents of the Similkameen valley soon realized the climate and weather in the Similkameen valley provided excellent growing conditions for a variety of crops. Remember, when I was built there were no televisions, phones, shopping malls or clothing stores. Mail was delivered once a month. People had more time to develop hobbies and other interests and had to create their own entertainment.

Let's see some of the other areas of the Grist Mill site... come with me to the Circle Gardens

Last updated 1 March 1999.
This digital collection was produced under contract to the Canada's Digital Collections Program, Industry Canada.
Produced by Canada's Digital Collections Team.
Content provided by BC Heritage Trust and Heritage Branch, Province of British Columbia.
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