Kaleden
Our community
Welcome to our small, beautiful town situated in British Columbia’s South Okanagan. A relaxed, rural lifestyle waits for you here. Kaleden is home to approximately 1200 residents. The community includes homes located on the western shore of Skaha Lake and extending out to St. Andrews By-The-Lake and Twin Lakes.
Kaleden is located in Area I of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). Subrina Monteith was elected as the first director of Area I in 2018.
The town site has two historic buildings: the General Store and the Kaleden Hotel. Our quiet community is known its for lush vineyards, rolling hills and its breathtaking views of Skaha Lake. Visitors come to Kaleden to unwind, explore and soak up nature. This enchanting place offers plenty of leisure activities all in a family- and pet-friendly environment.
Volunteer, donate or leave a legacy of change by contributing to community organizations that are making a difference in the lives of others.
Take a walk with us as we travel through the corridors of history into our modern community. We invite you to learn about Kaleden's humble beginnings and to imagine its prosperous future.
Our history
The following history is adapted from the Kaleden's Centennial 1909–2009. A copy of the publication may be accessed through the Kaleden Museum.
Kaleden foundations
Did you know?
The name Kaleden combines the Greek “kalos” meaning "beautiful" and “eden” after the Garden of Eden.
Did you know?
In 1906, James Campbell Ritchie and his brother-in-law, Judson Findlay, took a horseback ride down the valley from Summerland and discovered the picturesque area on the shores of Skaha Lake now known as Kaleden. We honour James Ritchie as the founder of Kaleden.
Did you know?
Twenty pioneer families are recognized by a plaque on the old hotel. These pioneer families who settled and developed Kaleden were Battye, Camsell, Corbitt, Findlay, Harrison, Hatfield, Kay, King, McAllister, Melville, Preston, Roadhouse, Robertson, Simpson, Standen, Swales, Tomlin, Whitaker and Whitman.
Did you know?
At least four Okanagan communities were started by men originating from a small town called Pilot Mound. The four communities are Peachland, Summerland, Kaleden and Naramata.
Did you know?
A contest was held to find a name for the newly established community on Dog Lake (Skaha Lake). The winner was Reverend Walter Russel of Toronto, who suggested Kaleden. First prize for the winner was a town lot.
Did you know?
The log barn on the east side of White Lake Road near the junction of Highway 97 dates back to the 1890s—probably the oldest building in the area.
Agriculture and commercial enterprise
Did you know?
The first fruit trees in Kaleden were planted in 1909.
Did you know?
The “Kaleden Cot” apricot was named for the village. At one time, Kaleden was the largest producer of apricots in the Okanagan valley.
Did you know?
The Kaleden Irrigation District was established and held its first meeting in January 1923.
Did you know?
The first general merchandise store in Kaleden—Kaleden Supply Company Limited—was built by James Ritchie in 1909. The store was a regular gathering place for local citizens.
Did you know?
Skaha Lake used to freeze over almost every year, solidly enough for cars to be driven down from Penticton. Ice boats were common. Some of those boats were used to move community supplies and merchandise for the store.
Did you know?
The famous Hudson’s Bay fur brigade trail had an alternate route that followed Marron River to the Kaleden lakefront.
Did you know?
The Dominion Observatory was founded in Ottawa in 1905 and the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria in 1918. In 1958, the land near White Lake was chosen as the best place in Canada to locate a new radio observatory.
Did you know?
Kaleden’s first mail service was started in 1909 with the appointment of a postmaster by the name of Seaman Hatfield. Before this, the closest postal services were located in Okanagan Falls and Marron Lake.
Kaleden way of life
Did you know?
During the early years, the pioneers of Kaleden lived in tents pulled over wooden frames.
Did you know?
During the winters of the 1930s, young people in Kaleden slid down the hill from the store to the old hotel on a homemade fifteen-person bobsled, complete with a steering wheel and headlights powered by a battery.
Did you know?
Kaleden used to have a one-lane bowling alley located on Spruce Avenue.
Did you know?
Skaha Lake had several names over time—Lac du Chien, Dog Lake, Lower Okanagan Lake and Skaha.
Did you know?
Favorite hobbies for the first settlers of Kaleden included ice skating on the lake, water sports, canoeing, fishing, hunting and softball.
Did you know?
Church services were once conducted in tents until the building of a church in 1912-13.
Further reading list
Kaleden's Centennial 1909–2009.
Corbitt, H.W, The History of Kaleden. Kaleden: Kaleden Community Centre, 1958.
King, Ron and Ray Findlay, comps. An Affectionate Look at Kaleden's Pioneer Families. Kaleden, 1986.