The story goes that the first European settlers came in search of gold and instead found peaches.

In fact, the remains of the original Gladstone gold mine and Camp Hewitt can still be seen on the Ponderosa lands, dating back to the late 1800’s. In the early 1900’s fruit orchards replaced the fur and mining industries, and Peachland became a major fruit producing and packing location along Lake Okanagan, shipping fresh Okanagan fruit all across Canada. This rich agrarian history can still be seen in some of the old farms and buildings dotted throughout the Okanagan region.

Vineyards eventually replaced the peach orchards once it was discovered that the land and the long growing season suited many grape varieties. Peachland is located at the Gateway to the southern Okanagan wine region, boasting dozens of acclaimed B.C. wineries and vineyards. Peachland is also the home of B.C.’s very first ice wine, now an international favorite.

The Ponderosa lands around the Galdstone mine were acquired by J.M. Robinson in 1888 who became one of the town’s founding fathers, responsible for naming it Peachland, and also building the first hotel in Naramata. Several of the original heritage buildings in Peachland still remain, including the unique octagonal Peachland museum, which was originally the first Baptist church.