Skip to content

First Cadillac in the Okanagan was owned by Summerland’s reeve

James Ritchie was also instrumental in bringing rail transportation to the community
28609944_web1_220407-SUM-Historic-Cadillac-SUMMERLAND_1
This 1910 photograph shows the first Cadillac in the Okanagan Valley. The driver was Summerland pioneer James Ritchie and in the back seat was Summerland’s first teacher, Ken Hogg. Minnie Smith was technically Summerland’s first teacher, but she could not start the 1904 to 1905 school year and Hogg was the substitute teacher. Cadillacs were first made in 1902. Electric starters for the car didn’t appear until 1912, so a crank was required. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

The first Cadillac in the Okanagan Valley was owned by a Summerland pioneer.

James Ritchie, one of Summerland’s pioneers, owned the car shown in this 1910 photo. At the time, Ritchie was the reeve of Summerland.

READ ALSO: Boats and trains once provided transportation in Okanagan Valley

READ ALSO: 1906 map created to show how to get to Summerland

The Cadillac car company was formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1902 and was acquired by General Motors in 1909. Cadillac has long had a reputation as a luxury automobile company.

In the early 1900s, as Cadillac was building a name for itself in the automotive industry, Ritchie was establishing himself as a prominent Summerlander.

Ritchie, who moved to Summerland from Manitoba in 1903, pre-empted much of the land around Giant’s Head Mountain. He also bought out the Dunsdon brothers and the Garnett brothers. In 1906, he formed the Garnett Valley Land Company.

One of Ritchie’s accomplishments in Summerland was in bringing the Kettle Valley Railway to the community. In 1910, Ritchie requested the railway not to bypass Summerland, but this request was turned down. Ritchie then surveyed the area, using a carpenter’s level, and designed a route that would pass near the present Summerland Research and Development Centre.

Ritchie’s plan kept the grade to no more than two per cent and shortened the railway route by nearly a kilometre. A steel bridge over the Trout Creek Canyon was built in 1913. On May 31, 1915, the first train passed through the community. Passenger rail service continued until Jan. 16, 1965.

To report a typo, email:
news@summerlandreview.com
.



news@summerlandreview.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
Read more