Okanagan History

BX Ranch - Priest Valley 1868

In 1868 Steve Tingley was herding four hundred Morgan Horses from New Mexico. Steve's destination was the huge 6300 acre BX Ranch in Preist Valley. These Morgan horses were brought to be a form of transportation to get supplies from the Okanagan to the outside world. Some of these horses were also taken to Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Morgan horses helped establish and support the stage coach to function as a business for example: postal, supplies, freight, and passengers expended this service. The strict policy was to finish all trips in scheduled time factors.

Forbes George Vernon arrived in the Okanagan Valley in 1868; by 1887 he was the owner of the Coldstream Estate. Forbes was a major pillar in Vernons' development he was Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.

Okanagan History Index

By: Elaine Harrison