Historic O'Keefe Ranch

Name: Historic O'Keefe Ranch
Address: 9380 Highway 97 North, Vernon, BC, V1H1W9, CA
Telephone: 250-542-7868
Price range: $

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Historic O'Keefe Ranch

A must-see North Okanagan heritage attraction 🌾
Experience pioneer history, heritage buildings, and seasonal events at Historic O’Keefe Ranch.

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Syilx Peoples. Ranch History:

Cornelius O'Keefe was a man with a tremendous drive to make something of his life. Not content to just raise cattle, he was the first rancher in the North Okanagan to open a general store on his property. His ranch became a gathering place for newcomers to the Okanagan Valley and soon was

being called "Okanagan." So it is no surprise that, once British Columbia had joined the Canadian confederation in 1871, the man who rallied the few settlers in the area to ask the Canadian government for a post office was Cornelius O'Keefe. As a result of the petition organized by O'Keefe, the chief postal inspector announced in the Victoria Colonist on August 6, 1872 that he "had made temporary arrangements with Mr. Barnard for a weekly mail service to Kamloops and the Okanagan." On August 14, 1872, the post office was establilshed with Cornelius as postmaster, a position he held for the next 40 years. Once the post office was established at the ranch, the BC Express Stage Lines ran a weekly stagecoach from Cache Creek to the O'Keefe Ranch on the new wagon road from Fort Kamloops. While there were several ranchers who settled ahead of O'Keefe, his is the only ranch that was still being lived in by the original family 100 years later. Today some of the oldest buildings in the valley are still being used and preserved as part of the O'Keefe Ranch heritage site.

05/16/2026

05/05/2026

Build a Garden Bench - Two sessions: You choose one!

Where: The O’Keefe Ranch, Pavilion

When: Either Saturday, June 6, 2026
OR Saturday, June 20, 2026

Time: 10:00 am -4:00 pm

Presenter: John Wells

Cost: Free! Only 12 seats available per session!

John is a carpenter and a member of the North Okanagan Model Railroad Association located at O’Keefe Ranch. He will be leading this session, and participants will build a garden bench to take home! The cedar bench will be 48”L X 17.5”W X 18”H.

No experience is necessary for this workshop.

If you are able, please bring a rechargeable drill, with a #2 drill bit. We do have a couple of spare ones but not enough for everyone.

Lunch will be provided.

Contact: [email protected]
to register, with your preferred date (before Tuesday, June 2).

05/03/2026

We are so excited to welcome everyone back to the Ranch for another incredible season! 🌿✨ The grounds are looking beautiful and everything is ready for you to enjoy.

Our amazing volunteers have been hard at work behind the scenes to make everything shine. From fresh touches across the grounds to getting every corner guest-ready, their care and dedication truly bring the Ranch to life.

A special thank you to Green Velvet Lawn Care for helping keep our lawns looking fresh and beautiful—it’s all ready for your visit!

We can’t wait to see you, share stories, and create new memories together at the Ranch.

04/29/2026

Opening Weekend + Mother’s Day at the Ranch

Opening weekend begins Saturday, May 9th 🌿
We’re excited to welcome you as we kick off the season at the ranch.

Looking for something a little different this Mother’s Day? Come spend it with us—slow down, enjoy the moment, and make time together as a family in a relaxed, outdoor setting.

04/12/2026

Opening Weekend at Historic O’Keefe Ranch – May 9–10, 2026

We’re pleased to welcome visitors back for the 2026 season at Historic O’Keefe Ranch. Join us for Opening Weekend on May 9–10 as we reopen the grounds and historic buildings for another year of heritage, history, and exploration.

Stroll the ranch, take in the historic setting, tour O’Keefe Mansion, visit the farm animals, say hello to our free roaming chickens, or just enjoy the peaceful beauty of the site as we begin a new season. More details will be shared soon.

We look forward to seeing you at the ranch!

04/09/2026

Join us at Historic O’Keefe Ranch this Earth Day for a hands-on opportunity to help protect our local grasslands. The Scotch Thistle Bash is a community w**d pull focused on removing invasive species and restoring the natural landscape.

No experience is needed—training and guidance will be provided on-site. This is a great chance to get outdoors, learn something new, and make a meaningful impact in just one hour.

Event Details:
Wednesday, April 22nd
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Historic O’Keefe Ranch
Refreshments provided

Come lend a hand and be part of caring for our shared environment.

RSVP to [email protected]

03/24/2026

Thank you to Daryl Nolan for an informative session and to everyone who joined us on Friday for our Scotch Thistle Workshop! 🌿

Participants learned how to identify and manage invasive species—and then got their hands dirty putting those skills into action around the Ranch.

A few spots are still available! Don’t miss out on our tours and rose pruning session—email educate@okeeferanch.ca to bo...

03/23/2026

A few spots are still available! Don’t miss out on our tours and rose pruning session—email [email protected] to book

03/21/2026

Another great free event happening at the Ranch - Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.

Historic O’Keefe Ranch Mansion and General Store Tour

Where: The O’Keefe Ranch, the Mansion
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
From 10:00-11:30

Presenter: Robyn Davidson, Education Coordinator and Diane Kleine Deters, long time olunteer at O’Keefe Ranch

Cost: Free!

The O’Keefe Mansion, built in 1886, and was the grandest home in the North Okanagan at the time! Enjoy a personal tour with Robyn and learn about the history of the house and
the O’Keefe family who built it. After touring this majestic home, you will then walk over to our General Store for a tour with Diane. Learn about its vital history in an isolated community and about the many goods available to the early settlers and local aboriginal people.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Maximum of 12 people per tour!

Contact: [email protected] to register
(by Sunday, March 22)

03/18/2026

Schubert House and Balmoral School Tour

Where: O’Keefe Ranch, Schubert House
When: Monday, March 23, 2026
Time: 10:00-11:00
Presenter: Robyn Davidson, Education Coordinator
Cost: Free tour!

The Schubert family has a long history in the North Okanagan. The family home, once owned by Augustus (Gus)
Jr., is now located at the O’Keefe Ranch grounds. Join Robyn for a tour of the house and hear the amazing story of the Overlanders of 1862 as Catherine and Augustus, along with Alexander Fortune, travelled across Canada in the hunt for gold. We will then walk a few steps to the Balmoral School.

Built in 1912 in Balmoral, near Salmon Arm, this one room schoolhouse also finds itself at the Ranch for safekeeping. You will hear its history and how it came to be at the Ranch.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Contact: [email protected] to register
(by Saturday, March 21)

Address

9380 Highway 97 North
Vernon, BC
V1H1W9

Telephone

250-542-7868

Website

http://www.okeeferanch.ca/

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