Naramata is an unincorporated community in the Okanagan region of south central British Columbia, Canada. On the eastern shore of southern Okanagan Lake, the locality is by road about north of Penticton.

Name origin

In November 1906, John Moore Robinson purchased land. Over the following nine months, the name changed from Nine Mile Point to East Summerland, to Brighton Beach, and finally to Naramata. Spiritualism was a popular past time at the time and Robinson claimed the name came in a séance. The name itself derives from a First Nations word or an Australian Aboriginal one, but supporting evidence is lacking.

Early community

Robinson advertised and sold parcels of land to people from other parts of Canada as well as the British Isles. At the time Naramata became known as a cultural centre. People from across the Okanagan would arrive by boat for concerts, plays, operas, regattas- and as Robinson and his wife were spiritualists-seances. Paddlewheelers regularly stopped at the local wharf carrying freight and passengers up and down Lake Okanagan.

Ferry

In March 1908, an east–west Summerland–East Summerland charter ferry service commenced. The first two operators proved unsatisfactory. That October, Summerland Trust Co. took over. In 1911, the Okanagan Lake Boat Co. implemented a run via Penticton. The 1913 tender charter continued to name the locality as East Summerland. In July 1926, the service ceased.

Climate

Naramata has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk).

See also

  • Steamboats of Lake Okanagan

References

  • Naramata Centre