Oliver Culture and History
 Oliver Museum, Laurie Carter photo
Okanagan Nation The Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), one of seven member bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and recognized as a leader in economic development, is headquartered in Oliver. With reserve lands adjacent to the town, the OIB is an integral part of the community and operates a number of successful businesses such as the Nk'Mip Desert Canyon Golf Course. Look for First Nations pictographs at several sites in the area such as Vaseux Lake, see artifacts at the Oliver Museum and gain insight into the ways of these ancient people and their connection with the land at the Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre, located 21km/13mi south of Oliver in Osoyoos.
European Settlement Fur traders regularly trekked through the Okanagan Valley from the early 1800s. Settlement began in the 1860s, sparked by the Cariboo Gold Rush when cattlemen driving their herds north to the mining camps realized the potential of the valley's abundant bunchgrass and accessible water. Oliver is built on land that was part of the huge cattle ranching empire of Tom Ellis.
Gold Rush In the 1880s, the area experienced a small gold rush of its own. The town of Fairview mushroomed on the hillside to the west of present day Oliver to service a number of mine claims. To the east, Camp McKinney was another busy gold mine. Both communities eventually petered out with the gold and many buildings from these sites were later moved to the valley when the town of Oliver was laid out. The Fairview town site is now an ecological reserve with information kiosk and walking path.
Irrigation Works  In 1918 the BC government established the Southern Okanagan Lands Project, primarily as a place to settle veterans returning from the First World War. The ambitious scheme involved creation of a 37km/23mi irrigation canal known as "the Ditch" that runs from Vaseux Lake to the US border. Oliver was laid out as the administrative centre and named for "Honest John" Oliver, the provincial premier who championed the project. The first agricultural lots were sold in 1921 and the area soon became the immensely productive fruit-growing region it remains today.
Museum and Walking Tour Learn more about Oliver's past at the Oliver Museum. Exhibits include First Nations artifacts, information on the gold mining towns, details about creation of "the Ditch" and a multi-cultural display featuring the town's First Nations, Portuguese and Indian heritage. Pick up a brochure and take the self-guided walking tour of Oliver's historic buildings including the Streamline Moderne high school and Oliver Theatre, Prairie style train station (now the Visitor Centre) and the Edwardian Craftsman town hall.
Oliver Arts & Culture Oliver supports a lively cultural community. A significant percentage of the population belongs to the Oliver Community Arts Council and supports a range of concerts, workshops and art shows. The South Okanagan Amateur Players present stage productions at the striking Streamline Moderne style Frank Venables Auditiorium and the outdoor amphitheatre at Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery is the site of concerts, Shakespearean plays and other productions throughout the summer. Check out the Oliver Film Club film series at the heritage Oliver Threatre. See the work of many local artists and artisans at Handworks Gallery and studios in and around Oliver. Along with painting, woodwork, jewellery making and stonework, the area is well known for its quilters. Staff at the Oliver Visitor Centre at 36205 93rd St can provide details on what's happening around town. The centre also stocks brochures on the museum, historic sites and galleries.
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