LAKE COUNTRY, OYAMA
A community located in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Lake Country is comprised of shimmering lakes, beaches and orchards that stretch for miles enticing visitors to come, relax and experience the sunny Okanagan Valley.
The District of Lake Country is located near the centre of the Okanagan Valley and is made up of four distinct neighbourhood communities: Oyama, Winfield, Carr’s Landing, and Okanagan Centre.
Incorporated as a municipality in 1995, Lake Country has a long pioneer history. Prior to the Europeans arriving, First Nations people inhabited this area. Several locations indicate the existence of First Nations settlements dating back 7,000 to 8,000 years.
The Europeans arrived more than 100 years ago to ranch and work the abundant forests, make homes, and farm the rich lowlands and arable hillsides. Irrigation helped agriculture blossom in the early 1900s, supporting the local communities.
The once thriving fruit canneries on Okanagan Lake are gone today, as are the ferries that plied the lake for the first half of the 1900s. Yet you don’t have to look far to find lush green orchards, rolling vineyards, and farms growing everything from Macintosh apples to blueberries. Fruit packinghouses remain an important part of the local economy, and Lake Country maintains a strong sense of community, vitality, and a pioneering spirit.
