Patterson

Mr. Patterson acquired District Lot 3753 as a Crown Grant in 1924, and in 1933 bought a further 160 acres as District Lot 4052 from Ian Sutherland, who had acquired it from Charles Sutherland, his father who took it as a Crown Grant in 1911. The Patterson cabin was located on the north side of Mission Creek on the downstream side of the present Three Forks Park. In 1931, the Heptons were living there with their children, Betty, Jack, Ernest and Vera. The older three were in the Joe Rich School. During a high school bush party cabin was burned down several years ago.

Patterson was a contractor in Kelowna, and built the present Anglican Cathedral.4 He was a deacon of the First Baptist Church.

 

Pearces

Claude and Betty Pearce lived in a cabin close to where Tanya Grafton’s house now stands on the southeast side of Mission Creek not far from the north side of the highway. Claude had served in World War II, and then driven a taxi in Kelowna. He was a severe diabetic in bad health by the time he and his wife moved to Joe Rich, but he loved to be with the people of the valley. He showed up at every fire practice though he couldn’t really participate. He was made a member of the Fire Department anyway and looked after some of the ‘Joe Jobs’. On his birthday, the Joe Rich people put on a party for him. He was overwhelmed and said that if he lived a hundred years that would have been the best day of his life. Claude kept diary goats that he loved.

He and Betty had two children. Their son committed suicide here in Joe Rich which gave the parents unimaginable grief. The daughter became Mrs. Laboucaine.

Claude died in 1988 at the age of 69.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1985 Betty & Claude Pearce

 

Pearson

Bob Pearson arrived in Joe Rich about 1908. Pearson Creek, which enters Mission Creek where Three Forks Road crosses it, is named after him.

 

Prathers

Daniel (Bruce) Prather was the first to homestead on the land later known as the Pyman Ranch on the southwest shoulder of Black Mountain.

He came to this area by covered wagon with a group of eight wagons from Lewiston and Clarkston in the Snake River country on the boarder of Idaho and Washington. They travelled overland, crossed the Columbia River, arrived at the boarder on June 27, 1893, continued on up to Penticton and from there took the S. S. Aberdeen to Kelowna. The Okanagan Valley bottom land was already taken so the group settled in the Black Mountain Area.

Prather was the first to use irrigation in this area. He took water from the little creek on the west side of the Goudie Road area which now bears his name. Prather Creek now flows across Goudie Road to join Daves Creek and with it to form Eight Mile Creek.

Prather Road branches off Jack Pine Road west of Goudie Road.

Others of these American settlers also located in the Black Mountain area. Jim McClure and his family took land where Gallagher Road and Highway 33 now meet.

 

Pratts

Fred and Isabel Pratt owned the property across Thelwell Road and immediately north of the Russells. Both properties had been part of the original 160 acre Smith property, but it had been subdivided and the Pratts owned the portion north of the Joe Rich Road. The Pratt children were Ken, Diane, Jimmy and Doug.

In 1968, the Department of Highways began planning the building of the present Highway 33 and decided the best route was right through the middle of Mr. Pratt’s property. Negotiations took place, but Mr. Pratt was not happy with the offer and refused to let the highway cross his land. He put up a large threatening sign and warned all who would listen that he would shoot any highway employees who tried to cross his property. But the Department of Highways was determined to follow what they thought was the best route, even if it cut Pratt’s property in half. According to other Joe Rich residents, the highway people didn’t show much respect for the opinions or property of local people affected by the construction. Never intending to use it, the highway planners surveyed a phoney route through Serwa’s and Russell’s property and up the old Joe Rich Road (now Thelwell) passing only a few feet in front of Mr. Pratt’s front door. Their ruse worked. Mr. Pratt finally agreed to let them cross the middle of his property where the highway goes today. His property was eventually subdivided to separate off what is now the Muttit’s property on the north side of the highway.

Pratt's Sign

 

Prestons

William Preston was the first to hold title to the property on which Joe Rich had squatted and built his cabin. He appears to have obtained the land as two Crown Grants, Grant Number 4598 in 1910, and Grant Number 6169 in 1913.

Prestons were also the first to sell milk and butter in Joe Rich. Cyril Weddell and Duncan Stewart bought his quarter section and divided it into what is now the Weddell’s home property and Bob Murphy’s horse ranch.

Mrs. Preston always referred to her husband as “Mr. Preston”, and he referred to her as “woman”.