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Within view of this cache are some historical buildings, the Fleming House (1871), the Grist Mill (1871) and the Fleming Dairy barn (1912). These buildings have been relocated from the original site at 2590 Harvey Ave. to the newly created Heritage Park at 2128 Leckie Pl. in 2002.
Fleming House (1871) - The existing form and detailing of the farmhouse reflects its 1871 appearance inspired by John Dilworth that is reminiscent of a vernacular farmhouse, belying the fact that underneath is a rare surviving 2 storey log house built from hand hewn pine logs in 1871 by Frederick Brent. Brent, whom after completing his house constructed the Grist Mill; the oldest surviving Grist Mill in British Columbia.
The farmhouse is a rare surviving structure from the 1870s, when there was a recession throughout the province and little construction occurred. As such, it is a valuable representation of the building practices of pioneer times. The large two-storey house was built in 1871 of large squared logs up to 35 centimeters high by 17 centimeters thick. The site was acquired by John Dilworth in 1900, and prior to 1908 he installed milled siding on the house and added plaster walls on the inside, indicating the pattern of improvements made to pioneer houses as the settlers prospered and more refined materials and techniques became locally available.
In 1893, Frederick Brent sold his property that had then grown to 2000 acres to Englishman J.T. Davis who used the house as a hunting lodge and papered the walls of the log house with British newspaper sheets and who in turn sold the property to John Dilworth in 1900. Between 1900 and 1908 Dilworth undertook a major remodeling of the log house adding the rear shed roofed storage area, the porch and veranda and two corbelled chimneys. In 1908, soon after these alterations were completed, Dilworth sectioned the Brent Farm and an 87 acre lot that included the house and mill was purchased by William Fleming. Fleming farmed the property until 1925 and then sold the property to John Gervers who lived on the farm property for the next thirty four years.
Grist Mill (1871) - Brent's Grist Mill is of heritage value as an excellent and rare surviving example of pioneering agricultural and production practices in Kelowna. It was one of the first industrial enterprises in the Okanagan Valley and is the oldest surviving purpose-built grist mill building in B.C... Frederick Brent faced many challenges in establishing his milling operation. He had to travel to San Francisco to buy his equipment, and then move it by sailing ship, train, freight wagon, lake and river steamers, row boat along Okanagan Lake and for the last 6.5 kilometers by horse-drawn sledge, representing the challenges faced by early settlers at a time when this area was remote and transportation was difficult. At the end of each season, the millstones had to be dressed with steel picks, which until 1885 had to be sent to San Francisco for sharpening. The mill was an immediate success, and settlers and local natives from throughout the Valley brought their grain to be ground into flour, with up to a dozen camps at a time being set up on the creek waiting their turn at the mill.
The demise of the mill indicates the rapidly-developing food supply networks being developed throughout the province. Brent sold the property in 1893, and milling operations ceased, a result of cheaper flour being available from the steam-driven mills at New Westminster. The grist mill was later adapted for use as a dairy barn, and another dairy barn structure was added to the site circa 1912. Although the milling operation was dismantled, Brent's portable mill, with its imported millstones, survives and is displayed at the Kelowna Museum.
Additionally, the Grist Mill site is of value for its association with Frederick Brent (1827-1919), one of the earliest European settlers in the Kelowna area. He acquired his land, over 800 hectares, in 1870, and Peon Creek was renamed Mill Creek after his milling operation. Brent was well-known for his hospitality and for hosting the annual 'Bachelor Ball' at his house. He was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1872, and raised a family of six children; some of his descendants are still located throughout the Kelowna area.
The grist mill is a rare surviving structure from the 1870s, when there was a recession throughout the province and little construction occurred. As such, it is a valuable representation of the building practices of pioneer times. The grist mill was built of hand-hewn pine logs for the posts and beams, joined with pegged mortise and tenon joints. The siding is whip-sawn lumber, attached with forged square nails. The site was acquired by John Dilworth in 1900.
Dairy Barn (1912) - In 1893 Frederick Brent had increased his land holdings to 2,000 acres and sold the property to J.T. Davis who in turn sold the estate to John Dilworth in 1900. In 1908 William Fleming purchased a portion of the property which contained the original Brent’s House and Grist Mill. Around 1912 the mill was converted by Fleming for use as dairy shed. The 800sf, 2 storey dairy shed is a surviving vernacular pioneer farm building associated to the Brent’s Grist Mill’s (later used as a dairy barn). Its likely purpose was to store milk in churns in the cool below grade basement prior to pick up.
Update: January 8, 2013
Fonty family adopted this cache from Sundew60. Special thanks to Sundew60 for her contributions to caching in the Kelowna area. We wish her all the best in her life's new chapter!!
Note: Fonty family found this cache September 9, 2012, when the cache was owned by Sundew60 (ie. prior to adoption)
Update: Cache transferred back to Sundew60. Thanks Fonty Family for taking care of it while I was gone.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jneavat