Description of Historic Place

The Happy Valley Orchard is on the lands of the Okanagan, Sinixt, Secwepemc, Splats'in, Shuswap and Ktunaxa Nations.The Happy Valley Orchard is located on the north slope in the north eastern section of the City of Rossland below Monte Cristo Mountain in British Columbia. It is south of Columbia Kootenay Road and east of Georgia Avenue and Park Street. It is defined by large parcels of land and agricultural fields delineated by fences, and bounded by copses of trees.

Heritage Value

The Happy Valley Orchard has historic value as a visual reminder of the time in Rossland's early history that the growing of fruit trees was seen as a potential way to sustain the community after its inevitable decline when the mines ceased producing ore and providing jobs.

City Council was proactive in promoting fruit farming. The City offered to purchase 500 fruit trees in 1907, both apple and soft fruit, for sale to residents. However only 350 were actually ordered and we presume planted. Displays and sampling of Rossland's high altitude fruits were made both at a London agricultural show in 1907 and at the Canadian National Apple Show in Kaslo held in 1910 and received much favourable comment.

The Rossland Progressive Association was formed in 1910 to promote the growth and stability of the City of Rossland and for purposes of assisting the City's general welfare. Among other things, it was successful in getting the Department of Agriculture to establish an experimental fruit orchard in Rossland. In 1910 the provincial government announced a demonstration orchard in Rossland to promote the growing of fruit trees and to teach potential farmers techniques suitable to the mountain environment. Following a competition, the orchard was established northeast of town in 1911.

Little was heard of fruit growing on a commercial scale in later years but there were many abandoned orchards around the city. The remains of orchards still exist on the north slope in Happy Valley.

Character-Defining Elements

The key elements that define the historic place include its:

- fruit trees
- continued agricultural use including fruit growing
- active orchards