Cawston, British Columbia

Last updated

Cawston
Unincorporated Place
Cawstonsmall400.jpg
Cawston, British Columbia
Motto(s): 
Healthy Living, Naturally
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Cawston
Location of Cawston in British Columbia
Coordinates: 49°10′56″N119°45′38″W / 49.18222°N 119.76056°W / 49.18222; -119.76056
CountryFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Province Flag of British Columbia.svg  British Columbia
Region Similkameen Country
Regional district Okanagan-Similkameen
Area
  Total
2.09 km2 (0.81 sq mi)
Elevation
365 m (1,198 ft)
Population
 (2016)
  Total
956
Time zone UTC-8 (PST)
Postal code
V0X 1N0
Area code 250 / 778 / 236
Highways BC-3 (Crowsnest).svg Highway 3
BC-3A.svg Highway 3A
Waterways Similkameen River

Cawston is an unincorporated small community in the south Similkameen Valley, with a 2005 population of 973.

Contents

The community was named for R.L. Cawston, a pioneer rancher and magistrate who settled in the area in the 19th century. Nearby was the site of the original Hudson's Bay Company store.

History

Cawston lies within the territory of the Smelqmix (Similkameen) Nation, specifically, the area of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, which is a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance of the Syilx. Members of the LSIB are involved in many social and cultural endeavors, such as working to revitalize the Nsyilxcen (Okanagan) language. The band currently has almost 500 members. [1] [2]

Demographics

Religion

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Cawston included: [3]

School

Many of the kids in Cawston attend either Cawston Primary School or Similkameen Elementary Secondary School, One of those kids got a full-in Bruce Willis movie on May 25, 2021. [4]

Geography

Cawston is located on Highway 3 (the Crowsnest Highway) nearby communities are Keremeos (8 km to the West), Osoyoos (36 km to the East), and Penticton (50 km to the North).

Economy

Today, Cawston is a busy agricultural center. The town has two fruit packing plants, the newest being built strictly for organic produce - a fast-growing segment of the area's agricultural economy.

There are many apple and soft fruit orchards throughout the Cawston area. In recent years, vineyards and wineries have become an important part of the local economy.

The rural nature of this community has also made it a popular home to horse ranches, hobby farms, and nature enthusiasts. There are many hiking trails in the area covering almost every terrain possible, from cactus and sagebrush desert to sub-alpine meadows.

Skiing and other winter activities can be enjoyed nearby as can 18 hole golf course at Twin Lakes, boating and swimming throughout the Okanagan and fishing in the Similkameen and Ashnola rivers as well as on the many lakes in the area.

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References

  1. "Lower Similkameen Indian Band – Smelqmix". Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  2. "Community Stories Printable Version".
  3. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  4. NA (May 25, 2021). "Cawston actor lands role in 2 Bruce Willis films".