The O’Keefe Ranch, founded in 1867 was operated by the O’Keefe family for the next 110 years. In its earliest days, the ranch was at the end of the wagon road into the Okanagan Valley and the site of the stage coach depot in the valley. Like most of the early ranches, it was a small community, with a Post Office, blacksmith shop and even its own church.

The 1870’s and 1880’s were the days of the open range, when thousands of head of cattle roamed the unfenced bunchgrass ranges of the Okanagan, Thompson and Cariboo regions.

The myth of the “cowboy” grew around the young men who worked with the cattle, even though the mystique and romance of the untamed life was sometimes belied by the rough low-paying life that they actually led. The O’Keefe Ranch attracted young men from all over the world, but among the finest cowboys in the Okanagan were the native people. Excellent horsemen with a deep knowledge of the country, they made wonderful stockmen.

 Historic O’Keefe Ranch tells the story of early BC Ranching and endeavours to preserve the history and culture for future generations. Come visit. You will be glad you did.