This is what Penticton used to look like

PENTICTON – Driving through the streets of Penticton, you may not realize how many businesses or homes have been sitting on the same soil for over a hundred years. It is easy to take the beauty of our city for granted but every once in a while it is nice to stop and take a closer look at what's around, including historic buildings and homes. 

These are just a few historic homes around town — if you know of others, have pictures or stories to share, please do!

1. Gibson House, 1906

112 Eckhardt Avenue West

This home that is now on one of Penticton's busy intersections, is the oldest surviving house on the Penticton townsite. It was a high-quality residence owned by F.H. Latimer for 40 years, and by Dr. Gibson, a civic leader and physician who lived there for 50 years from 1946 until 2000.

2. Pelton House, 1911

570 Martin Street

This home was constructed by A.F. Pelton, an architect who was also the original owner of the home. The Pelton family was involved in architecture and construction, building several homes in the area, including the home to the North of Pelton House, however it burned down in 1911 during final construction. The Pelton House is now a denturist office. 

3. Riordian House, 1921

689 Winnipeg Street

This home was built and lived in by the Riordian family, which was headed by prominent hotel owner and reputed bootlegger, David Riordian. Rumour has it, liquor was stored in the Riordian's basement during prohibition in the 1920s. In the 1980s it became a tea house and restaurant and has been functioning as a bed and breakfast since 1991.

4. White Lodge, 1927

1425 McMillan Avenue

White Lodge, a rare modern house in a rural setting, was the home of British immigrant, Major E.C. Holden, a consulting engineer and member of Penticton City Council. He not only designed and built this home but also contstructed the first cold storage unit in Penticton.

5. Cranna House, 1928

364 Lakeshore Drive

The Cranna House, built by Scotsman William Cranna, is a storybook-style home, based on English and Scottish cottage-style homes popular in Cranna's homeland. Cranna was a successful jeweler and former Mayor of Merrit.

6. Leir House, 1929

220 Manor Park Drive

The Leir House was the residence of the Leir family from 1929 to 1951 when it became a nurses' residence. It has been a Cultural Centre for over 30 years, and run by the Penticton Arts' Council. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 9:50 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2015 to correct the spelling of Leir House.