The Past

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 ~ ~ Kathy Halksworth
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Grindrod was originally part of the Carlin Estates in North Enderby. In 1898 James A. Carlin acquired 1300 acres in this area. He surveyed the townsite in 1910. It was named after Mr. Grindrod, a telegraph operator, in 1910. His relatives now live in Kamloops, but they were originally from England.

The first house on the townsite was owned by Hancocks who eventually sold it. Many of the streets in Grindrod hold the original inhabitants' names. There is a Halksworth Road, and Monks Lane.

In 1886 shareholders formed the Shuswap and Okanagan Railway to plan a line from Sicamous to Okanagan Lake. In August 1890 construction on the railroad was started. On May 23, 1891, the CPR made its maiden run to Enderby. In 1910 a two-room railway station was built in Grindrod. The only phone in Grindrod was at the CPR station.

What has become known as the "Great Fire", started out as a small brush fire in 1909. The wind picked up and scattered it all over. The fire burned all the way from North Enderby to Mara. The flames leapt the river many times causing mass destruction on both sides. Much damage was done but luckily no lives were claimed.

In 1919 the Anglican Church was built as a memorial for soldiers who served in World War I.
In 1924 St. Peter's and St. Paul's Ukrainian Catholic Church was built for the Ukrainian families coming to Grindrod.

There had always been entertainment in Grindrod. There were Drama Clubs, which gave performances, with a full audience at all times. There were also dances, with plenty of people having a good time. Skating, on the river with everyone was also a favorite pastime. There outings were always family oriented.

In 1917, the Grindrod baseball park was started. It was run by everyone and anyone, it was eventually run by the government. There were swimming lessons, horse races, Fall Fairs, and picture shows. In the 1950's, there was a little place, owned by Mr. Tomkinson, where the kids would hang out and have pop.

Groceries were delivered unless you wanted to go to Vernon which took half a day. Bread came in by train from Kamloops.

Brandi Warren
ALF School, 1989