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 ~ Enderby
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 ~ ~ 1911
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 ~ ~ 1996
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The Enderby area had some pretty hard times in its early fight to find its rightful place on the map.

From the earliest point of recorded history in Enderby, the population has only risen to a total in 1991 of 2135 persons. Of that total, 19% are children under 15, 57% are between the ages of 15 and 64, and the remaining 24% are over 65.

During the ups and downs, the lush green valley bordered by the Shuswap River on the east side and green rolling hills on the west was, and still is, the ideal place to raise a family. Following the years of the first settlers (who arrived by canoe), Enderby was known by an assortment of different names such as: Little Prairie, Fortune's Landing, Lambly's Landing, and Belvidere. Enderby was officially recognized and incorporated on March 1, 1905. Progress was slow, and hopes were high. The unknown little village was soon to become known as Enderby.

The earliest available information on the population of Enderby was in 1901. At this time, there was much hardship and there were only a total of 164 people in the community. There was very little information for that year, but as the new year of 1902 rolled around, progress was being made. By 1910, an increasing number of people came to the quickly growing community of Enderby, the population increased by 7.25%, and the local census stated that it was now up to 800 people. At this rate, Enderby was the fastest growing community around the Okanagan.

In 1911, 35 new settlers found their way to Enderby. Ten years later, many people came and left. Unfortunately, more people left than came. The population had fallen by 17 people. The census stated that there were now only 783 people. In 1931, the population dropped to 555 settlers. The struggling town seemed to be losing its fight for existence.

When 1940 rolled around, Enderby began to rise again. Thirty-three newcomers started a new era, for the population was sure to rise now. Sure enough, throughout the decade Enderby was averaging at least 500 citizens. In 1951, there were approximately 1000 new settlers. The next information available to us shows that in 1971 the population had increased to 1200 people. The following decade led to more and more people finding our small community. In 1986, the census of Canada pointed out that 1715 people were now residents. By 1988, there were about 2000 people.

Scott Donahue, Yvonne Fiala, Dawn Schreiner
ALF School, 1989