Oliver

The town of Oliver is rich in agricultural history and internationally recognized wineries and is considered the Wine Capital of Canada. On December 31, 2020, Oliver will be celebrating it 75th year of incorporation.

Home for thousands of years to its indigenous population, the area’s first European contact came in 1811. American fur traders from the Pacific Fur Company, followed by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1820s, built an Okanagan Valley trade route that lasted through the boom and bust of the gold rush era of the 1860s. After the first World War, B.C. premier “Honest” John Oliver commissioned an irrigation canal, which transformed the South Okanagan from arid scrublands to a lush fruit-growing and winery region.

The airport, built just prior to the Second World War, initially served the entire region south of Penticton.

Work: Agriculture is Oliver’s main industry.

Play: The town of Oliver continues to be one of B.C.’s top destinations for retirees and snowbirds from the North looking for a winter destination.

Culture: The cultural profile of the community includes members of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Portuguese, East Indian, German, Russian, Chinese and persons who have relocated from all parts of Canada.

Municipalities & Districts:
Oliver – oliver.ca

Real Estate:
Oliver Listings

Developments:
Canyon Desert: owncanyondesert.com
Oliver Heights – oliverheights.ca
Riverside Place – riversideplace.ca
Spirit Ridge: ownspiritridge.com
The Cottages: osoyooscottages.com

Builders:
Discovery Dream Homes – discoverydreamhomes.com
Pan-abode – panabode.com

Note: Population is listed by either municipality or region. Sample listing represents a home near the median average selling price in 2017. Real estate trend metric uses B.C. Assessment data for value and includes sales of all property types.