Washington town a tribute to another venture of the Molson family
Historic buildings and agricultural relics found at Molson, Wash.
The town of Molson, Wash., located in the Okanogan Highlands, may be interest to local, Okanagan historians. It began as a supply centre for a mine, both founded by Molson family which had the brewery in Eastern Canada.
The Molson mine, however, never amounted to much. A quite detailed history of the area is on a sign which is in front of the old store at Molson. It reads as follows: Okanogan Historical Society The Story of Molson Founded by the Molsons of Montreal, Quebec, as a mining and townsite venture, it boomed in 1900 – died in 1901. Homesteaders came, then the railroad came in 1905. Molson built up again to become the commercial centre of the Okanogan Highlands – peak population 700. Its trading area reached from 20 miles south to 10 miles into Canada. In its heyday, Molson, elevation 3708, was the biggest railroad freight shipper from Oroville to Spokane.
In 1917 Molson dealers sold 125 cars. Popular makes were Ford, Dodge, Overland, Maxwell, Hudson, Buick, and Studebaker. No Chevrolets yet.
In 1923 Molson Elevator Co. sold 27 IHC [International Harvester] grain binders, Dunlaps sold 23 John Deeres, and Potter Merchandise sold a few Johnstons.
Molson was also the recreation centre of the highlands, with hotels, cafes, a confectionery, barber and beauty shops, pool halls, two movie theatres, regular dances, Woodman, I.O.O.F. and Masonic Lodges, as well as the Grange, five churches, a Union High School, plus summer and winter sports.
Today, Molson’s few but hardy residents enjoy the many community activities and the everlasting beauty of the Highlands.
Harry Sherling – Historian Now when visiting Molson, you can follow most of the old VV&E (Great Northern) railroad out of Molson, east through Bridesville, B.C., and down to Midway, or west down the long hill to Oroville, then along the Similkameen River to Nighthawk, Keremeos, Hedley and Princeton.
The tracks from Midway to Oroville were taken up around 1935, and the town probably faded in size after that. However, for people who enjoy studying history, retracing the old rail line is fun. This part of James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railroad, unlike most of his railroads, was rather steep and crooked. The grade down to Oroville was even more severe than the Kettle Valley Railway into Penticton, requiring many loops and adding extra miles to the journey. The rail grade into Bridesville also required several loops.
A lot of interesting local history is on display in the Molson Museum, which is located in the former High School building. It is an excellent museum for a town that size and is well worth a good visit.
Charley Adam has lived all of his life in Kelowna. He is a descendant of the pioneer Clement family, which came to Kelowna in early 1898. This article is part of a series submitted by the Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Historical Society. Additional information would be welcome at P.O. Box 22105, Capri P.O., Kelowna, B.C., V1Y 9N9.