THE BARN
Why This Stop Matters
The Barn shows the scale of work required to make the Okanagan Mission successful.
A generation after the first settlement in 1860, the mission had grown into a large and productive agricultural operation. The Barn is physical evidence of that growth — showing that this was not only a place of worship, but also a working farm that supported hundreds of animals and large-scale food production.
At its peak, the Okanagan Mission included about 2,000 acres of land, 500 head of cattle, and 35 horses, managed by Oblate lay brothers and hired workers.
The Story
When the mission began, survival depended on building a self-sufficient community and agriculture became its foundation.
Livestock, crops, and farm labour supported the community and allowed it to expand. The barn became an important part of that system, providing space for livestock, hay, equipment, and the many activities connected to farm life.
It also reflects the people who made that system work — including lay brothers such as Brother Joe and Brother Felix, and early settlers like Giovanni Casorso, who worked at the mission before establishing his own farm.
This was a working landscape, shaped by long hours of labour, changing seasons, and practical problem-solving.
The Building
The Barn was begun around 1886 and is one of the best surviving examples of early log barn construction in the region.
It is built from saddle-notched round logs, a traditional technique that allowed builders to create strong, lasting structures using local materials.
The design is practical and efficient:
- Two separate sections (“cells”) connected by a central open, roofed passage
- The central drive-through allowed wagons loaded with hay to pass directly through the barn
- Lower level used for stables and equipment storage
- Upper level used as a hayloft
This design reflects the needs of a working farm where efficiency and durability were essential.
Objects in the Barn
The barn also contains historic transportation objects, including a carriage and sleigh.
These remind us that transportation in the Okanagan depended on seasons, animals, and practical solutions. Before modern roads and vehicles, people travelled and moved supplies using the equipment available to them.
Each object connects to a different part of daily life — farming, travel, trade, and community.
Look Around
As you explore the Barn, notice:
- The round-log construction and saddle-notched joints
- The two-part structure connected by the central passage
- The size and scale of the building
- The hayloft above and stable area below
- The evidence of careful preservation and relocation
Think about how much work was required to build, operate, and maintain a farm of this size.
Did You Know?
The barn originally stood about 500 feet south of its current location.
The Barn also has value because of its preservation history. In 1972, it was donated to the Pandosy Mission Committee by Ben Greening, on whose farm it then stood. The following year, in 1973, it was carefully moved to its present location.
This was a major undertaking. The barn is approximately:
- 62 feet long
- 22 feet wide
- Weighing between 40 and 50 tons
Its relocation ensured that it could be preserved as part of the heritage site and continue to educate future visitors.
Today, it forms part of the mission’s interpretive experience, displaying historic agricultural equipment.
Before You Go...
Take one more look around the Barn.
Every item here tells part of the story — not just of the mission, but of the many people whose work, travel, and daily routines helped build the Okanagan. Imagine this space filled with animals, tools, hay, and the sounds of a busy farm.