Our History

Our Beginnings

Back in the early 1960s, community picnics, dances, and family celebrations were held in a one-room schoolhouse. As Lower Nicola grew, it became clear that a dedicated community hall was needed.

Cement bricks were purchased from Sager Construction for $1 each, many bearing the names of donors. Joe and Charlotte Schindler generously donated property. With proceeds from brick sales, countless volunteer hours, and community donations, construction began in 1970 on what would become the Lower Nicola Centennial Hall.

Life at the Hall

Over the years, the hall has hosted:

• School dances for Nicola Canford

• The Lower Nicola Pageant

• Boxing club training in the basement

• Karate classes

• Floor hockey upstairs

• Target practice in the basement

• Potluck Christmas parties

• Pig roasts, weddings, and community games

• Membership drives ($5 per year)

Before the hall was built, an ice rink stood on the property.

Community Fundraising

The Lower Nicola Community Association also produced a community cookbook titled “Sharing Our Best” as a fundraiser for the hall.

Early Lower Nicola Settlers

In the 1800s, several well-known families settled in Lower Nicola:

David Dodding (1858–1933)
Born in England, he moved to Canada in 1901 with his wife Dorothy Whitaker. They purchased the R.M. Woodward Ranch. David was active in the Methodist Church, local school board, farmers institute, and stock breeders association.

Thomas Carrington (1838–1926)
Arrived in 1872 with his wife Eliza. They ranched in Lower Nicola and established a store at the foot of Nicola Lake in 1886.

James Chapman (1836–1920)
Came to the Nicola Valley in 1871. In 1906 he retired from ranching and sold his land to John H. Collett.

Other Historical Notes

Lower Nicola has long been a place of activity and enterprise.

At the corner of Aberdeen Road and Highway 8, a stagecoach station and hotel once stood, serving early travelers passing through the region.

In 1978, a sawmill operated by Bud Kerwin was located on Aberdeen Road, where pallets and strapping sticks were produced. Many good memories were made there. Bud passed away in 1992.

Aberdeen Road was also home to a forestry fire suppression camp, reflecting the area’s connection to the forestry industry and wildfire response efforts.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank those who helped preserve and share the history of Lower Nicola:

Doug & Norma Mervyn
Ernie & Myrna Jones
Nicola Valley Museum
Don Ogilvie
Pam Stevenson
Debbie Scott
Curtis Riffel
Sharon Bondhogg

Stu Jackson
Michele Gaulin Shaw
Robert Hume
Laurie Turmel
Jo Square
Josh Frulling
Sylvianne Johnson
Debbie Moldowan