Rooted in the agricultural history of Kelowna’s Mission Sector, Thomson Farm House stands as a reminder of the generations of farming families who helped shape the Okanagan Valley. Built in 1922 at 4193 Gordon Drive, this historic farmhouse reflects a family tradition that began when Gifford R. Thomson arrived in the area from Scotland in 1892. Through decades of changing crops, expanding farmland, and evolving agricultural practices, the Thomson family remained closely connected to the land.
From Hay Fields to a Family Farm
Gifford Thomson purchased the property in 1898, gradually clearing the land and growing hay. After he moved to Vancouver, his sons, Wilberforce and John, known as Wilber and Jock, took over the 120-acre farm. Following their service in the First World War, the brothers returned and expanded the property by another 60 acres, developing a mixed farming operation that reflected the changing opportunities of the region.
During the 1920s, the brothers experimented with tobacco, which was being promoted in Kelowna as a promising cash crop. By 1932, they had turned their attention to celery, head lettuce, and other vegetables. In the late 1930s, they partnered with local jeweller J.B. Knowles to operate Okanagan Mission Producers, shipping vegetables to the Prairies by truck and rail. Their work helped establish the farm as part of the region’s growing agricultural industry.
A Farm That Evolved With the Times
The Thomson family continued adapting as agricultural conditions and markets changed. When refrigerated shipments of California produce made their vegetable business less competitive, the family shifted to dairy farming in 1951, raising Holstein cattle and supplying milk through NOCA Dairy. Just two years later, they established Okanagan Nurseries, growing dwarf apple rootstock to support the orchard industry’s transition toward high-density plantings.
In 1983, the construction of Gordon Drive through the site of their dairy barn brought another change, leading the brothers to switch to beef cattle. By the early 1990s, 80 acres had been sold to the City of Kelowna for park development, while the remaining 40 acres of the original block were divided between the brothers. Each chapter of the farm’s history reflects the family’s ability to adapt while maintaining its agricultural roots.
A Historic Farmhouse With Lasting Character
Built by Wilber and Jock for Wilber’s marriage in 1922, the farmhouse features elements of the American Colonial Revival style. Its steep gabled roof, dormer windows, horizontal wood siding, and casement windows give the residence its distinctive appearance. A large screened porch, projecting gabled bays, and corbelled brick chimney further contribute to its historic character.
Beyond the house itself, the property’s gardens, mature poplar trees, grass, and open spaces preserve a connection to its rural past. The farmhouse represents more than an early-20th-century residence; it reflects a family history intertwined with the development of agriculture in Kelowna’s Mission Sector.
Today, Thomson Farm House remains an important part of Kelowna’s agricultural heritage. With Gifford Thomson continuing to reside in the home, the property maintains a rare continuity of occupation and a lasting connection to the family that farmed the land for generations.
If you enjoyed learning about Thomson Farm House, check out our other blog posts, where we feature other historic farms and ranches in BC.