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Welcome to Savona
Entering Gold Country from the east, you will be welcomed by a land of rugged scenery; mountains with multi-hued lava cliffs, crystal blue lakes and sage filled desert. MAP OF THE CITY
History
Savona Ferry, as it was then known, was established in the 1800s, and served as the last stop on the Cariboo Wagon Road from Cache Creek. Travellers would disembark the BX stagecoach to board the steamship for their journey up the lake to Kamloops, or continue on to the Shuswap Lakes. When the Canadian Pacific Railway line was built on the south side of Kamloops Lake in 1885, the community was moved across the ice-covered lake, building by building, to the new south-shore site of Savona.
Deadman Valley
The Deadman Valley is a traditional gathering place of the people of the Shuswap (Sequa’pmug or Secwepemc) First Nation. With European settlement and the diminishing of First Nations land, a reserve was formed around a traditional winter settlement in the Deadman Valley. The Skeetchestn Reserve was founded in 1877. As for the “Deadman” name, it reportedly dates back to 1817, when Pierre Charette of the North West Company (a fur trading outfit based in Montreal) was murdered by his travelling companion.Things to Do
Savona Community Heritage Centre
6640 Tingley St. Phone: 250-373-2538Journey down memory lane at the nearby Savona Community Heritage Centre, where the folklore and history of the region are shared. Open year round on Wednesdays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Centre of the Universe
In 1980, a Tibetan monk was sent by his master to Vidette Lake in the Deadman Valley, to help determine whether this location could be the centre of the universe. The monk stayed at the Vidette Vidette Lake Nature Retreat, a former 1860’s Fur Trading Post. Further tests conducted by a group of monks in 1984 and 1988 led to the conclusion that the centre of the universe was located on the resort’s property. It continues to be a site of pilgrimage for Tibetan monks. Call the resort in advance to book a tour of the “Centre of the Universe”.
Deadman Valley Hoodoos
Situated in the Castle Rock Hoodoos Provincial Park, these spectacular formations are some of the finest examples of hoodoos that can be seen from a public roadway in British Columbia. According to ancient First Nations folklore, the hoodoos represent invading warriors who broke a promise and were turned to stone. Due to erosion, please admire the hoodoos from a distance to help preserve them for future generations.
Deadman Falls
Visit the Deadman Falls, a spectacular display of water cascading down 200 feet into a narrow canyon. The falls are approximately 5km north of the Vidette Lake Nature Retreat on the Deadman Vidette Road.
Dining
Visit the Tobiano Golf Course Restaurant (Phone: 1-877-373-2218) for a fine dining experience with Mediterranean and Latin flavours. For casual fare, visit the Roadhouse Café in Savona (1171 Trans-Canada Hwy. Phone: 250-373-2352). FULL LIST OF DINING OPTIONS
Events
The Deadman’s Creek Rodeo takes place annually in the spring. This family-friendly adrenalin fueled event is held at the Skeetchestn First Nation Band rodeo grounds.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN SAVONA
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Gold Country Communities Society acknowledges that we provide services within the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the
Nlaka'pamux, Secwepemc, St'át'imc, Syilx and Tsilhqot'in Nations.