David and Date Leckie both contributed substantially to the development of Kelowna in their roles as business, community, and church leaders. Date Leckie was especially active at Knox Presbyterian.
The house is a very good example of the first generation of substantial urban residences in Kelowna. It has value for illustrating the establishment of Kelowna as a significant urban centre in British Columbia. It was built in 1906, when upper Bernard Avenue had just been subdivided as a residential area for the community's more affluent citizens and was being developed with homes for Kelowna's business and social elite. The design and scale of the house reflect the strong economy of Kelowna at the time.
The story of David and Date Leckie, the initial occupants, is illustrative of many Kelowna residents of their class, in that both contributed substantially to the development of Kelowna in their roles as business, community, and church leaders. David Leckie was a hardware merchant who served several terms on City Council, contributed to the first hospital and aquatic centre, and was involved as well in the cannery business. Both he and his wife were prominent in Knox Presbyterian Church. In the 1930s the house was the residence of George A. Barrat, a member of the B.C. Fruit Board and secretary of B.C. Tree Fruits Ltd. The association with both Leckie and Barrat is important because both were involved in the fruit industry, a key economic sector in Kelowna throughout the twentieth century.
- Framed: 16 x 20 in (40.64 x 50.8 cm)
- Subject Matter: Cityscape
- Collections: Heritage Homes , Kelowna and Okanagan Valley , SOLD Original Watercolour PAINTINGS