Cawston, British Columbia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cawston
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Unincorporated Place
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Cawston, British Columbia
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| Motto(s):
Healthy Living, Naturally
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 Cawston
Location in British Columbia
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province | BC/BCE |
| Region | Similkameen Country |
| Regional district | Okanagan-Similkameen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.09 km2 (0.81 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 365 m (1,198 ft) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 956 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| Postal code |
V0X 1N0
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| Area code(s) | 250 / 778 / 236 |
| Highways |  Hwy 3 Hwy 3A |
| Waterways | Similkameen River |
Cawston is a small community in the southern Similkameen Valley. It is an unincorporated area, meaning it's not officially a town or city. In 2005, about 973 people lived there.
The community got its name from R.L. Cawston. He was a pioneer rancher and a judge who settled in the area during the 1800s. The very first store of the Hudson's Bay Company was also located nearby.
History of Cawston
Cawston is located on the traditional land of the Smelqmix (Similkameen) Nation. Specifically, it is part of the territory of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. This band is a member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance of the Syilx people.
Members of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band work hard to keep their culture alive. They are especially focused on bringing back the Nsyilxcen (Okanagan) language. The band currently has almost 500 members.
Schools in Cawston
Many young people in Cawston go to local schools. These include Cawston Primary School for younger students. Older students attend Similkameen Elementary Secondary School.
Geography of Cawston
Cawston is found along Highway 3, which is also known as the Crowsnest Highway. This highway connects Cawston to other nearby places.
- Keremeos is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the west.
- Osoyoos is about 36 kilometers (22 miles) to the east.
- Penticton is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the north.
Economy and Activities
Today, Cawston is a busy place for farming. The community has two fruit packing plants. One of these plants was built especially for organic produce. Organic farming is a fast-growing part of the area's economy.
You can find many apple and other fruit orchards all around Cawston. In recent years, growing grapes for wine has also become very important. Vineyards and wineries are now a big part of the local economy.
The natural beauty of Cawston makes it a great place for many activities. It's popular for horse ranches and small hobby farms. Nature lovers also enjoy the area.
There are many hiking trails to explore. These trails cover different types of land. You can find desert areas with cactus and sagebrush. You can also find sub-alpine meadows higher up in the mountains.
In winter, you can enjoy skiing and other snow activities nearby. There's also an 18-hole golf course at Twin Lakes. Boating and swimming are popular in the Okanagan area. Fishing is great in the Similkameen and Ashnola rivers. You can also fish in the many lakes around the area.
