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Quilchena History 
Quilchena Hotel, Circa 1908 The Guichon brothers left the grazing region of the Savoie in France and arrived in California in 1857. They immediately trekked north to Canada to pursue the Cariboo gold rush in British Columbia. When the rewards of prospecting became marginal, they pursued other interests that eventually led them to the ranching region of the Nicola Valley. Joseph, the youngest of the brothers, acquired ranch property in Quilchena and it was here that he decided to build the Quilchena Hotel exemplifying European elegance in a western setting; the hotel officially opened on July 3, 1908. 
Joseph Guichon
(courtesy of Nicola Valley Museum and Archives)
Waiting for the Stagecoach at
Quilchena, Circa 1905 These were prosperous times, a railway line was rumored, Nicola Lake was a popular tourist destination, and the hotel was an overnight stopover for stagecoaches. However, WWI, the automobile and prohibition reduced business forcing the hotel to close in 1917. In 1958 the hotel re-opened and has been receiving guests ever since.  
Hotel re-opened to the public in 1958 circa 1980's
...horseback riding circa 1960's 
..Quilchena hockey team playing on Nicola Lake early 1900's  
From Vineyards to Cattle Ranching
The History behind QuilchenaThe history of the Guichon Brothers and Descendants… Pursuing the gold rush, Laurent, Pierre and Charles Guichon all left the wine producing region of Savoie, France and arrived in California in 1857. They immediately began the trek north to the active gold fields of the Cariboo. Here they were joined by Joseph, their brother of sixteen. Quickly concluding that the rewards of the prospector were marginal, the older brothers established a supply and pack train out-fit, and catered to a growing influx of fortune seekers. Joseph, meanwhile, hired on with Cateline, the largest pack train operator, and first rancher in British Columbia. Charles returned to France to marry, and never did return, although he remained involved as a financial backer. As the population grew, the brothers anticipated demand for food and invested their profits in the purchase of cattle. Just ten years later, the brothers relocated and began ranching at Mamit Lake, where Pierre died and Laurent and Joseph brought their brides; two sisters Perrone and Josephine Rey, from the French community near Victoria. In the late 1870s the Guichon families moved to previously purchased property at Chapperon Lake, where they expanded their innovative ideas into agriculture. By enclosing their vegetable garden in a frame and covering it at night, they were able to enjoy produce well into October. The brothers were well liked and respected in the community and often played the role of diplomat settling disputes and negotiating land sales. In 1882 Joseph left Chapperon to settle at the mouth of the Nicola River, and shortly there after Laurent sold Chapperon to move to the Ladner area near Vancouver. The holding acquired by Joseph was called the Home Ranch, and became known for its quality, imported live-stock. By 1890 the Guichon Cattle company was the largest stock operation in the area with 2000 head of cattle. Joseph introduced the first Hereford to the region; it was purchased from Quebec. In 1904 he added to his holding the land which features the current Hotel and General Store, which were completed in 1908 and 1912 respectively. In 1911, the land known as the Triangle was purchased from the BC Cattle Company, adding another 10 000 acres of hay and grazing land, and seventeen hundred head of stock Ranching in the early 1900's  
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Quilchena History 
