Abandoned BC: Rattlesnake Island

[@zachjohnston5948]

I truly hope one day this channel blows up because your an amazing storyteller

[@lifeofluke]

really appreciate that, Zach!

[@meeshu6156]

Same thoughts, bro.

[@JaiField]

Growing up in Kelowna, I went to that Island at least once a year. In my 20's I used to throw raves at Castle Haymour when it was in need of some additional revenue due to a slump in guest bookings; Such an interesting bit of Canadian history and I'm stoked that you went to the island to document it. Keep sharing these stories, man. They're an important and fantastic part of our heritage & history that many people are forgetting.

[@leahreitmeier1506]

I knew Eddy Haymour quite well. I grew up in one apartment building he owned in Calgary. When I got older I used to drink at his bar in Calgary called Eddies pub and go to his hair salon in North Hill Mall also in Calgary. Now I live in Kelowna and never knew about his associatiion with Rattlesnake Island!Thanks for sharing his story!

[@tombis]

After he got his settlement Eddy built castle Haymour directly across from the island in Peachland. My grandfather was his accountant back in those days

[@KellyRicketts]

The Peachlanders were upset, he was going to build that kind of structure at his theme park 3 km. away, I wonder how they felt, when Eddy built his Castle right next door? lol

[@medhat4B]

Luke, thank you for covering this story. Eddy Haymour was a man who had vision and drive. He got the support he needed then some people of power, including then premier W.A.C. Bennett sadly began a drive to destroy Eddy's dream. When bureaucrats and politicians with influence started denying him progress, it drove him around the bend because it did not make any sense. I lived in the Okanagan in the mid-80s when this was going on. It is an intriguing and sad story with lots of twists and turns.

[@lifeofluke]

Glad you liked it, David!

[@twentiethcenturyboy6328]

I’ve been fascinated with the Eddy Haymour story since it’s inception in the 1980s. I myself was on that island back in 2017 and did a photographic documentation for my own records and still enjoy looking at them to this day. Quite the eccentric fellow Mr. Haymore was and I consider him an iconic BC legend for having perseverance and focus to follow his dream which in the end was squashed by government bureaucracy and a community full of Karen’s.

[@TheWolfsnack]

Typical Bill Bennett....kill off an attraction that would have brought tourists but do nothing about the ugly Kelowna strip mall of a highway....

[@MrProccy]

how many other iconic BC legends can you think of who threatened the premier with death and took hostages in an armed standoff.

[@daisytwotoes]

My sympathy is with the residents of Peachland. I live in a high tourism area and having your home overrun by tourists is no fun.

[@jamesbruce8749]

@@daisytwotoesA community needs to have things people can do to make a living, having a hospitality and tourism industry in this area is really important to a lot of peoples lives and sustainability. The key is finding the right balance.

[@45coopaloop]

Appreciate you putting the time into these stories always fascinating and I love getting a better insight into the history of BC :)

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Jordan!

[@umeshofficial13]

Thanks luke for sharing this incredible true story.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks for watching!

[@petemichael4512]

Luke, very interesting. The guy didn't have a chance once the influential got wind of it and voiced their opposition. I'm glad he was eventually fairly compensated for having his island taken from him after every obstacle was imposed to insure failure. Where would this world be without some dreamers? I bet there are a lot of other similar stories we know nothing about.

[@solomonwoodland6362]

Excellent video brother! What a cool story!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Solomon!

[@jamesbruce8749]

Moved here to the Okanagan 3 years ago, didn't know there was any history on that Island. I will have to check that place out one day. Great work on it's back story !

[@rorymcleod181]

Nice job Luke! I love the way you framed the rectangular foundation and desert plants with the drone shot near the end! Really interesting story and nice to know that a little justice was served.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Rory!

[@cyph3r.427]

this is where i grew up in the 80s hearing of crazy old eddie haymour and ratttlesnake island, i never knew how poorly he was treated

[@lifeofluke]

Yep, it's a shame

[@FotomanCalgary]

Great story!! Thanks for posting!

[@conormilroy5152]

Love all the videos Luke and you do an awesome job with these. Especially appreciated seeing the cameo from Adio on this one lol

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Conor! Adam was the guest star and SUP guru on this one

[@CanadianBullFrog]

I lived in the Okanagan for 18 years and never knew about this until today.

[@Matt44275]

Great to see people sharing the story

[@GOIN2LIVE]

Really appreciate it :) Hope to see more videos of the Okanagan :)

[@matthealien]

I heard this story when I was out there Nice to see this video about it Crazy story

[@joshtakken]

well this video is well put together and I have lived in peachland and Kelowna area for 34 years now and I can say good job on making this video.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks!

[@scottgoodson7910]

Man I got onto your channel at the start of the week and I have been binging your videos since! My wife's already calling you "my boyfriend" haha🤦‍♂️, Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us all! You do an amazing job of including local history and to see how far you've traveled across this province to get footage is so cool! Love the drone footage, love the quality, love the music, love the style , love to see the film progression, 10 out 10 top notch! Living in Okanagan for 10 years I only learned of this history a few years ago so its great to see a documentation of the history!

[@scottculver]

My Dad bought the Peachland house from Haymour. He left all the plans, a model of the ferry to the island and lots of other stuff in the garage... Not too sure where it all went. Every Window in the house looked directly at the island. It was on Ponderosa, first turn up the hill.

[@blueman5924]

Haymour Castle. 👍

[@scottculver]

@@blueman5924 The second Peachland house. Not where I lived. Built the castle withe the $200 000 I believe.

[@chrisluehmann3094]

Wow man what a story. Awesome video as usual!!

[@Gigglfritzz]

what an awesome story!! thx for taking us along!

[@austinfurgason3634]

I canoed there with my wife for a date it was so fun. We saw I coyote jump of the ridge and found egg shells on the island. We ended up camping not to far off on the shore. That mountain behind it is a provincial park with lakes and campgrounds only accessible to hikers.

[@acbjitsu2365]

Think back 2 weeks ago. I saw you riding your bike with friends near Chilliwack Fraser Valley. I shouted out my car window "you're that guy on KZbin!" It was cool seeing you after watching many of your videos!! Keep going! 😊👍

[@lifeofluke]

I was in Chilliwack one week ago, but two weeks ago, no, and I wasn't riding a bike so it definitely wasn't me. But thanks!

[@777poco]

he was lucky he won the lawsuit, I thought the story would end with him dying in poverty

[@meeshu6156]

Yeah, it was a bit harsh.

[@frankyensan]

Dude, I absolutely love these videos you do. Keep doing what you’re doing!!!! Godspeed

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Frank!

[@JBonks]

So freakin' interesting. Another banger of a video, thanks for the education dude!

[@mackie_p]

That's so awesome! Great video!!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Mackie!

[@mikeyA231]

I love your drone cinematography!

[@Jayjay-sz4tq]

Terrible sad world just remember people there’s always gonna be people hating you for anything and everything but you gotta keep going…

[@lifeofluke]

yep, stay positive and keep moving forward

[@XXXXHHHHHTTTTTHHHHHH]

There is nothing left for kids in Kelowna. There used to be old McDonalds farm, wild and wet, and the flintstones park (fourty foot Fred).

[@scottmcg666]

Very cool, I’ve always wanted to go there. In the 1980’s there was a big white pyramid on the island you could see from across the lake. Not sure when it was removed or fell down, but I’m guessing that’s now the square brick foundation in your video.

[@lifeofluke]

Yeah, I assume that's correct, the square foundation must have been where the pyramid was. Must have been cool to see it back then!

[@WhereKentWent]

First! I was just barely looking at your channel and this popped up. Good stuff

[@jamesthompson327]

What a crazy story, thanks for sharing

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks James!

[@Rainnchaser]

Well done. Love the content.

[@lifeofluke]

thanks!

[@joellikesmusic1481]

Great story!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Joel!

[@SheriffofYouTube]

Luke this video is fun ... nice trip thank you

[@adamlocke2356]

Drone shots are spot on. I see what cha saying about lots of narrative, but you have a good voice for it. Interviews with peeps would be key, but that's easier said than done. I like how you shared info on the topic with a neutral point of view. "They put me in the crazy house" ( I like that snippet lol)

[@sunowl5301]

Whoa, I’m amazed never to have heard of this. It was a little before my time, but I would think it would be more widely known. You never know, it could’ve been a hit. This style of attraction is kind of a popular thing in this area. From the Enchanted Forest, Smoky Bear Campground, Miniatureland. There used to be a Flintstone (themed) Park for kids in Kelowna. Now they have the new pie place/ goats/ dinosaurs/ ice cream - Log Barn(?) In Enderby. I can see it being part of the Okanagan experience for families. I can also see how people would be worked up about it though. Especially in Peachland and especially in the seventies. The Okanagan was a lot quieter and more quaint and peaceful. Now it’s really highly developed and crowded and chaotic. Super interesting! Thank you so much for sharing ✌🏼💖

[@k1m6a11]

I remember hearing bits of this growing up in the OK, what a wild story!

[@BackCountryWrenching]

stories like this is why I don't trust the Gov

[@Oilatumify]

Always been worries about what was over there, super dope

[@djflow94]

Interesting story, well told.

[@gregmoorhouse9610]

This is really cool man! Lived in the Okanagan for most of my life and have never been out there

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Greg, I suggest visiting it if you can!

[@williambrookfield5028]

I was there. I performed regular on my guitar in the big tent on the island summer of 1972..

[@lifeofluke]

That's awesome

[@williambrookfield5028]

Oh and my father Gordon Brookfield spoke on the Fifth estate show (on Eddies island) right after Desmond Loan (my English teacher in high school) spoke. Eddies island was my first regular performance gig. I have since been a musician all of my life. I have Christmas concert touring coming up in Saskatchewan and Alberta.. the Louisiana Hayride Christmas Show.

[@nanchesca3950]

Wow what a story!

[@caldepen372]

Interesting story, and of note, I think the theme park would have been in keeping with other kitsch attractions in the area. Locoland is tacky as hell, but my kid certainly loved it and we had a blast there this past Summer.

[@Crittermoto]

What an interesting bit of history.

[@piotrludorowski9529]

Nice island, nice video, thanks man,

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Piotr

[@ThisTall]

I love how these small towns actually had the ability to influence the government. But they never stopped to realize how all their kids grew up with no recreation and turned into street loitering, nihilistic ingrates with no skills or ambition.

[@ThisTall]

@@graedonfreeman8638 easy, you think this is a video only about rattlesnake island, and have extremely low reading comprehension... lmao. “On about” lol you probably felt so sure of that one.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

@@graedonfreeman8638 There is clearly more to the story than just an island. Did you not watch the video? Watch it again and this time pay attention.

[@WhereKentWent]

Hey Luke, how do you find your music?

[@happyhermit2022]

Really interesting thank you 👍

[@melaniemarie1410]

I grew up hearing stories about this guy...and his house in Peachland etc!

[@OceanChannelProductions]

can i use the arial footage

[@lifeofluke]

No, sorry

[@OceanChannelProductions]

@@lifeofluke oh ok

[@raphlvlogs271]

was the lake formed by glaciers?

[@lifeofluke]

yes

[@599miata]

Nice video Luke.

[@egillskallagrimson5879]

No strange winds suddenly caught you when trying to landing in the island?

[@lifeofluke]

Nope, it was strangely quiet and calm

[@es1263]

That is BULL SHIT what happened to this poor guy! I am from BC.

[@stacymirba1433]

Probably a lesson to be learned about government here. Probably not one going to be learned by the people who learn it.

[@C-TOS]

Wow, he got really lucky at the end. That was wild!

[@KellyRicketts]

I think I may have been Eddy Haymours first employee back in 1070. I was 14, it was in late June. I was driving a 1956 Ford pickup, lol. hauling lumber and running Errands for him for the Theme Park, There was nothing really even started on the Island at that time. I was at his home a couple of times, Had a very crazy cool Living room, If I remember correctly, it was a round sunken floor in the middle, but the center had a Hydraulic lift and you could raise it up, at least that is what Eddy told me. He was sure dumped on by Peachland residents and the Social Credit Government of WAC Bennet! kind of a sad story, how things turned out for him.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks for the story Kelly, it's interesting to hear from someone who met and worked for Eddy!

[@bradbates2339]

Good to hear he was at least compensated in the end. Shame on the shenanigans played out by those "in authority."

[@777poco]

WC Bennett was a notorious party pooper

[@4jsangels11]

I'm pretty sure that your channel will be famous soon and successful,...

[@randythorold7352]

Thank you

[@anthonyjensen3483]

You are very lucky to have the lake that calm , it can get mean really quickly and people need to be very cautious on it

[@Free_Krazy]

You guys missed a golden opportunity not bringing some golf clubs!

[@lifeofluke]

Ya we talked about how we should have brought some putters and golf balls

[@carolrogers6075]

Thankfully, Seymour was finally properly compensated for the value of the island. It is sad that he needed to go to such lengths to receive fair compensation.

[@frankmartens6028]

I’m not too unhappy about what happened to the dreams of building something that wouldn’t have been much different than all the people living along the lake who have built monster ugly homes with each one having their protruding wharfs. Leaving this small island in its natural state is justifiable, in my opinion. You don’t see this in many places in Europe where private structures on lake shores, including homes are far and few between. Only in Canada and the States.

[@caylecronquist]

Always wondered what was over there, super dope

[@LifeIsAdventureChannel]

such a wild story. I've been trying to track down a copy of "Eddy’s Kingdom" for a while now - a new documentary the whole ordeal.

[@lifeofluke]

Ya, I actually didn't know there was a full length doc about this out there until I did a little searching for this video. I don't know where you can see it

[@captnsquid8151]

Bill Bennett and his government were something else. Then what about Bill Vander Zalm taking land off the Ag protection, in Richmond and his wife being the owner. Fantasy Gardens. The Zalm ended up later in court with conflict of interest charges. He lost the case if memory serves me right. This may have been good for the tourism and jobs for the Okanagan and Peach Land as the area is often stifled. I am glad Mr Haymore got something back.

[@brainthesizeofplanet]

Sad story....

[@gursimrathayer9943]

Loved it❤❤❤❤

[@carloslzrn]

such an interesting story

[@deephouse733]

Are you in Kelowna? Check out the breweries

[@scrumtios0]

I 1000000% agree with killdozer guy. Government makes reasonable men do unreasonable things. Get out the system if anything’s good for you

[@colegaerber3894]

The snake you found is a baby Western Terrestrial Garter Snake, a harmless species that mostly eats insects and small fish.

[@GotMountains]

It's the Kelowna NIMBYism alive and well today.

[@jodlen49]

Obviously the government was motivated by wealthy locals. I have lived here in the okanagan since the late 70s and I can say that most had wanted him to succeed.

[@meeshu6156]

I mean I'm glad that they left the island to its natural stance but its still so harsh. The man had the right away, not the government.

[@ramonzzzz]

It should never have been sold to Haymour in the first place. It should have been part of Okanagan Mountain Park. A piece of land like that should never be under private ownership.

[@misssassycompany9950]

Where is this place at?

[@blueman5924]

Okanagan Lake, south of Kelowna, BC

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Across the lake from Peachland

[@blueman5924]

wow, you are lucky the wind didn’t kick up. You could have ended up in Penticton with that inflatable. ✌️😎

[@lifeofluke]

haha, yep

[@madx3937]

like it ...thanks for sharing ;-)

[@PurpleCrow27]

Government. Yup.

[@thealonestargazer]

F the gov, what a story, tragic really, should have just let him have it. Look at all the nature, easily could let one man have his dream out there.

[@mikeprante3118]

I once slept over on the island. Probably 1978 . The pyramid was still there .

[@lifeofluke]

Ah damn that would have been cool!

[@mikeprante3118]

@@lifeoflukeit was to cool

[@mikeprante3118]

@@lifeofluke we started on the ground in the pyramid then ended up sleeping in the boat . We were just kids .

[@greg1244]

The province did not like this mans vibes

[@lifeofluke]

that's an understatement

[@bernieshotit]

they just wanted to have some fun smh

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Yup, friggen NIMBYers eh.

[@turdferguson74]

Why wouldnt u just build the theme park in lebanon

[@skippayless4357]

This guy threatened the Pm with a letter bomb, AND held THIRTY Canadian HOSTAGES in Lebanon!? And he’s still living in Edmonton? 😂 WHAT!? 😭

[@aidanw9378]

Lived in the Okanagan for 15 years, and I never knew this. So glad they didnt let him go ahead with this.

[@superdupermax]

.... it sounds like he was in his rights to buy a bulldozer and learn to weld.

[@cripknuckles9112]

Cool cool cool

[@Deathminor]

Hey I live here nice

[@Inannawhimsey]

i have never heard of this b4. the area has changed so much; the area used to be pervasive poverty and look at it now umm...i have a faint memory of somewhere along the old highway on the way to Vernon from the S. there used 2 b a kind of playland on the cliffside? there is a family story of our siamese getting loose and all of us had to search through the rides and mirror mazes to catch her :3

[@jasonarseneault4408]

Nice bc basically shoved it up his but so they could buy it for nothing and They drove the guy crazy ! Glad he got his money back.

[@FogartyAvenue]

Tree-mendos