On August 27, 2024, the Blue Stream Motel on Vernon’s Highway 97 was severely damaged by a fire, displacing residents and leading to traffic diversions. This iconic motel first opened its doors on July 19, 1965, and was once described as luxurious and versatile.
Upon its opening, the motel was noted for its distinctive incorporation of BX Creek, which flows through the property. The site offered 15 air-conditioned units, each outfitted with televisions, telephones, plush broadloom carpets, and cool, comfortable balconies. The construction of the motel involved several local businesses, including Pioneer Sash & Door, which provided the lumber, glass, and sash; A & B Durastone, which supplied the ceramics; and Parkers Readi-Mix, which provided the concrete.
The original proprietors, Helen and Stan Pesklewis, were prominent members of the local Ukrainian community. Helen was well-known for her homemade perogies, which she sold to raise funds for the St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vernon.
Later, the motel was taken over by Dorothy and Leonard Johnson, who established an ice cream parlor on the site. The Garden Parlor allowed Len and Dorothy to connect with both locals and tourists, becoming a beloved destination until its closure in 2019.
Tragically, this is not the first time a Vernon hotel has fallen victim to fire. The Okanagan Hotel Fire of August 12, 1909, claimed 11 lives; the Vernon Hotel caught fire on February 2, 1950; the Coldstream Hotel suffered damage to its upper floors from a fire on Christmas Eve in 1961; and the Allison Hotel fire on May 5, 1977, led to the owner facing charges.
Though the full extent of the damage to the Blue Stream Motel is currently unknown, we hope that this iconic piece of Vernon’s history will find a way to endure.
Archives Manager, Gwyneth Evans
