The BX Ranch House, near the BX Ranch dog park, holds a rich and evolving history. Established in the mid-1860s by Francis Barnard, the ranch initially served as a site for breeding horses used in his express service, which transported mail and passengers between Yale and the Cariboo. Barnard built the original house on the property in 1901. Following his death, Alexander MacDonnell, his stagecoach driver, acquired the house.
Tragically, on New Year’s Day in 1912, the house was destroyed by a fire, attributed to a frozen fire hydrant. Sadly, Alexander’s wife lost her life in the blaze. The Vernon News later described how a new structure “rose like a phoenix from the ashes” later that year, a house that still stands today.
The property changed hands multiple times until absentee owners in Germany acquired it in 1958. Sometime around the 1980s, the house gained the attention of Ron Morgan, a community-focused Vernon resident who served as Deputy Sheriff, City Councillor, and trustee for School District 22. Morgan advocated leasing the house from its overseas owners to provide housing for unwed mothers and children in need. Although initially denied, Morgan eventually secured the property for $400 a month.
During the 1970s and 80s, a reform movement aimed to transform maternity homes across Canada, the United States, and beyond. While this reform movement sought to provide long-term housing and support for expectant mothers, maternity homes still bore the painful legacy of the past—places that, especially post-World War II, had often symbolized shame and control.
Despite these reform efforts, the maternity home movement ultimately faded, likely due to the enduring stigma. Perhaps recognizing these challenges, Morgan instead chose to use the house for another cause: the “Haven of Hope” Ranch, a refuge for disenfranchised teenage boys. Incidentally, in 1980, Morgan had also founded Vernon’s Upper Room Mission.
By the 1990s, the house found new purpose once again, becoming a residence for adults with diverse learning abilities. Today, the BX Ranch House endures as a testament to resilience and community support, having served the evolving needs of Vernon’s residents across generations.