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Jim Gleed and Teddy Hare

Teddy Hare (right) and Jim Gleed (left) looking over development plans

Have you ever wondered where many of the old tools at Lake Country Museum came from? They were derived largely from a prominent builder in the area, Edward (Teddy) Hare. Teddy built many of the first homes in the area. Jim Gleed, a stone mason, partnered with Hare to do the work. Some of the historic houses of the area built by Teddy Hare include: the Gibson house (Kopje Park, Carr’s Landing), the Carter house, the Grey house, the Sundial house, the Hare home, and the Grant house. Brick fireplaces and stone property walls were crafted by Jim Gleed. Hare Road was established in 1907, and was named in honour of the Hare family.

Teddy Hare was born in Somerset England and moved to Vernon, in the Okanagan, around 1907. Teddy later relocated up north to Fort Fraser. There, he was involved in bridge building for the Grand Trunk Pacific for roughly 8 years before returning to the Okanagan in 1916.  He enlisted with the First Army Troop Company during World War I. He served for the remainder of war and returned to purchase an orchard in Okanagan Centre in 1921 where he continued to build homes and structures. Teddy’s two sisters lived with him at the ranch until 1928, the year he married his wife, Susan. They met at the Okanagan Valley Land Company offices.

In 1937 Teddy and Susan moved to Kelowna for the summer. Teddy was supervisor of the architects for the Kelowna Post Office. After that he was in charge of similar projects, including the building of City Hall, an addition to the Kelowna General Hospital, and building the Kelowna High School. It was not until 1953 that, for health reasons, Teddy retired and sold his orchard. Teddy Hare passed away in 1963; his wife followed 18 years later. For further fascinating history, visit Lake Country Museum!

Article and photograph of the Gibson House by Jacob Semenuik

The Gibson House

The Gibson House, with stone property wall in front: built by Teddy Hare and Jim Gleed.