1

Richter's Inglewood Ranch, later the Tweddle home
Post 1912
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

2

There are many names that are familiar in the history of Keremeos - Barcelo, Bromley, Armstrong, Tweddle, Innis, Cawston, McCurdy, Daly, Terbasket, Clark, Gibson, Manery - and some are still represented; the most recognized name is that of Richter.
As well as being the first permanent settlers near Keremeos, F.X. Richter and his family were well respected for the important role they took in the development of the community. Richter explored many different avenues in his career in the valley - packer and fur trader for the Hudson's Bay Company, cattle rancher, a merchant of dry goods, grocery and hardware, justice of the peace, orchardist and farmer.

3

Francis Xavier Richter, early pioneer
1890-1910
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

4

Francis Xavier Richter immigrated to the United States from Friedland, Bohemia in 1853, when he was sixteen years old. There he had many adventures as he mined for silver and gold, and scouted during the American Civil War. After some years, he wished to settle down, and, learning of the Similkameen, he and a partner, King, came to Canada in 1864. Driving 42 head of cattle - paying a customs duty of two dollars per head at the border - they came over the pass later named in Richter's honour. While he worked for the H.B.C. for that first year, Richter soon branched out into other business. The pre-emption of 320 acres began the ranch that would expand into three ranches covering 10,000 acres.

5

Richter's cattle on the bench near Keremeos
1907
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Crédits:
Keremeos Museum

6

F.X. Richter's sons from his first marriage
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Crédits:
From the Richter collection

7

His five sons with his native wife, Lucy - Karl (Charlie), William, Joseph, Edward and John (Hans) - were born at the cabins he built on this homestead. Hans in particular was known for his skill with horses, and ran a string of stock for rodeos. All the boys were excellent hunters, horsemen, and ranchers, each taking over the responsibility of part of their father's extensive holdings.

8

Hans Richter at 21 years of age
1898
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Crédits:
From the Richter collection

9

Hans Richter
1910

10

Richter sold his "R" Ranch to R.L. Cawston in 1884, and moved to the Lower Ranch at the Pass near Osoyoos, which is now Elkink Ranch. There he stayed until he bought "Boundary Ranch" in 1895 and, three years later, built the Inglewood mansion where he lived with his second wife.

11

Inglewood Ranch house, built by F.X. Richter
1921
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

12

His second wife was Florence Elizabeth Loudon, of Loomis, Washington; they married in 1894 and had five daughters and one son - Betty (or Bessie), Freda, Frances, Helen, Kay and Frank Junior. Incidentally, Elizabeth was the same age as her youngest stepson, Hans; another stepson, Charlie, married her sister, Eda Loudon.

13

Elizabeth Loudon Richter, second wife of F.X. Richter
1890-1910
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

14

The Richter girls and friend all on a horse
Circa 1906
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada