Located
south of Sicamous, Mara Lake joins the Shuswap Lakes system at
Sicamous via the Sicamous channel.
Named
after John Andrew Mara , one of the Overlanders of 1862. The Overlanders
were a group of more than 150 who set out from Ontario and Quebec
to find their fortunes in the Cariboo goldrush. Travelling first
to St. Paul Minnesota, they journeyed to Fort Garry, and began
their trek to the Rockies. At Tete Jaune Cache they divided, one
group heading west by raft and canoe down the Fraser River, and
others turning south to raft down the North Thompson to Fort Kamloops.
In the mountains the Overlanders suffered much hardship and hunger,
and many died while navigating the mighty Thompson and Fraser.
Of
the Overlanders who found prosperity and a career in British Columbia,
John Andrew Mara was the most successful. He became not only a
merchant at Kamloops and Seymour City, but a mill and steamship
owner. He was a promoter of the Kootenay Steam Navigation Company,
and the Shuswap and Okanagan Railway. He eventually married a
daughter of the successful owner of Barnard's Express which ran
the stagecoach service between Cache Creek and Kamloops. During
1871-86 he was a member of the Legislative Assembly, and between
1887-96 was a Member of Parliament.
Before
the arrival of the settlers, Mara Lake was home to members of
the Shuswap First Nations People. Ntive Pictographs can be still
be seen along Mara Lake.
Today
Mara Lake is famous for its white sandy beaches at Mara Provincial
Park. Many cabins and campgrounds are found along its shores and
have been enjoyed by vacationers for decades. Houseboating, waterskiing,
and swimming are many of the favorite vacation activities on Mara
Lake.
