The Mystery of the Spanish Mound

Evidence for Early Contact

Mar 11, 2009 James Hamilton

Among the First Nations peoples of south-central British Columbia, there is a legend of buried Conquistador artifacts at a location referred to as the Spanish Mound.

Among the First Nations peoples of south-central British Columbia, there is a legend of buried Conquistador artifacts at a location referred to as the Spanish Mound. The story draws from oral history and is supported by Pictographic representations and some unusual finds. Much of the details of this mystery can be found in an article written by Jim Christy called “Pictographic Mystery” which was published in the March 1987 edition of Western Living. Copies of this article are available in the Public Library in Keremeos, B.C.

Christy's Sources

The article is a well researched work that draws from oral and written sources. It also attempts to correlate pictorial and artifacts to support his theory. Christy bases his position on the following:

  • Oral history of the First Nations peoples living in the vicinity of Keremeos, B.C.
  • Historical account of the search for the North West Passage and specifically the Strait of Anian which he believes to have been the mouth of the Columbia River.
  • The story of Michael Lok’s meeting with Juan de Fuca.
  • Historical information collected by N.L. Barlee of Westbank (B.C.)
  • Evidence of an early settlement north-east of Kelowna
  • Pictographic painting found near Hedly, B.C.

Historical Timeline

If this theory is correct, the history of the arrival of Europeans in British Columbia should be rewritten.

The current time line is:

  • 1570 Approximate location of the “Columbia River” indicated by Flemish geographer Abraham Ortelius
  • 1576-1632 The British sent approximately 20 expeditions to look for this river. Most of these ended in disaster in at either the mouth of the Columbia river or the Strait of Juan de Fuca
  • 1577 Sir Francis Drake is sent to the coast of Oregon to find an inland passage to Hudson Bay
  • 1580’s The Spanish sailed from Mexico up the West Coast.
  • 1592 Spanish are believed to have reach a strait between the 47th and 48th parallel.
  • 1811 Fur trader David Thompson arrives in B.C.

Spanish in the Okanagan

The legend of the Spanish Mound would indicate that the Spanish not only reached the mouth of the Columbia River but also ventured inland to what is now the Okanagan Valley. Oral history would place this incursion at approximately 1700.

Spanish Conquistadors are thought to have reached reached the valley of the Similkameen river and possibly also ventured as far north as the site of present day Kelowna. Antagonism developed between the Spanish and the local natives. This resulted in conflict and in one instance a group of Conquistadors were attacked at night and killed. Their bodies and possessions are thought to have been buried in a mound near Keremeos.

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence used by Christy to support his theory of an Early Spanish presence includes:

  • Pictographic representation of men on Horses with dogs yoking First Nations men (between Hedly and Keremeos).
  • The discovery of burried Copper Armor used by Natives in Keremeos area.
  • The physical appearance of Similkameen peoples.
  • The discovery of ancient steel weapons and turquiose (possibly Mexican).

Cathedral Lakes Lodge

The author spent two summers in this region, during which time he heard of the theory of the Spanish Mound from several locals. At Cathedral Lakes Lodge, he was told that a Conquistador helmet was found in the Ashinola river. Another source suggested that one of his native friends knew where the mound was. If there is a mound, then it has been well hidden for more than 300 years.

It is not uncommon for graves to be unearthed by highway and building construction and this may be a way that the truth will be discovered. It is also possible that such a mound would be hidden (for fear of retribution) and may be several kms from Keremeos.

The town of Hedly is known in B.C. for its spectacular gold mines. It would not be surprising to find that the Spanish, with their “nose for gold”, ventured into this region in search of this precious metal. The find of “Mexican” turquoise would suggest that Conquistadors did possess wealth and may have had other valuables taken from the Aztec and Incan peoples to the south.

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The copyright of the article The Mystery of the Spanish Mound in Canadian History is owned by James Hamilton. Permission to republish The Mystery of the Spanish Mound in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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