Community Profile

Armstrong, considered the “Heart of Country”, is located in the heart of Spallumcheen Valley, between the sunny Okanagan and the bright Shuswap Valleys. Numerous mountains, valleys, streams and lakes surround this picturesque little town. The diverse landscape makes it one of the most beautiful agricultural areas in British Columbia.

The City Of Armstrong is a friendly community with a beautiful trails network, bustling downtown core and peaceful family-friendly atmosphere. We welcome all those who wish to visit, live, or invest in this peaceful little city. The residents of this community are unique in their neighbourly eagerness to meet new people and lend a hand.

The Coat of Arms & Flag

Arms (Shield)

The sun of the shield represents a sun in splendor and the cornucopia represents cheeses and celery stalks issuing from its mouth. Armstrong has long been known for its famous Armstrong Cheese, which used to be produced in the City. As well, in its early days Armstrong boasted large fields of celery. The railway tracks represent tracks that have run through the center of the City since its incorporation.

Crest (above the shield)

A helmet mantled with a frieze of maple leaves alternating with dogwood flowers. The maple leaves represent Canada and the dogwood flowers represent the provincial flower. The Lacrosse sticks represent the game that has long been a part of Armstrong’s history. The ring necked pheasant is representative of a bird that has made Armstrong its home.

Flag

In the classic manner of heraldry, the flag is composed of a banner divided in the same fashion as the shield, with a sun in the top left corner, the railroad tracks running across the middle and a cornucopia in the bottom right corner.

Rathfriland Sister City

In 2015, the City of Armstrong established a Sister City Agreement with Rathfriland, an agricultural community within County Down in Northern Ireland, and the 1835 birthplace of Catherine (O’Hare) Schubert. 

O’Hare sailed to the United States when she was 16-years-old and within a few years married a German carpenter, Augustus Schubert. The Schubert’s contributed locally as Round Prairie Road farming pioneers. Catherine, historically known as Lady Overlander, was the first European woman to enter British Columbia by trekking overland across the Canadian prairies and over the Rockies – doing so with her children ages five, three and one. More amazingly, she began the trek carrying her fourth child, concealing her second-trimester of pregnancy. With the trip taking longer than anticipated, Catherine went into labour while on a raft on the Thompson River.

Her baby girl Rose, became the first girl of European heritage born in British Columbia. Rose Swanson Mountain, one of the local hiking mountains, is named in her honour.