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$1000.00 Debenture Issued by Burnaby 1893 June 01
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription56082
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1893
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- Item is a framed 1893 $1000.00 debenture issued on June 1, 1893 pursuant to the Burnaby Loan Bylaw, 1893. Twenty-five of these debentures were issued on June 1 and they bore an interest rate of 6 percent and matured in 1943, 50 years after the date of issue. The purpose for this issue was to pay …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1893
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 39509
- Accession Number
- 2001-01
- Scope and Content
- Item is a framed 1893 $1000.00 debenture issued on June 1, 1893 pursuant to the Burnaby Loan Bylaw, 1893. Twenty-five of these debentures were issued on June 1 and they bore an interest rate of 6 percent and matured in 1943, 50 years after the date of issue. The purpose for this issue was to pay for the construction of roads in Burnaby.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
![Burnaby Businessmen, [1890] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-921.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby Businessmen
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66166
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1890]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 10.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a portrait of early Burnaby residents and businessmen, identified as: Standing (l to r) - Louis Claude Hill, Nicolai Schou, Bernard Hill. Seated (l to r) - Unknown, Mr. Sharpe, Elliot Bell and unidentified man seated in the front.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1890]
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 10.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-921
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a portrait of early Burnaby residents and businessmen, identified as: Standing (l to r) - Louis Claude Hill, Nicolai Schou, Bernard Hill. Seated (l to r) - Unknown, Mr. Sharpe, Elliot Bell and unidentified man seated in the front.
- Subjects
- Persons - Chinese Canadians
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Thompson, S.J.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's signature on recto
- Photographer's stamp on verso reads: "S. J. Thompson / Artistic Photographer"
Images
![Burnaby Businessmen, [1890] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/477/477-921.jpg)
Burnaby Council
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34065
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 9 x 11.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby's first Council members on the steps of Sample's Boarding House, 6850 Beresford Street, near Griffiths Avenue and Kingsway. Left to right: L.C. Hill, William Brenchley, Alex Philip (clerk), Charles R. Shaw (Reeve), William McDermott, John Woolard, and Arthur de Windt Haszard.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 9 x 11.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 008-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Burnaby's first Council members on the steps of Sample's Boarding House, 6850 Beresford Street, near Griffiths Avenue and Kingsway. Left to right: L.C. Hill, William Brenchley, Alex Philip (clerk), Charles R. Shaw (Reeve), William McDermott, John Woolard, and Arthur de Windt Haszard.
- Names
- Brenchley, William
- Haszard, Arthur de Windt
- Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"
- McDermott, William
- Philip, Alex
- Shaw, Charles R. "Chas"
- Woolard, John
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Beresford Street
- Street Address
- 6850 Beresford Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
Images
Burnaby School House contract
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57958
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1893 (date of original), copied 1988
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 p. (photocopied)
- Scope and Content
- Item is the (photocopied pages of the) original Public Works contract between W.S. Gore Deputy Commissioner of Lands and Works and John M. Archibald, Contractor for the construction of Burnaby School House.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1893 (date of original), copied 1988
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Ephemera subseries
- Physical Description
- 2 p. (photocopied)
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- MSS034-001
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-02
- Scope and Content
- Item is the (photocopied pages of the) original Public Works contract between W.S. Gore Deputy Commissioner of Lands and Works and John M. Archibald, Contractor for the construction of Burnaby School House.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Loading Strawberries, BCERy, Douglas Road, Burnaby BC
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66211
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1894
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm on cardboard 22 x 27.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of farmers loading their crates onto a railway car. Identified (left to right), Bernard R. Hill, Louis Claude Hill, Charles Frederick Sprott, George E. Clayton, and Louis "Edgar" Sprott, who are loading up their strawberries on a street car. The farmers are lined up in a row,…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1894
- Collection/Fonds
- Peers Family and Hill Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm on cardboard 22 x 27.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 477-938
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a group of farmers loading their crates onto a railway car. Identified (left to right), Bernard R. Hill, Louis Claude Hill, Charles Frederick Sprott, George E. Clayton, and Louis "Edgar" Sprott, who are loading up their strawberries on a street car. The farmers are lined up in a row, each sitting in their own horse and cart as they bring their strawberries to the station.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Fruit and Berries
- Transportation - Electric Railroads
- Transportation - Horses
- Transportation - Carts
- Occupations - Farmers
- Transportation - Wagons
- Officials - Mayors and Reeves
- Names
- British Columbia Electric Railway Company
- Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"
- Hill, Bernard R.
- Every-Clayton, George
- Sprott, Louis "Edgar"
- Sprott, Charles Frederick
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption on recto of photograph reads: "Loading Strawberries, B.C.E.Ry., Douglas Rd., Burnaby, B.C."
- Geographic Access
- Douglas Road
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
![West Burnaby School, [1898] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/297-001.jpg?width=280)
West Burnaby School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36571
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1898]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm, mounted on board 21.5 x 25 cm + 1p. accompanying
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of West Burnaby School students standing outside in front of their school in two long rows, with their teacher and school staff members standing on the right. Daisy Birchell is the smallest in the group, standing in the front row, eighth from the left, and her cousin is standing beside h…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1898]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm, mounted on board 21.5 x 25 cm + 1p. accompanying
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 297-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1992-37
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of West Burnaby School students standing outside in front of their school in two long rows, with their teacher and school staff members standing on the right. Daisy Birchell is the smallest in the group, standing in the front row, eighth from the left, and her cousin is standing beside her, ninth from the left. The school was later renamed Kingsway West School and remained in operations until 1952.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Schools
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in accompanying material states that the photograph is the property of Charles Burchell's family, and "children as pupils" were; William, Frederick, Lily, and Daisy Burchell.
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 4800 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![West Burnaby School, [1898] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/251/297-001.jpg)
West Burnaby School class
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36019
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1898
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24 cm, mounted on board 25 x 30 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the West Burnaby School class, including teachers, lined up in rows on the porch steps, with the first row seated on the ground with their feet crossed in front of them. Individuals that have been identified, in pencil, directly on the photograph include; Teacher Lili Lawson (far left…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1898
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Patterson family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 19.5 x 24 cm, mounted on board 25 x 30 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 213-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-13
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the West Burnaby School class, including teachers, lined up in rows on the porch steps, with the first row seated on the ground with their feet crossed in front of them. Individuals that have been identified, in pencil, directly on the photograph include; Teacher Lili Lawson (far left), Lily Main (two over from Lawson), Ethel Smith (far left in the back row), and Headmaster Samuel Shepard (far right in the back row). Members of the Patterson family are also in this photograph; William (Bill) is sitting in the front row, third from the left, Bruce is sitting two to the right of Bill, with Alice two rows directly behind Bruce (her hair is shorter than the other girls and she is wearing a dark shirt), with their older sister Mary standing two rows directly behind Alice. The school was later renamed Kingsway West School and remained in operations until 1952.
- Subjects
- Occupations - Teachers
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer identified as "Thompson"
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 4800 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
West Burnaby School class outside
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37334
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1898
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 20.5 x 25.3 cm on 30.5 x 37.5 cm mat
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the West Burnaby School class, including teachers, on the dirt field next to the school. Eight of the individuals have been identified; sitting in the second row, second from the left is (8) Alice Patterson, standing in the center of the third row is (4) William (Bill) Pattterson, and…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1898
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Millway family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 20.5 x 25.3 cm on 30.5 x 37.5 cm mat
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 353-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1997-12
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the West Burnaby School class, including teachers, on the dirt field next to the school. Eight of the individuals have been identified; sitting in the second row, second from the left is (8) Alice Patterson, standing in the center of the third row is (4) William (Bill) Pattterson, and in the back row on the far left is (7) Mary Patterson, beside her, (6) Lily Main, three from Lily is (5)Ethel Smith, and third from the right in the same row is (3) Bruce Patterson. The school headmaster (1) Samuel Shepard is standing on the far right and standing next to him is their teacher, (2) Lily Smith. The school was later renamed Kingsway West School and remained in operations until 1952.
- Subjects
- Occupations - Teachers
- Names
- Kingsway West School
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer identified as "Thompson"
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 4800 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory599
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1860-1995
- Length
- 0:15:57
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the m…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the mountain for recreation prior to 1965. He also talks about the dispute between SFU and the City of Burnaby over land ownership and control.
- Date Range
- 1860-1995
- Length
- 0:15:57
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- October 29, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 1:43:22
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony S.
- Interview Location
- Tony Fabian's home in Burnaby
- Interviewer Bio
- Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Tony Fabian
Track four of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-007/MSS196-007_Track_4.mp3Pioneer Days interviews September 22, 1971 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory266
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1891-1955
- Length
- 0:05:35
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Lillian May (Davies) Jones's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her family home as well as the home of Reeve Shaw. Lillian is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Lillian May (Davies) Jones's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her family home as well as the home of Reeve Shaw. Lillian is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum).
- Date Range
- 1891-1955
- Length
- 0:05:35
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Second Street Area
- Interview Date
- September 22, 1971
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of interviews with Lillian May (Davies) Jones, Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves, Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter, and Elsie Wilson during the Pioneer Days celebration at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) on September 22, 1971. Major themes discussed are: personal memories and occupations of interviewees family members.
- Biographical Notes
- Lillian May Davies was born June 28, 1891 to George and Rachel (Mills) Davies. She was one of four children. George Davies married Rachel Mills September 12, 1888 in Winnipeg and headed west to make their home. George’s brother Richard Davies had already bought property at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Avenue (now 12th Avenue) when Rachel and George moved in and built a house next door. George Davies went to work for Gilley Bros. Logging Co. in Burnaby. Lillian May Davies married John Henry Jones on July 29, 1909 at the Methodist Church in Burnaby which had opened only a few weeks before (the Joneses were the first couple to be married there). Their reception was held in the Davies’ family garden. On June 3, 1910, Lillian and John’s first child, Arnold Jones was born. In 1919 they adopted their second child, John Sheldon Jones whose birth parents had died of influenza. John and Lillian built a home on the lot next to Lillian’s parents and lived there for forty-eight years. After her husband’s death in 1956, Lillian moved one lot over and remained living there for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine. Ada Evelyn Lewis was born on September 11, 1899. She was one of nine Lewis children. Ada's father came to Victoria BC from San Francisco. He met his wife in Victoria and moved to New Westminster where he was a typesetter on the first edition of the Columbian newspaper. He continued to work for the Columbian until his retirement. Her family owned the East Burnaby Fruit Farm at 17th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Street where they harvested apples, plums and pears. Ada attended East Burnaby School in 1905 and remembers being a pupil of Miss Draper. Ada E. Lewis married and became Mrs. Ada Evelyn Groves. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis was born in 1896 to William Henry and Emma (Smith) Lewis at the family farm at 4th Street and 18th Avenue. The family grew to nine, eldest to youngest; Albert, Lizzie, Minnie, Walter, Ernest, Lillie and Evelyn. Lillie’s mother, Emma (Smith) had the distinction of being the first girl of European descent to be born at Fort Victoria. Lillie’s father, William Henry Lewis helped to print the very first edition of the Vancouver Province in 1898. Lillie attended Douglas Road School and remembers being a pupil of Ellen Lister. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis married Bertie Blaine Porter at Lulu Island on November 7, 1918. They lived in Vancouver for a short time before returning to Burnaby to raise their four children. For most of his working life Bert operated a steam roller for the municipality. Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter died May 18, 1988 at the age of ninety-two. Elsie Wilson was born August 16, 1898 to Annie and her second husband William Wilson. Annie’s first husband Samuel W Walmsley died December 20, 1895 at the age of thirty-five, leaving Annie a widow at twenty-seven with two young children Annie age four and Samuel age six. Annie Walmsley married her second husband William Wilson on April 17, 1897. Elsie attended West Burnaby public school (later Kingsway West elementary) and remembers picking raspberries at various Burnaby farms for seven seasons.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:24:19
- Interviewee Name
- Jones, Lillian May Davies
- Wilson, Elsie
- Porter, Lillie Lewis
- Groves, Ada Evelyn Lewis
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
Track one of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-020/MSS137-020_Track_1.mp3Pioneer Days interviews September 22, 1971 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory267
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1899-1905
- Length
- 0:06:43
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby. She mentions the East Burnaby Fruit Farm (her family's farm) and the George Leaf General Store. She also talks about her brothers and her father, the first typesetter for t…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby. She mentions the East Burnaby Fruit Farm (her family's farm) and the George Leaf General Store. She also talks about her brothers and her father, the first typesetter for the Columbian newspaper. Ada is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum).
- Date Range
- 1899-1905
- Length
- 0:06:43
- Geographic Access
- 12th Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Edmonds Area
- Interview Date
- September 22, 1971
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of interviews with Lillian May (Davies) Jones, Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves, Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter, and Elsie Wilson during the Pioneer Days celebration at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) on September 22, 1971. Major themes discussed are: personal memories and occupations of interviewees family members.
- Biographical Notes
- Lillian May Davies was born June 28, 1891 to George and Rachel (Mills) Davies. She was one of four children. George Davies married Rachel Mills September 12, 1888 in Winnipeg and headed west to make their home. George’s brother Richard Davies had already bought property at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Avenue (now 12th Avenue) when Rachel and George moved in and built a house next door. George Davies went to work for Gilley Bros. Logging Co. in Burnaby. Lillian May Davies married John Henry Jones on July 29, 1909 at the Methodist Church in Burnaby which had opened only a few weeks before (the Joneses were the first couple to be married there). Their reception was held in the Davies’ family garden. On June 3, 1910, Lillian and John’s first child, Arnold Jones was born. In 1919 they adopted their second child, John Sheldon Jones whose birth parents had died of influenza. John and Lillian built a home on the lot next to Lillian’s parents and lived there for forty-eight years. After her husband’s death in 1956, Lillian moved one lot over and remained living there for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine. Ada Evelyn Lewis was born on September 11, 1899. She was one of nine Lewis children. Ada's father came to Victoria BC from San Francisco. He met his wife in Victoria and moved to New Westminster where he was a typesetter on the first edition of the Columbian newspaper. He continued to work for the Columbian until his retirement. Her family owned the East Burnaby Fruit Farm at 17th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Street where they harvested apples, plums and pears. Ada attended East Burnaby School in 1905 and remembers being a pupil of Miss Draper. Ada E. Lewis married and became Mrs. Ada Evelyn Groves. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis was born in 1896 to William Henry and Emma (Smith) Lewis at the family farm at 4th Street and 18th Avenue. The family grew to nine, eldest to youngest; Albert, Lizzie, Minnie, Walter, Ernest, Lillie and Evelyn. Lillie’s mother, Emma (Smith) had the distinction of being the first girl of European descent to be born at Fort Victoria. Lillie’s father, William Henry Lewis helped to print the very first edition of the Vancouver Province in 1898. Lillie attended Douglas Road School and remembers being a pupil of Ellen Lister. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis married Bertie Blaine Porter at Lulu Island on November 7, 1918. They lived in Vancouver for a short time before returning to Burnaby to raise their four children. For most of his working life Bert operated a steam roller for the municipality. Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter died May 18, 1988 at the age of ninety-two. Elsie Wilson was born August 16, 1898 to Annie and her second husband William Wilson. Annie’s first husband Samuel W Walmsley died December 20, 1895 at the age of thirty-five, leaving Annie a widow at twenty-seven with two young children Annie age four and Samuel age six. Annie Walmsley married her second husband William Wilson on April 17, 1897. Elsie attended West Burnaby public school (later Kingsway West elementary) and remembers picking raspberries at various Burnaby farms for seven seasons.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:24:19
- Interviewee Name
- Jones, Lillian May Davies
- Wilson, Elsie
- Porter, Lillie Lewis
- Groves, Ada Evelyn Lewis
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks
Track two of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
Track two of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-020/MSS137-020_Track_2.mp3Pioneer Days interviews September 22, 1971 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory269
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1899-1910
- Length
- 0:03:26
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Elise Wilson's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her mother Annie Walmsley Wilson. Elsie is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum). The audience briefly discusses Burnab…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Elise Wilson's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her mother Annie Walmsley Wilson. Elsie is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum). The audience briefly discusses Burnaby's early water supply.
- Date Range
- 1899-1910
- Length
- 0:03:26
- Names
- Wilson, Annie Walmsley
- Subjects
- Public Services - Utilities
- Interview Date
- September 22, 1971
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of interviews with Lillian May (Davies) Jones, Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves, Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter, and Elsie Wilson during the Pioneer Days celebration at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) on September 22, 1971. Major themes discussed are: personal memories and occupations of interviewees family members.
- Biographical Notes
- Lillian May Davies was born June 28, 1891 to George and Rachel (Mills) Davies. She was one of four children. George Davies married Rachel Mills September 12, 1888 in Winnipeg and headed west to make their home. George’s brother Richard Davies had already bought property at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Avenue (now 12th Avenue) when Rachel and George moved in and built a house next door. George Davies went to work for Gilley Bros. Logging Co. in Burnaby. Lillian May Davies married John Henry Jones on July 29, 1909 at the Methodist Church in Burnaby which had opened only a few weeks before (the Joneses were the first couple to be married there). Their reception was held in the Davies’ family garden. On June 3, 1910, Lillian and John’s first child, Arnold Jones was born. In 1919 they adopted their second child, John Sheldon Jones whose birth parents had died of influenza. John and Lillian built a home on the lot next to Lillian’s parents and lived there for forty-eight years. After her husband’s death in 1956, Lillian moved one lot over and remained living there for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine. Ada Evelyn Lewis was born on September 11, 1899. She was one of nine Lewis children. Ada's father came to Victoria BC from San Francisco. He met his wife in Victoria and moved to New Westminster where he was a typesetter on the first edition of the Columbian newspaper. He continued to work for the Columbian until his retirement. Her family owned the East Burnaby Fruit Farm at 17th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Street where they harvested apples, plums and pears. Ada attended East Burnaby School in 1905 and remembers being a pupil of Miss Draper. Ada E. Lewis married and became Mrs. Ada Evelyn Groves. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis was born in 1896 to William Henry and Emma (Smith) Lewis at the family farm at 4th Street and 18th Avenue. The family grew to nine, eldest to youngest; Albert, Lizzie, Minnie, Walter, Ernest, Lillie and Evelyn. Lillie’s mother, Emma (Smith) had the distinction of being the first girl of European descent to be born at Fort Victoria. Lillie’s father, William Henry Lewis helped to print the very first edition of the Vancouver Province in 1898. Lillie attended Douglas Road School and remembers being a pupil of Ellen Lister. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis married Bertie Blaine Porter at Lulu Island on November 7, 1918. They lived in Vancouver for a short time before returning to Burnaby to raise their four children. For most of his working life Bert operated a steam roller for the municipality. Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter died May 18, 1988 at the age of ninety-two. Elsie Wilson was born August 16, 1898 to Annie and her second husband William Wilson. Annie’s first husband Samuel W Walmsley died December 20, 1895 at the age of thirty-five, leaving Annie a widow at twenty-seven with two young children Annie age four and Samuel age six. Annie Walmsley married her second husband William Wilson on April 17, 1897. Elsie attended West Burnaby public school (later Kingsway West elementary) and remembers picking raspberries at various Burnaby farms for seven seasons.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:24:19
- Interviewee Name
- Jones, Lillian May Davies
- Wilson, Elsie
- Porter, Lillie Lewis
- Groves, Ada Evelyn Lewis
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
Track four of recording of Pioneer Days interviews
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-020/MSS137-020_Track_4.mp3![Burnaby's first Municipal Hall, [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/316-006.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby's first Municipal Hall
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37100
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of council members and others sitting and standing on the steps of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Byrne family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 316-006
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1995-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of council members and others sitting and standing on the steps of Burnaby's first Municipal Hall.
- Names
- Burnaby City Hall
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 7252 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Stride Avenue Area
Images
![Burnaby's first Municipal Hall, [between 1899 and 1911] (date of original), copied 1995 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/316-006.jpg)
Burnaby's first Public School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35881
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1894 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of school officials standing on the steps of the first public school in Burnaby, Douglas Road and Edmonds Street. Left to right: William McDermott (school trustee), Ethel Lepage (first teacher), Lancelot Grimmer (school trustee), and Bernard Hill (school board chairman and secretary). Th…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1894 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pioneer Tales subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 204-740
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of school officials standing on the steps of the first public school in Burnaby, Douglas Road and Edmonds Street. Left to right: William McDermott (school trustee), Ethel Lepage (first teacher), Lancelot Grimmer (school trustee), and Bernard Hill (school board chairman and secretary). The school was called Burnaby School from 1894 to 1896, and then East Burnaby School from 1896 to 1907. The present day address of the site is 7376 Canada Way.
- Subjects
- Officials
- Occupations - Teachers
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 7376 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Edmonds Area
Images
Speech given by Florence Hart Godwin May 28, 1973 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory282
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1898-1917
- Length
- 0:05:22
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's description of her family's stories of the New Westminster fire. She also mentions B.R. Hill and his three sons, Claude, Frank and Minard Hill.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's description of her family's stories of the New Westminster fire. She also mentions B.R. Hill and his three sons, Claude, Frank and Minard Hill.
- Date Range
- 1898-1917
- Photo Info
- Arthur Morrow, Kingsley Hart, Florence Hart (later Godwin), and Katherine Maude "Kitty" Hill (later Peers) in the woods at the south side of Deer Lake photographed by W.T. Cooksley [1908]. Item no. HV976.139.3
- Length
- 0:05:22
- Subjects
- Natural Phenomena - Fires
- Interviewer
- Burnaby Arts Council
- Interview Date
- May 28, 1973
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of a speech given by Florence Hart Godwin at a Burnaby Arts Council meeting held May 28, 1973. Major themes discussed are: pioneer families and early residences in the Burnaby Lake District.
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Hart was born in 1898 in New Westminster. Florence first saw Burnaby in April of 1905 on a trip made by horse and buggy from the family home in New Westminster where her father worked as a real estate agent. By 1911, he had built a permanent home for his family in Burnaby, building what is now known as the Hart house and is currently owned by the municipality. Frederick John “Fred” Hart married Alice Chapman in Yale BC on August 13, 1895. They had four children together; Kingsley Chapman born May 27, 1897, Florence Elizabeth born October 23, 1898, and ten years later, Edwyna and Jack. They followed their family nurse, Miss Maude Woodward to Burnaby and purchased thirteen acres of land at Deer Lake to build a summer cottage. Mrs Hill and the children spent the summer months there while Frederick continued working in New Westminster, joining his family on the weekends. Florence Hart attended Douglas Road School before boarding at Crofton House in Vancouver. Kingsley Hart had enlisted in the army on March 23, 1915 when he was only seventeen years old. He was killed in action on September 26, 1916. The Hart family then moved to Kerrisdale, Vancouver. Florence worked at the Carnegie Library. On August 7, 1922 Florence Hart married Harold “Hal” Godwin and moved back to Edmonds in Burnaby where they remained for their entire married lives. In 1929, Florence and Harold’s daughter, Elizabeth Godwin was born. Alice (Chapman) Hart died May 24, 1935 at the age of sixty-eight. Frederick John Hart died August 29, 1945 at the age of seventy-seven. Florence Hart Godwin was named Good Citizen of Burnaby in 1971 and received a life membership to the IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) for her long tenure. Both Florence and her husband Harold were awarded life memberships from the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) for more than half a century of service. Harold Ward Godwin died December 12, 1962 at the age of sixty-six.
- Total Tracks
- 5
- Total Length
- 0:33:50
- Interviewee Name
- Godwin, Florence Hart
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of speech given by Florence Hart Godwin
Track five of speech given by Florence Hart Godwin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-1/MSS137-005-1_Track_5.mp3
Central Park Presbyterian Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36673
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1896 (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 14.9 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Central Park Presbyterian Church. Typed note at the bottom of the photograph reads, "The Original Presbyterian Church on Westminster Road at Central Park as in approx. 1896. Burned down and rebuilt. Mrs. P. Oben."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1896 (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.1 x 14.9 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 315-028
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of Central Park Presbyterian Church. Typed note at the bottom of the photograph reads, "The Original Presbyterian Church on Westminster Road at Central Park as in approx. 1896. Burned down and rebuilt. Mrs. P. Oben."
- Subjects
- Buildings - Religious - Churches
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Westminster Avenue
- Kingsway
- Street Address
- 3777 Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Garden Village Area
Images
Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory243
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1892-1911
- Length
- 0:09:58
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husb…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
- Date Range
- 1892-1911
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:58
- Subjects
- Construction - Road Construction
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_1.mp3![Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/231-012.jpg?width=280)
Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory442
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1893-1944
- Length
- 00:05:35
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
- Date Range
- 1893-1944
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
- Length
- 00:05:35
- Names
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 14, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
- Total Tracks
- 14
- Total Length
- 1:34:40
- Interviewee Name
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
![Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/231-012.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_2.mp3
Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory251
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1865-1919
- Length
- 0:10:18
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
- Date Range
- 1865-1919
- Photo Info
- Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
- Length
- 0:10:18
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
- Total Tracks
- 12
- Total Length
- 1:38:06
- Interviewee Name
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_1.mp3
Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory254
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1892-1955
- Length
- 0:07:38
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of B…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of Burnaby Lake and the "pleasure walk" along Douglas Road, from Vancouver to New Westminster.
- Date Range
- 1892-1955
- Photo Info
- Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
- Length
- 0:07:38
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
- Total Tracks
- 12
- Total Length
- 1:38:06
- Interviewee Name
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- Transcript Available
- MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_4.mp3