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Creator
- Blackmore, R. D., (Richard Doddridge), 1825-1900 1
- Blaisdell, Mary Frances, 1874- 1
- Bridgman's Studio Limited 1
- Brown, Cice Chandler 1
- Brown, Donald N. "Don" 1
- Brown, Ed 1
- Browning, Elizabeth Barrett, 1806-1861 1
- Brown, Jeanie 1
- Bryce, Henry G. 1
- Caldwell, Joseph S. 2
- City of Burnaby 1
- Girl Guides of Canada 1
A.E. Brown Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark553
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- 1924
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Sperling Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1924
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- Built after the end of the First World War, this house features an eclectic blend of Arts and Crafts elements. Constructed for A.E. Brown and a full two storeys in height, it has a front jerkin-headed roof with a jerkin-headed side projection, and a corner wraparound verandah with tapered columns. The house has been maintained in near original condition, with original lapped wooden siding, multi-paned windows and square balusters.
- Locality
- Edmonds
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 6830 Sperling Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Acceptance of Tenders of George Brown for Waterworks Construction
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport69296
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72814
- Meeting Date
- 3-Apr-1923
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72814
- Meeting Date
- 3-Apr-1923
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Accident to Brown - John Boys by Detonating Caps, Calling Attention to the Regulations Governing the Storage of Explosives
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport69398
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 73017
- Meeting Date
- 28-May-1923
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 73017
- Meeting Date
- 28-May-1923
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Agreement with E.S. Brown re Sale of Cordwood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport81184
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 91174
- Meeting Date
- 20-Jun-1921
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 91174
- Meeting Date
- 20-Jun-1921
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Appointment of G. Conway Brown as Salesman for Corporation Property
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport67862
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 58696
- Meeting Date
- 29-Oct-1928
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 58696
- Meeting Date
- 29-Oct-1928
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Approval of Contract with Brown and Dalziel re Waterworks Contract
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport69304
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72822
- Meeting Date
- 3-Apr-1923
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 72822
- Meeting Date
- 3-Apr-1923
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Brown family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46470
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1927
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : sepia
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown's five children. Identified are: Elsie, Laura, Flossie, Reta, and Dickie. This photograph was taken in front of the Browns' McKay Avenue home.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1927
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : sepia
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 298-012
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown's five children. Identified are: Elsie, Laura, Flossie, Reta, and Dickie. This photograph was taken in front of the Browns' McKay Avenue home.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- McKay Avenue
Images
Brown Family and Home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35673
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1920 (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 the Brown family feeding chickens. From left: Alex Brown (brother, later to become MD), Janet Brown (sister), and Janet Mackintosh Macfarlane Maclean (grandmother). This photograph was taken in back of the Brown family home, 3846 Triumph, Vancouver Heights. The house was owned by t…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1920 (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.
- 204-531
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Brown family feeding chickens. From left: Alex Brown (brother, later to become MD), Janet Brown (sister), and Janet Mackintosh Macfarlane Maclean (grandmother). This photograph was taken in back of the Brown family home, 3846 Triumph, Vancouver Heights. The house was owned by the grandmother.
- Subjects
- Animals - Poultry
- Agriculture - Farms
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Triumph Street
- Street Address
- 3846 Triumph Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Brown family picnic
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1450
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1926] (date of original), copied [1999]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 11.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Dennis Brown (as a baby) with two adult members of the Brown family picnicking together.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 11.5 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Dennis Brown (as a baby) with two adult members of the Brown family picnicking together.
- Subjects
- Recreational Activities - Picnics
- Names
- Brown, Dennis
- Accession Code
- BV999.51.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1926] (date of original), copied [1999]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 08-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying (BV999.51.4)
Images
Brown-John home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription76890
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : col. ; 300ppi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Brown-John home in Burnaby. Four large trucks are visible parked in front of the house.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (date of original), digitally copied 2012
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : col. ; 300ppi
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 549-007
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-30
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Brown-John home in Burnaby. Four large trucks are visible parked in front of the house.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
Certificate for Jeanie Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57748
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 9, 1926
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 certificate
- Scope and Content
- Item is a certificate awarded to C. G. Brown's wife, Jeanie Brown from St. Albans Church in appreactation of services to the woman's auxiliary.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- November 9, 1926
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Jeanie Brown subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 certificate
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- MSS012-001
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a certificate awarded to C. G. Brown's wife, Jeanie Brown from St. Albans Church in appreactation of services to the woman's auxiliary.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
Cice Chandler Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1449
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- July 2, 1925 (date of original), copied [1999]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of baby Cice (Cicely) Chandler (later Brown) sitting on a quilt under a paper parasol. The image was taken at the family home on Telford Avenue, Burnaby.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of baby Cice (Cicely) Chandler (later Brown) sitting on a quilt under a paper parasol. The image was taken at the family home on Telford Avenue, Burnaby.
- Names
- Brown, Cice Chandler
- Geographic Access
- Telford Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV999.51.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- July 2, 1925 (date of original), copied [1999]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 08-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying (BV999.51.2)
Images
Dennis Brown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1451
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1928] (date of original), copied [1999]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three-year-old Dennis Brown playing with a pail in his backyard in North Vancouver.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 12 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of three-year-old Dennis Brown playing with a pail in his backyard in North Vancouver.
- Subjects
- Recreational Activities
- Names
- Brown, Dennis
- Accession Code
- BV999.51.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [1928] (date of original), copied [1999]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- For another copy print, see BV999.51.6
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 08-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying (BV999.51.7)
Images
Donald N. Brown subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925 (date of original)-1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and other material
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs taken by Freeman Donald N. Brown while involved in Burnaby Historical Society activities and textual records pertaining to his career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Also included in the subseries are documents and photographs from his involvement with vari…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925 (date of original)-1995
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Donald N. Brown subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and other material
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1987-03
- BHS2003-04
- BHS1992-20
- BHS1995-09
- BHS2000-10
- BHS1991-41
- BHS2001-12
- BHS2004-01
- BHS2004-12
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of photographs taken by Freeman Donald N. Brown while involved in Burnaby Historical Society activities and textual records pertaining to his career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Also included in the subseries are documents and photographs from his involvement with various community groups including the Oakalla Lands Citizens' Committee, renovations of Burnaby Village Museum, and the restoration of Interurban tram no. 1223.
- History
- Donald Neil "Don" Brown was born in Birmingham, England. In 1922, while still an infant, he and his family moved to Winnipeg, Canada. On September 8, 1939, Don left his Senior Matriculation classes to join the Royal Canadian Engineers. Two weeks later, he eloped with his high school sweetheart, Helen J., just months before he was to be shipped overseas with the 3rd Contingent of Canadian Troops. He served in the army with the Royal Canadian Engineer’s 12th Field Company and saw action in both Sicily and Italy. In 1945, Don returned to obtain his Senior Matriculation and a year of university studies before re-enlisting in the army as a Second Lieutenant. He spent the next two years stationed in Chilliwack with Helen and their first child. In 1947, he left the army to join the ranks of the British Columbia Provincial Police force, embarking on a three-decade long career. His first assignment brought him to Burnaby where he served from 1947-1954, first as a member of the BC Police Department and then as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. In 1954, Don was transferred to Regina, Saskatchewan and then to Ottawa, Ontario to serve in the Crime Detection Laboratories. He became a qualified Examiner of Questioned Documents and provided expert testimony in handwriting, counterfeiting, graphic arts, and alterations. He attained the rank of first Corporal, and then Sergeant in the RCMP. He was transferred to Vancouver to be the Second in Charge of a new laboratory and head of the Document Section in July, 1963. On December 9, 1967, Helen Brown ran as an independent for the position of Alderman on the Burnaby Council. She was not elected. In May 1970, Don was promoted to Sub-Inspector and transferred to Edmonton to take command of the new Crime Detection Laboratory. By 1972, he was promoted to full Inspector. Transferred back to Vancouver in 1975, Don became the Officer-in-Charge of a new Crime Laboratory and took over the National Police Services pilot project for British Columbia. He was rewarded for this work with a promotion to Superintendent in September 1975. In 1976, after a distinguished 35 years combined service to the armed forces and the police, Don retired and founded his own laboratory to carry on his work in the field of questioned documents. He became a Fellow (Emeritus) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a Life Member (Emeritus) and Past Director of the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences, a Member of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners. After his retirement, Don became involved in local politics and, with the blessing of his wife and six children, joined the Burnaby Voters’ Association as their Secretary. In 1978 he was elected to a two-year term as a Burnaby School Trustee. During the next municipal election in November 1979, he successfully ran for Alderman. Don Brown served Burnaby as Alderman from 1979 to 1985. During this time, Don also became a member of the Community College for the Retired, the Horsemen’s Society and the Burnaby Historical Society. He also gave his support to Arts Council programs and numerous other community functions over the years and author "Why?: The Last Years of the British Columbia Policy 1858-1950" about the BC Provincial Police. In 1991, Don was appointed as Chair of the Burnaby Centennial Committee, dedicating himself to making Burnaby’s Centennial celebration a memorable success. His contributions were always supported by his wife Helen, and their work during the Centennial Year was just one example of the strength of their 66-year partnership. They were both formally recognized for their efforts when they were chosen to receive the Kushiro Cup and named the Citizens of the Year in 1992. Also that year, Don was a recipient of the Canadian 125 Medal and one year later, in March 1993, Donald Brown was awarded Burnaby’s highest honour and was made a Freeman of the City of Burnaby. Don passed away in 2009.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Moving Images
- Creator
- Brown, Donald N. "Don"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- PC194, PC241, MSS098, MSS148
Ed Brown and daughters with his truck
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46007
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1925]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and his daughters on one of his trucks.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1925]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 298-009
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and his daughters on one of his trucks.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Ed Brown and his daughters
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46002
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and four of his daughters sitting in one of Ed's trucks (a GMC).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 298-004
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and four of his daughters sitting in one of Ed's trucks (a GMC).
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Royal Oak Avenue
Images
Ed Brown and his daughters
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46006
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and his daughters on one of his trucks.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 298-008
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and his daughters on one of his trucks.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Ed Brown and his daughters
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46008
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1925]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and his daughters on one of his trucks.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1925]
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 jpg. : b&w
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 298-010
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2008-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown and his daughters on one of his trucks.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Ed Brown beside his transfer truck
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36573
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6 x 10.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown standing beside his truck that is loaded with telephone poles.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Ed Brown family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6 x 10.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 298-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1992-38
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Ed Brown standing beside his truck that is loaded with telephone poles.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Royal Oak Avenue
Images
Ed Brown family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97218
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912-1920
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 12 photographs: 7 b&w jpgs.; 4 sepia jpgs., 1 med. b&w print.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs that belonged to the Brown family. Photographs depict Ed Brown, his wife Jennie, and their children at their homes on Royal Oak Avenue and McKay Avenue; Brown's trucking company; and other Burnaby locations and events.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912-1920
- Collection/Fonds
- Ed Brown Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 12 photographs: 7 b&w jpgs.; 4 sepia jpgs., 1 med. b&w print.
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2008-03
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs that belonged to the Brown family. Photographs depict Ed Brown, his wife Jennie, and their children at their homes on Royal Oak Avenue and McKay Avenue; Brown's trucking company; and other Burnaby locations and events.
- History
- The following is copied from an article written by Brown's grandson, Jim Ervin, for "Old Autos" in 2003, in an article entitled "Grandfather was a trucker...": The roots of my family run deep in Burnaby, especially on my mother’s side. It was her father, my grandfather, who started one of Burnaby’s first trucking businesses, E.S. Brown’s Transfer. I could find no record of when he actually began operations but I have pictures to show that he was using horses before he had trucks. One of my enclosed pictures dates from about 1910 since I know the birth dates of his two oldest daughters and they are in the picture as very small children. He met and married my grandmother, whose maiden name was Jennie Birtch, from Ontario, and I still have relatives back east from both branches of the family. They were married on Sept. 27, 1905. But where, I can’t say. They had their first child, Hazel, born April 2, 1908. Then came seven more daughters but no sons to help with the family business. The business was located at the family home at 3131 Royal Oak Ave. in South Burnaby. That was close to the top of one of the steepest hills in Burnaby and must have made for a real test of man and machine to drive it, especially in winter. The children loved it for sleigh riding but probably not father. My mother, Inez, was the second oldest daughter, born Oct. 9, 1909. She would have been born, along with her sister Hazel, in the big house shown in the picture and built by my grandfather. But this house was to later burn down. That’s when Edward Sadler Brown decided to move his family from the side of the hill to the top and much closer to the main road, Kingsway. Most of the area was forest at that time and one of Ed’s first jobs was to haul shingle bolts out of the forest, with a team of horses. Please don’t ask me what a shingle bolt is but my mother knew and used to have to grease the skids placed on the logging trails for the loaded sleds to be pulled out on. One time, as she told me, there was a huge forest fire and my grandfather barely escaped with his life and one last load. Later, when the area had been cleared, he helped to build the Oakalla Prison Farm, now replaced by town-houses on Royal Oak Ave. This job led to him becoming the first contractor to haul the license plates made by the prisoners. Some of these plates would be worn by Ed’s own trucks. The trucks, which he eventually acquired, included some pretty obscure makes such as Hufman, Garford, Stewart (which my mother often said was no good), Gotfredson and the more common names of Chevrolet and GMC. A Ford Model T would probably have been too light for the kind of hauling Ed was doing in the 1920s. I always thought that his main cargo was coal and coke, but I received quite a surprise with some recently discovered information. It started when I was removing boxes of general junk from the house to the garage to make more space. One of those boxes broke open and one item which came out wasn’t junk by any means. It was a copy of a business card for Brown’s Transfer, a company which hauled coal, coke, wood and did furniture moving as well. My mother often described my grandfather as a “go-getter” for business. I believe I see what she meant. Never was I so glad to have a cardboard box break open and to retrieve such an important item. My mother was a saver like you wouldn’t believe, a habit which the Great Depression drilled into her. In another box containing old receipts, I found a copy of one from Brown’s Transfer which offered even more insight into the company. The receipt isn’t dated but only the last number of the year required filling in on the form. And this dates it as issued sometime during the 1920s. The surprising thing is the amount of items sold by my grandfather. Not just coal, wood and coke anymore. Now he was into sand, gravel, cement, brick lime, tile and sewer pipe. Furniture moving seemed to be sort of a sideline, mentioned in smaller letters at the bottom. But notice some of the other items on the hand written receipt. There’s lumber, grass seed, paint, glass, a loan (spelled lone) on painting a house. I’m not sure that I understand that one or the payment on house or the one about the toilet. But it’s obvious that this was a man who knew how to make a buck in many ways. He was almost his own building supply store, it would seem. Also mentioned on the form is an office location at 4009 Kingsway. The building is no longer there but it did survive into my life time. Often, my mother would point out to me where the office once was on the north side of Kingsway, near McKay Ave. Still standing, though, ist he old family home at the former address (now changed) of 3131 Royal Oak Ave. That’s where my mother and all seven of her sisters were born. These were the “swampers” on dad’s trucks, a job hard enough for a man. Ed did hire men as well to work as drivers and even employed his own mechanic. But for the girls, it wasn’t really a paying kind of job. “Some times he would buy us an ice-cream cone,” my mother would say. In those days, parents wanted large families to help with all the work which needed doing. Payment in dollars and cents just wasn’t usually part of the deal. I never knew my grandmother, Jennie, who died in 1946 at age 61, an early age to go but likely reflective of a lifetime of hard work and too many children. However, I did know my grandfather who lived into his 70s.His company came to a rather sad end, as related by my mother, in the dirty 30s. Apparently a certain sister of my grandmother, great aunt to myself, reported to the local school board that grandfather was supplying them with an inferior grade of coal for the schools. Then the school board cancelled his contract and that put him into bankruptcy. Whether the story is true or not doesn’t seem to matter much any more since no one who could have known is still among the living. Ed Brown, the industrious, rugged individualist did make a small come-back in the early 1950s with his own plumbing business. The details of that enterprise, I don’t know. But I do remember his old International panel truck he used. People such as my grandfather made a great contribution to Burnaby.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- BHS298