Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Commercial building.

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

3 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Other Names: Helen's Childrens Wear Sign

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Associated Dates: 1956

Formal Recognition: Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register

Enactment Type: Bylaw No. 12771

Enactment Date: 19/04/2010

Description: Commercial building.

Heritage Value: While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.

Locality: Vancouver Heights

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Willingdon Heights Area

Community: Burnaby

Names: Helen's Childrens Wear

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores; Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards

Street Address: 4142 Hastings Street

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign at night, 2010 (View from the west. Other). Copyright: City of Burnaby.. . thumbnail

View of 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign from the east, 2013. thumbnail

BBY-4142-Hastings-c1975-502-1441 thumbnail

Haida Grill at the Astor Hotel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37173

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1955 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 postcard ; col. ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Postcard with a photograph of the Haida Grill at the Astor Hotel, which was known as being Burnaby's million dollar, ultra-modern hotel.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1955 and 1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Lee Lightfoot subseries

Physical Description: 1 postcard ; col. ; 8 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 327-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1996-13

Scope and Content: Postcard with a photograph of the Haida Grill at the Astor Hotel, which was known as being Burnaby's million dollar, ultra-modern hotel.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards

Names: Astor Hotel

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Caption on recto of postcard reads: "ASTOR HOTEL . 4561 KINGSWAY, BURNABY 1, B.C."; Caption on verso of postcard reads: "THE HAIDA GRILL/ The delightful setting and excellent cuisine makes the Haida Grill a must for dining pleasure. A Photograph [sic] showing the Haida Grill with its table side service."

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4561 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Haida Grill at the Astor Hotel, [between 1955 and 1959] thumbnail

Hotel Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34700

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (later renumbered 7610 Kingsway). An electric "Hotel Burnaby / Vacancy / Parking" sign can be seen on the right. A diner can be seen on the left side of the building with signs reading, "Dining Room," "Diner," "Soda Fountain," "Breakfasts, Lunches, Din…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.3 x 25.2 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 105-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (later renumbered 7610 Kingsway). An electric "Hotel Burnaby / Vacancy / Parking" sign can be seen on the right. A diner can be seen on the left side of the building with signs reading, "Dining Room," "Diner," "Soda Fountain," "Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners," "Coffee Bar," and "Licensed Premises." Coca-Cola advertisements are also visible. There are entrances to the building with signs above them readings, "Lobby," "Men," and "Ladies and Escorts."

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Hotel Burnaby Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Croton Studio Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Croton Studio / New Westminster BC"

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7610 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

Astor Hotel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34586

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Astor Hotel at 4561 Kingsway and McKay Avenue. A hotel sign reads, "Welcome HRH Princess Margaret to Burnaby." The Astor Coffee Shop is to the right of the hotel.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 060-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Astor Hotel at 4561 Kingsway and McKay Avenue. A hotel sign reads, "Welcome HRH Princess Margaret to Burnaby." The Astor Coffee Shop is to the right of the hotel.

Subjects: Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards; Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels

Names: Astor Hotel

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4561 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Blue Haven Motel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35136

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 8.9 x 13.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of the Blue Haven Motel, 7026 Kingsway. The description printed on the back of the postcard reads, "Blue Haven Motel / 7026 Kingsway, South Burnaby, B.C., Canada / Mrgs.: Mr. and Mrs. A. Pearson / 22 Units - 4 Stars - AAA - ACRA / T.V. Equipped / Telephone LA 1-9942." The bui…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 8.9 x 13.9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 199-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1987-10

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of the Blue Haven Motel, 7026 Kingsway. The description printed on the back of the postcard reads, "Blue Haven Motel / 7026 Kingsway, South Burnaby, B.C., Canada / Mrgs.: Mr. and Mrs. A. Pearson / 22 Units - 4 Stars - AAA - ACRA / T.V. Equipped / Telephone LA 1-9942." The building on the left side of the photograph has "Office" written on the door. Cars and motel units are seen at the right.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards

Names: Blue Haven Motel

Media Type: Photograph

Responsibility: Printed on back of postcard: "Traveltime product. Made in Vancouver, Canada, by Grant-Mann Lithographers, Ltd."

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7026 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Hotel Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38341

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1953]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.7 x 13.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard advertising the Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (old street numbering). A caption on the reverse of the postcard reads: Hotel Burnaby / :Located between new Simpsons-Sears and new Woodwards shopping centres / You will remember Hotel Burnaby for the REST of your life."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1953]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Jim Wolf subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8.7 x 13.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 410-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2000-11

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard advertising the Hotel Burnaby at 1385 Kingsway (old street numbering). A caption on the reverse of the postcard reads: Hotel Burnaby / :Located between new Simpsons-Sears and new Woodwards shopping centres / You will remember Hotel Burnaby for the REST of your life."

Subjects: Advertising Medium; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards; Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels

Names: Hotel Burnaby Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Hotel Burnaby Ltd.

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38656

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of Burnaby Hotel located at 1385 Kingsway (old street numbering system). Printed at the bottom of the postcard is the following: Hotel Burnaby Ltd. / 1385 Kingsway at 14th Avenue / Burnaby 3, New Westminster, B.C., Telephone LA 1-8891. On the reverse is written: "Hotel Burna…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1955]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Jim Wolf subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 9 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 474-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2005-6

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of Burnaby Hotel located at 1385 Kingsway (old street numbering system). Printed at the bottom of the postcard is the following: Hotel Burnaby Ltd. / 1385 Kingsway at 14th Avenue / Burnaby 3, New Westminster, B.C., Telephone LA 1-8891. On the reverse is written: "Hotel Burnaby: Located between new Simpson-Sears and new Woodwards shopping centres. You will remember Hotel Burnaby for the rest of your life."

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards; Advertising Medium

Names: Hotel Burnaby Limited

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Grant-Mann Lithographers Limited

Notes: Title based on caption of postcard; Made by Grant-Mann Lithographers Ltd. "Colour Card" Division, Vancouver British Columbia

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Nelson Bungalow Court

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88412

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 196-]

Collection/Fonds: Krewenchuk family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Nelson Bungalow Court (also known as The Nelson Motel and The Nelson Auto Court) located at 6550 Nelson Avenue. The motel was owned and operated by Michael and Mary Krewenchuk between 1957 to 1967. The building in the photo was the family home and office for the motel on one acre …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 196-]

Collection/Fonds: Krewenchuk family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 582-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2015-05

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Nelson Bungalow Court (also known as The Nelson Motel and The Nelson Auto Court) located at 6550 Nelson Avenue. The motel was owned and operated by Michael and Mary Krewenchuk between 1957 to 1967. The building in the photo was the family home and office for the motel on one acre of land with eight cabins and seven trailors for lease. Lobely Park was located behind the house on adjacent property. The house is surrounded by trees including a monkey puzzle tree standing in front near a lampost with a totem pole design.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Street Address: 6550 Nelson Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Nelson Bungalow Court, [between 1958 and 196-] thumbnail

Simpsons-Sears engine display

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17336

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 5 May 1954

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of car and truck engines on display inside of the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby during the opening on May 5, 1954. Four engines are visible in the photograph.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Simpsons-Sears Limited Burnaby fonds

Series: Simpsons-Sears scrapbook series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of car and truck engines on display inside of the Simpsons-Sears store in Burnaby during the opening on May 5, 1954. Four engines are visible in the photograph.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Department Stores; Events - Openings; Transportation - Automobiles; Transportation - Trucks

Names: Simpsons-Sears Limited

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4750 Kingsway

Accession Code: BV021.26.86

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: 5 May 1954

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2021-09-21

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photograph was removed from original scrapbook with newspaper clippings, photographs and ephemera

Images

Simpsons-Sears engine display, 5 May 1954 thumbnail

Esso Filling Station

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34591

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.4 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Esso filling station at Lake City with trucks parked in an industrial area.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1958

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.2 x 25.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 064-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Esso filling station at Lake City with trucks parked in an industrial area.

Subjects: Buildings - Industrial; Buildings - Commercial - Service Stations; Transportation - Trucks

Names: Esso

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Planning Study Area: Lake City Area

Images

Jubilee Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1699

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 1955

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and two trucks are visible driving over the muddy ground.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and two trucks are visible driving over the muddy ground.

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction; Transportation - Trucks

Geographic Access: Jubilee Avenue

Accession Code: BV004.7.5

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: May 1955

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Related Material: For another photograph of roadwork scene at Jubilee Avenue, see BV004.7.6

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Jubilee Ave/ May 1955"

Images

Jubilee Avenue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1700

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: May 1955

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and a line of dump trucks are driving over the muddy ground in the distance.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a section of Jubilee Avenue; the entire span of the paved road has been dug up and a line of dump trucks are driving over the muddy ground in the distance.

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction; Transportation - Trucks

Geographic Access: Jubilee Avenue

Accession Code: BV004.7.6

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: May 1955

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Related Material: For another photograph of roadwork scene at Jubilee Avenue, see BV004.7.5

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "At its worst/ Jubilee Ave/ South Burnaby/ May 1955"

Images

J. Engelland Fuels truck

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35759

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950 (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 a J. Engelland Fuels truck loading gravel at Stride pit. John Engelland began hauling gravel when the fuel business declined as people began using oil and electricity over wood, coal and sawdust.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-617

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of a J. Engelland Fuels truck loading gravel at Stride pit. John Engelland began hauling gravel when the fuel business declined as people began using oil and electricity over wood, coal and sawdust.

Subjects: Transportation - Trucks; Construction Tools and Equipment

Names: J. Engelland Fuels

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Planning Study Area: Stride Hill Area

Images

J. Engelland Fuels truck, 1950 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36138

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956 or 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1956 or 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Public Library photograph subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 23.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 226-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1989-22

Scope and Content: Photograph of the new fleet of Burnaby's 1956 American LaFrance pumper fire trucks lined in a row in front of the Municipal Hall. The fifth truck has its ladder extended. Reeve Charles MacSorley, Fire Chief William Menzies, and Councillor Fred Philps are standing in front of the second truck. There is snow on the ground and the three men are wearing winter coats.

Subjects: Transportation - Fire Trucks; Occupations - Fire Fighters; Buildings - Civic - City Halls; Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.; Menzies, William "Bill"; Philps, Fred; Burnaby Fire Department

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Dominion Photo Company

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Other title info: photographer's negative no. 38487

Street Address: 4949 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Burnaby's new fleet of fire trucks, [1956 or 1957] thumbnail

Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1927-1990

Length: 00:04:05

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.

Date Range: 1927-1990

Length: 00:04:05

Names: Waddell, Gordon

Subjects: Public Services - Fire Protection; Buildings - Civic; Transportation - Fire Trucks

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: February 21, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon 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 the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:43:35

Interviewee Name: Nixon, Al

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 computerization in business 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

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

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.

Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Al Nixon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_3.mp3

LaFrance Class A Quintuplet

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1681

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1956]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph: sepia photocopy ; 10 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Fire Department's 1956 LaFrance Class A Quintuplet fire truck, considered "five fire trucks in one" because it served as a chemical truck (now a water tank), a hose truck, pumper truck, city service ladder truck and 100 ft aerial ladder truck. Truck no. 8 is parked in front of…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph: sepia photocopy ; 10 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Fire Department's 1956 LaFrance Class A Quintuplet fire truck, considered "five fire trucks in one" because it served as a chemical truck (now a water tank), a hose truck, pumper truck, city service ladder truck and 100 ft aerial ladder truck. Truck no. 8 is parked in front of fire hall no. 3.

Subjects: Transportation - Fire Trucks; Buildings - Civic - Fire Halls

Names: Burnaby Fire Department

Geographic Access: Marlborough Avenue

Street Address: 6511 Marlborough Avenue

Accession Code: BV002.75.3

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [after 1956]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Typed note on recto of photograph reads: "First in Canada 1956"; Typed note on verso of photograph reads: "Five fire trucks in one. Chemical -- Now water trank Hose truck. Pumper truck. City service ladder truck. Aerial ladder truck 100 ft."; Address sticker on verso of photograph reads: "Mr F. Blake 4165 Pandora Street Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5C 2B2"