Digney Family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936-19[61]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936-19[61]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
- History
- Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo/MI catalogue 562
Resurvey of the Municipality of Burnaby - Correspondence (H-L)
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription741
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914-1942
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence regarding the re-survey of the Municipality of Burnaby. File also contains blueprint plan of lots 1-3 and 34 of lots 61 and 62, DL 30.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914-1942
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2470
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence regarding the re-survey of the Municipality of Burnaby. File also contains blueprint plan of lots 1-3 and 34 of lots 61 and 62, DL 30.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- For related records see also 7-2-4-14 and 7-2-5-1 to 7-2-5-3. Plans/maps are located in file and have not been moved to map case.
1946 Data Report (supplement) - Burnaby Town Planning Commission
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription8844
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1946
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- This data report also contains a supplemental folder of maps.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1946
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Series
- Planning General series
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 11805
- Accession Number
- 2003-17
- Scope and Content
- This data report also contains a supplemental folder of maps.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
B.C. Electric Railway cutoff - Highland Park
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription751
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912-1951
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence, reports, Council minutes, and agreements between the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and the B.C. Electric Co. regarding the construction of the Highland Park Cut-off. File also includes 1912 blueprint "Plan of Portion of 20th Street in DL171 and 53, Gp. 1, NWD…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1912-1951
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2489
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence, reports, Council minutes, and agreements between the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and the B.C. Electric Co. regarding the construction of the Highland Park Cut-off. File also includes 1912 blueprint "Plan of Portion of 20th Street in DL171 and 53, Gp. 1, NWD, Bby."
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- Plans/maps are located in file and have not been moved to map case.
Crossings - Great Northern Railway
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription807
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1913-1951
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- File contains agreement for the construction of a sidewalk by the Railway Company, and correspondence related to these transactions. File also includes blueprint plan of sidewalk over [GNR] tracks and right of way for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby, 1931; blueprint "Sketch Showing Sigh…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1913-1951
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2558
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains agreement for the construction of a sidewalk by the Railway Company, and correspondence related to these transactions. File also includes blueprint plan of sidewalk over [GNR] tracks and right of way for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby, 1931; blueprint "Sketch Showing Sight Clearance and Distances and Sperling Avenue Grade Crossing" [c1945]; and blueprint "Plan of Proposed Road Crossing of Phillips Avenue."
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- Plans/maps are located in file and have not been moved to map case.
Fire insurance plans - Greater Vancouver - Volume XV - Municipality of Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17795
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1927-1940
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 11 plans on 8 sheets : col. lithographic print ; 64 x 54 cm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of fire insurance plans titled "Greater Vancouver / Volume XV / Municipality / of Burnaby" surveyed May 1927 and revised October 1940. Volume XV includes a two page Key Plan (A and B) identifying associated plan numbers and district lots and nine numbered fire insurance plans identifi…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 11 plans on 8 sheets : col. lithographic print ; 64 x 54 cm
- Material Details
- Scales between [1:600] and [1:6000]
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of fire insurance plans titled "Greater Vancouver / Volume XV / Municipality / of Burnaby" surveyed May 1927 and revised October 1940. Volume XV includes a two page Key Plan (A and B) identifying associated plan numbers and district lots and nine numbered fire insurance plans identified as; 1507; 1508 ; 1517; 1518; 1519; 1520;1521; 1531and 1532.
- Publisher
- Plan Department of Fire Branch of British Columbia Underwriters' Association
- Accession Code
- BV987.1.70
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1927-1940
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Scan Resolution
- 400
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- These plans are contained within a bound book with labels on cover page reading: "Plan No. 90 / THIS INSURANCE PLAN / of / Vancouver VOLUME "8" / IN THE PROPERTY OF THE / British Columbia Insurance Underwriter's Association / Vancouver B.C. / AND IS LOANED / MELVILLE F. THOMSON CO. .../ Date May 26th, 1934"; / "Plan No. 74 / THIS INSURANCE PLAN / OF / VANCOUVER VOLUME "9"" / Plan No. 11 / THIS INSURANCE PLAN / OF / BURNABY VOLUMES 15-19" / "THIS PLAN IS THE PROPERTY OF / THE / BRITISH LAW INSURANCE COMPANY / LIMITED"
- Fire insurance plans cover various district lots in Burnaby including: District Lot 116,121, 186 and 187.
- Sticker adhered to Key Plan B reads: "
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view fire insurance plans that are part of Volume XV
![Municipality of Burnaby - Volume XV and Volume XVIII, 1927-[1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Artifacts/1972/1972_0111_0004_003.jpg?width=280)
Municipality of Burnaby - Volume XV and Volume XVIII
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription8682
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1927-[1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 4 plans on 4 sheets: col. lithographic prints ; 63.5 x 53.5 cm folded to 53 x 31.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of four pages of plans removed from a bound book containing a series of fire insurance plans of the Municipality of Burnaby. Plan "1518" and "1519" are from "GREATER VANCOUVER B.C. / VOLUME XV / Municipality of Burnaby / May, 1927". Plan "1518" covers District Lot 116 and Plan "1519"…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 4 plans on 4 sheets: col. lithographic prints ; 63.5 x 53.5 cm folded to 53 x 31.5 cm
- Material Details
- Scale [1:600]
- Scope and Content
- File consists of four pages of plans removed from a bound book containing a series of fire insurance plans of the Municipality of Burnaby. Plan "1518" and "1519" are from "GREATER VANCOUVER B.C. / VOLUME XV / Municipality of Burnaby / May, 1927". Plan "1518" covers District Lot 116 and Plan "1519" covers District Lot 121. Plan "1802" and plan "1803" are from "GREATER VANCOUVER B.C. / VOLUME XVIII / Municipality of Burnaby / May, 1927". Both plans "1802" and "1803" cover District Lot 153.
- Responsibility
- British Columbia Underwriters' Association
- Accession Code
- HV972.111.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1927-[1940]
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Marlborough Area
- Scan Resolution
- 400
- Scan Date
- 2021-11-18
- Notes
- Title based on content of plans
- See also BV987.1.70d for revised versions of plans
- Scale is measured 1 inch = 50 feet
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to access plans 1518 and 1519 (these plans have revisions on top - date of revisions is uncertain)
Images
![Municipality of Burnaby - Volume XV and Volume XVIII, 1927-[1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Artifacts/1972/1972_0111_0004_003.jpg)
Orders of Board of Railway Commission - Gilmore Avenue crossing
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription1485
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1928-1958
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- Files contains white linen plan that accompanies railway application for highway crossing at Gilmore Avenue (1929) and 2 blueprint plans - one of the railway highway crossing protection at Bell and Sperling Avenue (1952) and the other at Bell and Douglas Avenue (1947).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1928-1958
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 3296
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- Files contains white linen plan that accompanies railway application for highway crossing at Gilmore Avenue (1929) and 2 blueprint plans - one of the railway highway crossing protection at Bell and Sperling Avenue (1952) and the other at Bell and Douglas Avenue (1947).
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- Plans/maps are located in file and have not been moved to map case.
![Paul Digney and family, [between 1948 and 1949] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-13.jpg?width=280)
Paul Digney and family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85250
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 21 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 13. Film provides footage of Paul Digney as a young child as he interacts with family members and pet dogs at the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. The film contains views of the Digney family home, yard and neighborhoo…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 21 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-13
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 13. Film provides footage of Paul Digney as a young child as he interacts with family members and pet dogs at the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. The film contains views of the Digney family home, yard and neighborhood in summer and winter time. Some of the footage shows some wear.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Paul Digney and family, [between 1948 and 1949] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-13.jpg)
Video
Paul Digney and family, [between 1948 and 1949]
Paul Digney and family, [between 1948 and 1949]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-13.m4v![San Francisco Trip, [between 1935 and 1952] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-18.jpg?width=280)
San Francisco Trip
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85312
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1935 and 1952]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip ( 9 min., 43 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 18 and contains footage interchanging between colour and black and white, showing the Digney family trip to San Francisco and California. The footage starts off rather poor. It provides views of; the islands surrounding San Francisco; cactu…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1935 and 1952]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip ( 9 min., 43 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-18
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 18 and contains footage interchanging between colour and black and white, showing the Digney family trip to San Francisco and California. The footage starts off rather poor. It provides views of; the islands surrounding San Francisco; cactus gardens; the Pismo Beach zoo; a Circus; the Aurora Speedway in Seattle; a beach; garden sculptures; views from Telegraph Hill; clearing a California hwy and closes with Paul, Joyce and Dot Digney.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
Images
![San Francisco Trip, [between 1935 and 1952] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-18.jpg)
Video
San Francisco Trip, [between 1935 and 1952]
San Francisco Trip, [between 1935 and 1952]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-18.m4v