William Holmes House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark736
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- North Road
- Brunette River
- Associated Dates
- 1860
- Heritage Value
- William Holmes is considered to be the first non-Native resident of Burnaby. In March, 1860, Holmes acquired the first land title in the area that would become the Municipality of Burnaby. Legally known as Lot One, Block One, this parcel was located on North Road and the Brunette River. The eight-member Holmes family built a log cabin on the lot on a bluff above the river in which they lived for many years until a bigger home was built. The log cabin remained and in 1892 was used as an isolation hospital when a smallpox epidemic hit the lower mainland. Afterwards, local health officials burned the cabin to prevent the spread of disease.
- Planning Study Area
- Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
William Holmes fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10416
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1841]-1994
- Collection/Fonds
- William Holmes fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (calotype) + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col. + 5 p. textual records + 1 newspaper clipping
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to the William Holmes family, family grave markers in cemetery in Ireland along with original correspondence, land title certificates and a newspaper clipping. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) William Holmes family photographs series 2) William Holmes family…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- William Holmes fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs (calotype) + 1 photograph : b&w + 6 photographs : col. + 5 p. textual records + 1 newspaper clipping
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs pertaining to the William Holmes family, family grave markers in cemetery in Ireland along with original correspondence, land title certificates and a newspaper clipping. Fonds is arranged in series: 1) William Holmes family photographs series 2) William Holmes family records series 3) Holmes family cemetery photographs series
- History
- William Holmes was the first non-Indigenous resident of Burnaby and was born in Kilkenny Ireland January 4, 1812. In 1833, at the age of 20 yrs, William Holmes immigrated to Canada from Ireland in with his parents, Joseph and Jane (McCullough) Holmes and ten other family members including two of his married brothers and their wives, two sisters with their husbands and two unmarried brothers. This was the first group of thirteen to leave Ireland and set up homesteads in Canada near the shores of Lake Huron. The family settled on land concessions in Huron County, Ontario about 14 km southeast of Goderich. The area in Huron County was first founded in 1832 by John and Samuel Holmes and the community was known as Holmes Hill before becoming Holmesville [ca. 1850]. In 1837, William Holmes is noted as owning Lot 23, Concession IX, Goderich Twp. Much of the village of Holmesville grew up around the five road concession near the border of his brother’s farm so William decided to open a store. The Holmesville post office opened on March 1, 1855 and William was appointed the first post master which he operated until May 1857. William met and married Mary Richardson in 1841 and the couple had three daughters: Jane (1844-1926) (married Charles Studdert Finlaison in New Westminster in 1863); Anne Maria (Annie) (1846-192?) (married John Gunther Jennings in New Westminster in 1865 and married Robert Johnson in New Westminster in 1877) and Elizabeth (1848-1934) (married Thomas Carrington of Lakes District in 1867). William’s wife, Mary (Richardson) Holmes died in Holmesville sometime between 1848 and 1853. Following the death of his first wife, Mary, William married Charlotte McCullough (McCulloch). The couple had four daughters; Arabella Charlotte Amelia (1854-1943) (married Arthur Robert Green in 1887); Laura (1855-1867); Arabella Henrietta (1857-1929) (married Clark Wesley Gillanders in 1880) and Mary (1863-1864). During the late 1850s, William became aware of the gold rush and opportunities opening up in British Columbia so left for the west coast in 1858 at the age of 46 yrs. In preparation for his move to the west coast of Canada, William obtained a letter of introduction from top government officials of Canada. William Holmes arrived in British Columbia in 1859. Upon arriving, he first worked running pack trains from Harrison Mills to Lillooet. After earning some money, he decided to re-invest it in land. His first pre-emption of land occurred on January 21, 1860 for 160 acres situated on North Road from the Military Camp to Burrard Inlet and distancing 25 chains south of the Brunette River and 20 chains south of the river with the land extending in a westerly direction. On March 17, 1860, Holmes received a Crown Grant for this and other land in the immediate area totalling 415 acres of which was known as Lot No. 1, Group 1, Rural Land, New Westminster District. The balance of land was situated on the east side of the Brunette River – Lot 13, with 344 2/3 acres of which he made an application to purchase on June 26, 1860, and a Crown Grant dated March 16, 1861 covering 86 acres. Holmes also pre-empted land in Port Moody and Pitt Meadows in 1860 and 1861. The name of “Brunette River” is officially attributed to William Holmes who referred to the river as “Brunette” due to it’s dark colour originating from the peat lands above the lake. Following his purchase of property, he sent for his wife Charlotte, their three daughters and her three step daughters (from William’s first marriage). Charlotte and the six children made the long trip to B.C. by ship and rail, crossing the Isthmus of Darien at Panama. They arrived in B.C. in October 1861 and moved into a one room log cabin built by William. The cabin stood on the North Road at the foot of Sapperton, on a bluff overlooking the Brunette River. Eventually the family moved to a larger dwelling but the original cabin remained on the site until the 1890s when it was burned after being used as a sick house. Mr. Holmes was instrumental in organizing the first Orange Lodge in British Columbia. He was a prominent Orangeman who joined the order in 1840 and was the first master in the order of the City of New Westminster when the Lodge No. 1150 was established there. Charlotte Holmes died in New Westminster in 1893 at the age of 70 years and William Holmes died in New Westminster September 11, 1907 at the age of 95 years.
- Responsibility
- Holmes, William
- Accession Code
- HV971.46
- BV997.50
- Date
- [1841]-1994
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Related Material
- See also: Reference file: Persons - Holmes, William
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
5990 Irmin Street
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98685
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Disappearing Burnaby collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a multi-storey house located at 5990 Irmin Street. The photograph depicts of the exterior of the house at dusk; a light is on in one of the house's rooms and a vehicle is parked in the house's driveway next to a portable garage. A "For Sale" sign on the edge of the property reads: "Fu…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Disappearing Burnaby collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 634-032
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2022-14
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a multi-storey house located at 5990 Irmin Street. The photograph depicts of the exterior of the house at dusk; a light is on in one of the house's rooms and a vehicle is parked in the house's driveway next to a portable garage. A "For Sale" sign on the edge of the property reads: "Future Development Land." Another house is visible in the background. The house was constructed in 1923 and is nearby to 7530 Buller Avenue.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Cheung, Nakita
- Notes
- Title taken from the associated blog post
- Associated blog post: https://disappearingburnaby.wordpress.com/2022/06/30/william-esther-burdick-residence/
- Geographic Access
- Irmin Street
- Street Address
- 5990 Irmin Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
Images
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82116
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1850-1983]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 255 photographs : b&w and sepia and 9.5 cm of textual records : ill. (some col.)
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs and textual records from the Vidal and Hill family. Textual records include handwritten family trees, typed and handwritten biographical information of the Jones, Wright, Hyde, Vidal, and Hill families, copies of photographic prints, published works by J. H. Vidal and …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1850-1983]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 255 photographs : b&w and sepia and 9.5 cm of textual records : ill. (some col.)
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs and textual records from the Vidal and Hill family. Textual records include handwritten family trees, typed and handwritten biographical information of the Jones, Wright, Hyde, Vidal, and Hill families, copies of photographic prints, published works by J. H. Vidal and William Cowper, newspaper clippings, and a New Testament.
- History
- Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill was born in Burnaby on July 31, 1893, to Marian (nee Berkeley) and Bernard Richard Hill. Marian was born in London, England. Bernard Hill, born in Bengal, India, in 1858 to Sir Richard Hill and Jane Ann (nee Rollinson) where his father worked for the East Indian Railway, was one of the early inhabitants of Burnaby. Despite their years of training as engineers, Bernard, along with his brother, Louis Claude Hill, became strawberry farmers and owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and halfway around Deer Lake. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. Bernard also served as a Burnaby trustee and as councilor of Burnaby in 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1909. Bernard and Marian had four children: A. Claude (born in England around 1885, married Marion “Mamie”), Frank L., Winnifred “Winnie” L., and Gerry. Gerry attended Miss Harriet Woodward’s kindergarten class, and went on to Edmonds School with Miss Ellen Lister as his teacher. He later went to Central High School in New Westminster, often on horseback. Gerry served in World War I, signing his recruitment papers on November 9, 1914. When he returned home, he worked felling trees, then as an apprentice surveyor and finally as a carpenter. His father, Bernard, died in Burnaby on March 27, 1939, at the age of 80. Bernard's brother, Louis, was one of the first members elected to the Burnaby council and served in 1892, 1893, 1894, and again from 1909-1910. Louis, born in 1860, married Annie Sarah Kendrick (born in 1896) and they moved to the Burnaby Lake area in the early 1890s. Together they had one child, Katherine “Kitty” Maude, born in 1898. The first Hill family home, “Brookfield,” was sold around 1907 and the family moved to their new home, “Broadview,” which was also built in the vicinity of Deer Lake. Kitty, their only child, married William “Bob” John Peers in 1925 and they went on to have three children: Robert C.K., Barbara (later Barbara Jeffrey), and Anne (later Anne Latham). Charlotte Elizabeth Vidal was born in 1897 in the United States to Louisa Sophia (nee Jones) and Herbert P. Vidal. Louisa Vidal (1871-1943) was a descendent of Jones of Exeter of England and the House of Llanio Cardigan of Wales. Herbert Vidal (1868-1934)’s father was Alexander Vidal (1819-1906). Alexander Vidal, born in Brocknell, England, immigrated to Upper Canada in 1835 and later served as a senator of Canada from 1873 to 1906. He married Catherine Louisa Wright, the daughter of Capt. William Elliot Wright. Both of Charlotte’s parents, Louisa and Herbert, were born in Ontario. Charlotte Vidal was sister to Dorothy Kate and Alexander E. E. Vidal. Gerry Hill (aged 27) and Charlotte E. Vidal (aged 23) married on September 28, 1920, in Vancouver. Gerry built a house for him and his wife about a thousand feet from his parents’ home. He also bought property at Yellow Point on Vancouver Island around this time. By the early 1930s, Gerry had moved to Yellow Point permanently and begun building the Yellow Point Lodge. Gerry and Charlotte bore three children: David, Lesley C. (born in 1929), and Gerald. Gerry was later remarried to Elizabeth (nee Holen) and had one child: Richard Grant McEwan Hill, born in Ladysmith. Lesley married M. Clarke and had two boys: Roy and Graham. She later married B. Durban and had four boys: Patrick, Michael, Gary, and Grant. Charlotte died on February 11, 1984, at the age of 87. Gerry died on January 30, 1988, in Ladysmith at the age of 93.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Creator
- Hill Family
- Vidal family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo catalogue 550, MSS176
Learnings from the pandemic
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14748
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- Aug. 2020
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (tiff) : col. ; 72 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of screenshots taken from an iPhone Apple Notes text application. The photographs consist of a piece of writing reflecting on the learnings of COVID-19 by Yimeng (Jane) Zhao. A transcription of the written work reads: "Before pandemic ¦Synchronization¦ The moment whe…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum COVID-19 collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (tiff) : col. ; 72 dpi.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of screenshots taken from an iPhone Apple Notes text application. The photographs consist of a piece of writing reflecting on the learnings of COVID-19 by Yimeng (Jane) Zhao. A transcription of the written work reads: "Before pandemic ¦Synchronization¦ The moment when your local cafe plays the same song as you're listening to on your headphones When you arrive for your date with the girls and end up matching by accident After getting a new lipstick it made you decide to finally make the move (travel to a new place, land your dream job) Posted a similar WeChat moment/Instagram story as your dudes/gals When you walk into the men's washroom by accident then at the guitar class They taught you the song "yellow" during... Learnings 1. Drilling helps you relieve wrists pains especially if you are tech-addict or journal writers 2. Sudden stopping on the car happens often, don't forget the safety belts 3. Never ride with a complete strange driver unless you're with someone you trust 4. Don't pick wild flowers no matter how small they are 5. Put things back to where you found them 6. Your folks are just like children, spending time to listen 7. Slow to anger. Always respect 8. Smile 9. #blackoutTuesday 10. Your index finger can work wonders 11. So can a stylus 12. Try before actually buying/returning 13. Think before speaking/answering 14. Just do it 15. Action speak louder than words 16. Let music speak 17. A picture is worth a thousand words 18. Words can be weapons 19. #createdonthate 20. Do not take anything for granted 21. Family first 22. Don't cry or get angry if it doesn't help the situation 23. Laughing out loud cures mild depressed moods 24. So does exercise 25. And culinary arts 26. Painting/sketching too 27. Journal the things you want to complain, but be grateful for all that comes 28. Pray 29. Used aroma therapy 30. CBT 31. Eye drops are cheesy p"
- Creator
- Zhao, Yimeng (Jane)
- Subjects
- Pandemics - COVID-19
- Accession Code
- BV020.23.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- Aug. 2020
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on content of photographs
Images
Sussex Villa with sign
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98660
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Disappearing Burnaby collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : col.
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of part of the exterior and front lawn of Sussex Villa, an apartment complex located at 6620-6630 Sussex Avenue, at night. The building was constructed in 1965 and is set to be developed into a high-rise tower by Keltic Canada Development. A sign standing on the lawn reads: "Land Loan" a…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 2022
- Collection/Fonds
- Disappearing Burnaby collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : col.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 634-007
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2022-14
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of part of the exterior and front lawn of Sussex Villa, an apartment complex located at 6620-6630 Sussex Avenue, at night. The building was constructed in 1965 and is set to be developed into a high-rise tower by Keltic Canada Development. A sign standing on the lawn reads: "Land Loan" and "Domain Funding" with contact information, and a residential tower is visible in the background.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Apartments
- Buildings - Residential
- Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Cheung, Nakita
- Notes
- Title taken from the associated blog post
- Associated blog post: https://disappearingburnaby.wordpress.com/2022/01/29/sussex-villa-2/
- Geographic Access
- Sussex Avenue
- Street Address
- 6620 Sussex Avenue
- 6630 Sussex Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
