Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Charles B. Brown May 21, 1975 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory32

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1923-1938

Length: 0:06:27

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to Charles Boyer Brown's comparisons between working for a Council versus working for a Commissionership.

Date Range: 1923-1938

Photo Info: Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008

Length: 0:06:27

Subjects: Officials - Commissioners; Officials - Aldermen and Councillors

Interviewer: Bradbury, Dr. Bettina

Interview Date: May 21, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is a taped interview with Charles B. Brown by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury May 21, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, the Commissioner and municipal politics in general. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Charles Boyer Brown was born on June 16, 1894 in the town of Ongar, Essex, England. He came to Canada as a young child with his parents Jean and Percy Brown. In 1903, the family settled in New Westminster and by 1911, Charles had joined the Burnaby municipal staff working as an office boy. The outbreak of World War One interrupted Charlie’s career as he immediately enlisted with the Royal Engineers and served from 1915 to 1918. While overseas he met and married Lillian Bernice Bryan and they returned to Canada together after the war and Charles resumed his position in municipal administration. For a short time, Charles was appointed as the Municipal Assessor, but in 1927 he became the Assistant Municipal Clerk. In 1933, Charles was made Municipal Clerk, a post he held until he retired in 1959. Charles has also been credited with playing a significant role in administering the city while it was under the rule of the provincial commission from 1932-1942. Recognized for his expertise in civic affairs, Charles was appointed by the provincial government to a committee formed to review and revise the Municipal Act. He was also a member of the BC Municipal Officers’ Association from its formation in 1936 and was made its chair in 1953. While these civic duties occupied much of his time, Charles still managed to participate as a volunteer on many sport and youth clubs in the city and served as the secretary for the Kingsway Rotary Club. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Burnaby, both paid and volunteer, Charles was presented with the Gold Key award in 1959, the same year he finally retired from municipal administration. During Charles’ lifetime, many changes took place in the Municipality that he loved. He saw Burnaby grow in population and progress and he could be proud of the significant part he played in that growth and development. Charles Brown died on August 11, 1981.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 0:58:01

Interviewee Name: Brown, Charles B. "Charlie"

Interview Location: Walker Avenue

Interviewer Bio: Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Charles Boyer Brown, by photographer Nicholas Rossmo [1950]. Item no. 307-008 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Charles B. Brown

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-06/100-13-06_Track_6.mp3

Kinnunen's Creek

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34381

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1926

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 12.4 cm on page 17.5 x 26.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph taken looking down Kinnunen's Creek with fallen trees and branches along the banks. This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and worked on the construction of the Trans-Provincial Highway during the later 1920s.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1926

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Peers family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 12.4 cm on page 17.5 x 26.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 020-088

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph taken looking down Kinnunen's Creek with fallen trees and branches along the banks. This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and worked on the construction of the Trans-Provincial Highway during the later 1920s.

Subjects: Land Clearing; Geographic Features - Creeks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Peers, Arthur Francis "Mike"

Notes: Title based on caption accompanying photograph

Images

Road cleared through a forest

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34400

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1926

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 10 cm on page 17.5 x 26.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a roadway that has been cut through the forest. Tree stumps are lining the road and the ground is covered with snow. A caption adjacent to the photograph reads "Tony's Work." This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1926

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Peers family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 10 cm on page 17.5 x 26.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 020-107

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a roadway that has been cut through the forest. Tree stumps are lining the road and the ground is covered with snow. A caption adjacent to the photograph reads "Tony's Work." This photograph appears to have been taken by Arthur Peers, who travelled through the Fraser River Valley and worked on the construction of the Trans-Provincial Highway during the later 1920s.

Subjects: Land Clearing; Natural Phenomena - Snow; Geographic Features - Roads

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Peers, Arthur Francis "Mike"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Road cleared through a forest, 1926 thumbnail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory478

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1956-1990

Length: 00:07:05

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Commi…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Committee (BBC), his election to Burnaby Council in 1972 with BVA, and his membership in and work for the federal NDP

Date Range: 1956-1990

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263

Length: 00:07:05

Names: Emmott, Alan H

Subjects: Persons - Volunteers; Officials - Aldermen and Councillors

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 19, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill 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 about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 1:31:44

Interviewee Name: Gordon, Merrill

Interview Location: unknown

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.

Images

Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_7.mp3

Burnaby Mountain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38210

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-797

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Inlets; Geographic Features - Mountains; Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Burnaby Mountain, [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Burnaby Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34577

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 34.5 x 23.3 cm mounted on 49.5 x 35.1 cm cardboard

Scope and Content: Photograph taken from Burnaby Park, including trees and mountains in the distance.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1927

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 34.5 x 23.3 cm mounted on 49.5 x 35.1 cm cardboard

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 055-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph taken from Burnaby Park, including trees and mountains in the distance.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Mountains; Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Lloyd's Studio

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Annotation on bottom front of cardboard reads, "Burnaby Park / Officially Opened August 6th, 1927"

Geographic Access: Robert Burnaby Park; Wedgewood Street

Street Address: 8155 Wedgewood Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lakeview-Mayfield Area

Images

Interview with Alekxos Sarter by Kathy Bossort October 16, 2015 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory578

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1958-1992

Length: 0:12:40

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Alekxos Sarter’s first years of employment with Parks, her sources of knowledge about Burnaby Mountain, and the department’s activities in Burnaby Mountain Park. She talks about the loop trail planned for Burnaby Mountain Park in 1958, the Trans Canada Trail p…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Alekxos Sarter’s first years of employment with Parks, her sources of knowledge about Burnaby Mountain, and the department’s activities in Burnaby Mountain Park. She talks about the loop trail planned for Burnaby Mountain Park in 1958, the Trans Canada Trail project, events and issues at the Pavilion, and keeping track of trails on SFU lands.

Date Range: 1958-1992

Length: 0:12:40

Names: Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department; Burnaby Mountain Park; Kamui Mintara; Trans Canada Trail

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Trails; Planning; Recreational Activities

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: October 16, 2015

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Alekxos Sarter conducted by Kathy Bossort. Alekxos Sarter was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain from Alekxos Sarter’s perspective and experience as employee in the City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. The interview provides an excellent explanation of the history and function of kinds of park dedications used by the City of Burnaby; an overview of issues around including the Trans Mountain tank farm in the conservation area; and the background to the land use and ownership disagreement between the City of Burnaby and Simon Fraser University, its resolution, and the subsequent development of SFU’s UniverCity. Alekxos Sarter talks about Richard Bolton, Burnaby’s Acting-Commissioner who was responsible for dedicating the first park on Burnaby Mountain in 1942, and the creation of a park named after him in UniverCity.

Biographical Notes: Alekxos Sarter was born in Vancouver in 1961, to Daine and Kasandra Sarter. She grew up in North Vancouver and since 1994 has lived on a sailboat in False Creek. After attending UBC where she studied landscape architecture, she was hired by the City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services in 1986. Working first in parks design, Alekxos quickly moved into parks planning, her preferred career. As Research Officer she covers research, planning, public consultation, parks and facility inventory, parkland acquisition, among other duties.

Total Tracks: 9

Total Length: 2:20:47

Interviewee Name: Sarter, Alekxos T.

Interview Location: City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services meeting room

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Alekxos Sarter

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-005/MSS196-005_Track_2.mp3

The Lions from Burnaby Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3109

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1926 and 1929]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w photogravure ; 14.5 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the north shore mountains, including the Lions, taken from Robert Burnaby Park.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w photogravure ; 14.5 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the north shore mountains, including the Lions, taken from Robert Burnaby Park.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Mountains - British Columbia; Geographic Features - Parks

Geographic Access: Wedgewood Street; Robert Burnaby Park

Street Address: 8155 Wedgewood Street

Accession Code: HV972.204.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1926 and 1929]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lakeview-Mayfield Area

Related Material: For other photographs from the same album, see HV972.204.3 - .14

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-04-25

Photographer: Lloyd, Frank Ernest

Notes: Annotations made in white paint on recto of photograph read: "'The Lions' from Burnaby Park" and "Lloyd Studio, McKay."

Images

The Lions from Burnaby Park, [between 1926 and 1929] thumbnail

Aerial photograph of Burnaby Mountain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription39742

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957 or 1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Burnaby Mountain park and Centennial Pavilion, under construction.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957 or 1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: North Burnaby Board of Trade subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 476-025

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2005-8

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Burnaby Mountain park and Centennial Pavilion, under construction.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Land Clearing

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hunting Survey Corporation Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Centennial Way

Street Address: 100 Centennial Way

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Aerial photograph of Burnaby Mountain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64460

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957 or 1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 14 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Burnaby Mountain park and Centennial Pavilion, under construction.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957 or 1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: North Burnaby Board of Trade subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 14 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 476-026

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2005-8

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Burnaby Mountain park and Centennial Pavilion, under construction.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Land Clearing

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Hunting Survey Corporation Limited

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Centennial Way

Street Address: 100 Centennial Way

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory252

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1955

Length: 0:06:06

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clear…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's memories of constructing a mill for Simpson & Giberson and of working on homes for himself, Angus McLean and Percy Little in the Lochdale area. He discusses the strike at Barnet mill and reads an essay written by Grace E. Carpenter. Land clearing is described in detail. Alfred also relates a story from 1920 involving early settlers E. Powell and J. Amos.

Date Range: 1919-1955

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:06:06

Subjects: Land Clearing; Buildings - Industrial - Mills

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lochdale Area

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_2.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory253

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1903-1940

Length: 0:09:46

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he t…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's descriptions of road construction in Burnaby, including the names of the settlers and logging companies involved in their construction. Alfred discusses the changes that took place during World War I, along with municipal Relief work that he took part in at Burnaby Mountain. Alfred also discusses early schools and mentions his wife, Ada Bingham.

Date Range: 1903-1940

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:09:46

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction; Land Clearing

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_3.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory257

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1919-1939

Length: 0:09:44

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads "WHAT THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT LOOKED LIKE IN 1919-20-21-22" and "1st and SECOND SETTLERS IN THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT" both written in 1963.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads "WHAT THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT LOOKED LIKE IN 1919-20-21-22" and "1st and SECOND SETTLERS IN THE LOCHDALE DISTRICT" both written in 1963.

Date Range: 1919-1939

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:09:44

Subjects: Land Clearing

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track seven of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_7.mp3

Allanson family clearing land

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35793

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1923 (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 Allanson family clearing the land at 12 Warwick Avenue bought by Malcolm and Mabel Allanson. Left to right: William Allanson, Mabel Allanson, Malcolm Allanson, and Jessie Allanson. William and Jessie Allanson are the parents of Malcolm. Mabel and Malcolm Allanson are married.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1923 (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.: 204-651

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Allanson family clearing the land at 12 Warwick Avenue bought by Malcolm and Mabel Allanson. Left to right: William Allanson, Mabel Allanson, Malcolm Allanson, and Jessie Allanson. William and Jessie Allanson are the parents of Malcolm. Mabel and Malcolm Allanson are married.

Subjects: Land Clearing; Plants - Trees

Names: Allanson, Jessie; Allanson, Mabel; Allanson, Malcolm; Allanson, William

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Warwick Avenue

Street Address: 12 Warwick Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Allanson family clearing land, 1923 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Annie Eshelby in front of a felled tree

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35363

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1924

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 Mrs. Annie Eshelby in front of a felled tree measuring six feet in diameter. She is sitting on a chair with a black and white cat lying across her lap. This photograph was taken at the lot on Fell Avenue and Dundas Street, North Burnaby, which was cleared for the Eshelby family home. …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1924

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.: 204-220

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Mrs. Annie Eshelby in front of a felled tree measuring six feet in diameter. She is sitting on a chair with a black and white cat lying across her lap. This photograph was taken at the lot on Fell Avenue and Dundas Street, North Burnaby, which was cleared for the Eshelby family home. Annie Eshelby (nee Perrey) was married to Frank Eshelby. They settled in Burnaby after moving from England in 1922.

Subjects: Animals - Cats; Land Clearing; Plants - Trees

Names: Eshelby, Annie Perrey

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Fell Avenue; Dundas Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Images

Annie Eshelby in front of a felled tree, 1924 thumbnail

Birth of a House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79788

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 1950

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the construction site for the Yanko family house at 7385 Broadway (later renumbered 7391) in Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 1950

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm

Material Details: Secured to album page with photo corners

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 545-438

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2012-09

Scope and Content: Photograph of the construction site for the Yanko family house at 7385 Broadway (later renumbered 7391) in Burnaby.

Subjects: Construction; Land Clearing

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title (from album page); Note written on album page reads: "'Birth of a House' / Started May 1950 / Moved in April 6, 1951"; Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "#6 House May 1950"