19 records – page 1 of 1.

O.G. Naud House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark509
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
The O.G. Naud House is a south facing, two-storey house with a bellcast hipped roof, set on a high basement. It features a double-height front verandah supported by classical columns. It is located on Victory Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of South Burnaby, and is one of the oldest houses i…
Associated Dates
1908
Formal Recognition
Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
Other Names
Onezime & Charlsie Naud House
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Onezime & Charlsie Naud House
Geographic Access
Victory Street
Associated Dates
1908
Formal Recognition
Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
Enactment Type
By-law No. 12316
Enactment Date
26/05/2008
Description
The O.G. Naud House is a south facing, two-storey house with a bellcast hipped roof, set on a high basement. It features a double-height front verandah supported by classical columns. It is located on Victory Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of South Burnaby, and is one of the oldest houses in the area.
Heritage Value
Built in 1908, the O.G. Naud House is valued as one of the first houses to be built in the Alta Vista neighbourhood and is a direct link to the first settlement of the area. Close proximity to the B.C. Electric Railway streetcar line, at Royal Oak and Highland Park, permitted easy access to New Westminster and Vancouver. These transportation links, combined with spectacular views of the Fraser Valley, encouraged the early development of this South Burnaby neighbourhood. The O.G. Naud House is architecturally significant as an example of the influence of the Classical Revival style that had been popularized in Eastern Canada. The basic form of the house is a Foursquare, with a double-height verandah that dominates the symmetrically balanced façade, supported on lathe-turned columns. A central entry and regular fenestration further unify the façade composition. Construction employed locally available materials. The rough-cut foundation stone was harvested from boulders from the G. Ledingham property on the south side of Victory Street. The builder and first owner, Onezime George Naud (1858-1951), was originally from St. Albans, Quebec. He worked on railway construction in Alabama, where he met his wife, Charlsie Elizabeth Sims (1869-1974). He later took part in the 1898 Gold Rush in Atlin, then worked as a stonemason on CPR culverts and bridges across B.C. An accomplished stonemason, Naud also worked on the original Vancouver and New Westminster post offices, the Parliament buildings in Victoria, and the Capitol building in Olympia, Washington.
Defining Elements
The key characteristics that define the heritage character of the O.G. Naud House include its: - south-facing location, with generous set back from the street, in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of South Burnaby - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its two-storey height plus full basement, bellcast hipped roof, rectangular plan and front projecting double-height verandah - masonry construction materials such as the rough-cut granite foundation - wood-frame construction, including lapped wooden siding and shingle siding extant under later cladding - Edwardian era features including lathe-turned columns, balustrades of dimensional lumber, scroll-cut bargeboards in front gable, and scroll-cut eave brackets - associated landscape features including lane access to the east, large cedar trees and perimeter plantings
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Function
Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
Community
Alta Vista
Cadastral Identifier
P.I.D.003-100-375
Boundaries
The O.G. Naud House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 4737 Victory Street, Burnaby.
Area
1099.47
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Documentation
City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
Names
Naud, Onezime Georges "George"
Naud, Charlsie Elizabeth Sims
Street Address
4737 Victory Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Last trip of the Burnaby Lake Interurban line

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38412
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
October 1953 (date of original), copied [2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Marnie Currie and Grant Washington standing in front of the Burnaby Lake Interurban car dressed in period costume. The photograph was taken at Douglas Road station just prior to the tram's last run through Burnaby. A sign attached to the car reads: "Last trip, good-bye trams, Pupils o…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
October 1953 (date of original), copied [2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 25 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
431-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of Marnie Currie and Grant Washington standing in front of the Burnaby Lake Interurban car dressed in period costume. The photograph was taken at Douglas Road station just prior to the tram's last run through Burnaby. A sign attached to the car reads: "Last trip, good-bye trams, Pupils of Douglas School, Burnaby."
Subjects
Transportation - Electric Railroads
Clothing - Costumes
Symbols - Flags
Names
Washington, Grant
Currie, Marnie
British Columbia Electric Railway Company
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Burnaby Lake Interurban line
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
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McClean family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3553
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1900
Collection/Fonds
Hawkshaw family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w (cabinet card) ; 10 x 14 cm, mounted on card ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of eight female members and one male member of the McClean family posing for a photograph taken outside in Wexford, Ireland. Mabel Edith Honor McClean Hawkshaw is standing in the center of the back row. Man on the ground in front could be Mabel's father Washington Gilliland McClean.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hawkshaw family fonds
Series
Hawkshaw family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w (cabinet card) ; 10 x 14 cm, mounted on card ; 10.5 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of eight female members and one male member of the McClean family posing for a photograph taken outside in Wexford, Ireland. Mabel Edith Honor McClean Hawkshaw is standing in the center of the back row. Man on the ground in front could be Mabel's father Washington Gilliland McClean.
Names
Hawkshaw, Mabel Edith Honor McClean
McClean, Honor Delamore
McClean, Washington Gilliland
Accession Code
BV996.6.290
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1900
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2024-05-14
Photographer
Andrews, W. & Son
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note on verso of photograph reads: “Mabel McClean / Centre Back Row / 1900”
Photographer's engraving on recto of card mount reads: "W. Andrews & Son / Wexford & Enniscothy"
Images
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Gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3071
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large gathering at Martha & Mary’s Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington. Children are lined up on the balcony on the second floor. Men in suits and hats and women in dresses and hats are gathered on the balcony on the first floor and the porch area.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Material Details
inscribed in the negative, printed in the photograph, u.l. "edr. Sister, Emma/ Paullsbo, WASH.", u.r."OrPHANTS./ HOME.", b. "c.m.s"
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large gathering at Martha & Mary’s Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington. Children are lined up on the balcony on the second floor. Men in suits and hats and women in dresses and hats are gathered on the balcony on the first floor and the porch area.
History
Martha & Mary’s Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington was opened on May 30,1891 with eight children.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential
Accession Code
HV973.110.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[190-]
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
for another photograph by C. M. Shelby of an orphanage, see HV973.110.6 and .6a
Scan Resolution
300
Scan Date
16/8/2006
Scale
100
Photographer
Shelby, C. M.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3075
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington. There is a brass band present, and many finely dressed men, women and children.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Material Details
inscribed in the negative, printed on the photograph, l.l. "C. M. Shelby./ SEATTLE, WASH./ 410 WASH. BLDG,"
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington. There is a brass band present, and many finely dressed men, women and children.
History
Martha & Mary’s Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington was opened on May 30,1891 with eight children.
Subjects
Organizations - Bands
Buildings - Residential
Accession Code
HV973.110.6
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[190-]
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
for another photograph of an orphanage by C. M. Shelby, see HV973.110.2 and .2a
Scan Resolution
300
Scan Date
16/8/2006
Scale
100
Photographer
Shelby, C. M.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
b&w contact print accompanying negative
Images
Less detail

Gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3078
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington. Children are lined up on the balcony on the second floor. Men in suits and hats and women in dresses and hats are gathered on the balcony on the first floor and the porch area.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w glass negative
Scope and Content
Photograph of a large gathering at Martha and Mary's Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington. Children are lined up on the balcony on the second floor. Men in suits and hats and women in dresses and hats are gathered on the balcony on the first floor and the porch area.
History
Martha & Mary’s Orphans Home in Poulsbo, Washington was opened on May 30,1891 with eight children.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential
Accession Code
HV973.110.9
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[190-]
Media Type
Photograph
Related Material
for another photograph of the orphanage by C. M. Shelby, see HV973.110.2 and .2a
Scan Resolution
300
Scan Date
16/8/2006
Scale
100
Photographer
Shelby, C. M.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w contact print accompanying negative
Images
Less detail

Business card for E.W. Martin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15086
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1960 and 1973]
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 business card
Scope and Content
Item consists of a business card for Elmer W. Martin, Eng. Executive Vice President of Paneloc Buildings by Bermar Incorporated. Card includes the address of the Head Office in Seattle Washington and Home address at 7231 Sutliff Street, Burnaby B.C.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Elmer Wilson Martin fonds
Series
Paneloc Marketing Ltd. business records series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 business card
Material Details
white card stock with graphic in red and text in black
Scope and Content
Item consists of a business card for Elmer W. Martin, Eng. Executive Vice President of Paneloc Buildings by Bermar Incorporated. Card includes the address of the Head Office in Seattle Washington and Home address at 7231 Sutliff Street, Burnaby B.C.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Cards
Accession Code
BV019.40.21
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[between 1960 and 1973]
Media Type
Textual Record
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
February 8, 2021
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Images
Less detail

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19602
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pe…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 52 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 53 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewees: Ellen and Bill Schwartz Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: May 15, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:08:52 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Bill and Ellen Schwartz.
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar and Researcher, Eric Damer. 00:00-16:47 Bill and Ellen share where they were born, grew up and went to school as citizens of the United States and how they met in Pennsylvania the 1970s. Bill and Ellen explain how in the 1970s, they were discouraged about the current politics in the United States under the Nixon administration and how they were inspired by the “back to the land” ideals, rejecting materialism and wanting an alternative lifestyle. With these ideals in mind, they recall how in 1972 they and a few other friends decided to leave the United States, move to British Columbia with the goal of buying land in the Okanagan or Kootenay region and starting a new lifestyle for themselves. Bill and Ellen recollect how they purchased 20 acres of land in Galena Bay in the Kootenays and how they lived in the area off and on until the early 1980s. They describe how they cleared three acres of land, built a cabin, put in a garden, chicken coop and honey bees. With the challenges of the isolated location and no access to electricity they explain how they decided that they had to live elsewhere in order to make a living. Ellen talks about working as a special education teacher in Revelstoke and Slocan and how Bill obtained his teaching certificate while they lived in Nelson. Bill and Ellen describe themselves as environmentalists and of how they both became active Provincial environmentalists during the construction of the Revelstoke Dam. Bill talks about getting work with the “Energy Van” program talking about energy conservation, renewable energy and recycling. They explain how after their first child was born in 1980, they returned to Galena Bay for about a year and a half until Bill was offered a job with the Department of Energy Conservation which lead them to move to Vancouver. 16:48 – 22:46 Bill and Ellen describe their first few years of living in Vancouver and at University of British Columbia while Ellen completed her master’s degree in creative writing. During this time, they had their second child. They recall how in 1988 how they purchased a house in Burnaby, selecting to live in the Deer Lake neighbourhood. They talk about the benefits of the neighbourhood including; a French immersion school for their children, proximity to the trails around Deer Lake and having transit close by. 22:47 – 33:55 Bill and Ellen talk about their consulting business “Polestar Communications”. A Burnaby based communications consulting firm composed of three people, Ellen and Bill and colleague Richard Banner. They describe how their business got started and some of the projects that they’ve worked on including; BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program, financial literacy curriculum that was introduced in B.C. schools and reports for the Province of British Columbia. Ellen and Bill convey how Bill has been a very active member with the City of Burnaby Environment Committee, the Steering Committee to develop a sustainable environmental strategy for Burnaby, how he’s been awarded for his contributions in coaching youth sports and other areas in which they have both volunteered. 33:56 – 43:07 Ellen describes how she got started in writing educational resources about the environment and how since she completed grad school in 1984, she’s published nineteen books. Ellen conveys how her first book was published and sold to the Province of British Columbia as part of the B.C. educational curriculum on the environment. Ellen talks about some of the children’s books that she’s written and published with themes including; social justice, the labour movement and racism in sports. Ellen describes some of her books and the research that she’s done. 43:08 – 51:04 Ellen and Bill Schwartz reflect on what they like about living in Burnaby. They talk about the benefits of their neighbourhood including; performances at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, the Burnaby Art Gallery and Deer Lake as well as having access to parks and community centres in Burnaby. 51:05-56:36 Bill and Ellen reflect on their involvement in the Jewish community, considering themselves non-secular Jews. Ellen talks about how they were involved with “Burquest” a Jewish Community Association and how they often observe some of the Jewish holidays including Hanukah and traditions including the Jewish coming of age ritual, bar mitzvah (masc.) and bat mistvah (fem.). Ellen mentions her involvement with the “Jone Betty Stuchner Oy Vey! Funniest Children’s book Award” where she acts a judge and her involvement with the Jewish Book festival and that she is a recipient of the Jewish Book award. 56:37 – 1:08:53 Bill and Ellen reflect on their 35 years living in Burnaby and how they’ve seen it change. They talk about the increased development and density in the city, how they are troubled by a lack of low income housing, the benefits and importance of public transportation and preservation of green space including Burnaby parks.
History
Interviewees' biographies: Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington, DC, (1950) but grew up in New Jersey. She attended the Universities of Chicago and Wisconsin before moving to a farm in Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband Bill Schwartz. Bill Schwartz grew up in and around Philadelphia (b. 1947), and attended Pennsylvania State University. After travelling, and discouraged with life in eastern America, he and Ellen decided that British Columbia held better prospects. Bill and Ellen quit their jobs in 1972 and moved to the Kootenay region where they adopted a “back to the land” lifestyle, a very new experience for both of them. After eight years of modest success, and occasional work in nearby towns, they opted to return to Vancouver where Bill had work and where they could raise a family more easily. They rented in Vancouver for a few years before moving to family housing at UBC, while Ellen studied creative writing. Bill founded a communications and writing company, and in 1988 they purchased a home in Burnaby. Ellen launched a new career as a writer, mainly for children young adults. Both were active in their careers, raising a family, and participating in local social and political activities. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Education
Environmental Issues
Environmental Issues - Environmental Protection
Geographic Features
Geographic Features - Parks
Housing
Occupations
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Occupations - Writers
Persons - Volunteers
Persons - Jewish Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Religions
Religions - Judaism
Names
Schwartz, William "Bill"
Schwartz, Ellen
City of Burnaby
Polestar Communications
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Accession Code
BV023.16.6
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Images
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

Interview with Ellen and Bill Schwartz, [1969-2023] (interview content), interviewed 15 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0006_003.mp3
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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory475
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1946-1987
Length
00:06:32
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s career at Canadian Industries Inc (CIL) for a few years and then for Fleck Brothers until 1965, when he started his own business, Blaze Industries, which manufactured fire places and wood burning heaters. He also describes his short retirement…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s career at Canadian Industries Inc (CIL) for a few years and then for Fleck Brothers until 1965, when he started his own business, Blaze Industries, which manufactured fire places and wood burning heaters. He also describes his short retirement in 1980 and going back to work for a solar panel manufacturing company, which led to building a plant in India.
Date Range
1946-1987
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:06:32
Subjects
Occupations
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
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Merrill Gordon

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory476
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1935-1956
Length
00:04:56
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at s…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at school.
Date Range
1935-1956
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:04:56
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Education
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
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
Audio Tracks

Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory477
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:13:27
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his frien…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his friend Mark Stockdale who was second president of the club for 16 years and creator of the rose garden on Burnaby Mountain.
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:13:27
Names
Stockdale, Mark
Cliff Avenue United Football Club
Burnaby Mountain Centennial Rose Garden
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Sports - Soccer
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
Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

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…
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
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory479
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:10:17
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributions of Ratepayer groups and volunteers
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:10:17
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Sports - Soccer
Public Services - Municipal Services
Planning
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
Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 10

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory481
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1965-1990
Length
00:15:42
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland
Date Range
1965-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:15:42
Names
Simon Fraser University
Lamont, Dean
Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
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
Audio Tracks

Track ten of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Lillian and John in Seattle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79620
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 29, 1952
Collection/Fonds
Yanko family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" (Carman) Yanko and her husband John Ivan Yanko sitting together on a piece of artillery in Seattle, Washington.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
June 29, 1952
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.
545-203
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2012-09
Scope and Content
Photograph of Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" (Carman) Yanko and her husband John Ivan Yanko sitting together on a piece of artillery in Seattle, Washington.
Names
Yanko, Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" Carman
Yanko, John Ivan
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note written on album page reads: "1952 / June 29, 1952 Seattle Wash"
Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "Seattle, Wash. June 29, 1952"
Images
Less detail

Nap Peletier

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46130
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959, published November 6, 1959
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of N. A. "Nap" Peletier, a former Great Northern Railway worker associated with the legend of the sinking train of 1909 at his home in Washington. Historian W. W. "Bill" Hastings interviewed Nap Peletier and took this photograph.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959, published November 6, 1959
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1018
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of N. A. "Nap" Peletier, a former Great Northern Railway worker associated with the legend of the sinking train of 1909 at his home in Washington. Historian W. W. "Bill" Hastings interviewed Nap Peletier and took this photograph.
Subjects
Occupations - Railroad Labourers
Names
Peletier, N.A. "Nap"
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Hastings, W.W.
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Rural road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82568
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900-1930]
Collection/Fonds
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900-1930]
Collection/Fonds
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
Series
Hill family and Vidal family photograph series
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
550-139
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2013-03
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black pen on verso reads: "Mama slept very well last night and is gaining a little. Dr. spoke very encouragingly yesterday. Rest are OK. Hope you all are. Dora / Mrs. W J McDonald / Pullman Wash / 1000 Thatuna St"
Images
Less detail

Stream

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82569
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900-1930]
Collection/Fonds
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1900-1930]
Collection/Fonds
Hill family and Vidal family fonds
Series
Hill family and Vidal family photograph series
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
550-140
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2013-03
Scope and Content
Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black pen on verso reads: "Dear sis, / How do you like this view? Mama is about the same. Feeding her 5 times a day and Laura is coming down every morning to give her an alcohol bath. Stella is chief nurse. Hope you are all OK. / Thank you for the papers which came this a.m. Will send a card every other day. / Dora / Mrs. W J McDonald / Pullman Wash / 1000 Thatuna St"
Images
Less detail

Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District, Group 2 - Surrey, ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Reserve

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription7068
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[190-]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
11 plans : graphite and ink on paper and linen + blueprint ; various sizes mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of a large board with eleven plans in New Westminster District (Group 2) mounted on one side and five plans in New Westminster District (Group 2) mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Plan : black ink on linen ; 19.5 x 32 cm. Title reads: "Yale Road / Sec.9 & 10 / B5N R2W" (in blue …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
11 plans : graphite and ink on paper and linen + blueprint ; various sizes mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales vary (One chain equals 792 inches)
Indexed number on tape on edge of board reads "99"
Scope and Content
File consists of a large board with eleven plans in New Westminster District (Group 2) mounted on one side and five plans in New Westminster District (Group 2) mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Plan : black ink on linen ; 19.5 x 32 cm. Title reads: "Yale Road / Sec.9 & 10 / B5N R2W" (in blue crayon). Scale: 400 chains = 1 inch. Initals in blue crayon: "RB". Survey plan of Yale Road running through Sections 9 and 10 in New Westminster District, Group 2. (Geographic location: Surrey) 2. Plan : blueprint on paper ; 35.5 x 77.5 cm. Title reads: "Victoria Terminal Railway & Ferry Co. / Plan showing / Proposed Change of Wagon Road through White Rock, B.C" Scale: 400 feet = 1 inch. "H.C. Brice / Engineer in charge / New Westminster, B.C.". February 1906. Signed by "Walter Wilkie B.C.L.S.". Annotation in blue crayon reads: "Sub. of Parts of Sec. 10 & 11 / Tp. 1". Semiahmoo Indian Reserve, Washington Ave., Feb. 1906; 2. Yale Road, Sec.9, 10, B5N R2W, River Rd.; (Geographic location: White Rock) 3. Plan : graphite on paper ; 34 x 94 cm. Title reads: "Tp 7 / NW District" (in graphite) and "Campbell River / in Twp. 7" (in blue crayon). TP7, New Westminster District, Campbell R. in TP4, Coast Meridian, Bamford; (Geographic location: Surrey) Side B: 1. Plan : black ink and col. ink on paper ; 28 x 38.5 cm. Title reads: "G.N.R. / South approach to Wests bridge" (in blue crayon). Scale: 2 chains = 1 inch. Signed by Albert J. Hill, B.C.L.S. Plan covers land in Lot 2, Group 2 and ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Reserve with approach to bridge running through. (Geographic location: Surrey) 2. Plan : black ink and col. ink on paper ; 26.5 x 44.5 cm. Title reads: "Plan / of / River Frontage / across / Lot 1 BI.N.R.2W. and Lot 6, B.I.N.R.I.W. / N.W.D." Scale: 6 chains = 1 inch. Stamp in red ink reads: "Albert J. Hill, M.A., / Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Surrey) 3. Plan : graphite and ink on paper ; 27 x 44.5 cm. (no formal title) Plan covers area between Yale Road, (north), Quible Road (west) and Townline Road (south). Scale: 4 chains = 1 inch. Signed by Albert J. Hill, B.C.L.S. Annotations in blue crayon read: "also Board 83 / Cancelled" (Geographic location: Surrey) 4. Plan : graphite on paper ; 35.5 x 21.5 cm. Title reads: "Sec 33 B.5N. R2W / see finished drawing Board 125". Initials in blue crayon "RB". Plan certifified by B.C. Provincial Land Surveyor in blue ink "Albert J. Hill". 5. Plan : black ink and col. ink on linen ; 15.5 x 22 cm. Title reads: " Lot 167 Gr. 2" (blue crayon). Scale: 200 feet = 1 inch. Signed by Albert J. Hill, Provincial Land Surveyor. Survey of aarea north of Cloverdale & Guichon Railway with area identified as "Gravel Pit". "Cancelled" in upper left corner of plan. (Geographic location: Surrey) 6. Plan : graphite on paper ; 27 x 27.5 cm. Title reads: "South Half / of / S.W.1/4 Sec.31 TP7 / N.W.D.". Scale: 5 chains = 1 inch. Other title at top of plan reads; "Edward Parr [sic] / Cloverdale". Covers area east of Coast Meridian Road in Section 36. (Geographic location: Surrey) 7. Plan : graphite on paper ; 20.5 x 16 cm. Title reads: "Survey of [sic] Sec. 16, Tp 1[sic] / ..." Other title in blue crayon reads: "N.E. 1/4 Sec. 16 / Twp. 1". (Geographic location: Surrey) 8. Plan : graphite on paper. ; 26.5 x 35 cm. (title is illegible) Plan covers are in New Westminster District, Group 2 along the south shore of the Fraser River. (Geographic location: Surrey)
Creator
Hill, Albert James
Subjects
First Nations reserves - British Columbia
Accession Code
HV977.93.99
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[190-]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-06-26
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Zoomable Images
Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District, Group 2 - Surrey, ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Reserve, [190-] thumbnail

Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District, Group 2 - Surrey, ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Reserve, [190-]

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1977_0093_0099_004 thumbnail

1977_0093_0099_004

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19 records – page 1 of 1.