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Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory247
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.
- Date Range
- 1904-1975
- Photo Info
- Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
- Length
- 0:09:26
- Names
- McMurray, Bob
- Subjects
- Transportation - Sleighs
- Animals - Horses
- Interviewer
- McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
- Interview Date
- November 17, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
- Biographical Notes
- Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 0:58:55
- Interviewee Name
- McMurray, Lillian Wray
- McMurray, Murdoch
- Interviewer Bio
- Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Oral history subseries
- 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 five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
Track five of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_5.mp3
bicycle wheel
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact5218
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV987.23.1
- Description
- Rear wheel for a bicycle. The rim is wood suported by wire spokes. The hub has a small chain sprocket mounted on it. There is no tire. Used a s a light weight alternative to steel wheels for racing. Maker's label is stamped in the inside of the wood rim.
Images
bicycle wheel
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact5219
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV987.23.2
- Description
- Front wheel for a bicycle. The rim is wood suported by wire spokes. A narrow racing tire is glued to the edge of the rim. Used as a light weight alternative to steel wheels for racing. Maker's label is stamped in the inside of the wood rim. The tire is made of rubber and has the maker's label on the edge by the rim. Text highlighted with red.
- Marks/Labels
- "_________ GRAN PREMO - 28 x 1 1/8", embossed on side of tire, highlighted in red. Difficult to read.
Images
bicycle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact3036
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV989.11.2
- Description
- Bicycle, delivery boy's style, made by Birmingham Small Arms Co., ( B.S.A. ) of England, manufactured circa 1921. The frame is black with paint chipped off in places. There is black tape around crossbar. The rear, bottom of the back fender is painted white and has a small reflector mounted on it. The seat is supported by two springs. "BSA" is part of the ornamental metal work of the chain wheel; tires are rather flat at bottom.
- Object History
- The donor acquired the bicycle when she purchased Robertson Hardware Ltd, 4052 East Hastings, in Burnaby. This bicycle was used in Burnaby.
- Marks/Labels
- "BSA", forms the spokes of the chain sprocket. "Dunlop Imperial", "26 x 1 1/2", embossed on side of front tire. "Dunlop Carrier" "26 x 1 3/4", "Made in Canada", "136-1", embossed on side of rear tire
- Country Made
- England
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Bicycles
Images
bicycle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact5165
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV987.14.1
- Description
- Girl's black bicycle, made by Canadian Cycle and Motor Co. (CCM).There is a string netting over the rear wheel and drive chain to prevent long skirts getting caught. A bent wood strip loops over the chain drive to act as additional protection. There is a small, leather, tool kit attached to the back of the leather seat. The hand grips are also leather.
- Marks/Labels
- "CCM", printed on logo on handlebar post
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- Ontario
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Bicycles
Images
bicycle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact15802
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV983.44.1
- Description
- Men's black bicycle manufactured by Canadian Cycle and Motor Co. ( CCM ). The main cross brace consists of two bars. The handle bars are upright and have black plastic hand grips. The rear half of the back fender is painted white and has a small reflector mounted on it. There is white leather wrapped over the original seat.
- Country Made
- Canada
- Province Made
- Ontario
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Bicycles
Images
bicycle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact34939
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV993.17.1
- Description
- Bicycle, man's, c. 1918; "The Olympic." Handle bars face forward. It has a small carrier over rear wheel.
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Bicycles
Images
bicycle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact80104
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV008.19.5
- Description
- Men's bicycle with a heavy duty delivery basket mounted to the front handle bars and a heavy duty carrier mounted over the rear wheel. There are fenders on the front and rear wheels. There is a flip up bike stand mounted at the back. It is hinged at the rear hub and flips up to the carrier when not in use or flips down and raises the rear wheel when supporting the bicycle. There is an electric headlight mounted on the centre of the handle bars. The generator is mounted under the basket on the left side of the front forks. it runs against the front wheel to generate the current. A small red light is wired into the system to give a rear light. It is mounted on the left side of the rear frame. There is a red reflector mounted at the very back of the rear fender. The original colour is black with silver stripping and trim. The handle bars and seat post are originally chrome plated but have been painted silver. The chrome is flaking due to rust. There is a bell on the right handle bar. There are red rubber (plastic) hand grips on the ends of the handle bars. The right hand grip has the rear end broken off. A bike padlock is locked around the main post. The bicycle seat is sprung. The leather finish is cracking and flaking. There are no maker's marks on the seat.
- Object History
- Used by M. Thomson when growing up in Kerrisdale area of Vancouver.
- Marks/Labels
- "CANADA CYCLE & / MOTOR CO. LIMITED / CCM / WESTON ONT. / CANADA", etched and stamped into the makers plate on the main post. "CANADA CYCLE & MOTOR CO. / CCM / WESTON CANADA / MADE IN CANADA", printed on a decal under the seat on the main frame post. The background of the decal is a quarterred mapleleaf, quarters alternating green and gold. "NEW & USED / Bicycles & Lawnmowers / Boulevard Cycles / 537_ W. Boulevard / Kerrisdale / Bicycles Repaired / Lawnmowers Sharpened", printed on a decal under the seat on the main frame post. The decal is a dark green oval with a red band through the middle.
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Bicycles
Images
bicycle handlebars
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact30121
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.91.13
- Description
- Bicycle, drop style, handlebars made of bent wood with hand grips. Used as a light weight alternative to heavy steel handlebars for racing bikes.
Images
Interview with Bob Lowe 2005 - Track 6
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription4498
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:05:45 min)
- Scope and Content
- Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to Bob’s feelings about Burnaby as a place to live, and continues the subject of change. Bob talks of his property in Burnaby, which he purchased as acreage. He compares the Burnaby of his childhood to that of pioneers such as Tommy Irvine, describing…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Series
- Museum Oral Histories series
- Subseries
- Growing Up in Burnaby subseries
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (mp3) (0:05:45 min)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Tom Gooden Interviewee: Bob Lowe Date of interview: May 2005 Total Number of Tracks: 6 Total length of all Tracks: 0:43:36
- Scope and Content
- Track 6: This portion of the recording pertains to Bob’s feelings about Burnaby as a place to live, and continues the subject of change. Bob talks of his property in Burnaby, which he purchased as acreage. He compares the Burnaby of his childhood to that of pioneers such as Tommy Irvine, describing himself as a relative newcomer. He speaks of the preservation of the Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake areas. Bob describes his disorientation in the more newly densified parts of Burnaby, and observes that traffic has increased on Burnaby streets. Bob recalls that he mostly travelled on foot or by bike. He notes that the Neville Transport Company operated the school bus he used as well as the only North-South bus route in Burnaby at that time. He mentions Pacific Stage Lines as a later operator through Burnaby.
- History
- Recording of an interview with Bob Lowe recording by Tom Gooden in 2005. This recording was completed for an exhibit, Growing Up in Burnaby, for the Burnaby Village Museum. Major themes discussed are growing up in Burnaby in the 1930s and 40s.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Lake
- Deer Lake
- Accession Code
- BV017.45.6
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Notes
- Tiltle based on cotents of item
Audio Tracks
Interview with Bob Lowe 2005 - Track 6, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005
Interview with Bob Lowe 2005 - Track 6, 1930-1949 (interview content), interviewed May 2005
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2017_0045_0006_006.mp3Interview with Jim and Linda Champion by Eric Damer October 21, 2012 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory318
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1951-1969
- Length
- 0:11:40
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Linda and Jim Champion's memories of living so close to the Oakalla Prison Farm. They also tell stories about changes to the neighbourhood, the family horse and living "a country life."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the recording pertains to Linda and Jim Champion's memories of living so close to the Oakalla Prison Farm. They also tell stories about changes to the neighbourhood, the family horse and living "a country life."
- Date Range
- 1951-1969
- Length
- 0:11:40
- Names
- Oakalla Prison Farm
- Subjects
- Animals - Horses
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- Damer, Eric
- Interview Date
- October 21, 2012
- Scope and Content
- Recording is an interview with Jim Champion and his daughter Linda Champion conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 21, 2012. Major themes discussed are: raising a family in Burnaby as well as the experience of growing up in the area as it developed from farmland to suburbia.
- Biographical Notes
- Although Jim Champion was born in Burnaby in 1924, he grew up and attended school in White Rock. After serving in the navy during the war, Jim Champion came back to Vancouver, met and married Ethel (Danielson) Champion and began working for the Vancouver Fire Department. Jim and Ethel Champion's eldest daughter, Linda Champion, was born in 1948. In 1949, the Champions bought 1.8 undeveloped acres on Gilpin Street and began to build. By the time their house was built, they had become a family of six, so Jim and Ethel worked to built a larger house adjacent to the first. The Champions had chickens and a horse as their neighbourhood changed from farmland to suburbia. Jim has retired from the Vancouver Fire Department and his daughter Linda Champion is currently a City of Burnaby employee.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:41:09
- Interviewee Name
- Champion, Jim
- Champion, Linda
- Interview Location
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Interviewer Bio
- Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Transcript Available
- None
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track four of recording of interview with Jim and Linda Champion
Track four of recording of interview with Jim and Linda Champion
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-007/MSS171-007_Track_4.mp3Interview with John Templeton, Alan James and Christine Leston by Kathy Bossort October 26, 2015 - Track 8
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory594
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1995-2015
- Length
- 0:15:39
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about the Stoney Creek Environment Committee members’ discussion of the natural and community values of Stoney Creek. They talk about changes in fish population, the presence of other animals in the watershed, and how people benefit from natural areas.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about the Stoney Creek Environment Committee members’ discussion of the natural and community values of Stoney Creek. They talk about changes in fish population, the presence of other animals in the watershed, and how people benefit from natural areas.
- Date Range
- 1995-2015
- Length
- 0:15:39
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Streams
- Animals - Fish
- Animals - Deer
- Animals - Bears
- Recreational Activities
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Stoney Creek
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- October 26, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with John Templeton, Alan James & Christine Leston, members of the Stoney Creek Environment Committee, conducted by Kathy Bossort. The three members of SCEC were among 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about the history and work of the stream keeper group Stoney Creek Environment Committee (SCEC) and the Stoney Creek Environmental Working Group, and about SCEC’s founder Jennifer Atkinson. The interview is made richer by the complementary views of the three interviewees, John Templeton (SCEC Chair), Alan James (Member-at-Large - Education), and Christine Leston (Treasurer).
- Biographical Notes
- The Stoney Creek Environment Committee is a streamkeeper group and registered non-profit society dedicated to protecting and restoring viable salmon-bearing streams within the Stoney Creek Watershed. (Stoney Creek originates on Burnaby Mountain and is part of the Brunette watershed which empties into the Fraser River.) The volunteer group, formed in 1995, was guided by the tireless efforts of Jennifer Atchison (1938-2010) after whom the Jennifer Atchison Environmental Centre in North Burnaby is named. The volunteer members of SCEC monitor water quality, generate inventories and reports on the biophysical assets and health of the watershed, provide educational opportunities, enhance stream and stream bank habitat, and speak on behalf of the Stoney Creek watershed. One of its key events is The Great Salmon Send-Off, the release of young salmon into Stoney Creek in May, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015. The Stoney Creek Environmental Working Group (1999-present), managed by the City of Burnaby, undertakes to coordinate the actions of all stakeholders in the Stoney Creek watershed. It is comprised of representatives from community groups, such as SCEC, governmental and institutional agencies, and industries who are committed to sustaining and improving the quality of the Stoney Creek watershed’s water, wildlife and environment. John Templeton, currently SCEC Chair, joined SCEC in 2004. He was born in Coleraine ,County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1957, and after immigrating to Canada, came to live in Burnaby in 1992, first in Forest Grove (1992-2014) and then in Forest Hills. He works as a millwright. Alan James,Member-at-large - Education, joined SCEC in 2003 He was born in 1939 in Berkeley, California, and came to live in Burnaby in about 2000. He is a retired geophycisist and computer consultant. Christine Leston joined SCEC in 1997, serving first as Secretary and then as Treasurer. She was born in 1943 in Cheshire, England, and came to live in Burnaby in 1974, first in Greentree Village, then Simon Fraser Village (1974-2004) and now the Edmonds area. She is a retired technical writer.
- Total Tracks
- 9
- Total Length
- 2:08:27
- Interviewee Name
- Templeton, John R.
- James, Alan C.
- Leston, Christine
- Interview Location
- Jennifer Atchison Environmental Centre, Burnaby
- 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
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track eight of interview with John Templeton, Alan James & Christine Leston
Track eight of interview with John Templeton, Alan James & Christine Leston
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-006/MSS196-006_Track_8.mp3
greeting card
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact41229
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV971.120.44
- Description
- With Best Wishes - Greeting card. small, green card with inner white page; cover has small picture of cat in white circle, like an ornament, 'tied' with ribbon to white leafy branch, "With Best Wishes". There is a printed message in card and, written in ink on the blank left page, the message "This is one of my cats".
- Names
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Images
Interview with Maureen Olofson by Kathy Bossort October 14, 2015 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory571
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1942-1980
- Length
- 0:06:55
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s description of the food sources on the farm including the garden, food animals, berry picking and bears. She also describes what her parents did after giving up the farm, opening sporting good stores on Hastings Street and then in North Vanco…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s description of the food sources on the farm including the garden, food animals, berry picking and bears. She also describes what her parents did after giving up the farm, opening sporting good stores on Hastings Street and then in North Vancouver.
- Date Range
- 1942-1980
- Length
- 0:06:55
- Names
- Olofson, Axel
- GAK Fur Farm
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Westridge Area
- Lochdale Area
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- October 14, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Maureen Olofson conducted by Kathy Bossort. Maureen Olofson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Maureen Olofson’s memories of growing up on her parent’s Burnaby Mountain mink ranch between 1942 and 1950 and about the operation of the farm. She also talks about her parents’ history, her teaching career, and her thoughts about the beauty and value of Burnaby Mountain’s natural area.
- Biographical Notes
- Maureen Olofson was born 1938 in Glote, Harjedalen, Sweden, to Axel (1906-1998) and Kerstin Margareta (1906-1980). Axel and Kerstin Olofson, who had separately immigrated to Canada in 1928 and 1913 respectively, married in Canada and then returned to Sweden where Maureen was born. They moved to Burnaby in 1942 with their daughters Maureen and Anita Lea, and bought land and a mink ranch on Burnaby Mountain with their partners Gus Skofteby and Karin Ericksson (Kerstin’s sister). The GAK Fur Farm, located in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on 4th Avenue near Curtis Street, was one of the largest mink ranches in BC, an award winning operation with over 1200 mink animals. In 1950 the partners sold the land and the Olofson family moved to rented homes on Sperling Avenue. In 1952 Axel sold the last of his minks and opened a sporting goods store on Hastings Street. In 1954 the family moved to North Vancouver where Axel Olofson reestablished his sports business. Maureen attended Sperling Avenue School from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Burnaby North High School to Gr. 11, completing school in North Vancouver, before going to UBC where she trained as a teacher. She returned to Burnaby in 1977 to teach, retiring in 1997. She is a volunteer with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and the Dania Homes Society. Maureen continues to enjoy activities on Burnaby Mountain and works toward preserving the natural beauty of the mountain.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 1:19:04
- Interviewee Name
- Olofson, B. Maureen
- Interview Location
- Maureen Olofson's home in Burnaby
- 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
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Maureen Olofson
Track three of interview with Maureen Olofson
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-004/MSS196-004_Track_3.mp3
baggage rack
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact29010
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.41.86
- Description
- Composed of solid cast brass painted cream, previously green with rear mounting brackets at each end with four holes. There are also curls at the front end for possibly a cord to pass through. Five longitudinal rods forming a basket shape are mounted between the two C shaped end supports which contain the mounting brackets. One end cross member rod is missing. Length: 88 cm Width: 26.8 cm Depth: 14 cm
- Object History
- From British Columbia Electric Railway Interurban #1208.
Images
baggage rack
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact29011
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.41.87
- Description
- Composed of solid cast brass painted cream, previously green, with rear mounting brackets at each end with four holes. There are also curls at the front end for possibly a cord to pass through. Five longitudinal rods forming a basket shape are mounted between the two C shaped end supports which contain the mounting brackets. Length: 88 cm Width: 26.8 cm Depth: 14 cm
- Object History
- From British Columbia Electric Railway interurban #1208.
- Marks/Labels
- Blue tape "BCER 1208 - B66".
Images
baggage rack
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact29012
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.41.88
- Description
- A brass rod baggage rack composed of 6 longitudinal rods and triangular shaped end supports. There are two brackets at the back of each end support with two screw holes in each. A hook extends down from each end bracket at the back. Four cross members spaced evenly along the rack provide support for the 6 rods which pass through them. A piece of blue tape on an end bracket has stamped "BCER 1232-B65".
- Object History
- This baggage rack is from BC Electric Railway interurban 1232.
- Marks/Labels
- Blue tape "BCER 1232 - B65".
- Measurements
- Length: 107 cm Depth: 26 cm Height: 18.5 cm
Images
bowl
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact36104
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- BV994.24.1
- Description
- Bowl. White, ceramic, green transfer print on the front of the bowl.
- Object History
- The major B.C.E.R. Main Terminal building at Carrall Street and West Hastings Street in Vancouver and the New Westminster Station at 8th and Columbia included diners where food was served on dishware stamped with the B.C. Electric Railway name.
- Marks/Labels
- On front in green "COURTEOUS" "B.C. Electric" "SERVICE". On underside, "VITRIFIED", in a circle "GLOBE POTTERY CO. LTD. SHELTON" with a lion logo in the middle. Under logo is "ENGLAND" "BUSCOMBE & COMPANY" "VANCOUVER, CANADA."
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Public Transit
- Transportation - Electric Railroads
- Food Service Tools and Equipment
Images
Brass handle (key)
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact28964
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.41.40
- Description
- A brass handle which has a vertical sleeve at the end with a tapered square hole in it. On the underside is cast in smaller type " C-7414" although the last "4" is suspect. Stamped in the same location is larger type "C 8173".
- Object History
- Used as a key for a street car controller handle. This key was used to activate the street car and moved up or down make it go backwards or forwards. The tram could not move without its key.
- Measurements
- Length: 11.5 cm Width: 2.2 cm Height: 2.3 cm
Images
Certificate holder
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact29054
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Accession Code
- HV973.41.130
- Description
- A wooden frame containing a report printed on paper. A spare backing board accompanies the frame. The frame is painted a cream colour and has a hole on each side. At the top of the certificate is "MONTHLY POWER UNIT INSPECTION AND REPAIR REPORT" with the number "40256" on the left. The report is for a BCER electric locomotive Number 992 dated May 11, 1955. There are 17 entries which are filled in for the report. Length: 27.4 cm Width: 19.7 cm Thickness: 1.7 cm
- Object History
- Report is very detailed covering 17 items and is certified by three individuals. Report is dated May 11, 1955 and pertains to the Electric Locomotive number 992.
- Marks/Labels
- Collector's previous number "BCER 991-B41".
- Subjects
- Transportation
- Transportation - Public Transit
- Transportation - Electric Railroads
- Documentary Artifacts
- Documentary Artifacts - Reports
Images
