Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 12771
- Enactment Date
- 19/04/2010
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Heritage Value
- While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Community
- Burnaby
- Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear
- Street Address
- 4142 Hastings Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
![Dow General Store, [193-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1976/1976_0062_0001_001.jpg?width=280)
Dow General Store
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription741
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [193-]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.89 x 14.61 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a store with a large Coca Cola sign hanging by the second floor windows. The awning has lettering: "Ice Cream - Soft Drinks." By the door, there is a sign that reads "Post Office / Public Telephone / Box Cigars." On the display window, an advertisement sign for "Salada Tea" can be s…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.89 x 14.61 cm
- Material Details
- An annotation in pencil is written on the back of the photograph
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a store with a large Coca Cola sign hanging by the second floor windows. The awning has lettering: "Ice Cream - Soft Drinks." By the door, there is a sign that reads "Post Office / Public Telephone / Box Cigars." On the display window, an advertisement sign for "Salada Tea" can be seen. By the steps leading into the store, there is a large advertisement sign that reads "Wilson's Bachelor Cigar 10c." In front of the store is a paved road.
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Street Address
- 6669 Hastings Street
- Accession Code
- HV976.62.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [193-]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-06-20
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- An annotation on the back of the photograph reads, "Dow General Store / Sperling & Hastings Approx / 1930's." The 1937 directory lists the name as "Dow's General Store" and the address as 6669 Hastings Street.
Images
![Dow General Store, [193-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1976/1976_0062_0001_001.jpg)
North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38649
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1930
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 15 x 20 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre on Hastings Street. Thirty-two children are standing, holding their instruments and wearing sashes. A number of banners and posters are visible, one reading "On the stage Thurs. Aug. 14, North Burnaby's Juvenile Band - Be on H…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1930
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Ephemera subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 15 x 20 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 472-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2005-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the North Burnaby Juvenile Band outside the Regent Theatre on Hastings Street. Thirty-two children are standing, holding their instruments and wearing sashes. A number of banners and posters are visible, one reading "On the stage Thurs. Aug. 14, North Burnaby's Juvenile Band - Be on Hand to Give the Boys & Girls a Boost." The other two banners read: "On Our Way to the Big Star Party Paramount Parade" and "At the Regent Theatre." Their bandmaster was Capitol Symphony Orchestra bassoonist Frederick Gorse (not pictured).
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Charlton and Rathburn
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photograph was used in the Heritage Plaque that was erected at the site of the Regent Theatre on Hastings Street
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Street Address
- 4012 Hastings Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
