Narrow Results By
Subject
- Aerial Photographs 1
- Agriculture - Fruit and Berries 1
- Animals 4
- Animals - Cats 1
- Animals - Dogs 3
- Animals - Horses 1
- Buildings - Industrial - Mills 22
- Buildings - Industrial - Powerhouses 1
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills 1
- Buildings - Residential - Apartments 1
- Buildings - Residential - Cabins 1
- Buildings - Residential - Houses 8
![Grandma Irwin with Eleanor and Louise Irwin, [1929] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0103_001.jpg?width=280)
Grandma Irwin with Eleanor and Louise Irwin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15286
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1929] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Grandma Irwin with her granddaughters Eleanor and Louise Irwin. Eleanor is riding a tricycle and Louise Irwin is tanding on a wooden walkway pointing up to the sky. The group outside of the yard of the Irwin family home on the site of the Barnet Lumber Mill.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Grandma Irwin with her granddaughters Eleanor and Louise Irwin. Eleanor is riding a tricycle and Louise Irwin is tanding on a wooden walkway pointing up to the sky. The group outside of the yard of the Irwin family home on the site of the Barnet Lumber Mill.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.103
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1929] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Grandma Irwin with Eleanor and Louise Irwin, [1929] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0103_001.jpg)
![Grandma Taylor on swing with Louise and Eleanor, [1928] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0079_001.jpg?width=280)
Grandma Taylor on swing with Louise and Eleanor
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15260
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1928] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor seated on a swing and holding baby Louise Irwin while young Eleanor Irwin is standing behind and pushing. The swing is hanging from a tree in a yard.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor seated on a swing and holding baby Louise Irwin while young Eleanor Irwin is standing behind and pushing. The swing is hanging from a tree in a yard.
- Names
- Barnet Mill
- Barnet Lumber Company
- Irwin, Louise
- Nelson, Eleanor Irwin
- Taylor, Elizabeth Shephard
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.79
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1928] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- See page 47 of book, "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village" with caption "Bottom: Left to Right: Louise Irwin, Grandmother Isabella Taylor, and Eleanor Irwin,1928"
- Spelling of Grandmother Taylor's first name is taken from death certificate which reads "Elizabeth" (Shephard) Taylor"
Images
![Grandma Taylor on swing with Louise and Eleanor, [1928] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0079_001.jpg)
![Harry Pride and Barnet townsite, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2056-1.jpg?width=280)
Harry Pride and Barnet townsite
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96386
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of Harry Pride at work on researching his book about Burnaby's Barnet townsite. Photographs depict Pride with Beatrice Woolsey-McMillan, a former resident of the community, on the shore of the Burrard Inlet, and Pride viewing historical photographs and one of the remaining…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [2004]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (tiff) : col.
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 535-2056
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2018-12
- Scope and Content
- File contains photographs of Harry Pride at work on researching his book about Burnaby's Barnet townsite. Photographs depict Pride with Beatrice Woolsey-McMillan, a former resident of the community, on the shore of the Burrard Inlet, and Pride viewing historical photographs and one of the remaining structures from the Barnet sawmill.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Inlets
- Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
- Buildings - Industrial - Mills
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bartel, Mario
- Notes
- Title based on caption
- Collected by editorial for use in a March 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
- Caption from metadata for 535-2056-1: "Harry Pride, who is working on a book about Burnaby's Barnet townsite, reminisces with Beatrice Woolsey-McMillan, who lived in the mill community along the Burrard Inlet from 1925-46."
- Caption from metadata for 535-2056-2: "Harry Pride sorts through some of the historical photos he's collected for a book he's working on about Burnaby's Barnet townsite, along the Burrard Inlet."
- Caption from metadata for 535-2056-3: "Harry Pride, who's working on a book about Burnaby's Barnet townsite, checks out one of the remaining structures from the sawmill that once bustled along the Burrard Inlet."
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Village
- Burrard Inlet
- Barnet Marine Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
![Harry Pride and Barnet townsite, [2004] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/535/535-2056-1.jpg)
![Helen Lauder with Beverley and Douglas Lauder, [1943] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0109_001.jpg?width=280)
Helen Lauder with Beverley and Douglas Lauder
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15301
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1943] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Mrs. Helen (Sukkau) Lauder standing with her children, Beverley (Mundreon) Lauder and Douglas Lauder in the yard of the family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill. A picket fence and wall of a house are visible behind them.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Mrs. Helen (Sukkau) Lauder standing with her children, Beverley (Mundreon) Lauder and Douglas Lauder in the yard of the family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill. A picket fence and wall of a house are visible behind them.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Names
- Barnet Mill
- Barnet Lumber Company
- Mundreon, Beverley Lauder
- Lauder, Helen Sukkua
- Lauder, Sidney
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.109
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1943] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- See page 150 in book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village" with caption "Mrs. Helen Lauder, Beverley and Douglas, c. 1938"
- Date of photograph based on information from original photograph
Images
![Helen Lauder with Beverley and Douglas Lauder, [1943] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0109_001.jpg)
![Henry Irwin with daughters at Barnet, [1932] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0083_001.jpg?width=280)
Henry Irwin with daughters at Barnet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15264
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1932] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry Stanley Irwin standing in the yard of the Irwin family home at Barnet mill with his daughters Louise (left) and Eleanor (right).
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry Stanley Irwin standing in the yard of the Irwin family home at Barnet mill with his daughters Louise (left) and Eleanor (right).
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.83
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1932] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- See page 48 of book, "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village" with caption "Top:Left to Right: Louise Irwin, Mr. Irwin and Eleanor Irwin dressed in their "Sunday Best", 1929"
- Date of photograph based on birth dates for Eleanor and Louise Irwin
Images
![Henry Irwin with daughters at Barnet, [1932] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0083_001.jpg)
Hugh H. Stewart fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9771
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [188_]-1960
- Collection/Fonds
- Hugh H. Stewart fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 12 cm of textual records + 2 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of textual records and photographs collected or created by Hugh H. Stewart in the course of his personal and professional life. Records include receipts relating to property sales and taxes, utilities, association memberships (Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vancouver Heights Ratep…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hugh H. Stewart fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 12 cm of textual records + 2 photographs
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of textual records and photographs collected or created by Hugh H. Stewart in the course of his personal and professional life. Records include receipts relating to property sales and taxes, utilities, association memberships (Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Vancouver Heights Ratepayers Association, Burnaby Lions Club and Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans), insurance, loans and healthcare along with an elections candidate card and documents from his business “Stewart’s Cartage and Fuel Supply”; minutes from the Ratepayers Association and a handwritten recipe for potato salad. Records have been arranged into the following series: 1) Hugh H. Stewart photographs series 2) Hugh H. Stewart personal documents series 3) Stewart's Cartage and Fuel Supply business records series 4) Hugh H. Stewart associations and memberships series
- History
- Hugh Henry Stewart was born July 18 1887 to Duncan Hugh (1860-1935) and Henrietta Stewart (1860-1944) in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The couple moved to Nanaimo in 1888 with their four children, the oldest of which was Hugh Henry. The family moved to Vancouver in about 1908 and lived at 995 West 7th Avenue while Duncan Stewart worked as a carpenter. Hugh Henry found work as a hardware clerk at the “Forbes and Van Horne” hardware store located at 52 West Hastings, Vancouver. He worked at the store until WWI broke out and his wages were cut. In 1910 Hugh Henry Stewart moved to Burnaby and purchased a house in District Lot 116, in the 3900 block of Albert Street between Ingleton Avenue and McDonald Avenue. This was the only house in this block at the time (3902 Albert Street) but the following year, five more houses were built. In 1911, Hugh married Patience (known as Bertha) Alberta Inglis of Vancouver and between 1911 and 1912, Hugh cleared land around the house. The couple raised three children at their home in Vancouver Heights (now named Burnaby Heights); Duncan Hugh, Daniel Melbourne and Audrey Pearl. In 1914, the Vancouver Heights Ratepayers Association was formed and Hugh Stewart joined. This association lobbied city council to establish land uses which they felt could benefit the citizens of North Burnaby. Following his work at the hardware store, Hugh went to work as a longshoreman at the Hastings Mill in Vancouver and the Barnet Mill in Burnaby. In the 1920s, Stewart started up his own business delivering fuel to households in North Burnaby. His business was named “Stewart’s Cartage and Fuel Supply” which had an office located at 3870 East Hastings Street. Stewart moved his business office to their home in the 1950s which continued to operate at this location until the early 1960s. In 1926, the Burnaby Board of Trade was formed with Hugh Stewart as one of the founding members. The organization changed its name to the North Burnaby Board of Trade in May 1927. Hugh served as president from 1940-1946 and was instrumental in bringing about the amalgamation of the North and South Burnaby Boards of Trade to form the Burnaby Chamber of Commerce. Hugh ran for municipal council in the 1940s and was also a member of other organizations including the Burnaby Lions Club, The International Order of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) and the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans. Patience Alberta Stewart died in 1967 and Hugh continued to live in their home on Albert Street until 1978. In 1979 he moved to an apartment on McGill Street in Burnaby. Hugh H. Stewart died in 1981.
- Responsibility
- Stewart, Hugh Henry
- Accession Code
- HV979.50
- Date
- [188_]-1960
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Arrangement
- Records are arranged by subject and format.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
![Interior of Mill, [191-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/540-010.jpg?width=280)
Interior of Mill
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription73602
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- LaFavor Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcards ; 8.5 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the interior of the mill at the North Pacific Lumber Company in Barnet Village, BC.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- LaFavor Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcards ; 8.5 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 540-010
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the interior of the mill at the North Pacific Lumber Company in Barnet Village, BC.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Industries - Forestry
- Buildings - Industrial - Mills
- Names
- Barnet Mill
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Canadian Photo Company
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Village
- Texaco Drive
- Street Address
- 8059 Texaco Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
![Interior of Mill, [191-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/540-010.jpg)
![Interior of Power House, [191-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/540-006.jpg?width=280)
Interior of Power House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription73598
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- LaFavor Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 8.5 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the interior of the Power House at the North Pacific Lumber Company in Barnet Village, BC.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [191-]
- Collection/Fonds
- LaFavor Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 8.5 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 540-006
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2007-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard of the interior of the Power House at the North Pacific Lumber Company in Barnet Village, BC.
- Subjects
- Documentary Artifacts - Postcards
- Buildings - Industrial - Powerhouses
- Industries - Logging/lumber
- Industries - Forestry
- Names
- Barnet Mill
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Canadian Photo Company
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Village
- Texaco Drive
- Street Address
- 8059 Texaco Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
![Interior of Power House, [191-] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/540/540-006.jpg)
Interview with Florence Strachan June 20, 1975 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory133
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1899-1931
- Length
- 0:09:59
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's early years, her move to Burnaby and her husband's employment at the Barnet Mill.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's early years, her move to Burnaby and her husband's employment at the Barnet Mill.
- Date Range
- 1899-1931
- Length
- 0:09:59
- Interviewer
- McLeod, Ross S.
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- June 20, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Florence Strachan by Ross S. McLeod and Bettina Bradbury, June 20, 1975. Major theme discussed is: The Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Strachan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1899. She met and married her husband in Scotland before coming to Atlantic Canada by ship in 1922, then from Quebec to Vancouver by train. When Florence’s husband got a job at Barnet Mills in 1924, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented a house at 2551 East Hastings Street. In 1926, the Strachans bought a house at 290 Ellesmere Avenue and concentrated on paying it off as quickly as possible. By 1931 the Mill had shut down, leaving Florence’s husband out of work, and forced to go on Relief. By this time the couple had two children, one born in 1928, and the other in 1930. Florence and her husband marched and picketed with the unemployed throughout the Depression.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:28:43
- Interviewee Name
- Strachan, Florence
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Florence Strachan
Track one of interview with Florence Strachan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-09/100-13-09_Track_1.mp3Interview with Florence Strachan June 20, 1975 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory134
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1931-1939
- Length
- 0:07:47
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's involvement with the Unemployed Organization in North Burnaby. She mentions Reeve William A. Pritchard. She also discusses how her family managed through the Depression.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's involvement with the Unemployed Organization in North Burnaby. She mentions Reeve William A. Pritchard. She also discusses how her family managed through the Depression.
- Date Range
- 1931-1939
- Length
- 0:07:47
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Interviewer
- McLeod, Ross S.
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- June 20, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Florence Strachan by Ross S. McLeod and Bettina Bradbury, June 20, 1975. Major theme discussed is: The Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Strachan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1899. She met and married her husband in Scotland before coming to Atlantic Canada by ship in 1922, then from Quebec to Vancouver by train. When Florence’s husband got a job at Barnet Mills in 1924, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented a house at 2551 East Hastings Street. In 1926, the Strachans bought a house at 290 Ellesmere Avenue and concentrated on paying it off as quickly as possible. By 1931 the Mill had shut down, leaving Florence’s husband out of work, and forced to go on Relief. By this time the couple had two children, one born in 1928, and the other in 1930. Florence and her husband marched and picketed with the unemployed throughout the Depression.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:28:43
- Interviewee Name
- Strachan, Florence
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Florence Strachan
Track two of interview with Florence Strachan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-09/100-13-09_Track_2.mp3Interview with Florence Strachan June 20, 1975 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory135
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1931-1939
- Length
- 0:05:22
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's thoughts on the impact of the Depression to the neighbourhood of Capitol Hill. She also describes the Squatter's Shacks along the Burrard Inlet.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's thoughts on the impact of the Depression to the neighbourhood of Capitol Hill. She also describes the Squatter's Shacks along the Burrard Inlet.
- Date Range
- 1931-1939
- Length
- 0:05:22
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- McLeod, Ross S.
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- June 20, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Florence Strachan by Ross S. McLeod and Bettina Bradbury, June 20, 1975. Major theme discussed is: The Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Strachan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1899. She met and married her husband in Scotland before coming to Atlantic Canada by ship in 1922, then from Quebec to Vancouver by train. When Florence’s husband got a job at Barnet Mills in 1924, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented a house at 2551 East Hastings Street. In 1926, the Strachans bought a house at 290 Ellesmere Avenue and concentrated on paying it off as quickly as possible. By 1931 the Mill had shut down, leaving Florence’s husband out of work, and forced to go on Relief. By this time the couple had two children, one born in 1928, and the other in 1930. Florence and her husband marched and picketed with the unemployed throughout the Depression.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:28:43
- Interviewee Name
- Strachan, Florence
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Florence Strachan
Track three of interview with Florence Strachan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-09/100-13-09_Track_3.mp3Interview with Florence Strachan June 20, 1975 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory136
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1931-1939
- Length
- 0:05:39
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's involvement with the Unemployed Organization in North Burnaby as well as her personal life during the Depression.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Florence Strachan's involvement with the Unemployed Organization in North Burnaby as well as her personal life during the Depression.
- Date Range
- 1931-1939
- Length
- 0:05:39
- Subjects
- Organizations
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Interviewer
- McLeod, Ross S.
- Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
- Interview Date
- June 20, 1975
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Florence Strachan by Ross S. McLeod and Bettina Bradbury, June 20, 1975. Major theme discussed is: The Depression. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
- Biographical Notes
- Florence Strachan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1899. She met and married her husband in Scotland before coming to Atlantic Canada by ship in 1922, then from Quebec to Vancouver by train. When Florence’s husband got a job at Barnet Mills in 1924, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented a house at 2551 East Hastings Street. In 1926, the Strachans bought a house at 290 Ellesmere Avenue and concentrated on paying it off as quickly as possible. By 1931 the Mill had shut down, leaving Florence’s husband out of work, and forced to go on Relief. By this time the couple had two children, one born in 1928, and the other in 1930. Florence and her husband marched and picketed with the unemployed throughout the Depression.
- Total Tracks
- 4
- Total Length
- 0:28:43
- Interviewee Name
- Strachan, Florence
- Interviewer Bio
- Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- 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.
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Florence Strachan
Track four of interview with Florence Strachan
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-09/100-13-09_Track_4.mp3![Irwin family in yard, [1934] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0100_001.jpg?width=280)
Irwin family in yard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15283
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1934] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry and Elsie May Irwin with their daughters Eleanor (left) and Louise (right) in the yard of the Irwin family home on the site of the Barnet Lumber Mill. Mrs. Irwin and her daughters are seated together on a large wooden bench. Louise is holding a black and white cat.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry and Elsie May Irwin with their daughters Eleanor (left) and Louise (right) in the yard of the Irwin family home on the site of the Barnet Lumber Mill. Mrs. Irwin and her daughters are seated together on a large wooden bench. Louise is holding a black and white cat.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Names
- Barnet Mill
- Barnet Lumber Company
- Irwin, Louise
- Irwin, Elsie May Taylor
- Nelson, Eleanor Irwin
- Irwin, Henry Stanley
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.100
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1934] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Irwin family in yard, [1934] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0100_001.jpg)
Irwin family photographs series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21424
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1925-1939] (date of originals), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 64 photographs (tiffs)
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of copies of photographs pertaining to the Irwin family and the Barnet Lumber Company while Henry Stanley Irwin worked for the Barnet Lumber Company and the family lived on site. Many of these photographs were published in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 64 photographs (tiffs)
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of copies of photographs pertaining to the Irwin family and the Barnet Lumber Company while Henry Stanley Irwin worked for the Barnet Lumber Company and the family lived on site. Many of these photographs were published in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village".
- History
- Henry Stanley Irwin (1890-1966) started work at Barnet mill in 1924. Henry and his wife Elsie May Irwin (Taylor) Irwin (1894-1985) first lived with their two daughters, Eleanor (Nelson) (1924-2005) and Louise (1927-) in a worker's cabin before moving to the Barnet Mill's managers' residence. The household included Elsie's mother, Elizabeth (Shephard) Taylor (1868-1950). The family resided at Barnet until they moved to Vancouver in September 1939. Louise and her older sister Eleanor attended Barnet School like other children in the Barnet area. After the mill closed in 1931, Henry was unemployed for two years. During this time, he hired a horse and driver and cut logs from the slopes of Burnaby Mountain to support his family. The Barnet Lumber Company also known as the Barnet mill was in operation between 1925 and 1932. The mill was located on Burrard Inlet in the neighbourhood of Barnet and was one of the most successful local employers in Burnaby until the 1930s when the Great Depression resulted in a strike at the mill. The City of Burnaby eventually assumed control of the site including all of the homes when the company failed to pay it's taxes. The city then dismantled the mill and sold the property in two parts - the eastern section would become the Kapoor Sawmills Limited and the western portion, the McColl-Frontenac Oil Company.
- Accession Code
- BV019.32
- Date
- [1925-1939] (date of originals), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also, City of Burnaby Archives: Burnaby Historical Society fonds - "In the Shadow by the Sea subseries"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of series
![Irwin family with Grandma Taylor, [1930] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0055_001.jpg?width=280)
Irwin family with Grandma Taylor
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15292
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1930] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry and Elsie May Irwin (standing) with Grandmother Elizabeth "Isabella" Taylor and their daugthers Eleanor (left) and Louise (right) Irwin. The group is gathered in the yard of the Irwin family home on the site of the Barnet Lumber Mill. The outside wall of the house is visible beh…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Henry and Elsie May Irwin (standing) with Grandmother Elizabeth "Isabella" Taylor and their daugthers Eleanor (left) and Louise (right) Irwin. The group is gathered in the yard of the Irwin family home on the site of the Barnet Lumber Mill. The outside wall of the house is visible behind them.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Names
- Barnet Mill
- Barnet Lumber Company
- Nelson, Eleanor Irwin
- Irwin, Elsie May Taylor
- Irwin, Henry Stanley
- Irwin, Louise
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.55
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1930] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- See page 50 in book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollection of Burnaby's Barnet Village" with caption "Standing: Mrs Irwin; Seated: Grandmother Isabella Taylor holding Eleanor Irwin in her lap and Louise Erwin, c. 1930"
Images
![Irwin family with Grandma Taylor, [1930] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0055_001.jpg)
![Isabella Taylor at Barnet, [1934] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0091_001.jpg?width=280)
Isabella Taylor at Barnet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15273
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1934] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Elizabeth "Isabella" (Shephard) Taylor standing in the yard of the Irwin family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill. Mrs. Taylor is dressed in a fashionable coat with a lambs wool collar. The tree with a swing is visible behind her.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Elizabeth "Isabella" (Shephard) Taylor standing in the yard of the Irwin family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill. Mrs. Taylor is dressed in a fashionable coat with a lambs wool collar. The tree with a swing is visible behind her.
- Subjects
- Animals
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.91
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1934] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- see page 49 of book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village" with caption "...Grandmother Isabella Taylor wearing a fashionable coat with a lamb's wool collar, 1934"
Images
![Isabella Taylor at Barnet, [1934] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0091_001.jpg)
![Japanese sailing ship in Burrard Inlet, [1925] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0054_001.jpg?width=280)
Japanese sailing ship in Burrard Inlet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15235
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1925] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two children standing at a gate of a picket fence and looking towards buildings and a four masted Japanese sailing ship docked next to the Barnet Mill in Burrard Inlet. Residences and buildings from Barnet are visible in the distance.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two children standing at a gate of a picket fence and looking towards buildings and a four masted Japanese sailing ship docked next to the Barnet Mill in Burrard Inlet. Residences and buildings from Barnet are visible in the distance.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Ships
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.54
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1925] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- See also photograph detail BV019.32.53
Images
![Japanese sailing ship in Burrard Inlet, [1925] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0054_001.jpg)
![Japanese sailing ship in Burrard Inlet, [1925] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0056_001.jpg?width=280)
Japanese sailing ship in Burrard Inlet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15237
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1925] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph detail of two children standing at a gate of a picket fence and looking towards buildings and a four masted Japanese sailing ship docked next to the Barnet Mill in Burrard Inlet. Residences and buildings from Barnet are visible in the distance.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph detail of two children standing at a gate of a picket fence and looking towards buildings and a four masted Japanese sailing ship docked next to the Barnet Mill in Burrard Inlet. Residences and buildings from Barnet are visible in the distance.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Ships
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.56
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1925] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Image is cropped from original photograph BV019.32.54
Images
![Japanese sailing ship in Burrard Inlet, [1925] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0056_001.jpg)
![Johnstons with Henry Irwin in yard, [1931] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0073_001.jpg?width=280)
Johnstons with Henry Irwin in yard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription15254
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1931] (date of original), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (left to right) Robert Johnston and Mrs. Johnston, Maureen Johnston, Henry Stanley Irwin and Bobby Johnston. The group are standing in front of a picket feince in the yard of the Irwin family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill. The mill site and the north shore of Burrard Inlet are visibl…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (tiff) : 300 dpi
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (left to right) Robert Johnston and Mrs. Johnston, Maureen Johnston, Henry Stanley Irwin and Bobby Johnston. The group are standing in front of a picket feince in the yard of the Irwin family home at the Barnet Lumber Mill. The mill site and the north shore of Burrard Inlet are visible in the distance.
- Subjects
- Persons - Children
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Accession Code
- BV019.32.73
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1931] (date of original), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Johnstons with Henry Irwin in yard, [1931] (date of original), copied 2004 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/2019/2019_0032_0073_001.jpg)
Kapoor Singh Siddoo series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription21422
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1940-1947] (date of originals), copied 2004
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 31 photographs (tiffs)
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of copies of photographs pertaining to the family of Kappoor Singh Siddoo and the Kapoor Sawmills Limited that were published in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village".
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- In the Shadow by the Sea collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 31 photographs (tiffs)
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of copies of photographs pertaining to the family of Kappoor Singh Siddoo and the Kapoor Sawmills Limited that were published in the book "In the Shadow by the Sea: Recollections of Burnaby's Barnet Village".
- History
- Kapoor Singh Siddoo was born in 1885 in the Punjab village of Kharaudi, India. Kapoor was one of the pioneer South Asian Canadian Sikhs who first immigrated to America in 1906, arriving in San Francisco in 1906 with twenty illiterate compatriots seeking employment. As the only one among them with a formal education, Kapoor acted as their interpreter, manager, and accountant. They worked along the Southern Pacific Railway line near Marysville, California, as it inched toward Reno, Nevada. At the same time, Kapoor was asked to help raise funds for a mining company in British Columbia founded by a Punjabi spiritual leader. Kapoor attempted to join the company in British Columbia (attracted partly by stories of the province’s natural beauty), but was turned back at the international border at Blaine several times before entering via Victoria in 1912. Once settled, he operated a successful dairy, invested in various businesses, and socialized with other South Asian immigrants interested in politics. However, emotions of those around Kapoor began to heat up; frustration among opponents of British rule in Indian grew intense. Kapoor left the explosive situation for Ontario in June 1914, determined to find a place for himself in Canadian society. He tried homesteading in the “Clay Belt” of northern Ontario, but like others found the extreme winter conditions intolerable. He returned to British Columbia in 1916, invited by a group of Sikh sawmill workers to help them manage the accounts at a Fraser Valley sawmill they had leased. Kapoor found his niche in the sawmill industry. Fraser Valley timber sat on land granted by the Dominion government to railways to help finance their construction. South Asian workers could get timber rights on these lands, unlike on Crown Lands elsewhere in the province. Kapoor and his new partners, particularly Mayo Singh, looked for other promising “railway belt” locations for another sawmill and found an ideal location on Vancouver Island near Duncan. Kapoor and his colleagues opened a large, modern mill in 1918 and despite various setbacks, prospered for the next decade and a half. In 1923, with a change in immigration laws, Kapoor arranged for his wife, Besant Kaur, to emigrate from India. Besant came to Canada with Kapoor’s older brother, Bhagwan. Kapoor and Besant had two daughters while in Duncan: Jagdis Kaur Siddoo (1925) and Sarjit Kaur Siddoo (1926), both of whom eventually became physicians. Kapoor’s lumber business on Vancouver Island flourished until 1935, when a fire destroyed the original mill. He moved his family to Vancouver, although retaining interest in another Vancouver Island mill. In 1939, he purchased a large piece (45 acres) of the former Barnet Mill in Burnaby, recently acquired by the Municipality as payment for tax default during the Depression. Kapoor named the mill Modern Sawmills and finalized the purchase though a business agent to get around Burnaby’s bylaw prohibiting the sale to a non-White person. Eventually he changed the mill’s name to Kapoor Sawmills Limited. The mill received timber in log booms from Vancouver Island, and once processed, the wood was then shipped via the Canadian Pacific Railway that ran past the mill, and still does today. Kapoor’s younger brother, Tara, who had earlier worked with Kapoor in other sawmills, joined the venture as a shareholder. Tara and his wife, Beant, took up residence in Barnet from 1943-1945 with their family: sons Lakhbeer, Gurdeb, Gurcharn, Baldev, Hardev and daughters Harjeet (Sangha), Runjeet (Basi) and Buckshish (Sarai). Tara oversaw the regular delivery of logs from Vancouver Island to the Barnet mill. He also became known as a local Burnaby philanthropist, donating to Burnaby General Hospital. The Kapoor sawmill prospered but burned to the ground on January 14, 1947. A smaller mill was rebuilt on the site and remained a successful financial operation until 1959. When he retired in 1959, Kapoor Siddoo was one of Vancouver’s most influential men in the South Asian Community. He was a leading businessman, but had also fought to give South Asian Canadians the right to vote. The year he retired, the family set up the Kapoor Singh Siddoo Foundation and with help from his wife and daughters opened a hospital in the Punjab village of Aur. In 1964, Kapoor died in India at the age of 79 years.
- Accession Code
- BV019.32
- Date
- [1940-1947] (date of originals), copied 2004
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Related Material
- See also, City of Burnaby Archives: Burnaby Historical Society fonds - "In the Shadow by the Sea subseries"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of series