365 records – page 4 of 19.

Interview with Aili Topalian by Eric Damer October 11, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory421
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1949
Length
0:10:42
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's childhood along the waterfront at Burrard Inlet (the homes of Crabtown were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into the sand). Aili describes her childhood neighbours, her family home, family friends,…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's childhood along the waterfront at Burrard Inlet (the homes of Crabtown were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into the sand). Aili describes her childhood neighbours, her family home, family friends, dance halls, and the Marine Building in Vancouver.
Date Range
1937-1949
Photo Info
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003.
Length
0:10:42
Geographic Access
Burrard Inlet
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 11, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Aili (Rintanen) Topalian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 11, 2012. Major theme discussed: growing up in Crabtown.
Biographical Notes
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) came to British Columbia in 1936 from a homestead near Burnt Lake, Alberta. After a few months in Vancouver and then a Burnaby apartment, the Rintanens moved to a house on the Burrard Inlet. The family lived over the water, in a house built on a deck, secured to the top of pilings that were sunk deep into the sand. Aili's mother Aune Rintanen found work at a fish and chip shop in downtown Vancouver and her father Gus Rintanen worked in a nearby mill. Aili and her sister Trudi (later Tuomi), attended school in Burnaby. For nine years the Rintanens created a home for themselves in an area now called Crabtown, although no one living there called it that.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:39:00
Interviewee Name
Topalian, Aili Rintanen
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
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
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Aili Topalian

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Interview with Aili Topalian by Eric Damer October 11, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory422
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1979
Length
0:10:15
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's memories of her early life in Burnaby. Aili discusses family friends, Maplewood flats in North Vancovuer, the waterfront at Burrard Inlet, owning Bantam Roosters and an Alsatian dog. She mentions some of the more challenging aspec…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's memories of her early life in Burnaby. Aili discusses family friends, Maplewood flats in North Vancovuer, the waterfront at Burrard Inlet, owning Bantam Roosters and an Alsatian dog. She mentions some of the more challenging aspects of Crabtown.
Date Range
1937-1979
Photo Info
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003.
Length
0:10:15
Geographic Access
Burrard Inlet
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 11, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Aili (Rintanen) Topalian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 11, 2012. Major theme discussed: growing up in Crabtown.
Biographical Notes
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) came to British Columbia in 1936 from a homestead near Burnt Lake, Alberta. After a few months in Vancouver and then a Burnaby apartment, the Rintanens moved to a house on the Burrard Inlet. The family lived over the water, in a house built on a deck, secured to the top of pilings that were sunk deep into the sand. Aili's mother Aune Rintanen found work at a fish and chip shop in downtown Vancouver and her father Gus Rintanen worked in a nearby mill. Aili and her sister Trudi (later Tuomi), attended school in Burnaby. For nine years the Rintanens created a home for themselves in an area now called Crabtown, although no one living there called it that.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:39:00
Interviewee Name
Topalian, Aili Rintanen
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
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
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Aili Topalian

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Interview with Eddy Wood by Eric Damer September 24, 2012 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory423
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1975
Length
0:09:15
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes how his family came to own Regent Fish Market and what it was like to grow up with a family-owned business in Vancouver Heights.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes how his family came to own Regent Fish Market and what it was like to grow up with a family-owned business in Vancouver Heights.
Date Range
1937-1975
Length
0:09:15
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Stores
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
September 24, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Eddy Wood conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 24, 2012. Major themes discussed are: Regent Fish Market and the Vancouver Heights business district.
Biographical Notes
Eddy Wood was born in 1943 and grew up working in various shops in the Vancouver Heights area of Burnaby. Eddy's father, also Eddy Wood, bought the Regent Fish Market in 1947 or 1948. When the senior Eddy Wood died in 1960, his wife took over the fish market and ran it for the next fifteen years. Their son Eddy then stepped in and continued with the family business. Through this, the Wood family was able to run the Regent Fish Market for over fifty years. Eddy Wood recalls the busy nature of the business in the post-war period, the role of the streetcar in bringing customers to the area and the preferences of the local customers. Vancouver Heights merchants joined together to form the North Burnaby Merchants in 1954. During Eddy Wood's tenure, the North Burnaby Merchants created “Hats Off Day” and organized to fight the Provincial Department of Highways’ plan to remove street level parking along Hastings Street.
Total Tracks
3
Total Length
0:29:32
Interviewee Name
Wood, Eddy
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
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Eddy Wood

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Oak Theatre Souvenir Programme

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64867
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
Aug. 1937 (date of original)
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 programme
Scope and Content
Item is a photocopied souvenir programme from the opening of the Oak Theatre at 3506 Kingsway, August 4, 1937. The theatre is described as "British Columbia's Ultra Modern Playhouse."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
Aug. 1937 (date of original)
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Public Library manuscript subseries
Physical Description
1 programme
Description Level
Item
Record No.
42037
Accession Number
BHS1992-47
Scope and Content
Item is a photocopied souvenir programme from the opening of the Oak Theatre at 3506 Kingsway, August 4, 1937. The theatre is described as "British Columbia's Ultra Modern Playhouse."
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of item
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Grieve family correspondence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription66378
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1937-1966
Collection/Fonds
Grieve family fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence pertaining to the Grieve family. Included in the file is correspondence from Canada's twelfth Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and from British Columbia's twenty-second Premier, T. D. Pattullo.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1937-1966
Collection/Fonds
Grieve family fonds
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS155-005
Accession Number
2011-04
Scope and Content
File consists of correspondence pertaining to the Grieve family. Included in the file is correspondence from Canada's twelfth Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and from British Columbia's twenty-second Premier, T. D. Pattullo.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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The romance of Canada : a new history

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1561
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Burt, Alfred Leroy
Publication Date
1937
Call Number
971 BUR
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV985.3860.1
Call Number
971 BUR
Author
Burt, Alfred Leroy
Contributor
Anstey, Arthur
Place of Publication
Toronto
Publisher
W. J. Gage & Co. Ltd.
Publication Date
1937
Physical Description
400 p., 64 p. : ill., maps ; 20 cm.
Inscription
"Doug Weicker" [Handwritten in pen on front paste down]
Library Subject (LOC)
Canada--History
Notes
"with British Columbia supplement" --Front cover. "British Columbia [supplement] by Arthur Anstey" --p.1. Author's given name: Burt, Alfred LeRoy, 1888-1971.
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Patricia Byrne in a dance troupe

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1186
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1936]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of six young girls in a dance troupe on stage or at a dance studio. The younger girl seated on the right marked by an "x" is Beverlea Patricia Byrne. Know as "Patsy" as a child, Patricia Byrne was born in 1932 in Vancouver and was appointed a British Columbia Provincial Court Judge in 19…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
Material Details
Photograph appears to be a carbon print on rag paper
Scope and Content
Photograph of six young girls in a dance troupe on stage or at a dance studio. The younger girl seated on the right marked by an "x" is Beverlea Patricia Byrne. Know as "Patsy" as a child, Patricia Byrne was born in 1932 in Vancouver and was appointed a British Columbia Provincial Court Judge in 1975. Her grandfather Peter Byrne was the Mayor of Burnaby from 1906 to 1910.
Subjects
Recreational Activities - Dancing
Clothing - Costumes
Names
Byrne, Beverlea Patricia "Patti"
Accession Code
BV994.14.21
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[1936]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Dear Grandma/ The one with x under it is Patsy / Love Patsy"
Images
Less detail

Patricia Byrne in a dance troupe

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1187
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1936]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of three young girls in a dance troupe on stage or at a dance studio wearing matching costumes. The girl in the center is Beverlea Patricia Byrne. Know as "Patsy" as a child, Patricia Byrne was born in 1932 in Vancouver and was appointed a British Columbia Provincial Court Judge in 1975.…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
Material Details
Photograph appears to be a carbon print on rag paper
Scope and Content
Photograph of three young girls in a dance troupe on stage or at a dance studio wearing matching costumes. The girl in the center is Beverlea Patricia Byrne. Know as "Patsy" as a child, Patricia Byrne was born in 1932 in Vancouver and was appointed a British Columbia Provincial Court Judge in 1975. Her grandfather Peter Byrne was the Mayor of Burnaby from 1906 to 1910.
Subjects
Recreational Activities - Dancing
Clothing - Costumes
Names
Byrne, Beverlea Patricia "Patti"
Accession Code
BV994.14.22
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[1936]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Patricia Byrne in a dance troupe

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1188
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1936]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12 x 16.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of eleven girls in a dance troupe on a stage (the set is designed to look like a living room). The younger girls are in ballet costumes and the older girls are in satin costumes. The young girl to the extreme right is Beverlea Patricia Byrne. Know as "Patsy" as a child, Patricia Byrne wa…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : sepia ; 12 x 16.5 cm
Material Details
Photograph appears to have been removed from a photographic album
Scope and Content
Photograph of eleven girls in a dance troupe on a stage (the set is designed to look like a living room). The younger girls are in ballet costumes and the older girls are in satin costumes. The young girl to the extreme right is Beverlea Patricia Byrne. Know as "Patsy" as a child, Patricia Byrne was born in 1932 in Vancouver and was appointed a British Columbia Provincial Court Judge in 1975. Her grandfather Peter Byrne was the Mayor of Burnaby from 1906 to 1910.
Subjects
Recreational Activities - Dancing
Clothing - Costumes
Names
Byrne, Beverlea Patricia "Patti"
Accession Code
BV994.14.23
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[1936]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Harold E. Winch newspaper collection series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3643
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1936-1986
Collection/Fonds
Harold Edward Winch collection
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
7 files of newspapers
Scope and Content
Series consists of issues of the following Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and New Democratic Party (NDP) newspapers: The Commonwealth (1936); The Federationist (1936, 1943); CCF News (1946-1947, 1954); CCF News - for British Columbia and Yukon (1954); The British Columbian (1960); The D…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Harold Edward Winch collection
Series
Harold E. Winch newspaper collection series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
7 files of newspapers
Scope and Content
Series consists of issues of the following Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and New Democratic Party (NDP) newspapers: The Commonwealth (1936); The Federationist (1936, 1943); CCF News (1946-1947, 1954); CCF News - for British Columbia and Yukon (1954); The British Columbian (1960); The Democrat (1966-1969); and Democrat (1972-1986).
Names
Winch, Harold Edward
Accession Code
BV013.12
Date
1936-1986
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of series
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Municipality of Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription13096
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1936
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 map : b&w print on paper ; 59 x 43 cm
Scope and Content
Map of the Municipality of Burnaby compiled and published by City Map and White Print Co.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Maps of Burnaby and Greater Vancouver series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 map : b&w print on paper ; 59 x 43 cm
Scope and Content
Map of the Municipality of Burnaby compiled and published by City Map and White Print Co.
Creator
City Map and White Print Co.
Publisher
City Map and White Print Co.
Accession Code
HV976.158.7
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1936
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2022-04-06
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on content of map
Title on map reads: "MUNICIPALITY / OF / BURNABY / BRITISH COLUMBIA / Compiled and Published by / CITY MAP AND WHITE PRINT CO."
Stamp on map reads: "SFU LIBRARY / SEP 1974 / G. 3514 / B87 / 1936"
Stamp on map reads: "SFU LIBRARY / AUG 1973 / G. 3514 / B87 / 1936"
Cirular seal stamp on map reads: "The University of / Library / British Columbia"
Zoomable Images
Municipality of Burnaby, 1936 thumbnail

Municipality of Burnaby, 1936

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Labour parade

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85205
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (4 min, 23 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of a May Day labour parade for International Worker's Day. Men, women and children are seen marching with banners held high interspersed with a marching band with bagpipes. Some of the banners are identified as; The Communist Pa…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (4 min, 23 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of a May Day labour parade for International Worker's Day. Men, women and children are seen marching with banners held high interspersed with a marching band with bagpipes. Some of the banners are identified as; The Communist Party of Canada, the Scandinavian Worker's Club, Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union, Ex-Servicemen's League, Canadian League Against War and Fascism, Fishermen's Legislative Program, Sailor's Union, B.C. Maritime Workers, Amalgamated Building Workers Union, Bakery and Confectionary Workers International Union of America and The Women's Labour League. Some of the banners in the parade read as follows; 'Support the White Lunch Strike', 'Abolish Deferred Pay', 'Builders of British Columbia- Bill Bennett', 'Communist Party of Canada', 'Free Grange and Molland'.
Subjects
Events - Parades
Occupations
Occupations - Labourers
Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Labour Parade'
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Images
Video

Labour parade, [between 1936 and 1939]

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Trip to Kamloops

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85234
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (14 min., 16 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 4. The film segment contains footage of Digney family travels, with some of the footage taken from the hood of the Digney car as they drive through the mountains of British Columbia and Washington State. The Digney family is travelling and …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (14 min., 16 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-003-4
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2014-04
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 4. The film segment contains footage of Digney family travels, with some of the footage taken from the hood of the Digney car as they drive through the mountains of British Columbia and Washington State. The Digney family is travelling and camping through the Fraser Canyon and the Rockies of Alberta and British Columbia. They visit Radium Hot Springs, Gyro club pool, Cranbook, Alexandra Bridge near Boston Bar and the Grand Coulee in Washington State. The footage interchanges between black and white and colour showing scenery and various family members playing and picnicing along the way.
Subjects
Sports - Swimming
Transportation - Automobiles
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
Digney, Alice
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Images
Video
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Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
History
Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo/MI catalogue 562
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Ocean View Burial Park - Chapel

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark628
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Church building.
Associated Dates
1936
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Imperial Street
Associated Dates
1936
Description
Church building.
Heritage Value
Subsequent work at Ocean View was designed by local architects Sharp & Thompson through the 1950s, including the stone-faced Garden Chapel, built in 1936 as a replica of a Norman church. Prominent stone gates also replaced the original gates at the corner entrance. George Sharp (1880-1974) and Charles Thompson (1878-1961) formed Vancouver’s longest surviving architectural firm in 1908. They were born, educated and articled in London, before arriving in Vancouver via different routes. In 1912, the firm won the competition for the new University of British Columbia.
Locality
Alta Vista
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Suncrest Area
Architect
Sharp & Thompson
Area
359280.00
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
4000 Imperial Street
Images
Less detail

Standard Oil Company

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34565
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 27.2 x 35.0 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Standard Oil Company Stanovan Refinery process area, at the Burrard Inlet.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Photographs subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 27.2 x 35.0 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
052-001
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Standard Oil Company Stanovan Refinery process area, at the Burrard Inlet.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Refineries
Names
Standard Oil Company of British Columbia Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Eton Street
Street Address
4403 Eton Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Stanovan Plant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35187
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of two men taken at the foot of Queens Avenue (now Willingdon Avenue) of a Standard Oil refinery commonly called Stanovan. This later became the site of Chevron's Stanovan plant at 4403 Eton Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-044
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of two men taken at the foot of Queens Avenue (now Willingdon Avenue) of a Standard Oil refinery commonly called Stanovan. This later became the site of Chevron's Stanovan plant at 4403 Eton Street.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Refineries
Names
Standard Oil Company of British Columbia Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Eton Street
Street Address
4403 Eton Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Stanovan Plant

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35188
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of two men taken at the foot of Queens Avenue (now Willingdon Avenue) of a Standard Oil refinery commonly called Stanovan. This later became the site of Chevron's Stanovan plant at 4403 Eton Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1936] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-045
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of two men taken at the foot of Queens Avenue (now Willingdon Avenue) of a Standard Oil refinery commonly called Stanovan. This later became the site of Chevron's Stanovan plant at 4403 Eton Street.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Refineries
Names
Standard Oil Company of British Columbia Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Eton Street
Street Address
4403 Eton Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Standard Oil

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35189
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Standard Oil staff, office and refinery at the foot of Queen's Avenue (later renamed Willingdon Avenue). Manager, Mr. Donaldson, is to left; his son, Tommy, is second left. This later became the site of Chevron's Stanovan plant at 4403 Eton Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-046
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Standard Oil staff, office and refinery at the foot of Queen's Avenue (later renamed Willingdon Avenue). Manager, Mr. Donaldson, is to left; his son, Tommy, is second left. This later became the site of Chevron's Stanovan plant at 4403 Eton Street.
Subjects
Buildings - Industrial - Refineries
Names
Donaldson, Tommy
Standard Oil Company of British Columbia Limited
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Eton Street
Street Address
4403 Eton Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Less detail

Interview with Alfred Bingham June 10, 1975 - Track 11

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory68
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1936-1939
Length
0:08:52
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his involvement in the Army of the Common Good and the Credit Union movement.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his involvement in the Army of the Common Good and the Credit Union movement.
Date Range
1936-1939
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:08:52
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Organizations
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
June 10, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Alfred Bingham by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, Pioneers, and the Co-operative Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
1:57:27
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
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 eleven of interview with Alfred Bingham

Less detail

365 records – page 4 of 19.