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Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 7
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory470
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1936-1990
- Length
- 00:04:34
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the importance of good record keeping, using an example of an 1936 fire record used in a civic law suit. He expressed concerned about the lack of museum and archives facilities in Burnaby.
- Date Range
- 1936-1990
- Length
- 00:04:34
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 21, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:43:35
- Interviewee Name
- Nixon, Al
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track seven of interview with Al Nixon
Track seven of interview with Al Nixon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_7.mp3
A crowd looking at some unidentified sculptures
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59039
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a crowd examining sculptures in an unidentified location.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1445
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a crowd examining sculptures in an unidentified location.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Hodge, Craig
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Crowd look at some of the sculptures"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "page 3 / Burnaby / Today / 110%"
Images
A man auctioning the "Rocketship" sculpture
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59040
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a person auctioning a sculpture identified as the "Rocketship" in an unidentified location.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1446
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a person auctioning a sculpture identified as the "Rocketship" in an unidentified location.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Hodge, Craig
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "auctioning the "rocketship""
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "PMT / 82% / page 3 / Burnaby / Today"
Images
An elderly man bowling at the hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59131
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a senior citizen bowling along a carpet in a hospital. Other senior citizens and two nurses watch.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1474
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a senior citizen bowling along a carpet in a hospital. Other senior citizens and two nurses watch.
- Subjects
- Persons - Seniors
- Occupations - Nurses
- Recreational Activities
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "page B-4 / Burnaby / Today"
Images
Birthday Celebrations
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58913
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of several people seated around a table in what appears to be a community or seniors' centre. One woman is lighting the candles on a birthday cake.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 25 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1367
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of several people seated around a table in what appears to be a community or seniors' centre. One woman is lighting the candles on a birthday cake.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on verso reads: "Page 9 / Burnaby Today / PMT 100%"
Images
![Burnaby Art Gallery, [1980] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/349-002.jpg?width=280)
Burnaby Art Gallery
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37306
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of the Burnaby Art Gallery and parking lot. This building was formerly the H. Ceperley family's Fairacres estate, built in 1911.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1980]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Jim Wolf subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 10 x 15 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 349-002
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1997-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the exterior of the Burnaby Art Gallery and parking lot. This building was formerly the H. Ceperley family's Fairacres estate, built in 1911.
- Names
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Houghtaling, Kim
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Burnaby Art Gallery, [1980] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/349-002.jpg)
Burnaby Art Gallery daffodil gardens
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36277
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 2.5 x 3.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the back of the Burnaby Art Gallery and its daffodil gardens.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- April 1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. slide ; 2.5 x 3.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 242-027
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1990-05
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the back of the Burnaby Art Gallery and its daffodil gardens.
- Names
- Burnaby Art Gallery
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
Burnaby General Hospital cafeteria
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45334
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 17, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 22.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the cafeteria at the Burnaby General Hospital with its wall of windows.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- March 17, 1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 22.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-229
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the interior of the cafeteria at the Burnaby General Hospital with its wall of windows.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Names
- Burnaby General Hospital
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "Cafeteria at Burnaby General Hospital shows interior lines that helped win hospital architects design award".
- Geographic Access
- Kincaid Street
- Street Address
- 3935 Kincaid Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cascade-Schou Area
Images
![Edmonds House fire, [after 4 Dec. 1982] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Restricted/580/680-036-1.jpg?width=280)
Edmonds House fire
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91730
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [after 4 Dec. 1982]
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs that document the damage caused by a fire at the Edmonds Community Centre for the Retired (also known as Edmonds House). Three of these photographs were enlarged through the inter-negative process to 11'' x 14'' col. prints for a juried exhibition of British Columbian P…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [after 4 Dec. 1982]
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : col. negatives ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-036
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs that document the damage caused by a fire at the Edmonds Community Centre for the Retired (also known as Edmonds House). Three of these photographs were enlarged through the inter-negative process to 11'' x 14'' col. prints for a juried exhibition of British Columbian Photographers, put on by the Burnaby Photographic Society in 1988.
- Names
- Edmonds House
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photographs
- Note in blue ink on ABC Photocolor envelope reads: "Print Full Frame"
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Images
![Edmonds House fire, [after 4 Dec. 1982] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Restricted/580/680-036-1.jpg)
George Derby Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45331
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1981
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 20.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two men walking away from the George Derby Hospital.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- February 1981
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.5 x 20.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-226
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two men walking away from the George Derby Hospital.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Cumberland Street
- Street Address
- 7550 Cumberland Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
![Grounds surrounding the George Derby Hospital, [February 1981] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-228.jpg?width=280)
Grounds surrounding the George Derby Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45333
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [February 1981]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 24 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the grounds surrounding the George Derby Hospital.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [February 1981]
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15.5 x 24 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-228
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2003-02
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the grounds surrounding the George Derby Hospital.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Cumberland Street
- Street Address
- 7550 Cumberland Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
![Grounds surrounding the George Derby Hospital, [February 1981] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/480/480-228.jpg)
Heritage Village
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91713
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- January 1985
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 20 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum) in the snow. Buildings depicted in the photographs include: Jubilee Music store, optometrist, Electric Theatre, real estate office, Chinese Herbalist store, church, and Village blacksmith. Also included in the file are photo…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- January 1985
- Collection/Fonds
- Doreen Lawson fonds
- Physical Description
- 20 photographs : col. slides ; 35 mm
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 618-031
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2015-15
- Scope and Content
- File consists of photographs of Heritage Village (Burnaby Village Museum) in the snow. Buildings depicted in the photographs include: Jubilee Music store, optometrist, Electric Theatre, real estate office, Chinese Herbalist store, church, and Village blacksmith. Also included in the file are photographs of the Heritage Burnaby entrance sign and donation plaque for the Japanese Bathhouse.
- Names
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from label on original slide cases
- Street Address
- 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory465
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1936-1990
- Length
- 00:04:08
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early member…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Al Nixon describing the location of the North Burnaby Fire Department fire hall and the location of the six fire halls subsequently built for the combined north and south department. He also talks about Fred Blake, Lewis Auvache and Henry Chapman, early members of the department who were also interested in the department's history.
- Date Range
- 1936-1990
- Length
- 00:04:08
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 21, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:43:35
- Interviewee Name
- Nixon, Al
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Al Nixon
Track two of interview with Al Nixon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_2.mp3Interview with Allan Nixon by Rod Fowler February 21, 1990 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory466
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1927-1990
- Length
- 00:04:05
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about the equipment used by the fire department over the years, in particular about the pump and ladder trucks, and about Chief Waddell's wise choice of locations for the fire halls.
- Date Range
- 1927-1990
- Length
- 00:04:05
- Names
- Waddell, Gordon
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- February 21, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Al Nixon, conducted by Rod Fowler. Al Nixon was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about the history and operations of the Burnaby Fire Department from its beginning in 1911 to 1990, and Al Nixon’s stories about the various ways photographs, records and artifacts about the department were collected and saved. The interview takes place while looking at photographs, but the information is clear nonetheless (His photographs have been deposited in the Burnaby Archives). Al Nixon also talks about his father's career as a firefighter, and about his Douglas grandparents and their home “The Gables” [Seven Gables] and neighbourhood in Burquitlam. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Al Nixon was born in New Westminster Feb. 8, 1936, the son of Provincial Fire Marshal Basil Nixon (1904-1975) and Agnes Douglas (1909-?). His mother’s family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1922 and lived in a large ca. 1900 home in Burquitlam at 9957 Sullivan Road called “Seven Gables” (recently demolished). His grandfather Thomas Douglas, a Coquitlam Councillor and Socialist, was murdered in 1934 in his North Road service station. Al Nixon began his career as a firefighter with the Burnaby Fire Department in 1957, eventually becoming Deputy Fire Chief Operations in 1987 and Fire Chief in 1991, before retiring in 1993. In the mid 1980's Al Nixon became interested in the department’s history after finding a photograph scrapbook at one of the firehalls. It was in very bad condition but he recognized its value and began a project to collect and save photographs, artifacts and stories about the Burnaby Fire Department, a 6 month project that turned into years. The photographs and information gathered by Al Nixon became part of Douglas Penn’s book “Follow that Fire: the history of the Burnaby Fire Department”.
- Total Tracks
- 8
- Total Length
- 0:43:35
- Interviewee Name
- Nixon, Al
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Al Nixon
Track three of interview with Al Nixon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-014/MSS187-014_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory538
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1950-1990
- Length
- 00:06:16
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
- Date Range
- 1950-1990
- Photo Info
- Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
- Length
- 00:06:16
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial
- Buildings - Civic
- Buildings - Industrial
- Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Lake City Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- April 4, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.
- Total Tracks
- 10
- Total Length
- 00:56:44
- Interviewee Name
- Morin, Severin "Sev"
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Sev Morin
Track two of interview with Sev Morin
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%202.mp3
Jim Brown and Elizabeth Nunn at the Burnaby Art Gallery
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59148
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two people browsing stacks of prints at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1483
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two people browsing stacks of prints at the Burnaby Art Gallery.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Braid, Tom
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "PMT 100% / page A-2 / Burnaby / Today"
- Street Address
- 6344 Deer Lake Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Mayor Lewarne and Council Members, [between 1981 and 1983] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/351-001.jpg?width=280)
Mayor Lewarne and Council Members
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37331
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1981 and 1983]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 20 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Mayor William Lewarne and Council members, 1981-1983. Back row (l to r): Alan Emmott, Egon Nikolai, Vic Stusiak, Donald Brown, Doug Drummond. Front row (l to r) George McLean, Tom Constable, William Lewarne, and Doreen Lawson. The photograph was taken in Council Chambers at Burnaby…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1981 and 1983]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Municipal record subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : col. ; 20 x 25 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 351-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1997-11
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Mayor William Lewarne and Council members, 1981-1983. Back row (l to r): Alan Emmott, Egon Nikolai, Vic Stusiak, Donald Brown, Doug Drummond. Front row (l to r) George McLean, Tom Constable, William Lewarne, and Doreen Lawson. The photograph was taken in Council Chambers at Burnaby Municipal Hall.
- Subjects
- Officials - Alderman and Councillors
- Buildings - Civic - City Halls
- Officials - Mayors and Reeves
- Names
- Emmott, Alan H.
- Nikolai, Egon
- Stusiak, Victor V. "Vic"
- Brown, Donald N. "Don"
- Drummond, Douglas P. "Doug"
- McLean, George H.F.
- Constable, Thomas W. "Tom"
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
- Lawson, Doreen A.
- Burnaby City Hall
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Mayor Lewarne and Council Members, [between 1981 and 1983] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/316/351-001.jpg)
Mrs. Maria Wheahy - Bolwing at 90, Hospital Resident
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59138
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a senior citizen, identified as Maria Wheahy, bowling along a carpet in a hospital. Other senior citizens and nurses watch.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1983
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1476
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a senior citizen, identified as Maria Wheahy, bowling along a carpet in a hospital. Other senior citizens and nurses watch.
- Subjects
- Persons - Seniors
- Occupations - Nurses
- Recreational Activities
- Buildings - Civic - Hospitals
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Bowling at 90 - Hospital resident (Mrs) Maria Wheahy"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Flop & / PMT 100% / page B-4 / Burnaby / Today"
Images
Myrtle Dickey; Tom Slack (Santa); Tinie Busse at Deer Lake Hospital
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription59198
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 25.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a person dressed up as Santa Claus with two elderly women at Deer Lake Hospital.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1982
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18.5 x 25.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1515
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a person dressed up as Santa Claus with two elderly women at Deer Lake Hospital.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Battistoni, Peter
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Myrtle Dickey / Tom Slack - "Santa" / Tinie Busse / At Dinner / Deer Lake Hospital"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Burnaby Today / PMT 100% / page 6"
Images
Olga Kotelko reading to girl with a broken leg
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58914
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 25 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman identified as Olga Kotelo reading or working on homework with a girl with a broken leg. The photograph is taken inside of a hospital.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- ca.1980
- Collection/Fonds
- Columbian Newspaper collection
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 25 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 480-1368
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2009-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a woman identified as Olga Kotelo reading or working on homework with a girl with a broken leg. The photograph is taken inside of a hospital.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- King, Basil
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note on recto reads: "Olga Kotelko / Sherri Echlin"
- Photographer's stamp on verso
- Note on verso reads: "Olga / PMT 100% / page 1 / Burnaby"
Images
