Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
- Geographic Access
- Hastings Street
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 12771
- Enactment Date
- 19/04/2010
- Description
- Commercial building.
- Heritage Value
- While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Community
- Burnaby
- Names
- Helen's Childrens Wear
- Street Address
- 4142 Hastings Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Burnaby Heights Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark776
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- Up until the 1970s, this neighbourhood was known as Vancouver Heights. When a new park was created during that decade and named "Burnaby Heights Park," the name was gradually adopted by newcomers to the area. Today, you will hear residents refer to their neighbourhood as Burnaby Heights, Vancouver Heights, or just "The Heights." Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the commercial district in this neighbourhood continued to grow and a Retail Merchants Association was formed which later became known as the Heights Merchants Association. The neighbourhood still retains a residential neighbourhood characteristic with an increasing number of apartment buildings and multi-family units being built over the past 20 years.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Burnaby Municipal Hall
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark807
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Associated Dates
- 1956
- Heritage Value
- When staff outgrew the municipal buildings at Edmonds and Kingsway, a debate erupted over where to build a new municipal hall. North Burnaby residents argued against the Kingsway and Edmonds site as it was too removed for their needs, but South Burnaby residents were not prepared to accept a hall in North Burnaby. The debate was finally resolved when it was suggested that the new civic centre for the municipality be in the exact geographic centre of Burnaby. Fortunately, this meant that the new hall was to be built near Deer Lake, in the beautiful Central Valley setting. Burnaby voters accepted this decision and approved the $625,000.00 it would take to build the new structure and the official opening ceremony was held June 22, 1956 when then Reeve Charles MacSorley received the keys to the hall from the contractor.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Burnaby South High School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark770
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1922-1988
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Southoaks Crescent
- Associated Dates
- 1922-1988
- Heritage Value
- Burnaby South and Burnaby North were Burnaby's first high schools. The first rooms of the school were built in 1922 on the same grounds as the Kingsway East Elementary School. In 1940, a two-storey building was erected and additions were made in 1963, 1967 and 1972. Kingsway East closed in 1925 and its buildings were used by the high school for Industrial Arts and Home Economics. In the early 1990s, a new "urban education centre" (Burnaby South/B.C. School for the Deaf) was opened, replacing the old Burnaby South High School.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
- Street Address
- 6650 Southoaks Crescent
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Central Park Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark688
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1925-1954
- Heritage Value
- Although still largely a rural area during the 1920s, subdivisions began appearing in the Central Park neighbourhood at this time. Development was slowed by the Great Depression of the 1930s but the influx of commercial buildings and new housing initiatives in the post-war boom led to a period of rapid growth especially in the Garden Village subdivision which was undertaken in 1953 with the plan to build 500 modern homes in the 140-acre site. Despite the closure of the interurban line in 1953, the neighbourhood remained an active commercial and residential centre.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Dawson-Delta Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark779
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The Dawson-Delta neighbourhood in Burnaby developed into one of Burnaby's numerous industrial areas after 1955. The Eastbrook Executive Business Park opened in the 1970s and the Willingdon Green Business Centre includes buildings from the 1980s to the 2000s. Convenient access to major roads and highways fostered these developments which remain zoned for industrial uses to this day.
- Planning Study Area
- Dawson-Delta Area
Images
Lochdale Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark790
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- Despite the rapid growth witnessed in Burnaby in the post-war years, the Lochdale Neighbourhood was characterised as a close-knit primarily residential community. Although a commercial zone developed along Sperling and Hastings, single-family, duplex and multi-family homes were the primary buildings in the area. Basement suites and student accommodation also flourished in this neighbourhood after the creation of Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
Images
Lyndhurst Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark823
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The Lyndhurst Neighbourhood falls within the Lougheed Town Centre area - one of four Town Centres in Burnaby. The Lyndhurst Neighbourhood accounts for a significant portion of the residential component of the Town Centre. To the east of Stoney Creek Park, lies the Sullivan Heights single family subdivision which was built in the 1950s. To the west of the park, is a higher-density residential area consisting of multi-family buildings that were developed after 1974.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lyndhurst Area
Images
Second Street Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark826
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- Second Street had its origins in the 1910-1920 era and the Second Street Elementary School was built in 1928. Substantial new housing was built in the late 1940s and 1950s and infilling occurred during the 1960s and 1970s. By the 1980s, the neighbourhood was primarily a single family area with a small number of multi-family buildings.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Second Street Area
Images
Willingdon Heights Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark777
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The convenient location of Willingdon Heights to the Trans Canada Highway, Lougheed Highway and Hastings Street has fostered its development as a primarily residential commuter neighbourhood. Characterised in the post-World War Two period by predominantly single-family developments, the neighbourhood has retained this identity despite some higher density apartment buildings now found there.
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
Capitol Hill Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark667
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1925-1954
- Heritage Value
- Although the Hastings street-car extension to Ellesmere opened in 1913 and there had been much speculation in the area during the real estate boom of 1909-1913, development in Capitol Hill did not really take off until after World War One when workers in Vancouver started to look to Burnaby for affordable but centrally-located neighbourhoods in which to build their homes. The 1913 one-room school had to be replaced in 1923 and in 1948, members of the community came together to build a new Community Hall.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
Images
Willingdon Heights United Church
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark658
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Church building.
- Associated Dates
- 1951
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Parker Street
- Associated Dates
- 1951
- Description
- Church building.
- Heritage Value
- This church was built to serve a 500-home subdivision known as Willingdon Heights–Canada’s largest single veteran’s housing project created by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and constructed by the Whitsell Construction Company in 1948. The church building was designed as a simplified Gothic Revival church with a tall front tower and Gothic pointed-arch stained glass window and entrance. This church was designed by Vancouver architects Twizell & Twizell. Both Robert Twizell (1875-1964) and younger brother George Twizell (1885-1957) articled at Newcastle, England’s Hicks & Charlewood before arriving in Vancouver in late 1907 or early 1908, with George working for Robert until they established a partnership a few years later. Their firm lasted for nearly half a century and was well known for its numerous church designs.
- Locality
- Vancouver Heights
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
- Architect
- Twizell & Twizell
- Area
- 1808.82
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 4304 Parker Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Crabtown
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark674
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1912-1957
- Heritage Value
- North Burnaby's waterfront was the location of a unique squatter's community known as Crabtown. Although its origins are obscure, it is believed that the first shacks were built before 1912. When the depression of 1913-1917 began, the shacks became permanent homes for impoverished workers. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the community grew larger. Crabtown was not a slum, but a neighbourhood - the community even rallied together to build a water supply system and trails up the steep bluff with steps and banisters so children could go to school safely. In 1957, the National Harbours Board decided that Crabtown was encroaching on Federal property and evicted all 130 residents. Within a few months, residents were relocated and 114 homes were levelled.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Lochdale Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark668
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1925-1954
- Heritage Value
- In the 1931 "Burnaby Year Book" the Lochdale neighbourhood is described as follows: "Lochdale…is situated at the intersection of the Hastings-Barnet road at the point where Sperling Avenue crosses…Situated at the intersection…there are an up to date service station and a general store, at which the Lochdale Post Office is situated. Immediately north of this is the seventy acres on which the Shell Oil Co. are to build an up-to-date refinery...On going south on Sperling Avenue can be found some lovely homes of the residents, all of which possess the most beautiful flower gardens, some of which are hobbies, and some being in the nature of a business. Others are engaged in chicken farming...while others find employment at the Barnet Mill about two miles east on the Hastings-Barnet Road."
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
Images
Shell Oil Company
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark675
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Kensington Avenue
- Associated Dates
- ca. 1930-1993
- Heritage Value
- After considering several sites in the Greater Vancouver area, the Shell Oil Company chose 70 acres in North Burnaby with frontage of one third of a mile on Burrard Inlet. Shell proposed to build a four-million dollar plant that would employ up to 2000 - providing some relief in the middle of Burnaby's economic crisis of the Depression years. The site became known as the Shellburn Refinery and was in operation until 1993.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Westridge Area
Images
Burnaby North High School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark745
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1923-1982
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Willingdon Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1923-1982
- Heritage Value
- Burnaby North and Burnaby South were the first high schools built in the City. Before the high school opened, Burnaby students had to travel to Vancouver if they wished to pursue education beyond an elementary level. In 1921, arrangements were made to use the basement of the Presbyterian Church for instruction of local students. By 1922 the Burnaby North High School opened at its first permanent location (4375 Pandora Street - which is now Rosser Elementary). In 1945, the Willingdon Avenue site was built and was used until a new building was constructed in 1961 on Hammarskjold Drive. From 1962, the school was used as Burnaby Heights Junior High school, but it closed in 1982 and the junior high students went to the new Burnaby North on Hammarskjold.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Capitol Hill Area
- Street Address
- 250 Willingdon Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Cariboo-Armstrong Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark825
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The Cariboo-Armstrong Neighbourhood was mainly subdivided in the 1950s during the major building boom in Burnaby throughout the post-war years. Considered a primarily residential area, the neighbourhood has quick and convenient access to major highways and roads as well as being bordered to the north by the George Derby Conservation area.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cariboo-Armstrong Area
Images
Clinton-Glenwood Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark841
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- The primarily single-family subdivision and development in the Clinton-Glenwood Neighbourhood occurred during the building boom of the 1950s. Later development fell under the guidelines established in the Royal Oak Community Plan (adopted in 1999) and resulted in an increase in the number of multi-family units.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
Images
Government Road Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark822
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- After the building boom of the 1950s, the Government Road Neighbourhood became characterised as a stable, single-family residential area. In addition to the residential component, the neighbourhood also has a significant industrial sector, along the north side of Burnaby Lake, and a commercial zone to the north along the Lougheed Highway.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Government Road Area
Images
Kingsway-Beresford Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark805
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1955-2008
- Heritage Value
- Since the building boom of the 1950s, the Kingsway-Beresford Neighbourhood has maintained a residential character with the exception of the Kingsway corridor, which has become a primary commercial and light industrial sector.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
Images
