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- Bossort, Kathy 1
- British Columbia Mills Timber and Trading Company 1
- Burnaby Mountain Centennial Park 1
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area 1
- Canadian Pacific Railway Company 2
- Fabian, Tony S. 1
- G.F. and J. Galt Limited 1
- Great Northern Railway 1
- Macdonald, Angus 1
- ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) 1
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Angus & Margaret MacDonald House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark495
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Set on a large corner lot at North Esmond Avenue and Oxford Street, the Angus & Margaret MacDonald House is a prominent, two and one-half storey Queen Anne Revival-style residence. The high hipped roof has open projecting gables. The house is a landmark within the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood of…
- Associated Dates
- 1909
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Oxford Street
- Associated Dates
- 1909
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 12174
- Enactment Date
- 11/12/2006
- Description
- Set on a large corner lot at North Esmond Avenue and Oxford Street, the Angus & Margaret MacDonald House is a prominent, two and one-half storey Queen Anne Revival-style residence. The high hipped roof has open projecting gables. The house is a landmark within the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood of North Burnaby, on a high point of land overlooking Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains.
- Heritage Value
- The MacDonald House is valued as one of Burnaby’s most elaborate examples of the Queen Anne Revival style. The house retains many of its original features, including a prominent front corner turret wrapped by a clamshell verandah. The eclectic and transitional nature of Edwardian-era architecture is demonstrated by the late persistence of these Queen Anne Revival details, combined with the use of newly-popular classical revival elements such as Ionic columns. The interior retains a number of original architectural elements, and the early garage at the rear originally housed Angus MacDonald’s Cadillac, one of the first known automobiles owned by a Burnaby resident. Constructed in 1909, this house was built for Angus MacDonald (1857-1943) and his wife, Margaret Isabella Thompson MacDonald (1862-1939). Angus MacDonald, an electrical contractor, relocated from Nova Scotia to Vancouver in 1891 and served on Vancouver Council from 1904-08. The MacDonald family moved to Burnaby upon his retirement from the B.C. Electric Railway Company, and he then served the North Burnaby Ward as a councillor from 1911-1916 and again in 1921. MacDonald Street in Burnaby was named in his honour. The MacDonald House has additional significance as one of the surviving landmark residences, built between 1909 and 1914, during the first development of Vancouver Heights. In 1909, C.J. Peter and his employer, G.F. and J. Galt Limited, initiated the development of this North Burnaby neighbourhood, promoting it as one of the most picturesque districts in the region and an alternative to the CPR’s prestigious Shaughnessy Heights development in Vancouver. Buyers were obligated to build houses worth $3,500 at a time when the average house price was $1,000. Reputed to be the second house built in the subdivision, this house cost $7,000 to build.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the MacDonald House include its: - prominent corner location in the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood, with views to Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains - residential form, scale and massing as exemplified by its two and one-half storey height, full basement, compound plan, and high hipped roof with gabled projections at the front and side - wood-frame construction including wooden lapped siding, trim and mouldings - rubble-stone granite foundation - Queen Anne Revival details such as scroll-cut modillions, octagonal corner turret, wraparound, clamshell verandah with classical columns, and projecting square and semi-octagonal bays - external red-brick chimney with corbelled top - original windows including double-hung, 1-over-1 wooden sash windows in single and double assembly, and arched-top casement windows in the gable peaks - original interior features such as the main staircase, a panelled dining room with a fireplace and built-in cabinets, a living room with a parquet floor, and a rear den with an oak mantle and tiled hearth - associated early wood-frame garage at the rear of the property - landscape features such as mature coniferous and deciduous trees surrounding the property
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Organization
- British Columbia Mills Timber and Trading Company
- Function
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Primary Current--Single Dwelling
- Community
- Vancouver Heights
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D.011-999-462
- Boundaries
- The MacDonald House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 3814 Oxford Street, Burnaby.
- Area
- 566.71
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Documentation
- City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
- Street Address
- 3814 Oxford Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Application for Water rights on Burrard Inlet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport77641
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 77223
- Meeting Date
- 25-Aug-1906
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 77223
- Meeting Date
- 25-Aug-1906
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Canadian Pacific Railway Depot
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1066
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.0 x 10.2 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 12.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (in the foreground, centre) the Canadian Pacific Railway depot, Vancouver with Burrard Inlet in the background. The north shore can be seen faintly across the water. An annotation reads, "C.P.R. Depot and Burrard Inlet / From Rogers Bldg."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.0 x 10.2 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 12.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (in the foreground, centre) the Canadian Pacific Railway depot, Vancouver with Burrard Inlet in the background. The north shore can be seen faintly across the water. An annotation reads, "C.P.R. Depot and Burrard Inlet / From Rogers Bldg."
- Accession Code
- HV972.50.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-28
- Photographer
- Dean, H.M.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription29
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2021
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 130m of textual records and other material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2021
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 130m of textual records and other material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FOIPPA
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.
- History
- The City of Burnaby covers an area of approximately 98 square kilometers between the cities of Vancouver to the west, and Coquitlam and New Westminster to the east, Burrard Inlet to the north, and the Fraser River to the south. The municipality derived its name from Robert Burnaby, a prominent businessman and advisor to Sir James Douglas, the first Governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. Burnaby’s early development was closely tied to the development of the City of New Westminster. New Westminster became British Columbia’s capital in 1859, the year after the British Government proclaimed the establishment of British Columbia. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Engineers began exploring Burnaby to establish military defenses and secure natural resources. This involved the construction of a road linking New Westminster to Burrard Inlet for military purposes, which is present-day North Road. At this time, individuals and families began settling in Burnaby and were largely involved in agricultural and logging activities. Burnaby developed slowly until 1887, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was extended into Vancouver from the Port Moody terminal, causing a dramatic increase in traffic between New Westminster and Vancouver. To meet the new transportation demands, a tramline was built in 1891 connecting the two urban centers along what is now Kingsway. The creation and location of the tramline induced property owners to begin subdividing and selling their lands as early as October 1891. The property taxes the roughly 200 residents paid at this time went directly to the provincial government in Victoria. No local services were provided in turn, which prompted the formation of a committee to petition the provincial government for a municipal charter. As a result, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was incorporated by letters patent on September 22, 1892. Burnaby’s first Council was elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892 and consisted of Reeve Charles R. Shaw and councillors William Brenchley, Arthur De Windt Hazard, L. Claude Hill, William McDermott, and John Woolard.* The first formal Council election was conducted three months later. Nicolai Shou became the first elected reeve of Burnaby by ballot. Council met at various locations, including the tramline’s power house, private homes, and offices until the first municipal hall was built at Kingsway and Edmonds in 1899. Council is ultimately responsible for the government of the City of Burnaby. The Mayor (formally called “Reeve” prior to 1968) and Council are elected by the residents of Burnaby to represent them in decisions with respect to the provision of public services and facilities. Additionally, the Mayor represents the citizens of Burnaby at various public functions and events. Burnaby was without Council representation during most of the Great Depression and part of the Second World War. Council was disbanded on December 31, 1932 as a result of financial difficulties. The Provincial Government appointed a Commissioner to take over the duties of Reeve and Council beginning in 1933. This system of government was retained until January 1943, when Burnaby residents could once again elect their local government officials. The following individuals have served as Mayor (or Reeve) of Burnaby: Charles R. Shaw 1892 Nicolai C. Schou 1893-1903 Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905 Peter Byrne 1906-1910 John W. Weart 1911-1912 Duncan C. McGregor 1913 Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918 Thomas Sanderson 1919-1920 Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929 Charles C. Bell 1927 William L. Burdick 1929 William A. Pritchard 1930-1932 William Tate Wilson 1943-1944 George A. Morrison 1945-1949 William R. Beamish 1950-1953 Charles W. MacSorley 1954-1957 Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968 Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973 Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979 David M. Mercier 1979-1981 William A. Lewarne 1981-1987 William J. Copeland 1987-1996 Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002 Derek R. Corrigan 2002-2018 Mike Hurley 2018-present The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby: John Bennett 1933 John Mahony 1933-1934 Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940* R.S. Gilchrist 1941-1942* B.C. Bracewell 1942* *Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner. Closely associated with the functions of Council is the City Clerk. The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the statutory duties of the municipal clerk including the preparation and preservation of all minutes books and records of Council business, custody of City bylaws, administrative support to Council and its Committees, preparation of Council and Committee agendas and the conduct of local government elections. The Clerk’s Office is the communications link between Council and other City Departments and the general public, and provides assistance and advice to citizens with respect to Council and Council Committee processes, reporting procedures and decisions. At the time of Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892, the municipal Clerk had the responsibility to attend all meetings of Council, keep all records of Council, prepare and alter voters’ lists, conduct Council elections, collect revenue, as well as having the responsibility to prepare balance sheets and audits. An advertisement in a local newspaper for the appointment of the Clerk dated February 1, 1905 states the “united offices of clerk, collector and assessor” receive a salary of $65.00 per month. Originally the treasurer, assessor and records manager for the corporation, the Clerk eventually became the municipal Council liaison. The primary functions of the City Clerk over time have been the keeping of minutes for the meetings of City Council and related bodies; keeping the records of the City of Burnaby as required by the Local Government Act (formally Municipal Act); keeping all records related to City Council decision making; carrying out correspondence on behalf of Council; assembling voters’ lists and carrying out elections; providing communication, information, and public relations services, including responsibility for civic ceremonies/events, and the municipal archives. The following individuals have served as City Clerk: Alexander Philip 1892–1894 Alfred Smither 1894–1899 F.J.H. Shirley 1899–1901 Arthur De Windt Haszard 1901–1902 Walter J. Walker 1902–1905 Benjamin George Walker 1905–1908 Charles Thomas Saunders 1908–1911 W.M. Griffiths 1911–1912 Arthur G. Moore 1912–1933 Charles Boyer Brown 1933–1959 John H. Shaw 1959–1973* James Hudson 1974–1984 Charles A. Turpin 1984–1995 Debbie R. Comis 1995–2011 Anne Skipsey (Acting) 2011-2012 Maryann Manuel (Acting) 2012-2014 Dennis Back 2014-2018 Kate O'Connell 2018-2020 Blanka Zeinabova 2020-2022 *Deputy City Clerk T. Ward took over many of the Clerk’s duties from 1972 to 1973 due to Shaw’s ill health during these years.
- Formats
- Microforms exist for some records. See series descriptions.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Creator
- City of Burnaby
- Notes
- Title based on creators of fonds
Clerk directed to write to Westminster - Burrard Inlet Telephone Company re poles to be removed to the inner side of ditch along Vancouver Road.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport79312
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89334
- Meeting Date
- 16-Sep-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89334
- Meeting Date
- 16-Sep-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Clerk instructed to write to the Burrard Inlet Telephone company re giving permission for the Company's poles to remain where they are until next Spring.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport79331
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89340
- Meeting Date
- 5-Oct-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89340
- Meeting Date
- 5-Oct-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Foreshore Burrard Inlet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport77831
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 82812
- Meeting Date
- 30-May-1903
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 82812
- Meeting Date
- 30-May-1903
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Foreshore rights on Burrard Inlet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport78022
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 78459
- Meeting Date
- 12-Jan-1907
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 78459
- Meeting Date
- 12-Jan-1907
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Foreshore Rights on Burrard Inlet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport78097
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89204
- Meeting Date
- 2-Mar-1907
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89204
- Meeting Date
- 2-Mar-1907
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory599
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1860-1995
- Length
- 0:15:57
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the m…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the mountain for recreation prior to 1965. He also talks about the dispute between SFU and the City of Burnaby over land ownership and control.
- Date Range
- 1860-1995
- Length
- 0:15:57
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
- Interviewer
- Bossort, Kathy
- Interview Date
- October 29, 2015
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
- Biographical Notes
- Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
- Total Tracks
- 7
- Total Length
- 1:43:22
- Interviewee Name
- Fabian, Tony S.
- Interview Location
- Tony Fabian's home in Burnaby
- Interviewer Bio
- Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.
- Collection/Fonds
- Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Tony Fabian
Track four of interview with Tony Fabian
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-007/MSS196-007_Track_4.mp3Nichols Chemical Company fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18755
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1906-1962
- Collection/Fonds
- Nichols Chemical Company fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 9 technical drawings
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of technical drawings of the Nichols Chemcial Company plant and machinery.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Nichols Chemical Company fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 9 technical drawings
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of technical drawings of the Nichols Chemcial Company plant and machinery.
- History
- In 1905 the Nichols Chemical Company, acid manufacturers based in Montreal, established their chemical plant on on a tract of land along Burrard Inlet, just east of the North Pacific Lumber Company. This company was later amalgamated and acquired by General Chemical and remains in operation on the original waterfront site. Many of workers at the Nichols Chemical Plant lived in bunkhouses in the community of Barnet including Japanese Canadian families who were employed there. Many of these families were laid off and forcibily removed during the internment of the Japanese in British Columbia during World War II.
- Creator
- Nichols Chemical Company Limited
- Accession Code
- BV998.23
- Date
- 1906-1962
- Media Type
- Technical Drawing
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
North Pacific Lumber Company Ruins
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark627
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Barnet Road
- Associated Dates
- 1909
- Description
- Industrial building.
- Heritage Value
- Located on the shore of Burrard Inlet, these poured concrete piers of the smokestack burner and the former boiler and plant of the North Pacific Lumber Company are among the only remains of the once-thriving industrial site located on the waterfront on the south shore of Burrard Inlet. The sawmill and the Village of Barnet were initiated by David MacLaren, a wealthy lumberman from Buckingham, Quebec, who had previously established the Fraser Mills in Coquitlam in 1889. McLaren gambled that a sawmill on the main line of the C.P.R near Vancouver would serve the Canadian domestic market and be a profitable venture. The North Pacific Lumber Company established itself on this peninsula on Burrard Inlet and was fully operational in 1900. In 1909, the mill was completely burned out by a fire starting in the boiler room. Immediately the plant was rebuilt, modern in every respect and absolutely fireproof, as the entire power plant and boiler room was built of reinforced concrete and steel, of which these ruins are the last remains. The plant closed during the First World War and reopened as the Barnet Lumber Company in 1925 only to close forever in 1931 after a strike during the Great Depression.
- Locality
- Barnet
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
North Road Line re Centre of North Road, from the Boundary of New Westminser City to Burrard INlet, be taken as the centre of the joint highway of Burnaby & Coquitlam and the Government Townsite of Port Moody
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport79273
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89314
- Meeting Date
- 6-Jul-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89314
- Meeting Date
- 6-Jul-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Overlynn Mansion
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark520
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Overlynn Mansion is a two and one-half storey British Arts and Crafts mansion, with an exterior composed of a massive native granite rubble-stone base surmounted by distinctive half-timbering, a hip hipped roof, a rare surviving intact interior, and elaborate landscape features including stone wall…
- Associated Dates
- 1909
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Charles J. Peter Mansion
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Charles J. Peter Mansion
- Geographic Access
- McGill Street
- Associated Dates
- 1909
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 10211
- Enactment Date
- 18/09/1995
- Description
- Overlynn Mansion is a two and one-half storey British Arts and Crafts mansion, with an exterior composed of a massive native granite rubble-stone base surmounted by distinctive half-timbering, a hip hipped roof, a rare surviving intact interior, and elaborate landscape features including stone walls and planted terraces. It is situated in the residential neighbourhood of Vancouver Heights, on a high point of land overlooking Burrard Inlet to the west and the mouth of Lynn Creek to the east. This prominent residence is now part of a large senior citizens development known as Seton Villa.
- Heritage Value
- Overlynn Mansion is valued as a superb example of the work of the noted architectural firm of Maclure and Fox. The architecture of Samuel Maclure (1860-1929) was synonymous with high quality residential design for prominent citizens in both Vancouver and Victoria. Maclure was known for his British Arts and Crafts style with meticulous attention paid to functional and beautiful interiors that utilized native wood combined with luxurious imported fittings. He was a leading exponent of the Art and Crafts design movement in B.C., and established a sophisticated local variation of residential architecture. Maclure’s Vancouver office, in association with his partner Cecil Croker Fox (1879-1916), received some sixty residential commissions between 1909-1915 as a result of the booming local economy and subsequent development of new residential districts. Maclure’s practice in Victoria was equally prolific at the time. Overlynn Mansion is valued as one of Burnaby’s oldest upper-class estates and for its association with the development of Vancouver Heights. In 1909, C.J. Peter and his employer, G.F. and J. Galt Limited, pioneered the development of Vancouver Heights in North Burnaby, believing it to be one of the most picturesque districts in area and an alternative to the CPR’s prestigious Shaughnessy Heights development in Vancouver. Buyers were obligated to build houses worth $3,500 at a time when the average house price was $1,000. Overlynn Mansion, built in 1909 for $75,000, was one of the first houses constructed in Vancouver Heights and by far the most grandiose and impressive. Additionally, this landmark residence is significant and an intact and comprehensive representation of a grand Edwardian era estate home. The interior is notably intact, and retains many highly-refined original features, including substantive millwork of exotic woods, silver-plated and nickel-plated light fixtures, fine plasterwork, tiled fireplaces and exceptional hardware. Landscape features of Overlynn Mansion include the original layout for circulation paths, a porte-cochere, granite posts and stone walls, a sandstone and iron sundial, and mature trees and shrubbery. The house was designated by Burnaby Council in 1995 and was the first heritage building in B.C. to receive legal protection for its interior features.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of Overlynn Mansion include its: - prominent corner location on a steep sloping site in the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood - views to Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains - residential form, scale and massing as exemplified by its grand two-storey plus basement height and irregular plan - British Arts and Crafts elements such as the rubble-stone granite masonry on the ground floor and foundation level, and decorative half-timbering and rough-cast stucco on the upper storey - compound hipped bell-cast roof, clad with cedar shingles, with shed dormers at the rear - subtle battering of ground floor and foundation level stonework - porte-cochere with hipped roof and battered granite piers - wood-clad projecting bay extensions - irregular fenestration: double-hung 6-over-1 wooden-sash windows; multi-pane casement wooden windows with multi-pane transoms; diamond leaded casement windows; and banks of stained glass windows - five tall rubble-stone granite block stone chimneys - interior features such as the oak, cedar and Yaka (Australian mahogany) panelled walls, oak panelling and staircase walls inlaid with ebony, ivory and brass, stenciled canvas friezes, wooden dadoes and plaster walls, encaustic floor tiles, Australian gumwood floors, oak panelled doors with art glass, oak beamed ceiling with stucco panels, cast plaster vaulted hall and living room ceilings, sterling silver light fixtures including a chandelier and scones, nickel-plated newel light, brass Art Nouveau styled ceiling light, brass stair carpet poles and locks, built-in bookcases and buffet, fireplace with encaustic tiles and fire dogs, imported Medmenham fireplace tiles (the earliest known use outside of the United Kingdom), fireplace mantel with green tile and cast iron firebox, and inglenook fireplace with encaustic tiles and carved mantel and brass fireplace insert - landscape features such as the granite gate posts and iron entrance gate, granite posts and iron fence, granite garden wall, sandstone garden steps, sandstone and iron sundial, granite and concrete terraces adjacent to the house, configuration of pathways and sandstone steps including the front access road, mature deciduous and coniferous tree stock including a Monkey Puzzle Tree and pruned shrubbery throughout the site
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
- Organization
- G.F. and J. Galt Limited
- Architect
- Samuel Maclure
- Cecil Croker Fox
- Function
- Primary Historic--Estate
- Primary Current--Multiple Dwelling
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- 004-943-295
- Boundaries
- Overlynn Mansion is a part of a single institutional lot located at 3755 McGill Street, Burnaby.
- Area
- 7912.77
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 3755 McGill Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Petition read requesting the Council to gazette a road from the Shore of Burrard Inlet to Burnaby Lake
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport79232
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89301
- Meeting Date
- 8-Jun-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89301
- Meeting Date
- 8-Jun-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Plan Shewing [sic] Position of New Wagon Road through DL's 214 and 213
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription8037
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1908
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 map
- Scope and Content
- White linen plan showing DL's 212, 213, 214, and 215 with Burrard Inlet to the north and the proposed road done in red.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1908
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 map
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 10992
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- White linen plan showing DL's 212, 213, 214, and 215 with Burrard Inlet to the north and the proposed road done in red.
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- Located in map case.
Plan submitted of a suitable locality for a road from Burrard INlet to Johnston Road & from that road to Burnaby Lake through Lots 57-58 and 40
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport79245
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89304
- Meeting Date
- 15-Jun-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 89304
- Meeting Date
- 15-Jun-1901
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Post Office and CPR Depot
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1062
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.1 x 10.7 cm, mounted on album page 13.5 x 18.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a waterfront area in downtown Vancouver; the post office is visible to the left and the CPR depot to the right. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. A caption written on the album page in white ink reads, "Post Office and C.P.R. Depot / From Roo…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.1 x 10.7 cm, mounted on album page 13.5 x 18.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a waterfront area in downtown Vancouver; the post office is visible to the left and the CPR depot to the right. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. A caption written on the album page in white ink reads, "Post Office and C.P.R. Depot / From Roof of Rogers Bldg / Vancouver B.C."
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- HV972.50.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-28
- Photographer
- Dean, H.M.
- Notes
- Title based on caption of photograph
Images
Post Office and Docks
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1064
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 10.1 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 11.0 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Vancouver waterfront area, including the post office. The north shore can be seen faintly across the Burrard Inlet. A large cruise ship is in the dock beside the post office. Inscribed on the scrapbook paper in white ink: "Post Office and Docks / From Rogers Bldg. Vancouver. B.C."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.0 x 10.1 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 11.0 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Vancouver waterfront area, including the post office. The north shore can be seen faintly across the Burrard Inlet. A large cruise ship is in the dock beside the post office. Inscribed on the scrapbook paper in white ink: "Post Office and Docks / From Rogers Bldg. Vancouver. B.C."
- Subjects
- Buildings - Public - Post Offices
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- HV972.50.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-28
- Photographer
- Dean, H.M.
- Notes
- Title based on caption of photograph
Images
Post Office, Vancouver BC
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1065
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.8 x 10.2 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 12.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the post office near the downtown Vancouver waterfront. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. Inscribed on the negative, printed on the photograph, lower left: "Post Office / Vancouver B.C."
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 8.8 x 10.2 cm, mounted on paper 13.5 x 12.2 cm
- Material Details
- inscribed on the negative, printed on the photograph, l.l., "POST OFFICE/ VANCOUVER B.C."
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the post office near the downtown Vancouver waterfront. The north shore can be seen faintly across Burrard Inlet in the background. Inscribed on the negative, printed on the photograph, lower left: "Post Office / Vancouver B.C."
- Subjects
- Buildings - Public - Post Offices
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- Accession Code
- HV972.50.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1908 and 1911]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-03-28
- Photographer
- Dean, H.M.