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- Abbott, George Knapp, 1880-1959 1
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Barnet Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark747
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1905-1924
- Heritage Value
- The original Barnet mill burned down in 1909 after a dramatic explosion in the boiler house. The company rebuilt a new plant, considered a model of mill construction. The company's timber was towed down the Pacific in huge rafts containing about 400,000 to 500,000 board feet. Mill capacity during a 10-hour day was 150,000 board feet with an amazing annual output of 50 million feet.
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
George S. Vickers Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark586
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- 1st Street
- Associated Dates
- 1911
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- George S. Vickers, a compositor with The British Columbian newspaper, was a prominent Burnaby resident who became involved with real estate during the boom prior to the First World War. In December 1910, The British Columbian reported that “Mr. Vickers has commenced to build a commodious residence on Fourth Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets.” This high quality Craftsman style bungalow, completed in 1911, was originally situated on one acre of property, which contained a large kitchen garden, an orchard of 40 trees of various types and houses and runs for chickens, ducks and turkeys. In 1919, the property was advertised for $5,000 and likely sold easily because of its location (three blocks from the electric streetcar line on Sixth Street), its many amenities and property improvements. Some of its selling points included its panelled living and dining room with 3-ply veneer, beamed ceilings and an open fireplace. Craftsman-style features include battered porch piers, unusual double bargeboards, triangular eave brackets and exposed purlins. The house survives in excellent original condition, with only minor alterations.
- Locality
- East Burnaby
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Cariboo-Armstrong Area
- Area
- 819.46
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 7686 1st Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
T.O. Townley Estate 'Deerholme'
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark545
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The T.O. Townley Estate, 'Deerholme,' is located on a lake front property on the north shore of Deer Lake Park. The main house is a two-and-one-half storey symmetrical-massed wood-frame Colonial Revival structure, with flanking one-storey wings, a side gable roof and a central front entry.
- Associated Dates
- 1913
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Thomas & Frances Townley Estate, Loftus House
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Thomas & Frances Townley Estate, Loftus House
- Geographic Access
- Price Street
- Associated Dates
- 1913
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- The T.O. Townley Estate, 'Deerholme,' is located on a lake front property on the north shore of Deer Lake Park. The main house is a two-and-one-half storey symmetrical-massed wood-frame Colonial Revival structure, with flanking one-storey wings, a side gable roof and a central front entry.
- Heritage Value
- 'Deerholme' was built as the retirement estate of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Owen Townley (1862-1935) and his wife, Frances M. Townley. Townley was a pioneer resident of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia: he served as a lawyer, Registrar of Land Titles for New Westminster District and Mayor of Vancouver for one term in 1901. Built in 1913, this is one of the most significant of the Deer Lake estate houses and was the last of grand Edwardian era mansions built on the lots surrounding the lake. The area had been opened up for development two years earlier by the construction of the British Columbia Electric Railway Interurban Line. The estate speaks of a gracious way of life achieved by society's elite during the Edwardian era, supported by the use of domestic servants. Grand in scale, architecturally sophisticated and set in a bucolic landscape, this residence demonstrates the social status of the owner in the privileged classes of the rapidly developing social structure of Burnaby. The house is also significant as one of the earliest designs by the son of Thomas and Frances Townley, architect Fred Laughton Townley (1887-1966), who had graduated in architecture in 1911 from the University of Pennsylvania. In this house for his parents, he demonstrated his deft understanding of the American Period Revival styles learned during his schooling in the United States. The prevailing local taste for British-derived architecture dictated that this was a style he was rarely able to use until the Colonial Revival styles became more popular in the 1920s. F.L. Townley was a founding partner in Townley and Matheson, which achieved significant success as one of the most accomplished local architectural firms, culminating in their best-known commission, Vancouver City Hall, 1935-36.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements the define the heritage character of ‘Deerholme’ include its: - integration with its south-sloping lakefront site, which contains many original landscape features (extant rockeries, formal drive, tennis lawn, open fields, and specimen shrubs and trees) - two-and-one-half storey form with flanking one-storey wings - side gable roof with symmetrical shed dormers, three at the front and three at the rear - complex fenestration, including multi-paned wooden-sash double-hung windows, 6-over-1 on the ground floor and 6-over-9 on the second floor, and multi-paned wooden-sash casements in the dormers - pair of prominent exterior brick chimneys on each side elevation, clad with rough-cast stucco up to the roof level, and each with four chimney-pots - rough-cast stucco cladding - design elements typical of the Colonial Revival style, such as composed classical formality, side gable roof and balanced symmetrical massing - exterior architectural elements, such as classical columns, window shutters, fanlight feature window, multi-paned quarter-round windows flanking the chimneys, and projecting square brackets in the gables - superior level of design and craftsmanship throughout, including refined interior woodwork such as fireplaces, interior columned screen between hallway and living room and a staircase with Colonial Revival details - significant mature trees (such as Red Oaks, Silver Maples, and Copper Beech). - original guest house and stables, which survive on an adjacent property at 6176 Price Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
- Architect
- Fred Laughton Townley
- Function
- Primary Current--Estate
- Primary Historic--Estate
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 002-652-111 Legal Description: Parcel 'C' (Explanatory Plan 12891) , Blocks 4 and 5, District Lot 79 Group 1, New Westminster District, Plan 536
- Boundaries
- ‘Deerholme’ is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6110 Price Street, Burnaby.
- Area
- 14,099.52
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Other Collection
- City of Vancouver Archives: T.O. Townley Residence, Original Plans, Add. MSS. 1399, Temporary No. 61, Location 920-D
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Street Address
- 6110 Price Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Vancouver Heights Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark741
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1905-1924
- Heritage Value
- On December 13, 1912, The British Columbian Weekly described the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood as follows: "The northern portion of the municipality in the vicinity of Boundary Road has during the past three years made tremendous strides towards settlement. At that time Mr. James Herd and Mr. Peters were the only residents of the district...Soon, however, the timber was removed, streets laid out and other conveniences such as water, light and transportation provided... The school population of the district has increased so rapidly that the school has been enlarged twice this year and is at the present time inadequate. About 200 children are attending now. There are three churches in the district and one mission...At present time there are two large blocks containing six stores..."
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Heights Area
Images
Willingdon Heights Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark670
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Associated Dates
- 1925-1954
- Heritage Value
- Willingdon Heights was another new subdivision developed in Burnaby during the post-World War Two building boom. A brochure about the development published in 1948 proclaimed "the Willingdon Heights 500 home development project in Burnaby fulfills its promise to provide a self-contained community for former members of the armed services and their families...the largest single veteran housing project in Canada as far as homes for individual ownership is concerned, Willingdon Heights development was planned by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation...At this date the earlier built rows of homes have passable roads and the owners are improving lawns and gardens in spare time...eventually additional stores and professional services will be installed and recreational projects will add to the amenities of a community of congenial residents..."
- Planning Study Area
- Willingdon Heights Area
Images
History of Burnaby and vicinity
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6890
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Green, George, 1872-1955
- Publication Date
- 1947
- Call Number
- 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Digital Reference Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV017.17.1
- Call Number
- 971.133 GRE Copy 2 Ver. 1
- Author
- Green, George, 1872-1955
- Place of Publication
- [S.l.]
- Publisher
- [s.n.]
- Publication Date
- 1947
- Printer
- Shoemaker , McLean & Veitch
- Physical Description
- 233 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.
- Inscription
- "Presented To my valued fried Rev. D. W. Scott. a former neighbor at Capitol Hill with best wishes of the author George Green Victoria March 1 1947" [handwritten in black ink on page opposing front pastedown] "BMMM-WU SIGNED 1st ED 50.00" [handwritten in pencil on page opposing front pastedown]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Burnaby (B.C.)--History
- Burnaby (B.C.)
- Biography
- Name Access
- Green, George
- Notes
- Autographed by author
- "By George Green, pioneer resident of Burnaby, and an ex-Councillor. Charter Member of the British Columbia Historical Association, Vancouver Branch, and an Executive Member."
- Copy 2 of 2
Images
Digital Books
Contracts to Contain Clause re Wages Payable
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport75333
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 74789
- Meeting Date
- 12-Jun-1911
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 74789
- Meeting Date
- 12-Jun-1911
- Format
- Council - Committee Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Correspondence - Central Park
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription460
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911-1926
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 3 folders textual records and architectural drawings
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence, permits, financial statements, and reports regarding improvements to Central Park. File also contains correspondence regarding advertising signs in the park, the Central Park Women's Institute and includes a 1925 plan for Central Park Camp Septic Tank. As well, the f…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911-1926
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 folders textual records and architectural drawings
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2165
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence, permits, financial statements, and reports regarding improvements to Central Park. File also contains correspondence regarding advertising signs in the park, the Central Park Women's Institute and includes a 1925 plan for Central Park Camp Septic Tank. As well, the file contains correspondence pertaining to the lease agreement granting Burnaby jurisdiction over Central Park.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Architectural Drawing
- Notes
- A plan of proposed pavilion and Bath House for Central Park : M9-A-5-8
Florence Hart Godwin photograph album
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3049
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1893-1923 (date of original), copied 1976
- Collection/Fonds
- Florence Hart Godwin fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 album (29 photographs: b&w negatives ; 35 mm)
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a photographic reproduction of a twenty nine page photograph album that was created by Florence Hart Godwin. The first page of the album reads "Florence, with Grandma's and Auntie Felicia's best love, Xmas 1910" and the other pages contain photographs. The album was given to Flore…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Florence Hart Godwin fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 album (29 photographs: b&w negatives ; 35 mm)
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a photographic reproduction of a twenty nine page photograph album that was created by Florence Hart Godwin. The first page of the album reads "Florence, with Grandma's and Auntie Felicia's best love, Xmas 1910" and the other pages contain photographs. The album was given to Florence Hart for Christmas in 1910, by her grandmother Jane Chapman (nee Isbell) and her Aunt Felicia Chapman. Album contains photographs of the Alice and Frederick J. Hart and Chapman families, including childhood photographs of the five Hart children, Kingsley, Florence, Fredricka, Edwyna and Jack; the Hart family at their home in New Westminster and at "Avalon" their summer residence and home on Deer Lake.
- Names
- Godwin, Florence Hart
- Accession Code
- HV976.168.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1893-1923 (date of original), copied 1976
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-07-24
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph album
- 29 b&w copy prints accompanying
- Item level descriptions available per album page
Images
Documents
The surgical clinics of John B. Murphy, M.D. at Mercy Hospital, Chicago: April, 1913.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2676
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV974.27.63
- Call Number
- 617 MUR
- Contributor
- Murphy, J. B. (John Benjamin), 1857-1916
- Place of Publication
- Philadelphia, Ma.
- Publisher
- W. B. Saunders Co.
- Publication Date
- April 1913
- Printer
- J.F. Hartz Co.
- Physical Description
- 181-352 p.: ill. ; 24 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Surgery
- Surgery--Statistics
- Periodicals
- Notes
- Contains index and bibliographic references.
- Contain's publisher's catalogue.
The surgical clinics of John B. Murphy M.D. at Mercy Hospital, Chicago: June, 1913.
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2675
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- HV974.27.62
- Call Number
- 617 MUR
- Contributor
- Murphy, J. B. (John Benjamin), 1857-1916
- Place of Publication
- Philadelphia, Ma.
- Publisher
- W. B. Saunders Co.
- Publication Date
- June 1913
- Printer
- J.F. Hartz Co.
- Physical Description
- 353-538 p.: ill.; 23.5 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Surgery
- Surgery--Statistics
- Periodicals
- Notes
- Contains index and bibliographic references.
- Contain's publisher's catalogue.
Western Canada Power Company
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription395
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909-1930
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 5 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- File contains draft bylaws, draft contracts and correspondence related to the operation of the Western Canada Power Company. As well, file contains declarations, news clippings, correspondence, ballots, and tally sheets that resulted from the voting held regarding the Western Canada Power Co. Byla…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909-1930
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- 5 folders textual records and cartographic material
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2091
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains draft bylaws, draft contracts and correspondence related to the operation of the Western Canada Power Company. As well, file contains declarations, news clippings, correspondence, ballots, and tally sheets that resulted from the voting held regarding the Western Canada Power Co. Bylaw. Also included are agreements, correspondence and bylaw no. 114. The 1922 agreement includes a blueprint. As well, file contains a white linen plan of DL 15 and blueprint plans of standard power pole and transmission towers on Broadway and Cariboo Roads, 1916.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- For related records see also file 6-1-5-2. A map of the Municipality of Burnaby by Archibald Moir and Co. : M9-B-2-11; blueprint of Burnaby Municipality : M9-B-2-15
2nd Avenue
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription505
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence dealing with a petition for a sidewalk along 2nd Avenue. As well, file contains correspondence related to construction and maintenance along 20th Street, Ledger Road, and Moncton Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2212
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence dealing with a petition for a sidewalk along 2nd Avenue. As well, file contains correspondence related to construction and maintenance along 20th Street, Ledger Road, and Moncton Street.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
Advice contained in the Solicitor's Letter re Royal Bank of Canada and Barnet Road Contract
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport72045
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 79371
- Meeting Date
- 10-Mar-1913
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Report ID
- 79371
- Meeting Date
- 10-Mar-1913
- Format
- Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
Alien reservists and Orders in Council
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription993
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914-1916
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- File contains a petition from the Corporation of the District of North Vancouver calling for the internment of Austrian, German and Turkish citizens during World War One, as well as expressing the desire that foreign nationals be restricted from purchasing property in B.C. File also contains corre…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914-1916
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2769
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains a petition from the Corporation of the District of North Vancouver calling for the internment of Austrian, German and Turkish citizens during World War One, as well as expressing the desire that foreign nationals be restricted from purchasing property in B.C. File also contains correspondence and Orders In Council pertaining to the activities, rights, and restrictions of alien enemies and the possible espionage activities in which they may have played a part.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
B.C. Electric Railway - Stride Avenue crossing and Highland Park cut-off
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription959
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914-1915
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence, reports, and an agreement made between the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and the B.C. Electric Railway Co. for work to be done in connection with the Company's Highland Park cut-off. File also contains correspondence and reports regarding a crossing at Stride…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1914-1915
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2732
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence, reports, and an agreement made between the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and the B.C. Electric Railway Co. for work to be done in connection with the Company's Highland Park cut-off. File also contains correspondence and reports regarding a crossing at Stride Avenue.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Cartographic Material
- Notes
- A sketch plan and profile of proposed overhead driveway, 17th and 20th Streets., May 17, 1914 : M9-B-3-15
Bucilla blue book of novelty & filet crochet, volume no. 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary2941
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- HV972.103.40
- Call Number
- 746.43 BUC v.2
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- Bernhard Ulmann Co.
- Publication Date
- c1915
- Physical Description
- 48 p. : ill. : 23 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Crocheting
- Tatting
- Knitting
- Embroidery
- Notes
- "price 10 cents"-- cover.
- "Bucilla Blue Book editions following Vol. 2 will be equally interesting and useful. They will contain many exceptionally novel ideas for crochet, including filet crochet, tatting, knitting, embroidery, etc. Every Art-Needleworker should have a complete library of Bucilla Blue Books." -- Title page verso
Council minutes and agendas series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription140
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2018
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of minutes and agendas of the meetings of Burnaby City Council. Minutes of open Council meetings reflect Council discussions and decisions regarding issues of municipal concern, including, but not limited to, public works, taxation, bylaw enforcement, land development, public healt…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1892-2018
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- Series
- File Class
- 2430 09 (add. 2020)
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of minutes and agendas of the meetings of Burnaby City Council. Minutes of open Council meetings reflect Council discussions and decisions regarding issues of municipal concern, including, but not limited to, public works, taxation, bylaw enforcement, land development, public health, and administrative decisions. Series includes minutes of “in camera,” or closed, Council meetings in which confidential issues are discussed. Some of the early minute books contain minutes of Court of Revision proceedings as well.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Access to in camera minutes is restricted in accordance with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act legislation. Contact the City Archives for details.
Digney Family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936-19[61]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936-19[61]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
- History
- Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo/MI catalogue 562
Dominion Day celebration
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription1017
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915-1916
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence discussing the preparation for the annual Dominion Day [Canada Day] celebrations in Burnaby. File also contains correspondence between Burnaby and the Chancellor of Imperial Japanese Consulate referring to the loss of a Japanese flag which was loaned to Burnaby for the…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1915-1916
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- 2796
- Accession Number
- 2001-02
- Scope and Content
- File contains correspondence discussing the preparation for the annual Dominion Day [Canada Day] celebrations in Burnaby. File also contains correspondence between Burnaby and the Chancellor of Imperial Japanese Consulate referring to the loss of a Japanese flag which was loaned to Burnaby for the celebrations by the Japanese Consulate.
- Media Type
- Textual Record