241 records – page 1 of 13.

Cameron Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark824
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The Cameron Neighbourhood falls within the Lougheed Town Centre area - one of four Town Centres in Burnaby. The Cameron Neighbourhood - while containing significant high-density residential components - is also home to the Town Centre's office and commercial core. The Lougheed Mall is situated in this neighbourhood, which is served by the Millennium Line SkyTrain.
Historic Neighbourhood
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Cameron Area
Images
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Richmond Park Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark828
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The Richmond Park Neighbourhood is part of the larger Edmonds Town Centre - one of four official Town Centres in the City. Richmond Park contains a residential subdivision that developed during the 1950s as well as a strong commercial and retail centre along Edmonds and Kingsway.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Richmond Park Area
Images
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Willingdon Heights Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark670
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
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
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Burnaby Mountain sod turning

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11934
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film reel (1 min., 22 sec.) : acetate, b&w, silent ; 16 mm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a silent CBUT News item from October 7, 1957 titled "Burnaby Mountain Sod Turning". The film documents the memorable occasion of the Burnaby Mountain Centennial Project with Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Ross providing a brief address to the attendees before taking a shovel to turn…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
Series
Burnaby historical reference collection series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film reel (1 min., 22 sec.) : acetate, b&w, silent ; 16 mm
Material Details
Label around film container reads: "CBUT NEWS ITEM of October 7, 1957 "BURNABY MOUNTAIN SOD TURNING" ( Duncan) on permanent loan to Burnaby Centennial Comm."
Scope and Content
Item consists of a silent CBUT News item from October 7, 1957 titled "Burnaby Mountain Sod Turning". The film documents the memorable occasion of the Burnaby Mountain Centennial Project with Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Ross providing a brief address to the attendees before taking a shovel to turn the sod. Other attendees identified include, Councillor Sam Hughes of the Centennial Committee and British Columbia Recreation Minister, Honourable Earl C. Westwood. This event marks the development of a portion of Burnaby Mountain park including the erection of a Centennial building which opened in 1958. The film footage captures views of Burrard Inlet from the mountain top as well as newly erected roads on Burnaby mountain. According to the Burnaby Adverstiser (Vol. 25 No. 27 - October 10, 1957 p.1), Lieutenant Governor Frank M. Ross provided a brief address for the sod turning ceremony which is quoted; "What Burnaby has undertaken is not merely to celebrate the Centennial observance, but it has started something which will last down through the years and provide a lot of pleasure for future generations."
History
This event marks the beginning of a Centennial project to develop a park and erect a pavillion as part of the British Columbia Centennial in 1958. In October 1956, a Burnaby Centennial Committee was appointed to govern over the project with the Reeve and Council at the head of the committee. Councillor S.E. Hughes was appointed as Chairman and W.M. Morrison as Vice Chairman with the organizational structure to include the provision for Honorary Vice Chairman, secretary, treasurer, advisory staff and representative delegates from community groups and working committees. In September 1957, the Centennial Committee submitted detailed plans for a proposed building to be located on the Centennial site on Burnaby Mountain together with a recommendation to create a Building Committee as part of the Centennial Committee. In November 1957, the Burnaby Centennial Committee recommended that the new road from Badger Street and Hastings Street to the Burnaby Mountain site be named Centennial Way. January 1958, councillors Mather and Jamieson were appointed to the committee by council to replace former council members that were no longer in office. Councillor Mather was appointed as Vice Chairman. CBUT station was owned by CBC and was first broadcast on December 16, 1953. "In 1975, the CBC consolidated its Vancouver radio and television operations into one building. Prior to this, CBC's Vancouver radio properties – CBU (690 AM), CBU-FM (105.7) and CBUF-FM (97.7) – had operated from a separate studio facility at 701 Hornby Street, within the basement of the Hotel Vancouver. Together, those stations formed the basis of the Regional Broadcast Centre at 700 Hamilton Street, a few blocks east of its previous radio and television facilities.
Creator
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Responsibility
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Accession Code
HV971.30.2
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020
Media Type
Moving Images
Notes
Transcribed title
Copyright is held by CBC
Images
Video

Burnaby Mountain sod turning, October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020

Burnaby Mountain sod turning, October 7, 1957 (date of original), digitized in 2020

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/1971_0030_0002_001.mp4
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BHS minutes 1957

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98240
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957-1965
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes and minutes of the Society's Sub-Committee on Project meeting on July 3, 1957. File also contains meeting notices, members list, fee list 1957-1965, and "scribbler" notebook containing meeting notes and minutes 1957-1962.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957-1965
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
1 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-001
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes and minutes of the Society's Sub-Committee on Project meeting on July 3, 1957. File also contains meeting notices, members list, fee list 1957-1965, and "scribbler" notebook containing meeting notes and minutes 1957-1962.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Some restrictions on access
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BHS minutes 1967

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98277
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1967-1971
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including regular meetings, Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains a notebook containing handwritten minutes from 1967 and 1968 meetings and other miscellaneous notes including a membership phone list
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1967-1971
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-011
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including regular meetings, Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains a notebook containing handwritten minutes from 1967 and 1968 meetings and other miscellaneous notes including a membership phone list
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Some restrictions on access
Less detail

BHS minutes 1958

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98241
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1958
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings. File also contains special event and year-end reports and 1958 financial statement.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1958
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-002
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings. File also contains special event and year-end reports and 1958 financial statement.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1959

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98242
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings. File also contains a speech read at the First Annual Dinner of the Burnaby Historical on November 27, 1959 and 1959 financial statement.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1959
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-003
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings. File also contains a speech read at the First Annual Dinner of the Burnaby Historical on November 27, 1959 and 1959 financial statement.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1960

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98243
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1960
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and Spring Dinner meeting. File also contains 1960 financials and annual report of the Society for the year 159 and some projects for 1960.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1960
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-004
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and Spring Dinner meeting. File also contains 1960 financials and annual report of the Society for the year 159 and some projects for 1960.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1961

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98244
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1961
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and Spring Dinner meeting. File also contains 1961 financials.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1961
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-005
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and Spring Dinner meeting. File also contains 1961 financials.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1962

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98272
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1962
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains 1962 financials.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1962
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-006
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains 1962 financials.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1963

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98273
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1963
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting, and reports. File also contains 1963 financials and list of officers elected for 1963.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1963
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-007
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting, and reports. File also contains 1963 financials and list of officers elected for 1963.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1964

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98274
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1964
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting, and reports. File also contains the 1964 financials and list of officers elected for 1964.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1964
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-008
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting, and reports. File also contains the 1964 financials and list of officers elected for 1964.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1965

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98275
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1965
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains the 1965 financials and list of officers elected for 1965.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1965
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-009
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains the 1965 financials and list of officers elected for 1965.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
Less detail

BHS minutes 1966

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98276
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1966
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains 1966 financials.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1966
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Administration series
Physical Description
0.5 cm of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS205-010
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2020-06
Scope and Content
File contains Burnaby Historical Society meeting minutes, including Executive meetings and the annual meeting. File also contains 1966 financials.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from original file folder
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Burnaby Art Gallery articles

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58345
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1965-1980
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of newspaper and magazine pages (in some cases whole magazines) that were collected because they contain various articles on the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1965-1980
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Art Gallery subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS066-001
Accession Number
BHS1990-05
Scope and Content
File consists of newspaper and magazine pages (in some cases whole magazines) that were collected because they contain various articles on the Burnaby Art Gallery.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

Burnaby Mountain 4th Rover Crew In Pictures

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55143
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1963-1964
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 scrapbook
Scope and Content
Scrapbook containing photographs of the Burnaby Mountain 4th Rover Crew. Scrabook has wooden covers and the front cover is engraved with "Burnaby Mountain 4th Rover Crew In Pictures" and a fleur de lis. Photographs depict the Rover Crew camping at Davis Lake and Osprey Lake and Jamboree on the Ai…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1963-1964
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Scouts subseries
Physical Description
1 scrapbook
Material Details
48 photographs: b&w prints and negatives ; 9 cm x 9 cm and smaller
Description Level
File
Record No.
631-044
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
BHS1994-05
Scope and Content
Scrapbook containing photographs of the Burnaby Mountain 4th Rover Crew. Scrabook has wooden covers and the front cover is engraved with "Burnaby Mountain 4th Rover Crew In Pictures" and a fleur de lis. Photographs depict the Rover Crew camping at Davis Lake and Osprey Lake and Jamboree on the Air. File also contains a copy of Magazine of B.C. Rovering vol. 2 No. 5 Winter Issue published by Boy Scouts of Canada and photographs of an 18-mile hiking trip.
Subjects
Organizations - Boys Societies and Clubs
Names
Boy Scouts of Canada
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Transcribed title
Title transcribed from scrapbook cover
Photograph 631-044-28:631-044- were tucked into the middle of the scrapbook
Magazine of B.C. Rovering originally tucked into front page of scrapbook
Negatives originally stored in brown envelope whichr read: "Dates: May 19/62 May 23/62 / Subject: Dave Mabels 18 Mile Hike with Rovers R. Halliday, D. Jenson, B.Robarts in attendance / 8 negatives 127 Pan. Dev. June 22/62"
Images
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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
Series
Council minutes and agendas series
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.
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Deer Lake subdivision plan and working notes

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91911
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records + 1 architectural drawing : reproduction ; 61 cm x 65 cm.
Scope and Content
File consists of a copy of a subdivision plan depicting DL 85 and 86 and Deer Lake area along with corrospondence from Wm. J. Blackely, Planning Engineer to Blythe Eagle and Blythe Eagle's working notes. Three lots adjacent to Malvern Avenue contain annotations written in dark green crayon.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1957
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Eagles family subseries
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records + 1 architectural drawing : reproduction ; 61 cm x 65 cm.
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS055-052
Access Restriction
Open access
Accession Number
BHS1991-18
Scope and Content
File consists of a copy of a subdivision plan depicting DL 85 and 86 and Deer Lake area along with corrospondence from Wm. J. Blackely, Planning Engineer to Blythe Eagle and Blythe Eagle's working notes. Three lots adjacent to Malvern Avenue contain annotations written in dark green crayon.
Media Type
Textual Record
Architectural Drawing
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Less detail

Digney Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936-19[61]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
Description Level
Fonds
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
History
Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney family
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
Photo/MI catalogue 562
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241 records – page 1 of 13.