36 records – page 1 of 2.

Application from J. Millman, Warden at Oakalla Prison Farm, Requesting Improvements to Royal Oak Avenue from Kingsway to the Prison

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport53432
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
69516
Meeting Date
30-Jul-1945
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
69516
Meeting Date
30-Jul-1945
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Application from the Warden of Oakalla Prison Farm to Cut Timber and Wood on Lots 57 to 66, DL 83

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport53969
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
70055
Meeting Date
28-Dec-1944
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
70055
Meeting Date
28-Dec-1944
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Oakalla Prison Farm papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58216
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[192-] (date of original); 1985-1988
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of papers pertaining to the Oakalla Prison Farm including newspaper clippings, correspondence, and handwritten notes. Also included in the file is a typed page (photocopied) entitled "Applications for Appointment / Staff of Oakalla Prison Farm" written in the 1920's.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[192-] (date of original); 1985-1988
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Evelyn Salisbury subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS061-052
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Accession Number
BHS1991-24
Scope and Content
File consists of papers pertaining to the Oakalla Prison Farm including newspaper clippings, correspondence, and handwritten notes. Also included in the file is a typed page (photocopied) entitled "Applications for Appointment / Staff of Oakalla Prison Farm" written in the 1920's.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Oakalla Prison Farm papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64506
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 (date of original) -1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of paper records created or collected by Edmund Eckley on the history of the Oakalla Prison Farm in Burnaby. Included in the file are; newspaper clippings, the "Official Closing Tour / Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre / Oakalla Prison Farm" programme as well as photocopies …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1912 (date of original) -1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Ed Eckley subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS120-001
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Reproduction Restriction
Reproductions subject to FOIPPA
Accession Number
BHS2006-01
Scope and Content
File consists of paper records created or collected by Edmund Eckley on the history of the Oakalla Prison Farm in Burnaby. Included in the file are; newspaper clippings, the "Official Closing Tour / Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre / Oakalla Prison Farm" programme as well as photocopies of "British Columbia / Gaol Rules & Regulations / 1912" and photocopied aerial photographs of the site.
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Included in the file is a resume for former Oakalla prison guard Robert Evans Shelly
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Oakalla Prison Farm reference materials

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64514
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936 (date of original) -1998
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of handwritten notes and reference materials believed to have been used in creating the oral report "Oakalla Prison Farm \ A Short History" presented by Ed Eckley to the Burnaby Historical Society on January 14, 1998. Reference materials include; photocopied plans, correspondence, yea…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1936 (date of original) -1998
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Ed Eckley subseries
Physical Description
1 file of textual records
Description Level
File
Record No.
MSS120-008
Access Restriction
In Archives only
Reproduction Restriction
Reproductions subject to FOIPPA
Accession Number
BHS2006-01
Scope and Content
File consists of handwritten notes and reference materials believed to have been used in creating the oral report "Oakalla Prison Farm \ A Short History" presented by Ed Eckley to the Burnaby Historical Society on January 14, 1998. Reference materials include; photocopied plans, correspondence, yearly financial statements, an "Oakalla Closes" programme along with various essays and statistics pulled from the Internet (and other sources).
Media Type
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of file
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Request for Permission to Cut Timber - Oakalla Prison Farm, Warden John Millman (Grounds on the North Side, Lots 57 to 66)

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport53945
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
70031
Meeting Date
11-Dec-1944
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Report ID
70031
Meeting Date
11-Dec-1944
Format
Council - Mayor/Councillor/Staff Report
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Documents
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Oakalla Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark804
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The phasing out and demolition of the Oakalla Prison farm allowed for the planned development of the Oakalla Neighbourhood in the 1980s. By 1991, the City of Burnaby had adopted the Oakalla Development Plan which called for the transfer of land to the Deer Lake Park reserve as well as the creation of a new residential area consisting of multi-family housing types.
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Oakalla Area
Images
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The 16mm Film Projector - Part Two

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7534
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Photograph
Accession Code
BV016.7.8
Author
National Film Board of Canada
Contributor
Heeney, Wes
Hopkins, D.
Donovan, G.L.
Moller, Hans
Place of Publication
Ottawa
Publisher
National Film Board of Canada
Publication Date
c1961
Series
Part Two of Three
Physical Description
25 photographs : filmstrip ; cellulose aacetate, col. pos.
Library Subject (LOC)
Documentary Films
Filmstrips
Motion picture projectors
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Object History
Came in with Oakalla Prison records and artifacts in 1991. Filmstrip was utilized by staff and inmates of Oakalla. Digitized by BVM into preservation and accessible formats in 2020.
Notes
Part Two of three instructional filmstrips designed for use in the training of volunteer projectionists. Part Two provides the basics on "The Movement of Film" and "Threading Diagrams". "The 16mm Film Projector - Part Two" is one in a series: "Filmstrips and the Teacher"; "The Filmstrip Projector"; "The 16mm Film Projector" (3 filmstrips - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). Accompanying audio commentary is missing.
Images
Documents
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The 16 mm Film Projector - Part Three

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7538
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Photograph
Accession Code
BV016.7.12
Author
National Film Board of Canada
Contributor
Heeney, Wes
Hopkins, D.
Donovan, G.L.
Simpkins , J.
Moller, Hans
Place of Publication
Ottawa
Publisher
National Film Board of Canada
Publication Date
c1961
Physical Description
45 photographs : filmstrip ; cellulose aacetate, col. pos.
Library Subject (LOC)
Documentary Films
Filmstrips
Motion picture projectors
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Object History
Came in with Oakalla Prison records and artifacts in 1991. Filmstrip was utilized by staff and inmates of Oakalla. Digitized by BVM into preservation and accessible formats in 2020.
Notes
Part three of three instructional filmstrips designed for use in the training of volunteer projectionists. Part Three describes "The Projectionist's Job" and "Some Common Troubles and Immediate Action". "The 16 mm Film Projector - Part Three" is one in a series: "Filmstrips and the Teacher"; "The Filmstrip Projector"; "The 16mm Film Projector" (3 filmstrips - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). Audio commentary and manual are missing.
Images
Documents
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The Filmstrip Projector

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7537
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Photograph
Accession Code
BV016.7.11
Author
National Film Board of Canada
Contributor
Heeney, Wes
Hopkins, D.
Licastro, Joseph
Moller, Hans
Place of Publication
Ottawa
Publisher
National Film Board of Canada
Publication Date
c[1969]
Physical Description
41 photographs : filmstrip ; cellulose aacetate, col. pos.
Library Subject (LOC)
Documentary Films
Filmstrips
Filmstrip projectors
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Object History
Came in with Oakalla Prison records and artifacts in 1991. Filmstrip was utilized by staff and inmates of Oakalla. Digitized by BVM into preservation and accessible formats in 2020.
Notes
Filmstrip providing basic instructions with diagrams on how to use a filmstrip projector. "The Filmstrip Projector" is one in a series: "Filmstrips and the Teacher"; "The Filmstrip Projector"; "The 16mm Film Projector" (3 filmstrips - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).
Images
Documents
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Hand tools section

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5019
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1965
Call Number
381 MCL
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV991.45.567
Call Number
381 MCL
Place of Publication
Vancouver
Publisher
McLennan, McFeely & Prior, Ltd.
Publication Date
1965
Physical Description
104 p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Commercial catalogs
Catalogs
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Object History
Salvaged from Oakalla Prison Farm
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Interview with Jim and Linda Champion by Eric Damer October 21, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory318
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1951-1969
Length
0:11:40
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Linda and Jim Champion's memories of living so close to the Oakalla Prison Farm. They also tell stories about changes to the neighbourhood, the family horse and living "a country life."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Linda and Jim Champion's memories of living so close to the Oakalla Prison Farm. They also tell stories about changes to the neighbourhood, the family horse and living "a country life."
Date Range
1951-1969
Length
0:11:40
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Subjects
Animals - Horses
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 21, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Jim Champion and his daughter Linda Champion conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 21, 2012. Major themes discussed are: raising a family in Burnaby as well as the experience of growing up in the area as it developed from farmland to suburbia.
Biographical Notes
Although Jim Champion was born in Burnaby in 1924, he grew up and attended school in White Rock. After serving in the navy during the war, Jim Champion came back to Vancouver, met and married Ethel (Danielson) Champion and began working for the Vancouver Fire Department. Jim and Ethel Champion's eldest daughter, Linda Champion, was born in 1948. In 1949, the Champions bought 1.8 undeveloped acres on Gilpin Street and began to build. By the time their house was built, they had become a family of six, so Jim and Ethel worked to built a larger house adjacent to the first. The Champions had chickens and a horse as their neighbourhood changed from farmland to suburbia. Jim has retired from the Vancouver Fire Department and his daughter Linda Champion is currently a City of Burnaby employee.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:41:09
Interviewee Name
Champion, Jim
Champion, Linda
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Jim and Linda Champion

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Interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan by Kathy Bossort January 28, 2016 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory679
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1965-1980
Length
0:09:07
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Mayor Corrigan talking about his education at UBC as an undergraduate majoring in philosophy and political science and later as a law student, and his early work experience as a prison guard at Oakalla Prison and later articling for Jim Lorimer. He tells about…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Mayor Corrigan talking about his education at UBC as an undergraduate majoring in philosophy and political science and later as a law student, and his early work experience as a prison guard at Oakalla Prison and later articling for Jim Lorimer. He tells about how these formative events impacted his life. He also talks about moving to Burnaby in 1977, originally to the Stoney Creek area and then to the South Slope area.
Date Range
1965-1980
Length
0:09:07
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Lorimer, James G "Jim"
Subjects
Education
Occupations
Planning Study Area
Lyndhurst Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
January 28, 2016
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan conducted by Kathy Bossort. Derek Corrigan was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Mayor Corrigan talking about the history and value of protecting the environment and green space in Burnaby, and the different positions held by the City and SFU about land use and control on Burnaby Mountain between 1964 and 1995. He talks about the increasing awareness that a solution needed to be found that gave certainty to the protection of the conservation area on Burnaby Mountain. Mayor Corrigan also talks about what conservation means to him, the role that the Centennial Pavilion area plays on Burnaby Mountain, and the future for the urban forest on Burnaby Mountain. Other topics include his childhood, education, formative events in his life, and his career in politics.
Biographical Notes
Derek Corrigan was born and grew up in Vancouver. He attended a number of elementary schools in East Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Elementary School (Gr. 4-7) and Sir Charles Tupper High School. He attended UBC, majoring in philosophy and political science, and after travel in Europe, successfully applied to enter law school without completing his bachelors degree. He graduated in 1977, articled with Jim Lorimer in Burnaby and was called to the bar in 1978. In 1977 Derek Corrigan and his wife Kathy moved to Burnaby, first to the Stoney Creek neighborhood and then to a home on the South Slope where they raised their family of four children. Derek Corrigan first ran for Burnaby Council in 1979 with the Burnaby Citizens Association, and after three more tries was elected to council in 1987. He has served Burnaby for 28 years, first as a councillor and then as mayor since 2002. During his career he has served on many committees at the local, regional and national levels.
Total Tracks
9
Total Length
1:31:24
Interviewee Name
Corrigan, Derek
Interview Location
Mayor’s office at Burnaby City Hall
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
Series
Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan

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J. Eldridge

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38098
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1930 and 1949] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.8 x 2.7 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Deputy Warden of Oakalla Prison Farm, J. Eldridge, in uniform.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1930 and 1949] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 3.8 x 2.7 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.7 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-685
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of the Deputy Warden of Oakalla Prison Farm, J. Eldridge, in uniform.
Subjects
Clothing - Uniforms
Names
Eldridge, J.
Oakalla Prison Farm
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Negative has a pink cast
Geographic Access
Oakmount Crescent
Street Address
5220 Oakmount Crescent
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Oakalla Area
Images
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Marshall Wells Limited perpetual sectional catalogue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3348
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1969
Call Number
621.9 MAR
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV991.45.149
Call Number
621.9 MAR
Place of Publication
Vancouver
Publisher
Marshall Wells Limited
Publication Date
1969
Physical Description
1 vol. : ill. ; 30 cm.
Inscription
"Date Issued: 'March 25, 1969' On Loan To: 'Prov. Govt. Oakalla Prison Farm' Address: '5700 Royal Oak Burnaby, B.C.' To Be Used By: 'Geo. Mercer Purchashing Dept.' [typed onto sticker on inside front cover]
Library Subject (LOC)
Tools
Mills and mill-work
Catalogs
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Object History
Salvaged from Oakalla Prison site in October 1991
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Marshall Wells Perpetual Sectional Catalogue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6361
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1967
Call Number
621.9 MAR
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV991.45.150
Call Number
621.9 MAR
Place of Publication
Vancouver
Publisher
Marshall Wells Limited
Publication Date
1967
Physical Description
1 vol. : ill ; 30 cm.
Inscription
"Date Issued 'April 21, 1967' On Loan To 'Oakalla Prison Farm' Address '5700 Royal Oak Burnaby, B.C.' To Be Used By 'Bldg. Maintenance' Location 'Attn. J McPeak'" [typed in sticker on inside front cover]
Library Subject (LOC)
Tools
Mills and mill-work
Catalogs
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
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Oakalla

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1393
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Author
Jack, Ronald
Publication Date
c2009
Call Number
365.9711 JAC VR
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Moving Images
Accession Code
BV020.5.1059
Call Number
365.9711 JAC VR
Author
Jack, Ronald
Place of Publication
Vancouver, B.C.
Publisher
Runagate Pictures
Publication Date
c2009
Physical Description
1 videodisc (9 min., 52 sec.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in
Library Subject (LOC)
Lower Mainland Regional Corrections Centre--History
Prisons--British Columbia
Subjects
Buildings - Public - Detention Facilities
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Oakalla Area
Geographic Access
Oakmount Crescent
Street Address
5220 Oakmount Crescent
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Gooden, Tom
Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre
Notes
"A preview DVD" titled "Oakalla" compiled by Ronald Jack. Film footage consists of historic and contemporary images regarding Oakalla Prison Farm and includes commentaries from Burnaby Village Museum Curator, Tom Gooden; Oakalla Historian and Vancouver Police Officer, Earl Anderson and Burnaby Mayor, Derek Corrigan (former Oakalla prison guard). A collection of Oakalla artifacts are included in the film footage.
Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view video content
Images
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Sailboats on Deer Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58902
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
ca.1965
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 20.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of sailboats on Deer Lake. Oakalla Prison Farm is visible on the hill in the background.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
ca.1965
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 19.5 x 20.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1359
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2009-01
Scope and Content
Photograph of sailboats on Deer Lake. Oakalla Prison Farm is visible on the hill in the background.
Subjects
Recreational Activities - Boating
Names
Oakalla Prison Farm
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Battistoni, Peter
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Photographer's stamp on verso
Note on verso reads: "PMT 100% / page 12 / Burnaby Today"
Geographic Access
Deer Lake
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Oakalla Area
Images
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Life with the Moores of Hart House : pioneer days on Burnaby's Deer Lake

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary1179
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Digital Reference Collection
Reference Collection
Material Type
Book
ISBN
0969282877
Call Number
971.1 PRI COPY 1
Author
Pride, Harry, 1925-
Burnaby Community Heritage Commission
Place of Publication
Burnaby, B.C.
Publisher
City of Burnaby, Community Heritage Commission
Publication Date
2002
Physical Description
iv, 92 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.
Inscription
"To Burnaby Village Museum / Harry Pride", handwritten in ink on title page.
Library Subject (LOC)
Moore family
Hart House (Burnaby, B.C.)--History
Frontier and pioneer life
Pioneers
Historic buildings--British Columbia--Burnaby
Biography
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (p. 87) and index.
Signed by the author.
2 copies held : copy 1.
Digital Books
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Oakalla Prison fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription100561
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1911-1953
Collection/Fonds
Oakalla Prison fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
6 cm. of textual records.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records created by the Oakalla Prison Farm, including administrative correspondence related to staff appointments and wages, and a staff shortage when employees left to fight in World War I. The records pertain only to staffmembers of the prison and are not directly related to any…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1911-1953
Collection/Fonds
Oakalla Prison fonds
Physical Description
6 cm. of textual records.
Description Level
Fonds
Record No.
66669
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2022-13
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of records created by the Oakalla Prison Farm, including administrative correspondence related to staff appointments and wages, and a staff shortage when employees left to fight in World War I. The records pertain only to staffmembers of the prison and are not directly related to any prison inmates.
History
The Oakalla Prison Farm was a model prison farm on 185 acres (75 ha) of land next to Deer Lake, Burnaby. The Oakalla Prison Farm was a full-service facility that originally opened on September 2, 1912, and was initially designed to hold 150 men and women. The first inmate was William Daley, sentenced on July 31, 1912 to serve a year of hard labor for stealing some fountain pens valued at over $10. By April 30, 1913, some 328 prisoners had passed through the jail's doors. In 1916, the women's section officially opened, and in 1942, the women's unit opened on the grounds as a separate facility. It was renamed as the "Lakeside Correctional Centre for Women" in 1979. The original women's unit was expanded in 1953, and consisted of two cottage-style buildings. By the 1950s, the population was well over 1000. As a working farm, the prison had its own dairy, vegetable gardens, and livestock. Executions in British Columbia were primarily carried out in Oakalla; after 1919, it was the sole penitentiary where executions took place. The first execution was that of 25 year-old Alex Ignace on August 29, 1919. 44 prisoners were executed by hanging at Oakalla from 1919 until the death penalty was abolished in 1959. In 1959, the last execution in British Columbia took place at Oakalla, with the hanging of former sailor Leo Mantha, aged 33. Oakalla was also one of the locations that undertook the experiment of performing cosmetic surgery on inmates to remove deformities that made prisoners "more likely to offend". The experiment was led by Dr. Edward Lewison, and continued into the mid-1960s. Procedures were conducted on 450 inmates, voluntarily. In 1970, the prison was renamed as the Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre (LMRCC) The farm portion of the prison, providing work for the inmates and food in the prison, closed in 1979 and 64 acres of land were transferred to the City of Burnaby. This land was included in the existing Deer Lake Park that was adjacent to the prison. Originally designed to house a maximum of 484 prisoners, Oakalla's population peaked in 1962-1963 at 1,269 inmates. With population averages of over 600, overcrowding was always a problem. In the institution's final years, two nationally-spotlighted events occurred. 13 maximum security prisoners escaped on New Year's Day, 1988, following an uprising on December 27, 1987, and on November 22, 1983, a violent and costly riot took place. Rioters caused more than $150,000 damage in a two-day spree. Oakalla was closed down on June 30, 1991, and was developed into a new residential housing development and an expansion of the park. Prisoners from Oakalla were then moved to various other Correctional Facilities in British Columbia, including but not limited to the Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre (VPSC), the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre (FRCC), and the Alouette Regional Correctional Centre (ARCC), later Alouette Correctional Centre for Women. Source: https://wikimapia.org/8004045/Former-site-Lower-Mainland-Correctional-Centre-Oakalla-Prison-Farm Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakalla_Prison
Media Type
Textual Record
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36 records – page 1 of 2.