21 records – page 1 of 2.

Agnes & Elizabeth Michie Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark554
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
c.1935
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Yale Street
Associated Dates
c.1935
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
This interwar bungalow is beautifully preserved and retains many original features. Symmetrical in design, with two steeply-pitched front gables that flank a central arched gable over the front entrance, it also retains its narrow arched windows and projecting purlins in the front gables. Narrow sidelights flank the front door. The matching front elevation windows are typical of the period, with double-hung sash flanking a plate glass “picture window” with a curved transom; the upper panes are cross-leaded. This house was built by Agnes Michie and Elizabeth D. Michie.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Ownership
Private
Street Address
3894 Yale Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Hans & Anna Hau Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark588
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
c.1935
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Canada Way
Associated Dates
c.1935
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
Danish builder Hans Jorgensen Hau (1878-1944) and his wife Anna (née Sorenson, 1874-1956), constructed this highly-distinctive Tudor Revival residence circa 1935. This was a time of entrenched traditionalism, and most domestic architecture reflected period revival styles. Tudor elements have been compressed here into a cottage form, including a distinctive front façade with half timbering and brick noggin; on the sides the nogging is rock-dash stucco. Casement windows contribute to the cottage appearance. The rear façade is clad with more utilitarian shingles. A prominent brick chimney exhibits angled and corbelled brickwork. Hau worked as a bricklayer and stonemason, and this house has common elements with the Moore Residence at 5165 Sperling Avenue, which Hau designed and constructed in 1943.
Locality
Burnaby Lake
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Area
2010.52
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
5070 Canada Way
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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William & Annie Mawhinney Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark653
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
c.1930
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Buckingham Avenue
Associated Dates
c.1930
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
Local farmers William Alexander Mawhinney (1870-1953) and Annie Josephine Mawhinney (née Sutcliff, 1871-1956) built this residence as their retirement home. It was the last of several houses built in the immediate vicinity by members of the Mawhinney family between 1909 and 1930. Born in Ireland, William Mawhinney first came to Burnaby to help his brother Isaiah establish his fruit farm. Due to his farm management experience, in 1908 William became foreman of the Avalon estate at Deer Lake that was owned by F.J. Hart. When he retired in 1930, William had fifty years of experience as a fruit and grain farmer.This house is situated on its lot at an angle, rather than parallel to the street, to take advantage of the view of wooded Buckingham Creek that runs through the northeast section of the property. Complementing the picturesque character of the property is this charming cottage-style residence, which is an excellent example of an interwar Storybook Cottage. During the years between the two World Wars, domestic styles in North America were resolutely historicist. In order to display good taste, it was expected that a house would have an identifiable period revival style. As economics dictated that houses of the time were generally modest, they often assumed a cottage appearance that provided a romantic ideal of traditional domesticity. The American Sesquicentennial reinforced this historicist trend, and the most popular Hollywood movies of the time were swashbuckling costume dramas. With its distinctive roughcast stucco and half-timbering, this house is an excellent example of this housing trend. The rolled roof edges, with steam-bent cedar shingles, simulate a traditional thatched roof. Other picturesque features include a front porch with round-arched openings, battered wall buttresses, an oriel window and diamond-paned leaded casement windows.
Locality
Burnaby Lake
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Area
1848.00
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
6011 Buckingham Avenue
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Vancouver Heights Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark666
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
Vancouver Heights remained an important residential and commercial centre in Burnaby throughout the 1925-1954 period. The area had its own Board of Trade and the North Burnaby Library was created to serve the residents. In 1949, the Hastings streetcars stopped running, but the area retained its reputation as one of the best shopping districts in the city.
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
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Central Park Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark688
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
Although still largely a rural area during the 1920s, subdivisions began appearing in the Central Park neighbourhood at this time. Development was slowed by the Great Depression of the 1930s but the influx of commercial buildings and new housing initiatives in the post-war boom led to a period of rapid growth especially in the Garden Village subdivision which was undertaken in 1953 with the plan to build 500 modern homes in the 140-acre site. Despite the closure of the interurban line in 1953, the neighbourhood remained an active commercial and residential centre.
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Maywood Area
Images
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Lozells Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark701
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
Like a lot of residential neighbourhoods in Burnaby during the post-War boom, the Lozells area during the 1925-1954 period was one of new construction and subdivisions. Although more homes were being built, the neighbourhood still retained a somewhat rural characteristic well into the 1950s.
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Government Road Area
Images
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Burquitlam Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark703
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
By the 1950s, the Burquitlam Neighbourhood was becoming a residential and commercial centre for the northeast section of Burnaby. The Sullivan Heights area was developed as a single-family residential area with the Lyndhurst School opening in 1954. The completion of the Lougheed Highway in 1953 encouraged more commercial and retail development and fostered the growth of the neighbourhood throughout this period.
Historic Neighbourhood
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lyndhurst Area
Images
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Edmonds Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark704
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
The historic growth of Edmonds as a neighbourhood was based on its strategic location on the early interurban line between Vancouver and New Westminster. Even by 1980 when a survey of the residential neighbourhoods was conducted, a full 25% of homes in the area predated 1930. The 1950s was a period of strong housing development, with both single-family and multi-family units being constructed. Although Burnaby's City Hall was moved from Kingsway and Edmonds in the early 1950s, Edmonds remained an important centre in the community.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Images
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Alta Vista Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark707
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
As with many areas of Burnaby during this period, the years after World War Two marked a rapid growth in residential development in the Alta-Vista Neighbourhood. Subdivisions like Sussex and Suncrest were built and new schools and amenities were constructed to meet the demands of increased population.
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
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East Burnaby Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark712
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1925-1954
Heritage Value
After a lull in construction during the World War I period, East Burnaby Neighbourhood's growth resumed during the 1920s when many homes and businesses were constructed. The post-World War Two period also saw rapid construction and the creation of new housing developments in response to a population boom. The neighbourhood remained a primarily single-family residential area.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Images
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Interview with Catherine Rees March 14, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory186
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1929-1964
Length
0:08:19
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees's memories of the sports activities and other recreational activities that took place while teaching at Burnaby South High School.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees's memories of the sports activities and other recreational activities that took place while teaching at Burnaby South High School.
Date Range
1929-1964
Photo Info
Burnaby South High School, [1930]. Item no. 280-008
Length
0:08:19
Names
Burnaby South High School
Subjects
Recreational Activities
Geographic Access
Southoaks Crescent
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Interviewer
Evans, Alf
Interview Date
March 14, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees by fellow Burnaby Retired Teacher's Association member Alf Evans, March 14, 1990. This interview was prepared for the Burnaby School History Committee of the Burnaby Retired Teacher's Association. Major themes discussed are: the Depression.
Biographical Notes
Catherine Bertha “Cathy” Rees was born in Greenwood, British Columbia on March 30, 1903. Her mother died when she was four years old and her younger brother Lloyd was only a few months old. Catherine’s family moved regularly because her dad was continually transferred. She attended a two room school in Greenwood until grade four, then to school in Kamloops until grade 8, graduating from Duke of Connaught High School in New Westminster in 1919. One of her brothers won a lacrosse championship while at Nelson Avenue School. Catherine started at the University of British Columbia in 1919 and went to Normal School in 1923 (she belonged to the first teacher-training class). Upon graduating, Catherine was offered a position at Revelstoke High School for Physics, French and Latin which she took for a brief period of time. She then taught for one year in Victoria, traveling from one school to the other in a one ton truck to teach languages. For the next two years, she worked at Cloverdale High School. By 1929 Catherine began working in Burnaby where her father and two brothers were living. She taught at Burnaby South for her entire career in Burnaby, from 1929 to 1964. Catherine taught French and Latin as well as physical education to the girls (in the basement with two other teachers) and lived at the corner of Nelson and Victory (she still lives there at the time of this interview).
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:37:02
Interviewee Name
Rees, Catherine "Cathy"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Retired Teachers subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Catherine Rees

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Interview with Catherine Rees March 14, 1990 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory187
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1929-1964
Length
0:10:03
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees's strongest memories of teaching at Burnaby South High School.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees's strongest memories of teaching at Burnaby South High School.
Date Range
1929-1964
Photo Info
Burnaby South High School, [1930]. Item no. 280-008
Length
0:10:03
Names
Burnaby South High School
Geographic Access
Southoaks Crescent
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Interviewer
Evans, Alf
Interview Date
March 14, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees by fellow Burnaby Retired Teacher's Association member Alf Evans, March 14, 1990. This interview was prepared for the Burnaby School History Committee of the Burnaby Retired Teacher's Association. Major themes discussed are: the Depression.
Biographical Notes
Catherine Bertha “Cathy” Rees was born in Greenwood, British Columbia on March 30, 1903. Her mother died when she was four years old and her younger brother Lloyd was only a few months old. Catherine’s family moved regularly because her dad was continually transferred. She attended a two room school in Greenwood until grade four, then to school in Kamloops until grade 8, graduating from Duke of Connaught High School in New Westminster in 1919. One of her brothers won a lacrosse championship while at Nelson Avenue School. Catherine started at the University of British Columbia in 1919 and went to Normal School in 1923 (she belonged to the first teacher-training class). Upon graduating, Catherine was offered a position at Revelstoke High School for Physics, French and Latin which she took for a brief period of time. She then taught for one year in Victoria, traveling from one school to the other in a one ton truck to teach languages. For the next two years, she worked at Cloverdale High School. By 1929 Catherine began working in Burnaby where her father and two brothers were living. She taught at Burnaby South for her entire career in Burnaby, from 1929 to 1964. Catherine taught French and Latin as well as physical education to the girls (in the basement with two other teachers) and lived at the corner of Nelson and Victory (she still lives there at the time of this interview).
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:37:02
Interviewee Name
Rees, Catherine "Cathy"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Retired Teachers subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Catherine Rees

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England House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark501
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
The Mary England Residence is a one and one-half storey, wood-frame, Period Revival cottage with a steeply pitched, cross-gabled roof. Situated on Griffiths Drive within the Edmonds neighbourhood of Burnaby, the Mary England Residence has an original attached garage.
Associated Dates
1930
Formal Recognition
Community Heritage Register
Other Names
Mary England Residence
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Mary England Residence
Geographic Access
Griffiths Drive
Associated Dates
1930
Formal Recognition
Community Heritage Register
Enactment Type
Council Resolution
Enactment Date
26/05/2003
Description
The Mary England Residence is a one and one-half storey, wood-frame, Period Revival cottage with a steeply pitched, cross-gabled roof. Situated on Griffiths Drive within the Edmonds neighbourhood of Burnaby, the Mary England Residence has an original attached garage.
Heritage Value
The Mary England Residence, built in 1930, is valued as a representation of the period revival styles that were popular in the era between the two World Wars. At this time, it was considered the height of fashion for a house to reflect historical styles, even when combined in an eclectic manner, that expressed a domestic ideal of cozy traditionalism. The Mary England Residence is an exuberant example of this trend. Half-timbering, multi-paned and leaded casement windows and a steeply pitched, cross-gabled roof impart a storybook cottage charm. Its first owner, Mary England, was employed for several years as stenographer at the old Burnaby Municipal Hall. An original attached garage is evidence of the growing presence of automobiles in domestic life of the 1930s. Additionally, the Mary England Residence is a testament to the continued suburban growth of the Edmonds neighbourhood. During the Edwardian era, the area experienced a housing boom. Its proximity to New Westminster, coupled with its regional transportation links, made it an attractive area for middle-class residences. Despite the economic recession of the 1930s, the Edmonds area continued to develop with modest but handsome housing.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Mary England Residence: - location, in the Edmonds neighbourhood of East Burnaby - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its one and one-half storey height with full basement, rectangular plan and steeply pitched cross-gabled roof - Period Revival elements such as rough-cast stucco, half-timbering, minimal eave overhangs, arched entry with glazed wooden front door, and arched-top feature window - mixture of windows including: double-hung, multi-paned wooden sash windows in double assembly; 6-over-1 double-hung wooden sash windows in multiple assembly; multi-paned casement windows; and straight-leaded feature windows - external parged chimney and two internal chimneys - attached front-gabled garage - associated landscape features including mature deciduous trees and fruit trees
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Function
Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
Primary Current--Single Dwelling
Community
Edmonds
Cadastral Identifier
P.I.D.011-115-424
Boundaries
The Mary England Residence is comprised of a single residential lot located at 7276 Griffiths Drive, Burnaby.
Area
1404.26
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Public (local)
Documentation
City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
Street Address
7276 Griffiths Drive
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Mary McNeil Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark620
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1930
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
MacDonald Avenue North
Associated Dates
1930
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
Built for Mary McNeil, this house is a well-preserved example of an interwar Period Revival cottage, combining eclectic elements such as curved entrance porch buttresses, rolled roof edges, round-arched windows, smooth stucco cladding and imitation voussoirs. The house retains its original window sash with leaded glass panes.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
310 Macdonald Avenue North
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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The girl's own annual : vol. 51

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary647
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1930
Call Number
820.8 GIR v.51
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Book
Accession Code
BV985.1317.1
Call Number
820.8 GIR v.51
Contributor
Klickmann, Flora
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
"Leisure Hour" Office
Publication Date
1930
Printer
Wyman & Sons Ltd.
Physical Description
704 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Gift books
Girls--Great Britain
Children's literature
Periodicals
Notes
Includes index
Volume 51
Images
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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory472
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1934-1942
Length
00:04:58
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ unsuccessful first attempt to move to British Columbia in 1934 in the Depression, being turned back by the provincial police, and the successful second attempt by bus. The interview continues with description of the family’s difficult…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ unsuccessful first attempt to move to British Columbia in 1934 in the Depression, being turned back by the provincial police, and the successful second attempt by bus. The interview continues with description of the family’s difficulties, what Lochdale looked like in the 1930s, his father’s work at Kapoor sawmill in Barnet, and Merrill Gordon’s early education.
Date Range
1934-1942
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:04:58
Names
Kapoor Sawmill
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Merrill Gordon

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory473
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1934-1942
Length
00:06:11
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ background and farm in Saskatchewan, and how the family arrived in Burnaby in 1934 with 56 cents at the Adam’s Dairy Farm near Union and Sperling.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ background and farm in Saskatchewan, and how the family arrived in Burnaby in 1934 with 56 cents at the Adam’s Dairy Farm near Union and Sperling.
Date Range
1934-1942
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:06:11
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Merrill Gordon

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory476
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1935-1956
Length
00:04:56
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at s…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at school.
Date Range
1935-1956
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:04:56
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Education
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Radio-craft : 50 years of radio

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6355
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Publication Date
1938
Call Number
621.38 GER
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection
Special Collection
Material Type
Textual Record
Accession Code
BV011.61.1
Call Number
621.38 GER
Contributor
Gernsback, Hugo, 1884-1967
Place of Publication
Springfield, Mass
Publisher
Radcraft Publications Inc.
Publication Date
1938
Physical Description
513 - 656 p. : ill ; 30 x 22 cm.
Library Subject (LOC)
Electronics
Radio
Periodicals
Notes
"edited by Hugo Gernsback"
"Reminiscences of old-timers - progress of radio sets - radio in the future, most famous circuits in radio history - a chronological history of radio" --cover title.
Images
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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory474
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1939-1946
Length
00:04:30
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
Date Range
1939-1946
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:04:30
Subjects
Education
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

21 records – page 1 of 2.