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- Adornment - Jewelry 1
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The etude : a monthly journal for the musician, the music student, and all music lovers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary116
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- HV971.48.4
- Call Number
- 780 COO
- Contributor
- Cooke, James Francis, 1875-1960
- Place of Publication
- Philadelphia
- Publisher
- Theodore Presser Co.
- Publication Date
- 1913
- Physical Description
- 81-156 p. : ill. : 36 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Music
- Music appreciation
- Music--Instruction and study
- Piano music
- Violin and piano music
- Organ music
- Songs with piano
- Periodicals
- Notes
- "Edited by James Francis Cooke" -- Title page
Images
Young man in a highlander uniform
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1661
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1977
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a young man in the uniform of 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. The rank was probably a private, and the period is probably during World War One. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "In uniform of 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Probably World War I (1914-1918).…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.2 x 20.2 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a young man in the uniform of 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. The rank was probably a private, and the period is probably during World War One. An annotation on the back of the photograph reads: "In uniform of 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Probably World War I (1914-1918). Probably a private." This photograph was taken in a photographic studio.
- Accession Code
- HV977.123.44
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1914 and 1918] (date of original), copied 1977
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-07-25
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
The listening post, no. 29
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary6786
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- BV016.48.7
- Call Number
- 355 LIS
- Publication Date
- 1917
- Physical Description
- 47 p. : ill. ; 33 cm.
- Inscription
- 3
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Canada--Politics and government
- Military art and science--Canada
- Canada--History, Military
- World War, 1914-1918
- Periodicals
- Object History
- Military documents and memorabilia of First World War activities of Russell William Mawhinney. Later career of Mr Mawhinney as a Pharmacist in the Dunbar neighbourhood of Vancouver. Papers and memorabilia relating to Mr Mawhinney as an organizer of the Ex RAF Officers Association.
- Notes
- "Special Xmas Number"
Images
The Canadian boy's annual : 1920
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary3611
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Author
- Johnston, Harry H.
- Publication Date
- 1920
- Call Number
- 810.8 CAN
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Book
- Accession Code
- BV998.18.1
- Call Number
- 810.8 CAN
- Author
- Johnston, Harry H.
- Place of Publication
- London
- Toronto
- Publisher
- Cassell
- Publication Date
- 1920
- Physical Description
- vii, 232 p., [4] leaves of plates : ill (some col.) ; 24 cm.
- Inscription
- Front endpaper: "Leonard G. Hornett Port Alberni" [written in black ink] "Christmas 1919-1920" [written in pencil underneath "Port Alberni"] "275" [written in pencil]
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Children's literature
- Children's stories
- Short stories
- Gift books
- Periodicals
- Object History
- Purchased by Colin Stevens from the seller.
- Notes
- "Containing stories and articles by Sir Harry H. Johnston, G.G.M.G., Frank H. Shaw, D.H. Parry, Richard Kearton, T.C. Bridges, Captain Gilson, S. Walkey, R.S. Warren Bell, Eric Wook, Percy F. Westerman, H. Mortimer Batten, Captain Oswald Dallas, and many others" -- t.p.
- "With a large number of Illustrations in Colour and Black-and-White" -- t.p.
Images
Winch family home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35714
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1922 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Winch family home, 1230-13th Avenue, East Burnaby. Harold Winch lived here between 1922 and 1929, and Ernie Winch for a longer period. Note the wisteria arbor along the front walk.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1922 (date of original), copied 1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Pioneer Tales subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 204-572
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Winch family home, 1230-13th Avenue, East Burnaby. Harold Winch lived here between 1922 and 1929, and Ernie Winch for a longer period. Note the wisteria arbor along the front walk.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Annotations on top and bottom of photograph read, "Home 1922-29" and "1230-13th Ave Edmonds"
- Geographic Access
- 13th Avenue
- Street Address
- 7376 13th Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Stride Avenue Area
Images
George S. & Jessie Haddon House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark508
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The George and Jessie Haddon House is a symmetrical two-storey Dutch Colonial-style house with a side-gambrel roof and shed dormers. It is situated in the Burnaby Lake neighborhood in East Burnaby.
- Associated Dates
- 1922
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Buckingham Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1922
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 12064
- Enactment Date
- 19/06/2006
- Description
- The George and Jessie Haddon House is a symmetrical two-storey Dutch Colonial-style house with a side-gambrel roof and shed dormers. It is situated in the Burnaby Lake neighborhood in East Burnaby.
- Heritage Value
- Built in 1923, the George and Jessie Haddon House is a significant example of the romantic period revival styles that were popular during the period between the two World Wars. These traditionally styled homes reflected ongoing pride in past traditions but also recognized the modern ideals of economy and good design. At the time, houses displayed traditional and readily-identifiable historical styles as a hallmark of good taste. The use of the various Colonial Revival styles had gained new popularity during the 1920s, and this design could have originated in a residential pattern book, which were in wide circulation and used to expedite residential projects. This house displays the typical features of the Dutch Colonial style, imported from the eastern United States and relatively rare on the West Coast. The house originally featured an unusual porte-cochere with tapered supports, that indicated the growing importance of automobiles at the time. The house was built for George Samuel Haddon (1886-1971) and his wife Jessie (née Reade) Haddon, whom he married in 1915. George Haddon, who was born in British Columbia, was a prominent Vancouver figure and served as Secretary of the Vancouver General Hospital. Following Jessie's death, George Haddon was remarried to Alice Margaret Currie (1890-1951). The George and Jessie Haddon House is further valued for its connection with the continued development of the Burnaby Lake neighbourhood in the 1920s. The area was highly desirable to wealthy Vancouver and New Westminster residents because of its scenery, and easy access was provided by the British Columbia Electric Railway 'Burnaby Lake' interurban line, which opened in June 1911. The Haddon House illustrates the evolving nature of regional transportation and the growing communities made possible by increasing options for transportation. The house originally stood on a larger lot, and was relocated in 2006 to allow for subdivision and legal protection. The current owners restored the porte-cochere in 2014.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the George and Jessie Haddon House include its: - location within the Burnaby Lake neighbourhood - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its two-storey height and gambrel roof with shed dormers - rough-cast stucco cladding - Colonial Revival details such as the symmetrical façade and massing, and side-gambrel roof with shed dormers - additional exterior features such as an interior chimney, exposed purlins and window boxes supported on large projecting brackets - wooden front door with glazed insets - interior features including original staircase, and wooden door and window trim
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Builder
- William Dodson
- Function
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D.026-745-127
- Boundaries
- The George and Jessie Haddon House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 5558 Buckingham Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 1080
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Documentation
- City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
- Street Address
- 5558 Buckingham Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Bell's Drygoods Store
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark537
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Bell’s Drygoods Store is a typical commercial false front, single storey, wood-frame building that has been relocated to the Burnaby Village Museum.
- Associated Dates
- 1922
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Whitechurch Hardware Store
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Whitechurch Hardware Store
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1922
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- Bell’s Drygoods Store is a typical commercial false front, single storey, wood-frame building that has been relocated to the Burnaby Village Museum.
- Heritage Value
- The value of the Bell’s Drygoods Store lies in its significance as one of the last remaining intact false front retail structures of its time to survive in Burnaby. Additionally, it remains as one of East Burnaby’s few surviving early commercial buildings and is representative of other typical commercial structures of the period. Originally located on Sixth Street in East Burnaby, in a small commercial district that served residents located along the streetcar line between New Westminster and Edmonds, its proximity to the streetcar served to draw customers into the store. This store also served as the location of the East Burnaby Post Office, one of a number of local post offices located throughout the municipality during the early twentieth century. Clifford Tuckey constructed the building in 1922, with a small lean-to structure on the back housing a kitchen and bedroom. The store was sold soon afterwards to William and Flora Bell, who then lived and worked here for a number of years. It represents a traditional relationship of the owner’s home to the store during this period, indicating the modest means of the owners and their commitment to running the business. The building was later sold to Maurice and Mildred Whitechurch, who ran it for many years as a hardware store. In 1974, the structure was relocated to its present site at the Museum. The heritage value for this structure also lies in its interpretive value within the Burnaby Village Museum. The site is an important cultural feature for the interpretation of Burnaby’s heritage to the public. Between 1993 and 1996 the building was restored to its 1925 appearance.
- Defining Elements
- The character defining features of Bell’s Drygoods Store include its: - rectangular form and simple massing - commercial false front parapet - front gable roof with cedar shingle cladding - horizontal lapped wooden siding - recessed main central entrance flanked by large storefront display windows - V-joint tongue-and-groove wood interior paneling - interior separation between commercial and residential space
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Organization
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Function
- Primary Current--Museum
- Primary Historic--Shop
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 011-030-356 Legal Description: Parcel 1, District Lot 79 and District Lot 85, Group 1, New Westminster District, Reference Plan 77594
- Boundaries
- Burnaby Village Museum is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 38,488.63
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Structure
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Street Address
- 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Images
E.W. Bateman House 'Elworth'
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark538
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The E.W. Bateman House is a one-and-one-half storey wood-frame residence set within in a garden landscape. The house and its adjacent garage are the only historic buildings standing on their original site within the Burnaby Village Museum property.
- Associated Dates
- 1922
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Edwin & Mary Bateman Residence
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Edwin & Mary Bateman Residence
- Geographic Access
- Deer Lake Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1922
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 9807
- Enactment Date
- 23/11/1992
- Description
- The E.W. Bateman House is a one-and-one-half storey wood-frame residence set within in a garden landscape. The house and its adjacent garage are the only historic buildings standing on their original site within the Burnaby Village Museum property.
- Heritage Value
- The E.W. Bateman House was constructed in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision, that was originally promoted in 1911 as an upper class suburban neighbourhood. It represents one of the first residential developments in the City of Burnaby that required buildings to be of a specific value, thus demonstrating the desire for exclusivity among the successful businessmen who chose to settle in the area. The house and grounds illustrate the reduced scale of upper-class residential construction at a time of modest returning prosperity that followed the end of the First World War, and the social, cultural, lifestyle and leisure sensibilities of the owners in the Deer Lake Crescent subdivision: such values as social aspiration, racial exclusivity, demonstration of architectural taste, and importance of a landscaped garden. The heritage value of the E.W. Bateman House is its comprehensive representation of an upper middle-class suburban residence of the early 1920s. It was built for retired CPR executive Edwin Wettenhall Bateman (1859-1957) and his wife, Mary (Dale) Bateman (1865-1935), by contractor William Dodson in 1922. The Bateman House was designed by English-born and trained architect Enoch Evans (1862-1939) of E. Evans and Son, and is an important surviving residential design by Evans, and a typical example of the eclectic Period Revival influences that were common to domestic architecture in the post-First World War era. The symmetry of the imposing front verandah, supported by exaggerated Ionic columns, gives the relatively-modest house an image of grandeur and formality. Named after Edwin Bateman’s birthplace in Cheshire, England, ‘Elworth’ also symbolizes allegiance to England and the patriotic tenor of the time. The heritage value for this house also lies in its interpretive value within the Burnaby Village Museum. The site is an important cultural feature for the interpretation of Burnaby’s heritage to the public. The E.W. Bateman House was purchased by Burnaby in 1970 and became the focal point for the development of the Museum. Both the interior and exterior of the house have been restored and interpreted to the date of original construction, including recreated room interiors and period furnishings.
- Defining Elements
- The elements that define the heritage character of the E.W. Bateman House include its: - rectangular form and massing with central entry on long side - side gable roof with front shed dormer with cedar shingle cladding - symmetry of front facade - full open front verandah inset under the roofline, supported with Ionic columns - cedar shingle siding - multi-paned double-hung wooden-sash windows, mixture of 6-over-1 and 8-over-1 - symmetrical disposition of fenestration, with double-assembly units on the ground floor - exterior shutters - two flanking brick chimneys on the side elevations - interior room layouts and original interior features such as quality millwork and original hardware - original garage at the rear of the house
- Locality
- Deer Lake Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Organization
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Architect
- Enoch Evans
- E. Evans and Son
- Builder
- William Dodson
- Function
- Primary Current--Museum
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- P.I.D. No. 011-030-356 Legal Description: Parcel 1, District Lot 79 and District Lot 85, Group 1, New Westminster District, Reference Plan 77594
- Boundaries
- Burnaby Village Museum is comprised of a single municipally-owned property located at 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.
- Area
- 38,488.63
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Landscape Feature
- Structure
- Ownership
- Public (local)
- Documentation
- Heritage Site Files: PC77000 20. City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 1M2
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Buildings - Heritage
- Buildings - Civic - Museums
- Street Address
- 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Popular radio : volume i, number 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5696
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Special Collection
- Material Type
- Textual Record
- Accession Code
- BV999.32.12
- Call Number
- 621.3 POP
- Contributor
- Banning, Kendall, 1879-1944
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Publisher
- Popular Radio, Inc.
- Publication Date
- August 1922
- Series
- Popular radio, v. 1, no. 4
- Physical Description
- 1 v. (multiple pagings) : ill. : 26 cm.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Radio
- Periodicals
- Notes
- edited by Kendall Banning
Images
Rev. James Black Residence
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark632
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- Residential building.
- Associated Dates
- 1925
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Sussex Avenue
- Associated Dates
- 1925
- Description
- Residential building.
- Heritage Value
- This home was built as a retirement home for Baptist Missionary Reverend James Black and his family in 1925; the Black family resided in the home until the early 1970s. The Black Residence is a good example of the Period Revival movement that occurred between the two World Wars. At the time, it was considered good taste for a house to have an identifiable historical style. The Black Residence was likely designed by a local architect or built by a contractor using a pattern book plan, and the British Arts and Crafts influence was typical of many middle class homes of the period built in Burnaby. The house was originally located facing Sardis Street with a beautiful garden landscape that was lost when the house was relocated in 2005.
- Locality
- Central Park
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Marlborough Area
- Area
- 639.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 5688 Sussex Avenue
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Interview with Catherine Rees March 14, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory185
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1929
- Length
- 0:10:12
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees's first year teaching at Burnaby South High School.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview pertains to Catherine Bertha "Cathy" Rees's first year teaching at Burnaby South High School.
- Date Range
- 1929
- Photo Info
- Burnaby South High School, [1930]. Item no. 280-008
- Length
- 0:10:12
- 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
- Subseries
- Burnaby Retired Teachers subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Catherine Rees
Track two of interview with Catherine Rees
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS103-026/MSS103-026_Track_2.mp3Interview 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
- 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
- Subseries
- Burnaby Retired Teachers subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Catherine Rees
Track three of interview with Catherine Rees
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS103-026/MSS103-026_Track_3.mp3Interview 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
- 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
- Subseries
- Burnaby Retired Teachers subseries
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks
Track four of interview with Catherine Rees
Track four of interview with Catherine Rees
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS103-026/MSS103-026_Track_4.mp3Floden House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark524
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The Floden House is a gambrel roofed, one and one-half storey plus basement wood-frame Dutch Colonial Revival residence, located at the head of the T-intersection of Fourth Street and Edmonds Street in a residential area of East Burnaby.
- Associated Dates
- 1929
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Other Names
- Eric B. & Carrie Floden House
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Other Names
- Eric B. & Carrie Floden House
- Geographic Access
- 4th Street
- Associated Dates
- 1929
- Formal Recognition
- Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
- Enactment Type
- Bylaw No. 11358
- Enactment Date
- 27/05/2002
- Description
- The Floden House is a gambrel roofed, one and one-half storey plus basement wood-frame Dutch Colonial Revival residence, located at the head of the T-intersection of Fourth Street and Edmonds Street in a residential area of East Burnaby.
- Heritage Value
- Built in 1929 for Swedish emigrant Eric Birger Floden (1896-1971) and his Norwegian wife, Carrie (1899-1943), the Floden House is a valued representation of local middle-class housing from the 1920s, at a time of increasing prosperity just prior to the onset of the Great Depression. Eric Birger Floden was the head sawyer at Shook Mills in New Westminster, and his family occupied the house until 1964. Additionally, the Floden House is significant as an example of a residential pattern book design from the 1920s. With a reviving economy after the First World War, pattern books were widely used to expedite residential design and construction. It was built by Floden's brother in-law, Nels Olund, a talented contractor of the Fraser Valley who was experienced in building gambrel roof barns. The Floden House is also valued as an example of the Dutch Colonial Revival style, and is typical of period revival houses built in the 1920s that reflected the modern ideals of economy and good design as well as an ongoing pride in past traditions. It was presumed at the time that a well-built house would display a traditional and readily-identifiable style as a hallmark of good taste. The use of the various Colonial Revival styles had gained new popularity during the late 1920s at the time of the American Sesquicentennial. A local landmark, the house originally stood at 7997 18th Avenue and was moved two blocks to its current location by the City of Burnaby when it purchased and rehabilitated the house to save it from demolition, indicating the City's commitment to heritage conservation.
- Defining Elements
- Key elements that define the heritage character of the Floden House include its: - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its one and one-half storey plus basement height, rectangular plan and distinctive roof form - Dutch Colonial Revival style details such as its side gambrel roof, front and rear shed dormers, attic fanlights, decorative shutters and regular fenestration - roof configuration, with overhanging eaves on the front facade with returns on the side facades, and clipped eaves on the side facades - asymmetrical front entry with small entry porch with lattice surrounds - front projecting bay window - wide lapped horizontal cedar siding - irregular fenestration, with original double-hung 6-over-1 wooden-sash windows - secondary side entry with balcony over - internal red brick chimney with concrete chimney caps
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Edmonds Area
- Builder
- Nels Olund
- Function
- Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
- Primary Current--Single Dwelling
- Community
- Burnaby
- Cadastral Identifier
- 009-931-490
- Boundaries
- The Floden House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 7244 Fourth Street, Burnaby.
- Area
- 804.13
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 7244 4th Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
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
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
The girl's own annual : vol. 51
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary647
- 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
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
- 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
Track one of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_1.mp3Interview 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
- 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
Track two of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_2.mp3Interview 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
- 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
Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_5.mp3