30 records – page 1 of 2.

Alta Vista Baptist Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark557
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Church building.
Associated Dates
1936
Other Names
Royal Oak Community Church
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Royal Oak Community Church
Geographic Access
Royal Oak Avenue
Associated Dates
1936
Description
Church building.
Heritage Value
This Baptist congregation originally held services in a tent at the corner of McGregor Avenue and Portland but they soon were able to build a small church. A membership drive by Pastor Arthur James Bowbrick (1875-1961) was so successful that the congregation was able build this fine structure, prominently located at the corner of Victory Street. Although it has been altered with later additions and stucco over the original siding, the original windows and the rooftop belfry remain.
Locality
Alta Vista
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Ownership
Private
Street Address
7175 Royal Oak Avenue
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

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
Less detail

Alta Vista Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark766
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1905-1924
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1905-1924
Heritage Value
Alta Vista, named for its high views of the Fraser Valley, rapidly grew during the period 1910-1912, seeing its settlement jump from about a dozen buildings in 1910 to about four hundred by the end of 1912. Home-seekers were attracted to its location just a short walk from the B.C.E.R. line at Royal Oak and Highland Park and easily accessible to both New Westminster and Vancouver.
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

O.G. Naud House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark509
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
The O.G. Naud House is a south facing, two-storey house with a bellcast hipped roof, set on a high basement. It features a double-height front verandah supported by classical columns. It is located on Victory Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of South Burnaby, and is one of the oldest houses i…
Associated Dates
1908
Formal Recognition
Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
Other Names
Onezime & Charlsie Naud House
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Onezime & Charlsie Naud House
Geographic Access
Victory Street
Associated Dates
1908
Formal Recognition
Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
Enactment Type
By-law No. 12316
Enactment Date
26/05/2008
Description
The O.G. Naud House is a south facing, two-storey house with a bellcast hipped roof, set on a high basement. It features a double-height front verandah supported by classical columns. It is located on Victory Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of South Burnaby, and is one of the oldest houses in the area.
Heritage Value
Built in 1908, the O.G. Naud House is valued as one of the first houses to be built in the Alta Vista neighbourhood and is a direct link to the first settlement of the area. Close proximity to the B.C. Electric Railway streetcar line, at Royal Oak and Highland Park, permitted easy access to New Westminster and Vancouver. These transportation links, combined with spectacular views of the Fraser Valley, encouraged the early development of this South Burnaby neighbourhood. The O.G. Naud House is architecturally significant as an example of the influence of the Classical Revival style that had been popularized in Eastern Canada. The basic form of the house is a Foursquare, with a double-height verandah that dominates the symmetrically balanced façade, supported on lathe-turned columns. A central entry and regular fenestration further unify the façade composition. Construction employed locally available materials. The rough-cut foundation stone was harvested from boulders from the G. Ledingham property on the south side of Victory Street. The builder and first owner, Onezime George Naud (1858-1951), was originally from St. Albans, Quebec. He worked on railway construction in Alabama, where he met his wife, Charlsie Elizabeth Sims (1869-1974). He later took part in the 1898 Gold Rush in Atlin, then worked as a stonemason on CPR culverts and bridges across B.C. An accomplished stonemason, Naud also worked on the original Vancouver and New Westminster post offices, the Parliament buildings in Victoria, and the Capitol building in Olympia, Washington.
Defining Elements
The key characteristics that define the heritage character of the O.G. Naud House include its: - south-facing location, with generous set back from the street, in the Alta Vista neighbourhood of South Burnaby - residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its two-storey height plus full basement, bellcast hipped roof, rectangular plan and front projecting double-height verandah - masonry construction materials such as the rough-cut granite foundation - wood-frame construction, including lapped wooden siding and shingle siding extant under later cladding - Edwardian era features including lathe-turned columns, balustrades of dimensional lumber, scroll-cut bargeboards in front gable, and scroll-cut eave brackets - associated landscape features including lane access to the east, large cedar trees and perimeter plantings
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Function
Primary Historic--Single Dwelling
Community
Alta Vista
Cadastral Identifier
P.I.D.003-100-375
Boundaries
The O.G. Naud House is comprised of a single residential lot located at 4737 Victory Street, Burnaby.
Area
1099.47
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Documentation
City of Burnaby Planning and Building Department, Heritage Site Files
Names
Naud, Onezime Georges "George"
Naud, Charlsie Elizabeth Sims
Street Address
4737 Victory Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Richard & Alice Dunn Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark552
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1939
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Jubilee Avenue
Associated Dates
1939
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
This house was built for Richard Dunn, a police sergeant with the B.C. Police force and his wife Alice. This house is a notable example of a Storybook Cottage, dating from just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. Modest houses of the era often assumed a cottage appearance that provided a romantic ideal of traditional domesticity. With its smooth, planar stucco, severely-clipped roof edges, round-arched door and windows, side arch with a catslide roof, cross-leaded glass and brick detailing, this house is an excellent example of this picturesque housing trend. Located on a corner lot, the house was sited at an angle. The large Chilean Pine, or monkey-puzzle tree, entrance is a remarkable specimen.
Locality
Alta Vista
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Ownership
Private
Street Address
7207 Jubilee Avenue
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Bill Speirs

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35323
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930] (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 Bill Speirs, leaning against the back of an automobile in front of the Speirs family home on Watling Street (near Frederick Avenue). Bill and his wife, Dell Speirs, moved to Burnaby in 1929.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-180
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Bill Speirs, leaning against the back of an automobile in front of the Speirs family home on Watling Street (near Frederick Avenue). Bill and his wife, Dell Speirs, moved to Burnaby in 1929.
Names
Speirs, Bill
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Watling Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85235
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1937 and 1938]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a silent digitized film segment identified as Reel 5. The film segment opens with black and white footage of a Burnaby May Day Parade. Children are seen in costumes pushing carriages and bicycles along with pets as they come to gather at Central Park for judging. This event is followed with…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1937 and 1938]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-003-5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2014-04
Scope and Content
Item is a silent digitized film segment identified as Reel 5. The film segment opens with black and white footage of a Burnaby May Day Parade. Children are seen in costumes pushing carriages and bicycles along with pets as they come to gather at Central Park for judging. This event is followed with colour footage of a gymkhana event with people riding horses at the Lubbock farm in Burnaby and closes with Victory Bond fundraising outside the Oak Theatre, a parade on Kingsway and contrails from an airplane. Many of the men can be seen marching in the parade with their A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) uniforms and arm bands.
Subjects
Events - Parades
Events - May Day
Animals - Horses
Names
Digney, Andy
Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video

Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938]

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Burnaby Sports Day

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85204
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of child…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1936 and 1939]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (8 min., 37 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-3
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the annual Sports Day events held at Burnaby Central Park. The film opens with an unidentified dedication ceremony and tree planting in an unknown location and switches to students marching into Central Park. Hundreds of children and Youth are showcased in sporting field events and competitions such as track and field sports, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, leap frog, skipping, rugby.
Subjects
Events - Parades
Occupations
Occupations - Labourers
Organizations - Mens' Societies and Clubs
Organizations - Womens' Societies and Clubs
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'May Day Events'
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Central Park
Street Address
3883 Imperial Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video

Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]

Less detail

Children's birthday party

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37740
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 4.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a children's birthday party at the Ellis home at 6926 Nelson Avenue. The photograph was taken looking down Nelson Avenue. The children are wearing party hats and standing on a fence.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1930] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 4.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-328
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of a children's birthday party at the Ellis home at 6926 Nelson Avenue. The photograph was taken looking down Nelson Avenue. The children are wearing party hats and standing on a fence.
Subjects
Clothing
Events - Parties
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Negative has a pink cast
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Street Address
6926 Nelson Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85469
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1939
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (1 min., 36 sec.) : digital, b&w ; si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a black and white film segment of an unidentified theatrical production at the Oak Theatre with children as the performers. Children appear in costume with some dressed as mice or rats and cats dancing and performing on the stage while others are dressed as townsfolk. Th…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1939
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (1 min., 36 sec.) : digital, b&w ; si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-5
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a black and white film segment of an unidentified theatrical production at the Oak Theatre with children as the performers. Children appear in costume with some dressed as mice or rats and cats dancing and performing on the stage while others are dressed as townsfolk. The play closely resembles the folk tale 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' (also known as The Pan Piper, the Rat Catcher of Hamelin).
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Theatres
Recreational Activities - Theatre
Persons - Children
Names
Oak Theatre
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
Storage location refers to location of DVD containing this clip. See 562-002 notes for more information. Additional copies of video file stored in Permanent drive accession folder.
Geographic Access
Kingsway
Central Park
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video

Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre, 1939

Less detail

Digney family home at Christmas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85470
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1939
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1939
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (1min., 18 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-6
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of the Digney family at Christmas. Film opens with views of a rhododendrun bush and moves into footage showing the outside and inside their home at Christmas time.
Subjects
Holidays - Christmas
Names
Digney, Andy
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Royal Visit'
Geographic Access
Central Park
Kingsway
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video

Digney family home at Christmas, 1939

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Evelyn Le Grove

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38047
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 1933 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.4 x 2.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 26.6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Evelyn Le Grove at McGregor Avenue and Portland Street in the snow. A house can be seen in the background.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
February 1933 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.4 x 2.5 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 26.6 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-634
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Evelyn Le Grove at McGregor Avenue and Portland Street in the snow. A house can be seen in the background.
Names
Le Grove, Evelyn Hardy
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Negative has a pink cast
Geographic Access
McGregor Avenue
Portland Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory441
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1926-1989
Length
00:10:22
Summary
This portion of the interview is mainly about the start of the Lewarne family ice cream business in the Depression and its history under three generations of the family. He also remembers the hard times of the Depression, the schools he attended in South Burnaby, and Mr. Seller’s shetland ponies.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is mainly about the start of the Lewarne family ice cream business in the Depression and its history under three generations of the family. He also remembers the hard times of the Depression, the schools he attended in South Burnaby, and Mr. Seller’s shetland ponies.
Date Range
1926-1989
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
Length
00:10:22
Subjects
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Business
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 14, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne 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 mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
1:34:40
Interviewee Name
Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
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 business computerization 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 Bill Lewarne

Less detail

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory442
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1893-1944
Length
00:05:35
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.
Date Range
1893-1944
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012
Length
00:05:35
Names
Lewarne, Ethel Leer
Subjects
Recreational Activities
Persons - Children
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 14, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne 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 mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
1:34:40
Interviewee Name
Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
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 business computerization 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 Bill Lewarne

Less detail

Jim Ellis and his dog

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37726
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1938 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.0 x 2.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jim Ellis, with his dog, Bill, seated at the back of the Ellis home at 6926 Nelson Avenue. There is construction occurring in the background. The photograph was taken during the summer of 1938.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1938 (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.0 x 2.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-314
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jim Ellis, with his dog, Bill, seated at the back of the Ellis home at 6926 Nelson Avenue. There is construction occurring in the background. The photograph was taken during the summer of 1938.
Subjects
Animals - Dogs
Names
Elllis, Jim
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Negative has a pink cast
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Street Address
6926 Nelson Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Jim Ellis on Bicycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37741
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jim Ellis, on a bicycle, at the side of 6926 Nelson Avenue.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Burnaby Image Bank subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.3 cm print on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-329
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jim Ellis, on a bicycle, at the side of 6926 Nelson Avenue.
Subjects
Transportation - Bicycles
Names
Ellis, Jim
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Negative has a pink cast
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Street Address
6926 Nelson Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Lewarne family home

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35196
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1933] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 20.3 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lewarne family home on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1933] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 20.3 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-053
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lewarne family home on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Nelson Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Nelson Avenue School class

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35321
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1931 (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 a Grade 5 class at Nelson Avenue School. Patsy Speirs (later Patsy Coe) is in the 3rd row, 4th from the left. Some classmates, not identified, were Lucy Speckman, now Standen (Patsy's best friend); Bev Lewarne (sister of Mayor Bill Lewarne); and, Ruth Thomson The school is located at…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1931 (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Pioneer Tales subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
204-178
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1988-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of a Grade 5 class at Nelson Avenue School. Patsy Speirs (later Patsy Coe) is in the 3rd row, 4th from the left. Some classmates, not identified, were Lucy Speckman, now Standen (Patsy's best friend); Bev Lewarne (sister of Mayor Bill Lewarne); and, Ruth Thomson The school is located at 4850 Irmin Street, at the corner of Nelson Avenue and Rumble Street.
Names
Coe, Patsy Speirs
Nelson Avenue School
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Geographic Access
Irmin Street
Street Address
4850 Irmin Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

Oak Theatre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85202
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1937 and 1936]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the construction of the Oak Theatre in 1936, the opening of the theatre held on August 4, 1937, the theatre with snow in the winter and the Digney family home and neighborhood . Andy Digney moved with his family from Manitoba …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[between 1937 and 1936]
Collection/Fonds
Digney Family fonds
Physical Description
1 film clip (9 min., 26 sec.) : digital, col., si.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
562-002-1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Accession Number
2012-15
Scope and Content
Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment with footage of the construction of the Oak Theatre in 1936, the opening of the theatre held on August 4, 1937, the theatre with snow in the winter and the Digney family home and neighborhood . Andy Digney moved with his family from Manitoba to Burnaby in 1936 and purchased 2 acres of land where he settled with his family and built the Oak Theatre which was located at 5000 Kingsway (Marlborough & Kingsway). The theatre was located on a 2 acre parcel of land and had a 350 seat capacity and offered valet parking. Construction crews with men and horses can be seen laying the foundation and erecting the walls of the theatre and crowds of people and cars are seen arriving outside the theatre on opening day.
Subjects
Events - Openings
Buildings - Commercial - Theatres
Recreational Activities - Theatre
Animals - Horses
Names
Oak Theatre
Digney, Andy
Media Type
Moving Images
Photographer
Digney, Andy
Creator
Digney, Andy
Notes
Title based on contents of film
Film clip originates from digitized version of original 16 mm film footage (item 562-002). This segment was part of digitized portion titled 'Oak Theatre'
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Video

Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936]

Less detail

O.G. Naud house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35005
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1908] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Scope and Content
Photograph is the left side of a three-part panorama (photos 172-002a to 172-002c) of the land beside the house of Onezime G. Naud, 4737 Victory Road (later renamed Victory Street). A garden and a fence with a woman standing beside it can be seen.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[1908] (date of original), copied 1986
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
O.G. Naud subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print
Description Level
Item
Record No.
172-002-1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1986-21
Scope and Content
Photograph is the left side of a three-part panorama (photos 172-002a to 172-002c) of the land beside the house of Onezime G. Naud, 4737 Victory Road (later renamed Victory Street). A garden and a fence with a woman standing beside it can be seen.
Subjects
Buildings - Residential - Houses
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
b&w ; 5.5 x 24.5 cm photocopy of entire panorama accompanying in accession file
Geographic Access
Victory Street
Street Address
4737 Victory Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Less detail

30 records – page 1 of 2.