Narrow Results By
Alta Vista Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark707
- 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
Alta Vista Neighbourhood
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark766
- 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
Nelson Avenue School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark625
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- School building.
- Associated Dates
- 1927
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- Irmin Street
- Associated Dates
- 1927
- Description
- School building.
- Heritage Value
- Nelson Avenue School was established in 1912 to serve the Alta Vista district of Burnaby. Architects Bowman & Cullerne designed this Classical Revival style school which was built as the annex to the original school building in 1927 and was a twin structure to the original Windsor Street School building. It once featured a columned porch but has been altered with a coat of stucco over the original main floor siding and replacement windows. It still retains its distinctive hipped roof with a domed octagonal roof ventilator. Harold Cullerne (1890-1976) joined J.H. Bowman (1864-1943) in a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1934. The firm specialized in school design, and their project list includes Seaforth School (1922, now relocated to Burnaby Village Museum), Burnaby North High School (1923), and Windsor Street School (1924).
- Locality
- Alta Vista
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Architect
- Bowman & Cullerne
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Street Address
- 4850 Irmin Street
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Boys and girls at Riverway West School
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35988
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1921
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a class of boys and girls at Riverway West School, standing and sitting outside in three rows. A border collie puppy is sitting on a boy's lap, in the first row, on the far right.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1921
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Edmonds School subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 12 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 207-037
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-07
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a class of boys and girls at Riverway West School, standing and sitting outside in three rows. A border collie puppy is sitting on a boy's lap, in the first row, on the far right.
- Subjects
- Animals - Dogs
- Names
- Riverway West School
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Marine Drive
- Street Address
- 4340 Marine Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Child's homemade driveable toy car, [1923] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-337.jpg?width=280)
Child's homemade driveable toy car
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37749
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1923]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 4.5 cm prints on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child's homemade driveable toy car, in the backyard of 2313 Nelson Avenue (later renumbered 6926 Nelson Avenue).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1923]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.6 x 4.5 cm prints on contact sheet 20.3 x 26.6 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-337
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a child's homemade driveable toy car, in the backyard of 2313 Nelson Avenue (later renumbered 6926 Nelson Avenue).
- Subjects
- Toys
- Transportation - Automobiles
- 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
![Child's homemade driveable toy car, [1923] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-337.jpg)
Cutting down a Christmas tree
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35382
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925
- 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 twin sisters, Kay and Evelyn Rorison, cutting down a Christmas tree. Kay and Evelyn were the daughters of William and Alma Rorison of 3907 River Road (later becoming 4593 Marine Drive at Strathern Avenue).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925
- 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.
- 204-239
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of twin sisters, Kay and Evelyn Rorison, cutting down a Christmas tree. Kay and Evelyn were the daughters of William and Alma Rorison of 3907 River Road (later becoming 4593 Marine Drive at Strathern Avenue).
- Subjects
- Plants - Trees
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Marine Drive
- Street Address
- 4593 Marine Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Gough family home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35491
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1920 (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 Gough family home at 2119 Nelson Avenue (later 7126 Nelson Avenue). The house was built in 1912. William Gough was marble setter by trade, and he lived here with his wife, Agnes, and their children.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1920 (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.
- 204-349
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gough family home at 2119 Nelson Avenue (later 7126 Nelson Avenue). The house was built in 1912. William Gough was marble setter by trade, and he lived here with his wife, Agnes, and their children.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Nelson Avenue
- Street Address
- 2119 Nelson Avenue
- 7126 Nelson Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Gray family garden
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35522
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1924 (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 Emily Gray (mother of William Gray) in her garden on the south side of Winnifred Street. There was a spring, a pond with gold fish, guppies and lily pads, and flowers.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1924 (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.
- 204-380
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Emily Gray (mother of William Gray) in her garden on the south side of Winnifred Street. There was a spring, a pond with gold fish, guppies and lily pads, and flowers.
- Subjects
- Geographic Features - Gardens
- Names
- Gray, Emily Christmas
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Winnifred Street
- Street Address
- 4375 Winnifred Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Gray family home, [192-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-382.jpg?width=280)
Gray family home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35524
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (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 Gray family home finally completed at 4375 Winnifred Street. It was built in stages as money became available. The upstairs windows front the room where young William, an only child, slept. Winifred Street was named after Ernie North's sister, Winnifred North, who lived in Surrey…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [192-] (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.
- 204-382
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gray family home finally completed at 4375 Winnifred Street. It was built in stages as money became available. The upstairs windows front the room where young William, an only child, slept. Winifred Street was named after Ernie North's sister, Winnifred North, who lived in Surrey, England.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Winnifred Street
- Street Address
- 4375 Winnifred Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Gray family home, [192-] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-382.jpg)
Gray Orchard
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35521
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1924 (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 Gray orchard on the south side of Winnifred Street. (From left) Clamor Gray (father of William Gray), Emily Gray (mother), and William Gray. Note the split cedar fencing all around the orchard to keep out animals.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1924 (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.
- 204-379
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Gray orchard on the south side of Winnifred Street. (From left) Clamor Gray (father of William Gray), Emily Gray (mother), and William Gray. Note the split cedar fencing all around the orchard to keep out animals.
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Orchards
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Winnifred Street
- Street Address
- 4375 Winnifred Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Harry Winters and Jim Ellis, [1926 or 1927] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-330.jpg?width=280)
Harry Winters and Jim Ellis
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37742
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1926 or 1927] (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 Harry Winters and Jim Ellis with the Ellis family goat, at the back of the Ellis home at 6926 Nelson Avenue.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1926 or 1927] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- 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.
- 370-330
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Harry Winters and Jim Ellis with the Ellis family goat, at the back of the Ellis home at 6926 Nelson Avenue.
- Subjects
- Animals - Goats
- Names
- Ellis, Jim
- Winters, Harry
- 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
![Harry Winters and Jim Ellis, [1926 or 1927] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-330.jpg)
![Holmes family home, [1920] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-610.jpg?width=280)
Holmes family home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35752
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920] (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 Holmes family home, 3919 Watling Street (later renumbered 4527 Watling Street). This was the second house the family lived in. Identified (left to right) sisters Kathleen Holmes and Eileen Holmes.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1920] (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.
- 204-610
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Holmes family home, 3919 Watling Street (later renumbered 4527 Watling Street). This was the second house the family lived in. Identified (left to right) sisters Kathleen Holmes and Eileen Holmes.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Watling Street
- Street Address
- 4527 Watling Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
![Holmes family home, [1920] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-610.jpg)
![Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/231-012.jpg?width=280)
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
- 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
![Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/205/231-012.jpg)
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Bill Lewarne
Track one of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_1.mp3
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
- 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
- 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
Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_2.mp3
Municipality of Burnaby - Volume XVIII and Volume XIX
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription8683
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- May 1927
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 plans on 2 sheets : col. lithographic prints ; 63.5 x 53.5 cm folded to 53 x 31.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two pages of plans removed from a bound book containing a series of fire insurance plans of the Municipality of Burnaby. Plan "1832" is from "GREATER VANCOUVER B.C. / VOLUME XVIII / Municipality of Burnaby / May, 1927" and covers District Lots: 98 and 28. Plan "K" is part of a key …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 2 plans on 2 sheets : col. lithographic prints ; 63.5 x 53.5 cm folded to 53 x 31.5 cm
- Material Details
- Scale [1:1200] to [1:6000]
- Scope and Content
- File consists of two pages of plans removed from a bound book containing a series of fire insurance plans of the Municipality of Burnaby. Plan "1832" is from "GREATER VANCOUVER B.C. / VOLUME XVIII / Municipality of Burnaby / May, 1927" and covers District Lots: 98 and 28. Plan "K" is part of a key plan "GREATER VANCOUVER B.C. / Surveyed VOLUME XIX May 1927 / MUNICIPALITY OF / BURNABY / PLAN DEPT. British Columbia Ins. Underwriters Association / FIRE BRANCH / KEY PLAN", "Scale 500 FT = 1 INCH / FOR REPORT SEE VOL. XV" covering plans: 1901 to 1914 and District Lots: 161; 164 to 167; 155c; 155; 172 and 173.
- Responsibility
- British Columbia Underwriters' Association
- Accession Code
- HV972.111.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- May 1927
- Media Type
- Cartographic Material
- Historic Neighbourhood
- East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Windsor Area
- Marlborough Area
- Second Street Area
- Big Bend Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
- Scan Resolution
- 400
- Scan Date
- 2021-11-18
- Notes
- Title based on content of plans
- See also BV987.1.70d for revised versions of plans
- Scale is measured 1 inch = 500 feet
Zoomable Images
Nelson Avenue class
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35207
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925
- 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 Nelson Avenue School Grade 2 class. Margaret Neville is on the far left of the first row. She later married Dugald C. Patterson. The school is located at the corner of Nelson Avenue and Rumble Street.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1925
- 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.
- 204-064
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Nelson Avenue School Grade 2 class. Margaret Neville is on the far left of the first row. She later married Dugald C. Patterson. The school is located at the corner of Nelson Avenue and Rumble Street.
- 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
Nelson Avenue Public School class
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35622
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1929 (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 Nelson Avenue Public School, Grade four class. From top, left to right; Teacher, Mrs. McGuffin, John Reid, George Goddard, Eddie Hitchens, Jackie Norman, Roy Franklin, [first name unknown] Flemming, [first name unknown] Flemming, Bobby [Davis]. Third row; [unidentified], Joey Davis, M…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1929 (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.
- 204-480
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Nelson Avenue Public School, Grade four class. From top, left to right; Teacher, Mrs. McGuffin, John Reid, George Goddard, Eddie Hitchens, Jackie Norman, Roy Franklin, [first name unknown] Flemming, [first name unknown] Flemming, Bobby [Davis]. Third row; [unidentified], Joey Davis, Mirrim Harper, Ernie Carpenter, [unidentified], [unidentified], Joy [Wynn], Dagmar Anderson, [unidentified], [unidentified], Betty Smith. Second row; Pearl Hutton, "twin" Phyllis [last name unknown], Betty Porter, [unidentified], Ina Dearing, Mary Beech, Muriel Davis (later Jean Skelhorne), Dot Lockwood, [unidentified "twin"], Kay Bates, Vera Keig, Marg Herd. Front row; [unidentified], Sam Hughes, Clarence Wesley, George Robertson, Art Butchart, Sandy Stewart, [unidentified], [unidentified], [first name unknown] Harrison, Harvey Smith.
- Names
- 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
Nelson Avenue School Junior class
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35506
- 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 Nelson Avenue School, Junior class. Identified (2nd row, far right) Carlyle Le Grove (Lyle). Teacher: Miss R.I. Leavens. Lyle was the son of Ida Le Grove (nee Burlton) and Frederick Le Grove.
- 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.
- 204-364
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Nelson Avenue School, Junior class. Identified (2nd row, far right) Carlyle Le Grove (Lyle). Teacher: Miss R.I. Leavens. Lyle was the son of Ida Le Grove (nee Burlton) and Frederick Le Grove.
- 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
Nelson Street School Grade 5 class
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37305
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1923
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of thirty-five students in the grade 5 class from Nelson Avenue School, outside the school building. A note with the photograph indicates that the teacher was Marion E. Lawrence (not in photograph).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1923
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Jim Wolf subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 349-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1997-09
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of thirty-five students in the grade 5 class from Nelson Avenue School, outside the school building. A note with the photograph indicates that the teacher was Marion E. Lawrence (not in photograph).
- Names
- 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
Riverway West School Class
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35415
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1929 (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 Riverway West School, mixed class. Identified: (2nd row, far left) Bill Rorison; (4th row 6th from left) Kay Rorison; (2nd row, 6th from left) John Rorison; (4th row, 9th from left) Evelyn Rorison, and teacher (back), Mrs. Mary Kidd. The Rorisons were the children of William Rorison…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1929 (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.
- 204-272
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Riverway West School, mixed class. Identified: (2nd row, far left) Bill Rorison; (4th row 6th from left) Kay Rorison; (2nd row, 6th from left) John Rorison; (4th row, 9th from left) Evelyn Rorison, and teacher (back), Mrs. Mary Kidd. The Rorisons were the children of William Rorison and Alma Rorison (nee Cropley) of 3907 River Road (later Marine Drive).
- Subjects
- Occupations - Teachers
- Names
- Kidd, Mary
- North, Kay Rorison
- Riverway West School
- Rorison, Bill
- Rorison, Evelyn
- Rorison, John
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Marine Drive
- Street Address
- 4340 Marine Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
