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Person / Organization
- Coe, Patsy Speirs 1
- Digney, Andy 4
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig" 1
- Elizabeth, Queen, consort of George VI, King of Great Britain, 1900-2002 1
- Ellis, Jim 1
- Elllis, Jim 1
- Fowler, Rod 2
- George VI, King of Great Britain, 1895-1952 1
- Kantonen, Terttu Ullriki "Bertha" 1
- Le Grove, Evelyn Hardy 1
- Lewarne, Ethel Leer 1
- Lewarne, William A. "Bill" 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
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
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
![Bill Speirs, [1930] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-180.jpg?width=280)
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
- 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
![Bill Speirs, [1930] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-180.jpg)
![Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.jpg?width=280)
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.
- 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
![Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.jpg)
Video
Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938]
Burnaby, [between 1937 and 1938]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-5.m4v![Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.jpg?width=280)
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
![Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.jpg)
Video
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
Burnaby Sports Day, [between 1936 and 1939]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-3.m4v![Children's birthday party, [1930] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-328.jpg?width=280)
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
- 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
![Children's birthday party, [1930] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-328.jpg)
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).
- 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
Children's theatrical performance at the Oak Theatre, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-5.m4v
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
Digney family home at Christmas, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-6.m4v
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
- 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
![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
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
- 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
![Jim Ellis on Bicycle, [ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-329.jpg?width=280)
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
- 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
- May be restricted by third party rights
- 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
![Jim Ellis on Bicycle, [ca. 1933] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-329.jpg)
![Lewarne family home, [1933] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-053.jpg?width=280)
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
- 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
![Lewarne family home, [1933] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/204/204-053.jpg)
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
- 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.
- 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
![Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-1.jpg?width=280)
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
![Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936] thumbnail](/media/Hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-1.jpg)
Video
Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936]
Oak Theatre, [between 1937 and 1936]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-1.m4v
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85471
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (45 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of a snow plough ploughing snow in the parking lot outside the Oak Theatre.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1939
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (45 sec.) : digital, col. ; si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-002-7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-15
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized copy of a silent colour film segment of a snow plough ploughing snow in the parking lot outside the Oak Theatre.
- Subjects
- Natural Phenomena - Snow
- 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
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre, 1939
Ploughing snow at the Oak Theatre, 1939
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-002-7.m4v
Riverway West School Photo
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription70550
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1930
- Collection/Fonds
- Kantonen Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a class picture at Riverway West school taken about 1930. Only one student has been identified - fourth from the left in the second row is Terttu Ulriki Kantonen (Bertha).
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1930
- Collection/Fonds
- Kantonen Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 531-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2012-06
- Scope and Content
- Photograph is a class picture at Riverway West school taken about 1930. Only one student has been identified - fourth from the left in the second row is Terttu Ulriki Kantonen (Bertha).
- Subjects
- Buildings - Schools
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Geographic Access
- Marine Drive
- Street Address
- 4340 Marine Drive
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
Rorison family home
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35379
- 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 the William Rorison family home at 3907 River Road (later becoming 4593 Marine Drive at Strathern Avenue) in the South Slope area. William Rorison built this house next to another for his mother-in-law. The Rorison family consisted of William Rorison, his wife Alma Rorison (nee Cropl…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1930 (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.
- 204-236
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1988-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the William Rorison family home at 3907 River Road (later becoming 4593 Marine Drive at Strathern Avenue) in the South Slope area. William Rorison built this house next to another for his mother-in-law. The Rorison family consisted of William Rorison, his wife Alma Rorison (nee Cropley) and their children: Kay (later Kay North), Evelyn, Bill, Hugh, and John.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- 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
