Narrow Results By
Subject
- Buildings - Residential - Houses 1
- Education 2
- Geographic Features - Bays 2
- Geographic Features - Channels 2
- Geographic Features - Natural Waterways 1
- Persons - Volunteers 1
- Sports - Baseball 1
- Sports - Swimming 1
- Sports - Team Sports 1
- Structures - Bridges 2
- Transportation - Automobiles 1
- Transportation - Bicycles 4
Trip to Kamloops
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85234
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (14 min., 16 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 4. The film segment contains footage of Digney family travels, with some of the footage taken from the hood of the Digney car as they drive through the mountains of British Columbia and Washington State. The Digney family is travelling and …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (14 min., 16 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 4. The film segment contains footage of Digney family travels, with some of the footage taken from the hood of the Digney car as they drive through the mountains of British Columbia and Washington State. The Digney family is travelling and camping through the Fraser Canyon and the Rockies of Alberta and British Columbia. They visit Radium Hot Springs, Gyro club pool, Cranbook, Alexandra Bridge near Boston Bar and the Grand Coulee in Washington State. The footage interchanges between black and white and colour showing scenery and various family members playing and picnicing along the way.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
Images
Video
Trip to Kamloops, 1936
Bicycle rider
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2722
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.38
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle rider
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2723
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a bicycle rider riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.39
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle riders
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription2721
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.37
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Bicycle riders
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3551
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 8 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of two bicycle riders riding along the highway to Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Bicycles
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.40
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- June 31, 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2/16/2010
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Captions for photograph read: "Sun June 31/36" and "Highway to Bellingham"
- Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "Art"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Boat coming through locks
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19435
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 11 Oct. 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a boat towing a log boom and coming through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) in Salmon Bay in Seattle, Washington's Ship Canal. The locks link Lake Washington to Puget Sound. The Salmon Bay Bridge is visible in the background spanning Salmon Bay.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a boat towing a log boom and coming through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) in Salmon Bay in Seattle, Washington's Ship Canal. The locks link Lake Washington to Puget Sound. The Salmon Bay Bridge is visible in the background spanning Salmon Bay.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Boats
- Geographic Features - Natural Waterways
- Geographic Features - Channels
- Geographic Features - Bays
- Structures - Bridges
- Water Control
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.119
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 11 Oct. 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-02-06
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption beneath photograph reads: "COMING IN"
- Caption of album page reads: "Oct 11/36 / THANKSGIVING / SEATTLE"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Government locks opening in Seattle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19434
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 11 Oct. 1936
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) opening in Salmon Bay, Seattle, Washington's Ship Canal. The locks are opening to allow a boat to come through. The locks link Lake Washington to Puget Sound. The Salmon Bay Bridge is visible in the background spanning Salmon Bay.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Hawkshaw family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6.5 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) opening in Salmon Bay, Seattle, Washington's Ship Canal. The locks are opening to allow a boat to come through. The locks link Lake Washington to Puget Sound. The Salmon Bay Bridge is visible in the background spanning Salmon Bay.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Boats
- Geographic Features - Channels
- Geographic Features - Bays
- Structures - Bridges
- Water Control
- Accession Code
- BV996.6.118
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 11 Oct. 1936
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 2023-02-06
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Caption beneath photograph reads: "GOVT LOCKS SEATTLE / OPENING"
- Caption of album page reads: "Oct 11/36 / THANKSGIVING / SEATTLE"
- Photograph is part of photograph album BV996.6.1
Images
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 1
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory472
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1934-1942
- Length
- 00:04:58
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ unsuccessful first attempt to move to British Columbia in 1934 in the Depression, being turned back by the provincial police, and the successful second attempt by bus. The interview continues with description of the family’s difficult…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ unsuccessful first attempt to move to British Columbia in 1934 in the Depression, being turned back by the provincial police, and the successful second attempt by bus. The interview continues with description of the family’s difficulties, what Lochdale looked like in the 1930s, his father’s work at Kapoor sawmill in Barnet, and Merrill Gordon’s early education.
- Date Range
- 1934-1942
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:58
- Names
- Kapoor Sawmill
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track one of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track one of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_1.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 2
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory473
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1934-1942
- Length
- 00:06:11
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ background and farm in Saskatchewan, and how the family arrived in Burnaby in 1934 with 56 cents at the Adam’s Dairy Farm near Union and Sperling.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s parents’ background and farm in Saskatchewan, and how the family arrived in Burnaby in 1934 with 56 cents at the Adam’s Dairy Farm near Union and Sperling.
- Date Range
- 1934-1942
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:06:11
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track two of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track two of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_2.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 3
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory474
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1939-1946
- Length
- 00:04:30
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s education at Templeton School (Gr. 7-9) and Grandview High School of Commerce on First and Commercial, his teachers and the courses that he took.
- Date Range
- 1939-1946
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:30
- Subjects
- Education
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track three of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track three of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_3.mp3
Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 5
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory476
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1935-1956
- Length
- 00:04:56
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at s…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at school.
- Date Range
- 1935-1956
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:04:56
- Subjects
- Persons - Volunteers
- Education
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Lochdale Area
- Interviewer
- Fowler, Rod
- Interview Date
- March 19, 1990
- Scope and Content
- Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
- Biographical Notes
- Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
- Total Tracks
- 11
- Total Length
- 1:31:44
- Interviewee Name
- Gordon, Merrill
- Interview Location
- unknown
- Interviewer Bio
- Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
- Collection/Fonds
- SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
- Transcript Available
- Transcript available
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Web Notes
- Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_5.mp3![Lynden Volunteer Fire Department fire truck, [193-?] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1990/199900550016.jpg?width=280)
Lynden Volunteer Fire Department fire truck
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1467
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [193-?]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6 x 10.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a fire truck with "L. V. F. D." (Lynden Volunteer Fire Department) written on the side of the hood, and "LYNDEN" on top of rear fender. Located in Lynden, Washington.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 6 x 10.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a fire truck with "L. V. F. D." (Lynden Volunteer Fire Department) written on the side of the hood, and "LYNDEN" on top of rear fender. Located in Lynden, Washington.
- Subjects
- Transportation - Fire Trucks
- Accession Code
- BV999.55.16
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Date
- [193-?]
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Scan Resolution
- 600
- Scan Date
- 08-Jun-09
- Scale
- 100
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Lynden Volunteer Fire Department fire truck, [193-?] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Images/1990/199900550016.jpg)
Maple Leaf Baseball Team
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37468
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1934 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Maple Leaf Baseball Team who made their home field at MacPherson Avenue and Rumble Street. This photo was taken in Bellingham, Washington.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1934 (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 2.8 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-056
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Maple Leaf Baseball Team who made their home field at MacPherson Avenue and Rumble Street. This photo was taken in Bellingham, Washington.
- Subjects
- Sports - Baseball
- Sports - Team Sports
- Names
- Maple Leaf Baseball Team
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bellinger, Bernard
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
Images
![Rural road, [1900-1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/550/550-139.jpg?width=280)
Rural road
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82568
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-139
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Residential - Houses
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in black pen on verso reads: "Mama slept very well last night and is gaining a little. Dr. spoke very encouragingly yesterday. Rest are OK. Hope you all are. Dora / Mrs. W J McDonald / Pullman Wash / 1000 Thatuna St"
Images
![Rural road, [1900-1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/550/550-139.jpg)
![Stream, [1900-1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/550/550-140.jpg?width=280)
Stream
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82569
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900-1930]
- Collection/Fonds
- Hill family and Vidal family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 7 x 14 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 550-140
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-03
- Scope and Content
- Photographic postcard shows house situated beside a road and amongst trees. Photograph was taken in Washington state.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Note in black pen on verso reads: "Dear sis, / How do you like this view? Mama is about the same. Feeding her 5 times a day and Laura is coming down every morning to give her an alcohol bath. Stella is chief nurse. Hope you are all OK. / Thank you for the papers which came this a.m. Will send a card every other day. / Dora / Mrs. W J McDonald / Pullman Wash / 1000 Thatuna St"
Images
![Stream, [1900-1930] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/550/550-140.jpg)