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- Buildings - Residential - Houses 1
- Clothing - Military Uniforms 3
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- Education 2
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Bancroft family subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription63795
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900]-1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and other materials
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of publications, correspondence and other miscellaneous papers relating to the Bancroft family's interests and work history. Topics include gardening, raising poultry, the Liberal government and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Also included in the subseries are photographs of the…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1900]-1979
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Bancroft family subseries
- Physical Description
- Textual records and other materials
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS1986-44
- BHS2004-06
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of publications, correspondence and other miscellaneous papers relating to the Bancroft family's interests and work history. Topics include gardening, raising poultry, the Liberal government and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Also included in the subseries are photographs of the Bancroft family and friends and ephemera pertaining to agricultural farming and the air force.
- History
- Rose Croucher was born to Ann Eliza "Annie" (b. August 1861, d. 1962) and R. Coucher in January 1895. In 1907, the Croucher family moved to British Columbia. As a student, Rose studied geometrical drawing using Blair’s Canadian Drawing Series workbooks. On on February 21, 1914, Rose married James Oakes Bancroft in Vancouver, BC. Together they had three children: James A. (b. 1916 or 1917), Rosie (date unknown), and George E. (b. August 1927). The Bancroft family were poultry farmers throughout the early 1900s, transporting their farmed eggs from Burnaby to the Hudson’s Bay Company Vancouver using the British Columbia Electric Railway system. Rose Bancroft also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Central Park Poultry Co-op Association in the 1920s until her husband's death in 1930 at the age of 42. In the late thirties and early forties, while James A. Bancroft was stationed in Calgary with the Royal Canadian Air Force, his younger siblings lived together with their mother and grandmother at 1963 21st Avenue in Burnaby. Rosie Bancroft studied French and English history in Social Studies in 1937; her brother George studied the seasons in General Science II in 1942. Rose died in 1965 at the age of 76.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Cartographic Material
- Creator
- Bancroft, Rose
- Notes
- MSS030, PC490, PC507, and MSS110
- Title based on creator and contents of subseries
![Bob Pontifex and friend, [1941] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-508.jpg?width=280)
Bob Pontifex and friend
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37920
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1941] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 4.1 x 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of [first name unknown] O'Connor and Bob Pontifex at the back of 4006 Douglas Road (old numbering) and Gilpin Street. Bob Pontifex is in uniform.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1941] (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 3.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.7 x 26.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-508
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of [first name unknown] O'Connor and Bob Pontifex at the back of 4006 Douglas Road (old numbering) and Gilpin Street. Bob Pontifex is in uniform.
- Subjects
- Clothing - Military Uniforms
- Names
- O'Connor, Ms.
- Pontifex, Bob
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Geographic Access
- Gilpin Street
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Douglas-Gilpin Area
Images
![Bob Pontifex and friend, [1941] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-508.jpg)
Chuck, "Tubby" Heath, and Eddie Manning
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38033
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- December 19, 1944 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.6 x 2.7 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.3 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Chuck [last name unknown], Arthur "Tubby" Heath and Eddie Manning standing outside of 2224 Antrim Avenue (later renumbered 6957 Antrim Avenue). They are in uniform. A 1930 Chevrolet and houses can be partially seen behind them.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- December 19, 1944 (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.6 x 2.7 cm print on contact sheet 20.6 x 26.3 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-620
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of Chuck [last name unknown], Arthur "Tubby" Heath and Eddie Manning standing outside of 2224 Antrim Avenue (later renumbered 6957 Antrim Avenue). They are in uniform. A 1930 Chevrolet and houses can be partially seen behind them.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Geographic Access
- Antrim Avenue
- Street Address
- 6957 Antrim Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Windsor Area
Images
![Friend of John Shaw's, [1941] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/485/485-031.jpg?width=280)
Friend of John Shaw's
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55556
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- John Shaw fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 6 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man identified as a friend of John Shaw's standing outside on a hill overlooking an unknown body of water. The photograph was likely taken near the air force training camp in Vernon, B.C.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- John Shaw fonds
- Series
- Military series
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 6 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 485-031
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2005-15
- 2006-01
- 2007-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man identified as a friend of John Shaw's standing outside on a hill overlooking an unknown body of water. The photograph was likely taken near the air force training camp in Vernon, B.C.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Friend of John Shaw's, [1941] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/485/485-031.jpg)
![Group at Dinner, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/485/485-056.jpg?width=280)
Group at Dinner
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55581
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- John Shaw fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of nine young people sitting around two tables inside a club or restaurant. The couple on the left is John Shaw and Lois Gilbert (later Lois Shaw) and the woman third from the left has been identified as Lois' sister, Daphne Gilbert (later Daphne Webber). The rest of the people are unid…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- John Shaw fonds
- Series
- Shaw family series
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 485-056
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2005-15
- 2006-01
- 2007-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of nine young people sitting around two tables inside a club or restaurant. The couple on the left is John Shaw and Lois Gilbert (later Lois Shaw) and the woman third from the left has been identified as Lois' sister, Daphne Gilbert (later Daphne Webber). The rest of the people are unidentified and the location is unknown.
- Subjects
- Events - Parties
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Group at Dinner, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/485/485-056.jpg)
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 4
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory475
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date Range
- 1946-1987
- Length
- 00:06:32
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s career at Canadian Industries Inc (CIL) for a few years and then for Fleck Brothers until 1965, when he started his own business, Blaze Industries, which manufactured fire places and wood burning heaters. He also describes his short retirement…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Summary
- This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s career at Canadian Industries Inc (CIL) for a few years and then for Fleck Brothers until 1965, when he started his own business, Blaze Industries, which manufactured fire places and wood burning heaters. He also describes his short retirement in 1980 and going back to work for a solar panel manufacturing company, which led to building a plant in India.
- Date Range
- 1946-1987
- Photo Info
- Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
- Length
- 00:06:32
- Subjects
- Occupations
- 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 four of interview with Merrill Gordon
Track four of interview with Merrill Gordon
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_4.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![John H. Shaw, [1941] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/485/485-008.jpg?width=280)
John H. Shaw
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55533
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- John Shaw fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 4.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of John Shaw in an air force uniform standing in front of an unidentified stone monument. A young girl can be seen leaning against a bench in the background. The location is unknown. On the back of the photograph is written: "John H. Shaw. H- for Horace."
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- John Shaw fonds
- Series
- Military series
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 6.5 x 4.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 485-008
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2005-15
- 2006-01
- 2007-18
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of John Shaw in an air force uniform standing in front of an unidentified stone monument. A young girl can be seen leaning against a bench in the background. The location is unknown. On the back of the photograph is written: "John H. Shaw. H- for Horace."
- Names
- Shaw, John Horace "Jack"
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
Images
![John H. Shaw, [1941] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/485/485-008.jpg)
![Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House, [between 1940 and 1949] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/600/620-005.jpg?width=280)
Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91824
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Small family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Roberts' front yard after a snowfall. The house at 3090 Douglas Road (left) and the Adams' family house at 3011 Godwin (right) are visible in the background. The photograph was taken from the north side of the Roberts' house at 5118 Douglas Road.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Small family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 620-005
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No reproduction permitted
- Accession Number
- 2017-01
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Roberts' front yard after a snowfall. The house at 3090 Douglas Road (left) and the Adams' family house at 3011 Godwin (right) are visible in the background. The photograph was taken from the north side of the Roberts' house at 5118 Douglas Road.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Transcribed title
- Title transcribed from donor's notes
- 5118 Douglas Road renumbered to 3131 Douglas Road in 1958 and to 5538 Dominion Street in 1970 or 1971
- 3011 Godwin is a new address. Previous address was on the 5100 block of Douglas Road (house number unknown).
- The tree bisecting the gable end of the house on the left is likely the oak tree in photograph 620-007
- Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "Probably 1940's Looking East from Roberts front yard"
- Note in blue ink on verso of photograph reads: "P6"
- Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "132"
- Street Address
- 3131 Douglas Road
- 5118 Douglas Road
- 5538 Dominion Street
- 3090 Douglas Road
- 3011 Godwin Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
![Looking east from north side of 5118 Douglas Road - The Roberts House, [between 1940 and 1949] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/600/620-005.jpg)
Miscellaneous papers
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64429
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1919-1968
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of various miscellaneous papers including a map of Jasper National Park published in 1941, a Pacific National Exhibition prize list from 1968, a price list of acreage for sale in Burnaby (unknown date) and notebook filled with Rose Bancroft's notations appearing to pertain to ships do…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1919-1968
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Bancroft family subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS110-017
- Accession Number
- BHS2004-06
- Scope and Content
- File consists of various miscellaneous papers including a map of Jasper National Park published in 1941, a Pacific National Exhibition prize list from 1968, a price list of acreage for sale in Burnaby (unknown date) and notebook filled with Rose Bancroft's notations appearing to pertain to ships docking in Vancouver. Inside the notebook are a number of newspaper clippings as well as a member card for Local 38-52 (Vancouver) of the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) Auxiliary.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
Mounted Patrol
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34202
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 17, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man seated on a horse at a construction site. He is identified as Joe [last name unknown], Mounted Patrol. This was taken at the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- June 17, 1947
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Alfred Bingham subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 6.8 x 11.2 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 010-118
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of a man seated on a horse at a construction site. He is identified as Joe [last name unknown], Mounted Patrol. This was taken at the Willingdon Heights subdivision site.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Photographer
- Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
Images
![Nancy, Bunnie and Violet, [1942 or 1943] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-318.jpg?width=280)
Nancy, Bunnie and Violet
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37730
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1942 or 1943] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.7 x 4.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.5 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (left to right) Nancy [last name unknown], Bunnie [last name unknown], and Violet [last name unknown], at the front of the Ellis home at 2924 Silver Avenue home (later renumbered 6113 Silver Avenue). A 1931 "Oakland" car and the Ford Motor plant are visible behind them.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1942 or 1943] (date of original), copied 1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Image Bank subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 2.7 x 4.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.4 x 26.5 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 370-318
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1999-03
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of (left to right) Nancy [last name unknown], Bunnie [last name unknown], and Violet [last name unknown], at the front of the Ellis home at 2924 Silver Avenue home (later renumbered 6113 Silver Avenue). A 1931 "Oakland" car and the Ford Motor plant are visible behind them.
- Names
- Ford Motor Company
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- 1 b&w copy negative accompanying
- Negative has a pink cast
- Geographic Access
- Silver Avenue
- Street Address
- 6113 Silver Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
![Nancy, Bunnie and Violet, [1942 or 1943] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/370/370-318.jpg)
![Neighbourhood Picnic, [194-] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/315/315-413.jpg?width=280)
Neighbourhood Picnic
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription36955
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [194-] (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.3 x 10.6 cm print
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of approximately forty people at a picnic of neighbours who lived on Pearl Avenue (formerly Earl Avenue). Back row (starting at left) are Bob McLeod and Henry Senft. To the right of Henry Senft and in the very back row is Don McKay. In front of him is his wife Evelyn McKay. Beside Ev…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [194-] (date of original), copied 1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Burnaby Centennial Anthology subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.3 x 10.6 cm print
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 315-413
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
- Accession Number
- BHS1994-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of approximately forty people at a picnic of neighbours who lived on Pearl Avenue (formerly Earl Avenue). Back row (starting at left) are Bob McLeod and Henry Senft. To the right of Henry Senft and in the very back row is Don McKay. In front of him is his wife Evelyn McKay. Beside Evelyn McKay is Eileen Bellinger and beside her is Mr. Hyatt. Also in the back row, to the right, Effie Wallace and her husband Jim (standing right behind her) have been identified. The woman sitting down, second row from the front is "Grandma" Humphries. The woman sitting at the right end is Mrs. Hyatt and the lady two places to her left is Mrs. Bellinger. The children have been identified as (left to right): Virginia Wallace, Vivian McLeod, Marlene Scambler and Susan Wallace. The remainder are unknown.
- Subjects
- Recreational Activities - Picnics
- Names
- Wallace, Effie
- Wallace, Jim
- McLeod, Bob
- Senft, Henry
- McKay, Don
- McKay, Evelyn
- Bellinger, Eileen
- Wallace, Virginia
- McLeod, Vivian
- Scambler, Marlene
- Wallace, Susan
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Pearl Avenue
Images
![Neighbourhood Picnic, [194-] (date of original), copied 1992 thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/315/315-413.jpg)
Small family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription91819
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1922-2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Small family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 75 photographs : b&w & col. + 1 plan
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs documenting the transformation of the Burnaby Lake area of Burnaby, B.C. from semi-rural in the 1920s to urbanized in 2016. Photographs depict the land and houses located on the corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street as the property was rezoned and its density quad…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1922-2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Small family fonds
- Physical Description
- 75 photographs : b&w & col. + 1 plan
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- Open access
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2017-01
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of photographs documenting the transformation of the Burnaby Lake area of Burnaby, B.C. from semi-rural in the 1920s to urbanized in 2016. Photographs depict the land and houses located on the corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street as the property was rezoned and its density quadrupled. Fonds also includes photographs of the Small family house being moved to 5496 Dominion Street and the original landscape plan for 5118 Douglas Road.
- History
- In 1915, John W. Roberts and his wife Mary Allen Roberts moved from the United States to Canada along with their daughter, Lauretta. On first moving to Canada, the family lived in a rented house in Vancouver and John worked as a movie projectionist in the city. The couple had three more children, all sons: John A., Edward, and Roland. Circa 1921, John purchased a large parcel of land at the corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street in Burnaby. This parcel encompassed the equivalent of at least six 66-foot lots along the south side of Dominion Street and the same along the north side of Norfolk Street. On their property, a barn and small living quarters were built. The family moved in, raising goats and growing potatoes to supplement their income. They also planted cherry, apple, and pear trees; hazelnut and walnut trees; raspberries; and a large vegetable garden, the fruits of which Mary preserved for year-round use. At this time, agricultural activities were common for families in the area: the Roberts' neighbours kept chickens for personal use and for selling eggs; grew mushrooms for commercial sale; and sold manure from an old buckboard drawn by Clydesdale horses. John built a new house in the middle of the Roberts’ lots on the southwest corner of Douglas Road and Dominion Street. The house faced Douglas Road and overlooked a large, well-landscaped front yard to the east and a full-sized, clay tennis court to the north. The family moved into this new house in 1925. When the Roberts ceased raising goats, the barn and original living quarters were reduced to a double-car garage with storage space plus a sawdust-insulated “root cellar”. John also built a house on the northwest corner of the lot at Douglas Road and Dominion Street (3093 Douglas Road), which was purchased by the Hardy family. In 1957, part of this property (3071 Douglas Road) was sold to the Brocklebanks who built a house and lived there. In addition, John built a house at the northwest corner of Douglas Road and Norfolk Street (5106 Douglas Road). The original purchaser of this house is unknown, but in 1949, it was bought by the Meyers family. In 1952 or 1953, the Meyers sold part of this property and the Manahans built a house on it, facing Douglas Road. Several other lots that John owned were also sold off over the years. By the 1950s, John owned only five 66-foot lots from Douglas Road west, along the south side Dominion Street. In 1954, John sold the lot furthest from Douglas Road (5486 Dominion Street) to a builder who built a “ranch-style” house and put it up for sale. John retired from his career as a movie projectionist in the 1950s. He, Mary, and Lauretta retained their US citizenship all their lives, although they never returned to the USA except for brief visits. John A., Edward, and Roland who, as children of US citizens, also had US citizenship, eventually moved to the US, where they remained for the rest of their lives. In 1945, Lauretta married Frederick Small. The couple lived in a rented house in Vancouver for a few years before moving in with John and Mary in Burnaby. The couple had four children: Elizabeth, Kathryn, Charles, and Martin. In 1955, Frederick purchased the rancher at 5486 Dominion Street and the family moved in. The Small children grew up enjoying the freedom of having their grandparent’s large property in addition to their parent’s yard to play in. The back lane that ran between Dominion Street and Norfolk Street was filled with trees and bushes, creating a narrow bit of “forest” to explore. In 1957, John died. Mary died in 1969, as did Frederick. Lauretta was executor for her mother’s and husband’s estates. After much consideration, she decided to sell the house at 5486 Dominion Street and move back into her childhood home. By doing so, she was able to settle her mother’s estate to the satisfaction of her brothers. Elizabeth married and moved away. Over the next few years, the “Roberts” house was home to Lauretta, Kathryn, Charles, and Martin, with the three grown children moving in and out several times during the 1970s. In 1981, Lauretta died. Her children discussed at length how to divide up the property, which consisted of four 66-foot lots, according to her will. None of her children wanted to see the old family house destroyed but the house straddled two lots. They finally decided that if one of them wanted to pay to move the house to sit on one of the lots, the “value” of the house would not enter into the settlement of the estate. Kathryn chose to do this. In 1982, the old house was moved to 5496 Dominion Street and Kathryn continued to live in it. Martin died in 1982. Elizabeth and Charles each inherited one lot and the last lot, which would have gone to Martin, was sold, the funds divided equally between Elizabeth, Kathryn, and Charles. The three lots between 5496 Dominion Street and Douglas Road were subdivided into 33-foot lots and six new houses were built. In 1993, the Meyers property and the Manahan property were subdivided into 33-foot lots facing Norfolk Street and the old houses were torn down and four new houses were built.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Technical Drawing
- Creator
- Small family
![Valleyview Community Centre May Queen, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/001/009-006.jpg?width=280)
Valleyview Community Centre May Queen
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34071
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9.7 x 12.9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Valleyview Community Centre May day celebrations. The May Queen and her suite are seated with three men and a woman standing behind them. Identified are (back row, l to r) MLA Ernie Winch, unknown, Burnaby Reeve Geroge Morrison and unknown woman. The Valleyview Community Centre …
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1940]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Photographs subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 9.7 x 12.9 cm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 009-006
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS2007-04
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the Valleyview Community Centre May day celebrations. The May Queen and her suite are seated with three men and a woman standing behind them. Identified are (back row, l to r) MLA Ernie Winch, unknown, Burnaby Reeve Geroge Morrison and unknown woman. The Valleyview Community Centre was located at 4050 Grandview-Douglas Highway (later renumbered and renamed 4949 Canada Way).
- Subjects
- Events - May Day
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of photograph
- Geographic Access
- Canada Way
- Street Address
- 4949 Canada Way
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
Images
![Valleyview Community Centre May Queen, [1940] thumbnail](/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Images/_Unrestricted/001/009-006.jpg)